Locker Room Humor: Owens, Sheridan Cause A Stir

“Desperate Housewives” A Controversial Moment On “MNF”

One of the most talked about and controversial moments in the history of “MNF” has nothing to do with the game and everything to do with cross-promotion and the boundaries of what are acceptable standards on primetime television. ABC’s lead-in to the November 15, 2004, game between the Eagles and Cowboys features a skit with TERRELL OWENS and actress NICOLLETTE SHERIDAN, who plays Edie on ABC’s hit show, “Desperate Housewives.” The scene takes place in the Eagles locker room before the game and shows Sheridan, clothed only in a towel, having the following exchange with Owens:



Sheridan: “Hey there, Terrell.”
Owens: “What are you doing here?”
Sheridan: “My house burned down, and I needed to take a long, hot shower. Where are you off to looking so pretty?”
Owens: “Baby, it’s ‘Monday Night Football.’ Game starts in ten minutes.”
Sheridan, laughing and looking seductively at Owens: “You and your little game. I’ve got a game we can play.”
Owens: “Edie, this is major. We’ve got Parcells and the Cowboys, and Donovan needs me.”
Sheridan: “What about my needs? What about Edie?”
Owens: “Will you stop it. All of Philadelphia is counting on me.”
Sheridan: “I can’t help myself. I love you T.O.”
Owens: “Then how about you tell me what’s buried underneath that pool.”
Sheridan: “You know I can’t tell you that.”
Owens: “Then I got a game to play.” Sheridan: “Terrell, wait.”

Sheridan drops the towel, when Owens says: “Aw hell, the team’s going to have to win this one without me.” Sheridan then jumps into Owens’ arms.

The scene cuts to fellow “Desperate Housewives” cast members TERI HATCHER and FELICITY HUFFMAN, who make the call, “Are you ready for some football!?”

Iger Feels Intro Was Inappropriate And Tasteless

Both ABC and the NFL issue statements in the days that follow to apologize for the skit. Disney President & COO ROBERT IGER: “There were people who objected to it after the fact. I, for one, was one of them. I thought it was inappropriate, kind of unnecessary, tasteless.”

Steelers Chair DAN ROONEY adds, “It was the most disgraceful thing I’ve ever seen. It’s on at 9 o’clock. Kids are watching, and everyone starts to think this is the NFL. I’ve written a letter to the commissioner.”

NFLPA Exec Dir GENE UPSHAW, who was with NFL Commissioner PAUL TAGLIABUE when he saw the skit for the first time, says Tagliabue “was really upset.”

Broncos Owner PAT BOWLEN voices his displeasure: “This is about football, why do we have this stuff?”

Despite the apologies, media critics blast the league and network for allowing the suggestive skit to air.

The N.Y. Daily News’ Bob Raissman writes ABC’s apology is “totally disingenuous.”

SI’s Peter King writes, “ABC Sports should be absolutely, positively ashamed of itself.”

ESPN’s Michael Wilbon: “I’m tired of the NFL taking this phony high-road act all the time when the NFL is partnered with Levitra, and during every game you have to sit through at least 20 erectile dysfunction ads.”

L.A. Times columnist Bill Plaschke: “How can the NFL allow this to be associated with their product?”

The Arizona Republic’s Paola Boivin writes the NFL “has raised the bar of hypocrisy. ABC was granted access to the Eagles locker room last week to film the spot and the NFL insisted it didn’t know about the promo? Rigggghtt.”

Owens later apologizes if he has offended anyone: “I felt like it was clean ... and I think it just really got taken out of context with a lot of people and I apologize."