Dennis Miller, "known for sarcastic asides and long
political rants," auditioned for the "MNF" post two weeks
ago, according to Bob Raissman of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS.
Miller, who has never done any sports broadcasting work
before, "promised he'd be a quick study": "I'm going to bust
my a-s -- go out and wing it. I'm looking to please me, and
hope I please a lot of people" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/23).
LIVING THE HIGH LIFE: Miller, on his role: "I'm going
to try and stay in the background and ask questions that a
fan might ask. I'm not going to try and pontificate about
what I think somebody should be or shouldn't be doing. ... I
hope to bring some humor to it." Miller, on his reaction to
being hired: "To paraphrase a great broadcaster, 'Do you
believe in miracles?' I'm reasonably stunned. I admire
Ohlmeyer's cajones" (THE DAILY). ESPN's "SportsCenter" led
its 6:00pm ET broadcast with news of the "MNF" hiring.
ESPN's Shelley Smith interviewed Miller about his role and
he said, "Maybe I can bring a little sense of humor,
hopefully and they want to make it entertainment to some
extent" (6/22). Miller: "I'm a pretty quirky hire. I think
I can do the job, but I'm not going to try to be Howard
[Cosell]" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 6/23). An HBO rep said
Miller's hiring should not interfere" with his HBO show.
The rep: "If he took on the NBA we would have a problem; but
this -- really we're fine" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/23).
THE LIGHTER SIDE OF THE BROADCAST: Ohlmeyer said
Miller's role "will not be to" analyze the "nickel defense
nor will it be to do stand-up comedy." Ohlmeyer: "He will
bring to the telecast an extremely knowledgeable fan's point
of view as well as being able to look at the game and the
sport with a distinctive style." Ohlmeyer, on giving "free
reign" to Miller to criticize and critique the NFL: "I think
the NFL might be a little more concerned about [Dickerson's]
opinion than Dennis'. Dennis' at least end in a laugh" (THE
DAILY). Ohlmeyer denied he hired Miller only "to create a
buzz" about "MNF": "We're not creating something just for a
buzz -- followed by four months of unendurable pain" (N.Y.
POST, 6/23). Ohlmeyer: "Don't look at Miller as comedian.
His role is to provide an interesting point of view about a
sport that people enjoy on television" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/23).
