The following presents national media reaction to ABC
naming Dennis Miller to its "MNF" broadcast team:
THE GOOD: In Chicago, John Jackson: "Other than the
possibility of a four-letter word slipping through -- which
is yet another reason to watch -- I see no downside to ABC's
bold hire" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 6/23). In Riverside (CA),
Evan Tuchinsky: "Miller has a good chance of sticking
around. He's smart. He's funny ... he's knowledgeable. ...
Assuming Miller doesn't get too arcane with his reference or
bleep-inducing with his quips, he should fit in. It all
boils down to credibility" (Riverside PRESS-ENTERPRISE,
6/23). In Chicago, Rick Telander: "I like the new lineup.
I really do." Telander calls the hiring of Miller "pure
brilliance" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 6/23). In CO, Lynn Zinser
writes the addition of Miller "will be a blast" (CO Springs
GAZETTE, 6/23). In Miami, Greg Cote praises the move, "Is
homogenized corporate thinking actually capable of such
occasional lapses of inspiration? ... Never has any sports
broadcast, at any time, made a hiring so daring. ... This is
the latest, and most compelling, example of the line between
sports and entertainment fading by degrees" (MIAMI HERALD,
6/23). Also in Miami, Barry Jackson writes, "This group ...
figures to be far more lively, witty and provocative than
the Micahels-Boomer Esiason tandem last year" (MIAMI HERALD,
6/23). In St. Petersburg, Ernest Hooper: "If the wit Miller
displayed during a conference call Thursday is any
indication, he will be better than expected. ... Free your
mind and give it a chance. It was time for a change, a big
change" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 6/23).
THE BAD: USA TODAY's Gary Levin writes that rival
network execs and some talent agents "were both similarly
surprised and skeptical" of Miller's hiring. Levin: "Some
question whether Michaels would enjoy wisecracking in the
booth. And Miller, known for his sarcastic and cynical
humor, is not seen as a team player." Initiative Media Ad
Buyer Bill Croasdale, on Miller: "He's a top-notch comedian.
But I don't know if the true football fan wants a comedian
in the booth" (USA TODAY, 6/23). The AP's Howard Fendrich
writes that Miller's hiring "might" get viewers talking
about "MNF," but "at the risk of alienating viewers who
prefer their football announcers with a background in the
game" (AP, 6/23). In Charlotte, Bill Keveney: "Based on
Miller's HBO vulgarity, he's more suited for a head coaching
job" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 6/23). Syracuse Univ. Center for
the Study of Popular Television Founder Bob Thompson: "If
they think whoever they name is going to bring ['MNF'] back
to where it was their first decade, they are mistaken. They
could name Moses to this, and it wouldn't have an effect"
(PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 6/23). TN Media Senior VP Steve
Sternberg: "The game's the thing. In today's fragmented
media world, personalities are less likely to draw viewers
to the NFL than 20 years ago" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 6/23).
THE UGLY: In N.Y., Bob Raissman writes that the hiring
of Miller "is a slap in the face to anyone who has spent
years in the business or is trying to make a breakthrough."
Raissman writes that Miller "best be quick. He also better
hope his shtick is appealing. ... If he offends [viewers]
sensibilities, they will tune out" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/23).
In Chicago, Steve Rosenbloom writes to Ohlmeyer: "Great
move. This way, when ['MNF'] becomes a joke, you can say
it's by design" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/23). FSN's Keith
Olbermann: "I don't want to get off on a rant here, but just
because the ratings are slipping for some sports telecast
... that doesn't mean you go hiring some joke-jockey who has
already inspired one too many soundalike contest winner --
and that means you, Craig Kilborn. ... Somewhere ... Cosell
is laughing his toupee off, anticipating how much we'll all
miss him the first time Miller laughs over the punch-line of
his own joke" (FSN, 6/22). In Denver, Woody Paige: "Wasn't
Chevy Chase available? Eddie Murphy?" He adds that "MNF"
will no go "from 'F-Troop' to f-bombs" (DENVER POST, 6/23).
INDUSTRY WATCH: Katz TV Group Dir of Programming Bill
Carroll notes ABC was "looking for someone unorthodox, like
Rush Limbaugh or Kevin Costner." Carroll: "What's halfway
between Limbaugh and Costner? I guess Dennis Miller. ... In
the end, the viewers will decide" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 6/23).
Sports Business Group President David Carter said that ABC
"will have to do much more than reconfigure the lineup in
the press booth to make ['MNF'] what it once was." Carter:
"The whole telecast has to be much edgier and have a more of
an in your face, Gen-x and even Gen-Y model because that's
what it's competing with" (STAR-LEDGER, 6/23).
JUST MISSED THE CUT? In DC, Tony Kornheiser writes on
his audition for the "MNF" post. Kornheiser, on watching a
tape of the Bills-Titans playoff game for his audition: "I
wondered if my inability to identify a single Tennessee
player hurt me." Kornheiser, on Miller getting the post:
"I'd have picked him too" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/23).
ROCK THE VOTE: FSN's "Your Call" segment had fans vote
on, "Who would you have chosen for the Monday Night Football
booth?" Chris Rock (33.2%), Rush Limbaugh (32.9%), Howard
Stern (17.0%), Regis Philbin (8.9%) and Miller (8.0%)
("NSR," FSN, 6/22). CNN/SI's "Sports Tonight" had fans vote
on, "What do you think of Dennis Miller joining Monday Night
Football?" Great idea (21%), terrible idea (32%), wait and
see (26%), at least he's not Rush Limbaugh (21%). There were
3,818 total votes ("Sports Tonight," CNN/SI, 6/22).
