TV MONITOR: Last night's 10:00pm ET 60-minute edition
of FSN's "The Keith Olbermann Evening News" led with the MLB
Rangers reportedly offering free agent SS Alex Rodriguez a
12-year, $240M contract and other free agent news, followed
by Redskins-Cowboys and Steelers-Giants. Olbermann did not
report on Spain winning its first Davis Cup or on the NCAA
men's soccer championship. Last night's 11:00pm ET 30-
minute edition of CNN/SI's "Sports Tonight" led with
Vikings-Rams, followed by Saints-49ers. The first non-NFL
report, at 8:02 into the broadcast, was Heat-Kings. "Sports
Tonight" reported on the Davis Cup at 27:42, but did not
report on the NCAA men's soccer championship. Last night's
11:30pm ET 60-minute edition of ESPN's "SportsCenter" also
led with Vikings-Rams, followed by Redskins-Cowboys. The
first non-NFL report, at 15:03, was also Heat-Kings.
"SportsCenter" reported on the NCAA men's soccer
championship at 45:36, but did not report on the Davis Cup.
A RARITY, PRAISE FOR NFL PRE-GAME SHOWS: In Houston,
David Barron writes, "After at least a month of lackluster
shows, the NFL pre-game programs at least had some spark,
good interviews and entertainment value [yesterday]."
Barron writes the "primary catalyst" was Redskins Owner
Daniel Snyder's firing of Norv Turner and hiring of Terry
Robiskie (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 12/11). In Milwaukee, Bob
Wolfley writes, "What took place [yesterday] has to be
considered a victory for the forces of light." While the
pre-game shows "can be frivolous, sometimes irrelevant, ...
if they chose to, they can be serious about football
matters" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL-SENTINEL, 12/11). USA TODAY's
Rudy Martzke writes that "only Fox NFL Sunday dared to tread
on inflammatory racial grounds in debating whether" Robiskie
will be retained next season (USA TODAY, 12/11). See (#18).
O'MEARA ON-THE-AIR? Mark O'Meara "likely will work a
few" golf telecasts on CBS next year, "with an eye on
steadier TV employment" (Phil Mushnick, N.Y. POST, 12/11).
