ABC fumbles at the goal line [should hire Rush]

Packer Insider ^ | 10/7/03 | Tim Matacio

[slowry]

The Packers-Bears game last Monday night only reinforced how far the ABC telecast of the game has fallen. When I was growing up, MNF was one of the highlights of my week. The excitement of the game was heightened by the broadcast team of Frank Gifford, Don Meredith and Howard Cosell. But it was Cosell, more than anyone, who gave the broadcast the feeling of an "event" instead of just a game. You loved him or you hated him, but you had to watch him.

Over the years ABC has thrown different formulas on the wall, and this year's version is acceptable, but it shows how far the show has strayed from its roots when we're reduced to watching John Madden demonstrate to Al Michaels how to draw circles on the screen as diversion from the game.

ABC may have blown the chance to have a compelling MNF broadcast by allowing its cable partner, ESPN, to accept the resignation of commentator Rush Limbaugh. Serving a "minor league" apprenticeship this season on NFL Countdown, Limbaugh would have been perfect to throw in the MNF booth next year with Al and John.

Not a former coach or player, Limbaugh presumably was hired because he is controversial and unafraid to voice his opinions. So why is he allowed to resign? Because he made a controversial comment! Limbaugh was hired to give his opinions, wasn't he? An "opinion" is a "judgment or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter." It is not spoken as a fact or the truth. I was actually considering watching NFL Countdown last Sunday to see what else might be said, but instead, Limbaugh is gone and we're back to the same old "jockocracy," a term that was coined by Cosell.

If ABC really wanted to do something to spice up MNF, they would reopen the lines of communication with Limbaugh. Imagine the dialogue between him and Madden. Al Michaels would serve as a perfect referee. You could then add ESPN sideline reporter Suzy Kolber, a woman who is not only attractive but actually knows something about football. Now we've got a broadcast team that might be able to bring back the Monday Night Magic.

At least, that is my opinion.

[isthisnickcool]

It's football season?

[Support Free Republic]

"Facts are stubborn things, and whatever may be our
wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions,
they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."
- John Adams -

Make your statement.

[ClearCase_guy]

We live in a world in which some people welcome your opinion -- so long as it agrees with their opinion.

We live in a world where diversity is celebrated -- so long as we all agree on the important things.

We live in a world where tolerance is important -- and if you deviate from the program, you will be stomped on, because some people cannot tolerate your "intolerance".

[AlwaysLurking]

That is very well said.....thanks!

[ZeonZaku]

I am shocked at how twisted Rush's words have become. Many people who are criticizing him are doing so to false information! This only happened a week ago!

I watched O'Reily even give out some false information based upon Rush's "Words"

Bah.

[Moose4]

This is a good idea. The idea about Suzy Kolber is a good one too--eye candy is fine, but whoever gets put down on the sideline needs to know what they're talking about. She does.

}:-)4

[hang 'em]

I wish you people would stop talking about Rush and football -- it's bumped the Lacey Peterson story off the front page...
;-)

[justshutupandtakeit]

Unfortunately Rush slipped into Idiot Mode and blew up on the Launching Pad. An incredibly dumb statement for one usual so right on.

[harpu]

"Unfortunately Rush slipped into Idiot Mode and blew up on the Launching Pad. An incredibly dumb statement for one usual so right on." WRONG! His statement was 'right on' he just dropped it in the 'wrong forum'!

However, I think the reactions to 'Rush's comments' are exactly what Rush expected and that he was ready to accept them.

Rush is not a stupid man, or is he naive. Rush knew what was going to happen. He may have been a little surprised at the cowardice shown by Berman and Young.

Candidly, it's time for Roger Ailes (FOXNews) to put Rush in his lineup but...it ain't gonna happen any time soon.

[cardinal4]

I think Al Michaels was born to do MNF, but you might have something there...

[justshutupandtakeit]

His comment was ridiculous from start to finish. He certainly has a right have a stupid opinion but it was pretty embarassing for his fans to have to hear it. I have never noted any evidence of great knowledge of football on his part and that crack leads me to believe he has none.

It damages conservatives when such absurd things are said by our superstars and gives our enemies ammunition for even more false charges of "racism" etc.

Very unfortunate to see such an embarassing display by such a great man.

[G.Mason]

"Very unfortunate to see such an embarassing display by such a great man."

I know it is tough, but you really must try and get over it.

BTW ....... who's next to be put up on that pedestal in your living room?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[SengirV]

This is a good idea. The idea about Suzy Kolber is a good one too--eye candy is fine, but whoever gets put down on the sideline needs to know what they're talking about. She does.

I agree, Suzy kicks ass. She is cute, not over the top hot. She has a a money metal brain on her shoulders and the players respect here. I know she wouldn't have asked Patrick Ramsey about his ex-teammates on the jets after that first monday night game by Lisa Gurrero. Of course Ramsey never played for the Jets, but that over the hill hottie must have thought that every player currently on the redskins used to play for hte jets???? Idiot.

[SengirV]

This WAS the plan. Since ABC and ESPN are both owned by Disney, the plan was always to get Rush on MNF. They obviously felt that there would have been a lot of crap if they put him directly in the MNF booth, so they decided to get him a little credibility by having him on the ESPN pregame show for a year. If he had only THOUGHT before he spoke, and kept his opinions centered on actual football instead of his agenda, he would have been doing the MNF games next year.

[slowry]

Rush knew what was going to happen

Difficult to believe. You're actually saying he knew he'd get fired?

I thought that before this blew up, Rush had said the ESPN job was something like "a dream come true."

he just dropped it in the 'wrong forum'

Honestly, this starts sounding to me like "it is a generally accepted fact that she is fat, but my statement was made in the wrong forum -- within her earshot. Because of my high intelligence, I was pre-aware that I would be slapped."

I'm not here to attack Rush, I hope he gets another football gig.

[FourtySeven]

John Madden is so dumb, imo, he makes it almost unBEARABLE to watch MNF!

I don't have to give any examples, because all you have to do is simply watch (or listen) to him to know I'm right. There are simply too many "examples" to give anyway, I wouldn't know where to start.

[slowry]

I agree about Madden. I think before he got on MNF I didn't realize how dim he was. Maybe Michaels didn't either.

[GOPJ]

Did you come up with these? They're great.

We live in a world in which some people welcome your opinion -- so long as it agrees with their opinion.

Maybe a "We live in a world..." thread should be started.

We live in a world where diversity is celebrated -- so long as we all agree on the important things.

We live in a world where tolerance is important -- and if you deviate from the program, you will be stomped on, because some people cannot tolerate your "intolerance".

[montag813]

But it was Cosell, more than anyone, who gave the broadcast the feeling of an "event" instead of just a game. You loved him or you hated him, but you had to watch him.

Rush can't even dream of spinning a phrase like Cosell could. He is not in the same league. Plus Cosell seemed to have the entire Bible, Complete Works of Shakespeare, Shelly, Byron, and Keats memorized and ready to pull out into a perfectly-rhymed phrase in a matter of milliseconds at his prime.