From the longtime host of the New York Yankees’ television broadcasts, ESPN Radio’s The Michael Kay Show, and YES Network’s Emmy Award–winning CenterStage comes an “entertaining…greatest-hits collection” (Kirkus Reviews) of his most memorable interviews with the most intriguing personalities in sports and entertainment—from Jay-Z to Mike Tyson to Serena Williams to Adam Sandler to Bon Jovi to Larry David.
Emmy Award–winning television announcer and interviewer Michael Kay’s eighteen years as host of YES Network’s CenterStage have given him access to many remarkable figures in sports and entertainment. Now, this absorbing selection of the best, most revealing—and often surprising—interviews is available in one amazing collection, including some of the behind-the-scenes stories that didn’t appear on camera. From Kay’s very first CenterStage interview in 2001 with quarterback Steve Young, the show’s creators knew they had something special. Kay’s ability to get celebrities and otherwise private personalities to open up and share candid insights has become his trademark.
Among the interviews featured in the book are those with Red Auerbach, Charles Barkley, Mike Tyson, Bobby Orr, Sly Stallone, Jay-Z, Lorne Michaels, Paul Simon, John McEnroe, Rob Reiner, Seth Meyers, Serena Williams, Alan Alda, David Halberstam, Larry David, Bob Costas, Billy Crystal, Lindsey Vonn, Chris Evert, and Quentin Tarantino.
For any pop culture fan or sports enthusiast, this prized collection “should be high on your reading list” (Alex Rodriguez, three-time American League MVP).
“An impressive range of sports and entertainment stars sit down for friendly chats. [CenterStage is] a greatest-hits collection, some of it revealing, all of it impressive in its breadth and wattage. It’s entertaining to spend time with so many stars.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“The deft, unscripted turns of phrase Michael Kay often delivers in big moments are a testament to a writer’s regard for the beauty and importance of words well-chosen….Over the years, Michael Kay has delivered plenty of good television. Much of it on CenterStage. The proof of that is on the pages that follow.”
—from the Foreword by Bob Costas
“If you ever wanted to know what makes musicians, actors, and star athletes tick, Michael Kay has done the work for you….Kay deftly peels back the facade of celebrity to reveal the fears, hopes, and emotions of the people we thought we knew. CenterStage is a fun read that sparkles with interesting nuggets.”
—Tom Verducci, senior baseball writer at Sports Illustrated and coauthor, with Joe Torre, of The Yankee Years
“Michael Kay is one of the best broadcasters in the business. Turns out he’s one heck of an author, too. CenterStage is an entertaining book and definitely should be high on your reading list.”
—Alex Rodriguez, Three-Time American League MVP
