What is unclear is whether Bonds or the Giants have editorial control over what is used and what is not but since Barry controls most everything in his life, including his major league baseball employer, it seems unlikely he suddenly decided to open up his personal and professional life to the world so ESPN Entertainment can improve its TV ratings.

The Giants went along with this deal and both Bonds and Major League Baseball will be compensated for the special access ESPN Entertainment (not to be confused with ESPN the leader in sports journalism) will receive.

Now the fact that Bonds' 24 teammates may not be all that excited about having TV cameras and sound men tromping all over their clubhouse as they prepare for a game this season or after they lose one, apparently has not been given much consideration. Then again, according to more than a few of Bonds' ex-teammates that's his reality — not giving his teammates much consideration.

The show which ESPN says is not really reality TV but rather a documentary in weekly installments is being described as "all-access'' although the reality is it's all the access Barry Bonds wants to grant them and not one inch of film more.

The Giants, for example, say they doubt cameras will go into their trainer's room, an area that is forbidden territory to all media. That's a problem because reporters covering the Giants regularly claim that's where Bonds hangs out most of the time.

Giants' executive vice president Larry Baer told the San Francisco Chronicle that none of Barry's teammates will have to appear on the show if they really don't want to except during game action but what happens if good old Barry puts the backup catcher in a bear hug to show the world what a great teammates he is? Does the hugee refuse to have his likeness used in Barry's reality? Not if he wants to stay in Barry's reality.

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So it goes these days in sports journalism, where the line between news gatherers, pundits and Cedric the Entertainer have become more blurry with each passing day. ESPN Entertainment (not be be...well you understand) will not be alone following Barry Bonds across America this season however.

Hot on their heels (and his) will be, among others, Pedro Gomez, a reporter for ESPN the leader in sports journalism. He did regular reports last year for SportsCenter (not to be confused with either ESPN Entertainment or sports journalism) on all Barry all the time. He spent his every working life trying to figure out exactly what Barry's reality was and what it meant.

So wasn't he giving ESPN's viewers "all-access'' Barry? Wasn't he giving them reality TV or was it unreality TV? Or is there even a difference any more?

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