I'd love a link to that.
One of several that I googled up. http://www.boston.com/sports/articles/2005/12/26/turn_out_the_lights/?page=2
The most fascinating episode, however, involved Lennon and President Ronald Reagan, then governor of California. Each figure embodied part of the cultural divide of the time, Lennon the protesting pacifist pop star, Reagan the hard-line conservative leader. Gifford had invited them to appear on the same show in the early '70s, assuming Lennon would be a no-show.
To Gifford's surprise, he looked over his shoulder during the broadcast and spotted the two waiting together.
''Governor Reagan had his arm around John Lennon and he was explaining American football to him," Gifford said. ''Only on 'Monday Night Football' would you get those two guys, who were poles apart, united."
Their appearance prompted some swift maneuvering by Cosell, who initially planned to interview Reagan but anticipated the audience's keener interest in Lennon.
''Giffer," Gifford recalled Cosell abruptly stating, ''you take the governor and I'll take the Beatle."