PTI is the best sports discussion show on the air today. And it works just as well with the substitute hosts. The thing that really drives PTI is the format. The timed topics structure helps keep the show on a good pace. Because the structure limits the amount of time allowed for any given topic no topic is allowed to drag on too long and each show allows for a good variety of topics to be covered. The rundown list is a nice feature that allows viewers to know what subject is about to come up. PTI is a particularly enjoyable watch on Mondays during the NFL season. If a particularly major story has occurred more time may be allotted to it but still within the context of having a time limit. The second part of the show features either a game or a guest. I generally like the guests and I especially enjoy jaws commentary on the NFL and Barkley's commentary on the NBA during these guest segments. The games are more hit or miss for me. I love What's the Word and Oddsmakers and I enjoy Toss Up. On the other hand I don't care for Good Cop/Bad Cop and I despise that annoying Role Play game. Overall the first part of the show is meant to give a more serious take on the sports happenings of the time whereas the games that often occur in this second segment are meant to be more fun frivolous. The final part of the show includes happy time and the big finish. Happy time includes birthdays, anniversaries, and happy trails. The happy trails part can be funny, serious, or sad (if it is used to acknowledge a death). The big finish is basically a lightning round segment of very short takes on several topics. Oftentimes the big finish will end with Mike and Tony doing a prediction about an upcoming game. All in all the format and structure of PTI are what make it successful by ensuring a quality pace and a breadth of topics. Only my dislike of a few games prevented this from getting the full 10. A well earned 9 out of 10.