The beginning of the end, my friends

With the funereal mood at ABC among the MNF crew, this season should be particularly unwatchable. It's a shame to see this institution leaving the network. Not only for the excitement of watching your team play on Monday night, but how fired up a crowd is when you're attending one of these games in person. I can't recall a Dallas crowd more fired up than one Monday in the early '90s when Philly visited.

posted by rcade at 05:08 PM - reply - flag:

Yet another great life experience that has been run over by the Greed Train!

posted by panteeze at 05:10 PM - reply - flag:

Whats the difference whether the game is on ABC or ESPN on monday nights ? Except losing John Madden to NBC and replacing him with *gulp* the horrible Joe Theismann , the game is still on mondays and at night just at a little earlier time slot . They did bring Al Michaels over from ABC , so thats the same . Announcing for MNF has never been their strong suit till the past couple of years but by then the choice of games has sucked . I hope ESPN is smart enough to choose a better line up of games .

posted by evil empire at 05:24 PM - reply - flag:

Yeah, I'm lost as to the funeral procession as the game moves from ABC to a channel 95% of football fans have access to. Just seems like they're trying to match the product to the audience. ee, Disney/ABC/ESPN obtained the ability to cherry-pick games in season, so no more Cleveland v. Arizona in the Bowl for the #1 Draft Position.

posted by yerfatma at 05:30 PM - reply - flag:

It's about the game, isn't it? Not the announcers.

posted by graymatters at 05:40 PM - reply - flag:

ee, Disney/ABC/ESPN obtained the ability to cherry-pick games in season, so no more Cleveland v. Arizona in the Bowl for the #1 Draft Position. Hey "fatma", is that a definite and are they the only networks? How about Fox, for example?

posted by tommysands at 05:41 PM - reply - flag:

Yeah, this is pretty much a done deal. I'm of two minds about it. Change is inevitable, and while it was a nice little weekly event, it's not like it's being replaced by nothing, and Michaels & Madden were in decline anyway. (Yeah, I said it.)

posted by chicobangs at 06:12 PM - reply - flag:

It's a done deal, albeit a weird one. As I recall, they can cherry-pick a game from whichever network has the double-header that week. Or the reverse. Whichever.

posted by yerfatma at 06:15 PM - reply - flag:

It would be nice if they didn't choose games before the season starts , the schedules are given out not long after the NFL schedules are announced . I mean who wants a Dallas at San Fransisco game on a week 14 . They need to be able to get a meaningful game each week , not some old rivalry from the 80's .

posted by evil empire at 06:26 PM - reply - flag:

I know I'm a little thick, but do I have this right? Monday Night Football only can cherry pick any game which is scheduled as a double header? And if that's correct, does that mean that the two team originally scheduled for a Sunday, if cherry picked, will move their game to Monday night? And if that's correct, how much advance warning do the two teams (and their fans) get?

posted by tommysands at 06:38 PM - reply - flag:

The new time slot on ESPN makes a lot more sense for some areas, staying up til' 12:00 on a Monday night blows. The option of being able to switch to more pertanant. meaningful games late season is a big plus as well.

posted by slick at 06:42 PM - reply - flag:

I'm lost as to the funeral procession as the game moves from ABC to a channel 95% of football fans have access to ... Eighty percent. One in five Americans doesn't have cable or satellite TV. They'll only be able to see Monday Night Football when a local team is playing and one of their affiliates gets to run the game. Whats the difference whether the game is on ABC or ESPN on monday nights? The difference is the loss of a game that was once bigger than the game. MNF was once the highest-rated show on prime time television. Nearly half of all TVs in America were watching the show's most-watched game, the December 1985 matchup between unbeaten Chicago and Miami. The NFL may be the world's most successful sport, and a big part of the reason is the appeal of MNF among non-sports fans. Obviously today, there's little difference today between MNF and ESPN's Sunday Night Football. After all these years, it has become just another game.

posted by rcade at 06:53 PM - reply - flag:

Eighty percent. One in five Americans doesn't have cable or satellite TV. Which is why I qualified my statement. I'm guessing the 20% without cable or satellite skews heavily toward the KILL YOUR TELEVISION crowd.

posted by yerfatma at 07:08 PM - reply - flag:

I don't think anyone was as bad as Dennis Miller. Comedian to football commentator? And the Bears in HOF game? WTF? Good thing they were good in the "old" days.

posted by volfire at 07:24 PM - reply - flag:

I'm guessing the 20% without cable or satellite skews heavily toward the KILL YOUR TELEVISION crowd. hahahaha ... without cable or satellite a tv would just be something to lay junk on . I personally have directv with NFL sunday ticket ,MLB extra bases ,NBA season pass . The thought of network tv only is frightening .

posted by evil empire at 07:27 PM - reply - flag:

And directv is laughing all the way to the bank.............

posted by volfire at 07:32 PM - reply - flag:

I don't think anyone was as bad as Dennis Miller. Comedian to football commentator? OH Volfire , you had to remind us of that . Who's brilliant idea was that , i'd bet he's been relieved of his duties over that . Their second choice was Rush Limbaugh that season . What happened to hiring people with FOOTBALL knowledge to announce FOOTBALL games . I'm sure they could have got Arsenio Hall too that year , they could have done the dog pound chant (WOOF WOOF WOOF ) after each scoring drive .Thankfully they resisted that impulse .

posted by evil empire at 07:51 PM - reply - flag:

And directv is laughing all the way to the bank ??? I use these most every night , so where is it wasted money ? Costs less then attending games so I guess pro teams are also laughing all the way to the bank .

posted by evil empire at 07:54 PM - reply - flag:

You know it is going to be a bad day when the executive producer of the Jerry Springer show calls you and wants to talk about your new job search, and evidently both Miller and Limbaugh got that call...

posted by Okie_ranger at 09:26 PM - reply - flag:

Eighty percent. One in five Americans doesn't have cable or satellite TV I do not think that 80% can afford cable or satellite? Monday Night Football only can cherry pick any game which is scheduled as a double header? And if that's correct, does that mean that the two team originally scheduled for a Sunday, if cherry picked, will move their game to Monday night? I thought it was NBC that will have the opportunity to select which game they will televise on Sunday night. I don't think ESPN will get to cherry pick.

posted by panteeze at 10:22 PM - reply - flag:

go texans

posted by dback2 at 11:15 PM - reply - flag:

The beginning of the end was when they started using that yahoo's "music" in the beginning of the broadcast. Never again did I turn on the game before 10 minutes after the hour. I'd rather hear Dennis Miller wax poetic for hours than listen to that belt buckle-wearing buffoon for five seconds. Are you ready for some moonshine?

posted by Mootiwan at 11:44 PM - reply - flag:

As someone who lives on the east coast, I can say you are lucky if a game ends at midnight. Games have gone on to 12:30 and even 1 am. It is a ridiculous notion and I could never figure out why moving game time to 8 pm was such a big deal. I know they tried it a few years back and I loved it, but it didn't last long for some reason.

posted by Ricardo at 04:38 AM - reply - flag:

I liked the Hank Williams Jr. intro when it wasn't the halftime-length extravaganza it became after a few years. It was painful towards the end.

posted by rcade at 05:13 AM - reply - flag:

I'm guessing the 20% without cable or satellite skews heavily toward the KILL YOUR TELEVISION crowd. I'm guessing it skews much more heavily toward the sort of folks who can't afford it. You can get a TV for ten bucks if you're not fussy about shopping around; cable is usually a lot more than that, and the bill comes every month. Whatever you may think of his politics, and I try really hard not to, I have to say that when he talked about the NFL, Rush Limbaugh seemed pretty up to speed. Apparently he didn't get the job because his behavior on his own show soured somebody in the decision loop on him. I think he would've been a lot more benign, but he still would've polarized MNF watchers the way Howard Cosell did.

posted by alumshubby at 05:28 AM - reply - flag:

More likely scenario: Limbaugh didn't get the MNF job because he embarrassed himself on ESPN's Sunday morning show, making Donovan McNabb's race an issue, causing Tom Jackson and others to put the pressure on ESPN to dump him.

posted by rcade at 07:06 AM - reply - flag:

So nobody thinks their cable package will go up? To me ESPN sucks anyway Out of five channels in the general "package" ,You might have one with something actually interesting. Or are there alot of people out there who actually like rewatching old "classic" games that are 10 yrs old?

posted by volfire at 08:12 AM - reply - flag:

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH TINACTIN COMMERCIALS? ESPN CAME IN AND "BAM" ... I'M OUT OF A JOB! J.M.

posted by tb_mitchell at 08:19 AM - reply - flag:

Maybe we're looking at this the wrong way. Maybe now the halftime show can REALLY be more pornographic than ever! FCC can't regulate what's on cable or satillite right? And now to our halftime pole dance show sponsored by.........

posted by volfire at 08:36 AM - reply - flag:

I liked Dennis Miller.

posted by MNJ1193 at 08:56 AM - reply - flag:

I've grown up with MNF and I have hardly cared who was the commentator, however I get chills when I see a clip from the past with Howard Cosell. MNF is as american as apple pie and has been a staple since longer than I can remember. I don't see the sense in spending $40 a month or more for cable tv. If there is nothing on the 6 or 7 channels I get for free what is the likelyhood there "will be" something on in the remaining 150 channels in the "boob tube" universe. If this isn't stupid then why the heck is NBC rejoining the Airing of the football on Sunday nights? I'll tell you why... it's a spring board for the coveted crowd demographic and NBC is in the ratings cellar. [Oh remember why NBC pulled the plug on it before? Their excuse it costs too much, but now when there ratings suck it's cheap? How stupid do you have to be to run a network anyways????] Mickey and his dumb cohorts think that because they own Espn that it won't make a difference. So in 6 years from now when Mickey sinks to the ratings cellar we can all comemorate the event that Mickey and his tight wad friends are no smarter than the stupid brainless bird we know as a "peacock". Gee how many years it's been since the "peacock" had a NFL game. Six sounds pretty close to me.

posted by DumbMouseMickey at 09:12 AM - reply - flag:

I think that its a big Mistake putting MNF on ESPN.. But hey what do I know. I sure we dont see a "porned" up presentation. Its bad enough the way it is now.

posted by daddisamm at 09:24 AM - reply - flag:

[quote] "WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH TINACTIN COMMERCIALS? ESPN CAME IN AND "BAM" ... I'M OUT OF A JOB! J.M."[EndQuote] You'll see them on the "peacock". John Madden is way smarter than Mickey. As long as there's football and a young demographic and they can keep Madden alive he'll never be out of a job. {He's 69 now, 75 at the end of the 6 year contract with Peacock.} While he may not have mixed well with Al Michaels, how many have mixed well with Michaels? Gifford was probably his best side kick in my humble opinion. Although Miller was refreshing at first, it quickly got old... but anyone they put in that spot is way better than watching a locally carried game with no name commentators.

posted by DumbMouseMickey at 10:31 AM - reply - flag:

Yeah, I have to admit I started tuning into MNF just for Dennis Miller (I watch a lot of football on the weekend, but skip MNF unless the Pats are on). I'm glad I did: those games with Miller being funny (and the Britannica explanations the next day) are akin to the last memories of a dead relative.

posted by yerfatma at 10:43 AM - reply - flag:

[quote]I hope ESPN is smart enough to choose a better line up of games .[endquote] This comes down to the NFL. The NFL sits down and comes up with a schedule based off performance of previous year of the teams, Teams that make the superbowl appearance have the tougher schedules while losers get the easier schedule. If Patriots go to the super bowl you're not going to see them play every Monday night. You have to be real, it's inevitable you will have some poor games on monday night. That's the price of admission. There is no way to predetermine which team will do better than another, due to injuries, free agency and a host of other factors like a player going off to smoke pot for a year. There are a certain amount of high caliber games that are slotted for Monday, but because of the aforementioned problems you always have the possibility of lame ducks.

posted by DumbMouseMickey at 10:43 AM - reply - flag:

This years MNF schedule : Other than week 2 and 14 its not bad . Week 1 Mon, Sep 12 TIME (ET) TV TICKETS LOCATION Philadelphia at Atlanta 9:00 PM ABC Tickets Georgia Dome Week 2 Mon, Sep 19 TIME (ET) TV TICKETS LOCATION Washington at Dallas 9:00 PM ABC Tickets Texas Stadium Week 3 Mon, Sep 26 TIME (ET) TV TICKETS LOCATION Kansas City at Denver 9:00 PM ABC Tickets Invesco Field Week 4 Mon, Oct 3 TIME (ET) TV TICKETS LOCATION Green Bay at Carolina 9:00 PM ABC Tickets Bank of America Stadium Week 5 Mon, Oct 10 TIME (ET) TV TICKETS LOCATION Pittsburgh at San Diego 9:00 PM ABC Tickets Qualcomm Stadium Week 6 Mon, Oct 17 TIME (ET) TV TICKETS LOCATION St. Louis at Indianapolis 9:00 PM ABC Tickets RCA Dome Week 7 Mon, Oct 24 TIME (ET) TV TICKETS LOCATION NY Jets at Atlanta 9:00 PM ABC Tickets Georgia Dome Week 8 Mon, Oct 31 TIME (ET) TV TICKETS LOCATION Baltimore at Pittsburgh 9:00 PM ABC Tickets Heinz Field Week 9 Mon, Nov 7 TIME (ET) TV TICKETS LOCATION Indianapolis at New England 9:00 PM ABC Tickets Gillette Stadium Week 10 Mon, Nov 14 TIME (ET) TV TICKETS LOCATION Dallas at Philadelphia 9:00 PM ABC Tickets Lincoln Financial Field Week 11 Mon, Nov 21 TIME (ET) TV TICKETS LOCATION Minnesota at Green Bay 9:00 PM ABC Tickets Lambeau Field Week 12 Mon, Nov 28 TIME (ET) TV TICKETS LOCATION Pittsburgh at Indianapolis 9:00 PM ABC Tickets RCA Dome Week 13 Mon, Dec 5 TIME (ET) TV TICKETS LOCATION Seattle at Philadelphia 9:00 PM ABC Tickets Lincoln Financial Field Week 14 Mon, Dec 12 TIME (ET) TV TICKETS LOCATION New Orleans at Atlanta 9:00 PM ABC Tickets Georgia Dome Week 15 Mon, Dec 19 TIME (ET) TV TICKETS LOCATION Green Bay at Baltimore 9:00 PM ABC Tickets M&T Bank Stadium Week 16 Mon, Dec 26 TIME (ET) TV TICKETS LOCATION New England at NY Jets 9:00 PM ABC Tickets Giants Stadium

posted by evil empire at 11:30 AM - reply - flag:

The reason it's moving to ESPN is because MNF with ABC has been losing money for several years now. Moving it to ESPN keeps MNF under Disney's umbrella without forking out the dough a network requires. In broadcasting it's a business before it's a sport For those of you dissing cable/sattelite get with it man. It's 2005 the networks are scrambling your minds.

posted by gbottlerocket at 11:50 AM - reply - flag:

I just want ESPN to get rid of the jackasses they have on Sunday night. I'm tired of Paul Maguire thinking every play is "the greatest play I've ever seen!". I'm tired of Theissman thinking he knows everything and I don't even know why Mike Patrick is there. He can't get a word in between the other two egomaniacs. So there.

posted by gbottlerocket at 11:55 AM - reply - flag:

Ok I know I'm in the minority. But I am so glad to see Madden gone. I never liked him as a coach but did give him the point that he won. But some of the stupid inane comments he would make made you wonder if not only had he really ever coached but had he ever even seen a football game. Basically he ranted and raved and made very little if any sense. Give me AL Michals and just someone who can sound intelligent.

posted by scottypup at 12:15 PM - reply - flag:

Don't get me wrong, I'm a Packers fan, but what on God's Earth did they do to deserve three Monday night games every freaking year?

posted by fabulon7 at 12:38 PM - reply - flag:

The NFL may be the world's most successful sport, and a big part of the reason is the appeal of MNF among non-sports fans. Wrong. The NFL is the world's most successful league. Association football dwarves American football globally.

posted by salmacis at 01:31 PM - reply - flag:

I'm sure La Liga or the EPL would even take exception to that salmacis.

posted by trox at 01:56 PM - reply - flag:

[quote]The reason it's moving to ESPN is because MNF with ABC has been losing money for several years now. Moving it to ESPN keeps MNF under Disney's umbrella without forking out the dough a network requires. In broadcasting it's a business before it's a sport For those of you dissing cable/sattelite get with it man. It's 2005 the networks are scrambling your minds. [end quote] Losing money? Yeah right... I think you should talk to NBC. NBC is in the ratings tank right now and losing money. If your babble made any sense why the heck can NBC afford to cast pro football?... why would they want to especially on Sunday nights? I wasn't dissing cable/sattelite...MNF has always been as far as I can remember. I never remember a time without it. Leave it to the stupid mouse to foul everything up. I knew when they bought ABC a while back it would lead to bad things to come. I use to love the little mouse, now I'm ready to feed him to the cat. So now what will we have on Monday nights? ToyStory repeats.

posted by DumbMouseMickey at 05:06 PM - reply - flag:

So now what will we have on Monday nights? MNF , on ESPN .

posted by evil empire at 05:16 PM - reply - flag:

[quote]Don't get me wrong, I'm a Packers fan, but what on God's Earth did they do to deserve three Monday night games every freaking year?[endquote] probably because they won superbowl32 and made it to the playoffs several years past the Raiders which use to own monday nights don't anymore because they suck. Plus Farve is a crowd pleaser whether you like him or not.

posted by DumbMouseMickey at 05:19 PM - reply - flag:

LoL Evil, but how much you wanna bet that will change in 6yrs? I wouldn't pay a dime to see it on espn... call me a cheap sob I don't care. My point in all of this is the money grubbing fools at the networks. It's all a stupid game and I am not refering to football. The networks are trying to position themselves, it's no different when fox took the NFC from CBS and CBS took AFC from NBC. It's all a twisted game and it's all about money. It's what the Networks thinks it's worth. Let me tell ya if NBC didn't think they made a mistake 6yrs ago why the heck they want back in??? Has the price gone down for Sunday Nights because ESPN sucks that bad??? So now ESPN can do to Monday Night Football what they've done to Sunday Night Football? Thanks but no thanks, I'll vote with my eyes and shut the damn thing off.

posted by DumbMouseMickey at 05:27 PM - reply - flag:

Don't get me wrong, I'm a Packers fan, but what on God's Earth did they do to deserve three Monday night games every freaking year? Farve's final season ( part 2 ) may have alot to do with it too.

posted by evil empire at 05:40 PM - reply - flag:

[quote]this isn't UBBoard or whatever the hell craptastic forum software UR used to. That is all.[endquote]

posted by yerfatma at 05:57 PM - reply - flag:

Isn't this actually Favre's final season part 3? But yeah, I guess Madden wants to get those gigantic meathooks on him a few more times before they both move on...

posted by fabulon7 at 08:04 AM - reply - flag:

Monday, August 08, 2005

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