Funniest Moments: Charles Barkley, Eloquent Comedian

TNT NBA Thursdays is, without a doubt, a prime example of quality television programming. It's well-produced, has a beautiful set, and attracts truly great guests. It also has one of the greatest sports show hosts ever: Charles Barkley.

Charles has never been a quiet man. Since his college days at Auburn, Chuck has been known to speak his mind. He had quite a penchant for making headlines while in the League, too. He's colorful, opinionated, frank, and without really meaning to be, hilarious.

As a host of NBA Thursdays, Charles has evolved from the "Round Mound of Rebound" into a "Round Mound of Sound." Complimenting co-hosts Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith perfectly, he plays the role of knee-jerk reactor and sarcastic devil's advocate.

Just a few of Charles' gems:

He once interrupted Ernie's question of "Who do you think will be the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference this year?" with a resounding "I don't care!"

In one edition of the short segment, "Does This Impress the Chuckster?", in which Barkley's head is superimposed upon the actual halftime performer's body, Charles' smiling face appeared on a tiny Chinese contortionist's frame.

He once "admitted" that he was "a dumbass" directly into the camera with a straight face. Kenny had typed it up on the teleprompter to see if he'd read it, Ron Burgundy-style, and he did. YouTube this now if you haven't seen it.

He has made fun of himself by yelling off-stage for "more donuts" and by racing NBA official Dick Bavetta at the 2008 All-Star Weekend.

But the funniest Barkley moment, believe it or not, was less his doing than all of the above.

During the Mother's Day broadcast during the 2007 Playoffs, TNT aired a clip of Chuck's mom reminiscing of the NBA greats’ childhood:

"The man at the corner store would always save Charles a Twinkie and an orange drink, because Charles loved Twinkies, and he loved orange drinks."

The world now knows how the Mound got to be so Round. Love you, Mr. Barkley.