Is it just me or did ESPN completly ruin MNF?

[JeffGollin]

Since we never play on MNF, I seldom watch - preferring to watch recordings of last night's episode of The Wire.

In general, though, it's not just MNF; it's all the networks. Football is a beautiful sport to watch - all by itself. When they gimmick it up (presumably to reach a broader fan base) they're screwing up what made the sport beautiful in the first place.

However, there are a couple of experiments I wouldn't mind them trying: (a) no announcers. Instead, put four average fans in a room and let them make random commentary about what they're seeing on the screen. (Add informational commentary about down, distance, ball carrier and who made the tackle via a crawl at the bottom of the screen) or (b) add an average rooter for each team to a 2-man broadcast crew and let them make comments.

 

[Scott MS]

The NFL pulled "Primetime" from ESPN because they lost Sunday Night Football and moved it to NBC. It wasn't ESPN's choice to cancel Primetime, but rather the NFL wanted the highlight show attached to the Sunday Night game.

 

[bratwurst]

Nothing was better than NFL countdown, (NOT STUPID NFL BLITZ) followed by ESPN Sunday night football with Mike Patrick, Paul McGuire, and even Joe Theisman. Why the hell do they always have to ruin good things...

I agree - I'd watch this almost every week even when the teams weren't interesting.

 

[bratwurst]

Since we never play on MNF, I seldom watch - preferring to watch recordings of last night's episode of The Wire.

In general, though, it's not just MNF; it's all the networks. Football is a beautiful sport to watch - all by itself. When they gimmick it up (presumably to reach a broader fan base) they're screwing up what made the sport beautiful in the first place.

However, there are a couple of experiments I wouldn't mind them trying: (a) no announcers. Instead, put four average fans in a room and let them make random commentary about what they're seeing on the screen. (Add informational commentary about down, distance, ball carrier and who made the tackle via a crawl at the bottom of the screen) or (b) add an average rooter for each team to a 2-man broadcast crew and let them make comments.

If you let those fans drink beforehand... wow that might be some interesting tv.

 

[Gambit]

Nothing was better than NFL countdown, (NOT STUPID NFL BLITZ) followed by ESPN Sunday night football with Mike Patrick, Paul McGuire, and even Joe Theisman. Why the hell do they always have to ruin good things...

I know...as time goes by I am starting to like Joe Theisman (when compared with the Kornheiser).

 

[bratwurst]

I always liked Theeezman and McGuire together in the booth. I thought it worked really well.

And speaking of announcers, as much as it sucks to say this, I think Aikman right now is the best color commentator currently doing games. He does his research and always comes with something of value when he speaks.

 

[Pariah]

You know who'd be a good thrid-guy in the booth? Drew Carey. It'd work out, too, because if he was doing Monday night you know he'd never have to do a Browns' game.

 

[DeAnna]

I wouldn't mind Jimmy Kimmel on MNF, I kinda like him.

 

[daves]

This explains everything

Here's a great article that explains what's been going on (factors both within and out of ESPN's control):

http://www.slate.com/id/2149978

Sunday Night Football has now departed for NBC, and as a consequence ESPN has lost its rights to those long 7 p.m. highlight packages. Primetime's spot has been filled by NBC's studio show, Football Night in America

...dave

 

[bratwurst]

Since I usually watch the game delayed on Tivo and then just switch to NFL network, I've been kind of in the dark on this stuff. But... "Football Night in America"?

WTF? We're so out of anything original we are borrowing Canadian ideas?

 

[lobo]

[



However, there are a couple of experiments I wouldn't mind them trying: (a) no announcers. [/quote]


if i recall jeff, about "100 years ago" or so they actually did a game with no announcers....may have been when they had home games blacked our regardless of sell out or not...

 

[clif]

I can't remember the last time I watched a pregame show, listened to the announcers or even caught a half time show. All worthless.

I put these things in the same boat as a MJ and Bickley show... totally worthless.

I like listening to the radio broadcasts.

 

[nurnay]

Pink is trailer trash. I'm sick of lookin' at her. That whole opening thing is annoying.

That's Sunday night, not MNF. MNF has Hank & 50 other washed-up musicians doing the opening. I love it when Hank & Little Richard are in the same shot. Like those two would have anything to talk about.

My biggest gripe about MNF is the guest in the booth. Why do they keep subjecting us to this? They constantly talk over the play on the field. I just want to watch the damn game!

 

[RugbyMuffin]

HAHAHAHAHA!

Monday Night Football was ruined WAY before ESPN got a hold of it.

Actually I think Monday, Thursday, and Saturday night football games are also worthless.

Plus all these "special games" are usually strung out to about 4 1/2 hours.

Sunday is a football day, and it should stay that way.

The Saturday playoff games are cool, and Thanksgiving is tradition. The rest is over saturating the game.

One of the best things about football is that it is only played once a week, and SHOULD be on Sunday.

 

[Compa]

However, there are a couple of experiments I wouldn't mind them trying: (a) no announcers. Instead, put four average fans in a room and let them make random commentary about what they're seeing on the screen. (Add informational commentary about down, distance, ball carrier and who made the tackle via a crawl at the bottom of the screen) or (b) add an average rooter for each team to a 2-man broadcast crew and let them make comments.

On Thursday nights Fox Soccer Channel broadcasts English soccer matches with only one fan from each team doing the commentating. I think it works for soccer, and I think it would work for NFL games if they emulated the system. I can't imagine this ever happening in the NFL, though.

 

[SuperSpck]

The modern culture of holding on high all things HYPE is what's chisseling away at what little credibilty MNF has and it started before ESPN, but has been greatly aided by the network's acquisition of the show.

For the last time Stu, there is no way to make a matchup between two mediocre teams or one good team/one bad team exciting to anyone outside those two markets or diehard football fanatics. That's who the viewership's mainly going to be weekly regardless of the two teams, homers and junkies.

AND STOP BRINGING IN ANNOUNCERS WHO FREELY ADMIT TO KNOWING LITTLE ABOUT FOOTBALL. AND GET 3 PEOPLE OUT OF THE BOOTH! 2 IS A FINE NUMBER. IF YOU WANT CONTETIOUS BANTER, HAVE THEM MARRY EACH OTHER AND LET ONE BE THE CLEAN FREAK AND THE OTHER BE A SLOB.

and I'm done.

 

[vinnymac]

theisman has to be the most overrated commontator on television today. he flip flops on everything he says. just bad coverage period. i don't mind the guess. as long as they are interesting. pink does suck. i suggest kid rock. everyone likes kid rock. except me.

 

[Carpy]

 

[dreamcastrocks]

NFL Primetime used to be the best wrap up show. Now it's 15 minutes of covering the Monday night game, 15 minutes coverage of two games, 15 minutes of banter between the panel and another 15 minutes of the other 13 games played on Sunday. I think they had a minute worth of highlights from the Cards game. The also do their gameball giveaways 5 times during the show. As for the pre-game it sucks. They hype the game for an hour and a half(usually a crappy game to boot) and the beginning itself sucks. That opening with the city turning into a stadium is stupid and they barely play the best theme in football. And do we really need to see Kornheiser's bus pulling in? I mean really WGAF? He's bad, not Bryant Gumbel bad, but maybe Dennis Miller bad. Sorry for whining, but they just took a really good night for football and ruined it. Thanks for letting me air that out it's been pent up for a while!

A little late to the party, but MNF was already ruined. There was a reason why it moved to cable, it started sucking.

 

[CardEd]

I wish MNF would do away with the terrible interviews in the booth during the game. Show me more replays, talk about what just happend or just be quiet.

 

[Southpaw]

ESPN is , if nothing else, consistent. ESPN constantly lets the viewer know that they are the show, not the game. They over hype every event. They insist on 3 mouths in the booth for every game, regardless of the sport. It is constant noise. Then they have to bring in the " celebrities ". They suck and are basically the only broadcaster out there.

Anybody ever get the feeling that ESPN broadcasts to first time sports viewers and/or idiots? This constant analysis is embarassing. I hate ESPN on every level.

Except maybe College Gameday trio.