ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel said, “Last night on ‘Monday Night Football’ was another sad night for the New York Jets. Tickets to the game in New Jersey were reportedly selling for $10, which is less than it costs to see a movie in 2-D, but there was a highlight. That highlight came while Mike Tirico was talking up an NFL campaign. They have one of these NFL campaigns to encourage kids to exercise. Well, watch very closely here.” The broadcast then aired video from ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” of a young pre-teen Jets fan cheering loudly while apparently holding popcorn and a Bud Light beer. Kimmel added, “The Jets are even driving children to drink this season” (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC, 12/2).
Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart said, “I want to first talk to you about professional football, the American brand. It’s certainly seen its share of controversy this year, from a gay player who apparently couldn’t hit hard enough to a straight player that could but probably should not have hit at all, really, to a team that on paper (in the Giants) before the season should have been in the hunt. For God sakes, (Giants QB Eli Manning is) a two-time Super Bowl-winning MVP! Do we have an offensive line? Do we not have an offensive line? Am I the only who thinks that the protection schemes are not only ill-designed but also humorously under-executed?” Stewart then addressed the controversy with the Rams players using the “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” gesture (“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” Comedy Central, 12/2).
