The new "MNF" announcing team made an appearance at
this past weekend's TV Critics Association Tour, and in
L.A., Larry Stewart writes "no once could accuse" new
analyst Dennis Miller "of grandstanding or trying to steal
the show. If anything, he was subdued. No ranting."
Miller, on criticism of his lack of football announcing
experience: "Listen, it's football. It's not like I'm on
the Medical Channel with (noted heart surgeon) Dr. Denton
Cooley" (L.A. TIMES, 7/17). Miller noted the group will
make their debut two weeks from tonight up against the GOP
National Convention: "You want to see the coronation of
George W. Bush? My God, the guy thinks Croatia is the show
after 'Moesha.'" Miller, on whether he "may be too hip for
the TV sports room": "Some people might get it" (BUFFALO
NEWS, 7/17). Miller admits to cramming "voraciously" on NFL
material. Miller: "These people don't want me to be some
manic jokesmith. They want me to talk about football. If I
see a chance for a humorous shot, I'm going to take it here
and there. But my prime directive is to be an integral
member of a three-man booth talking about a football game,
and I think I can do that" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 7/17).
More Miller: "I don't expect everyone to like me. My career
has been like that" (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 7/17).
MIKE CHECK: DAILY VARIETY's Paula Bernstein reports
that "MNF" Exec Producer Don Ohlmeyer has asked the NFL for
permission to put cameras and/or microphones on players.
Ohlmeyer: "I'd like to put cameras in as many places as the
NFL will let me." Ohlmeyer, on the start-up XFL: "I
wouldn't bet against it" (DAILY VARIETY, 7/17).
