OT: MNF not amused by Kimmel

[Grizzafted]

Kimmel is way out of place on MNF. He's used to a niche crowd that expects insult-based humor. You don't insult football players in front of a national audience, even in jest. Hell, I hardly ever see anyone point out specific player flaws unless they themselves are former players.

A couple years ago I remember some pre-game broadcast (CBS?) where one of the guys made some off-hand dig at Marino about never having won a SB. Marino was visibly pissed and stared him down, saying something like "How many Superbowls did you play in? How many playoff games did you play in?" before they cut to commercial. If that had been Kimmel, I'm sure Marino would have reached across the desk and punched him in the face.

Good lord you screwed up that story... It was in 2004, right after the divisional playoff game where the 49-TD-throwing Colts only managed to put up 3 points in Foxboro (AKA my favorite playoff win of the BB era), and on CBS Boomer Esiason said, "Peyton Manning might turn into the Dan Marino of this era, putting up all the statistics but never winning a Super Bowl." The camera cut to Marino and he was just dead pan staring at Esiason with murder in his eyes, but he didn't say anything, and later he said the look was a joke. He never said any of those things at all, and anyway if he had, Esiason would have been able to say "as many as you on both counts." Marino came off looking like a hypersensitive jackass.

Kimmel was funny. And I don't mind Kornheiser. The MNF games usually suck these days, you need someone to keep it moving.

 

[ELOrocks17]

I'd take Dennis Miller over Kornheiser anyday

 

[Grogan's neck roll]

MNF has been going down hill since trying to replace Frank Gifford and Dan Dierdorf. Al Michaels is still outstanding, though.

You know Al Michaels isn't on MNF anymore, right?

 

[FlyingElvis75]

Good lord you screwed up that story... It was in 2004, right after the divisional playoff game where the 49-TD-throwing Colts only managed to put up 3 points in Foxboro (AKA my favorite playoff win of the BB era), and on CBS Boomer Esiason said, "Peyton Manning might turn into the Dan Marino of this era, putting up all the statistics but never winning a Super Bowl." The camera cut to Marino and he was just dead pan staring at Esiason with murder in his eyes, but he didn't say anything, and later he said the look was a joke. He never said any of those things at all, and anyway if he had, Esiason would have been able to say "as many as you on both counts." Marino came off looking like a hypersensitive jackass.

Kimmel was funny. And I don't mind Kornheiser. The MNF games usually suck these days, you need someone to keep it moving.

Hmm, I could have sworn I heard Marino say something along those lines as they cut to commercial, but since you obviously remember the details better, I'll take your word for it.

In any case, he was PISSED, and that was another Pro-Bowl QB talking...imagine if that had been Kimmel??

 

[godef]

Remember when Dennis Miller was on MNF? Viewers nearly revolted until they ended that experiement. Did you think it could get worse? Well it did. Korny Tonheiser stinks!

But ya know what? I am amused that MNF is not.

The thing that kills me about the current Monday Night Football is that they act and talk like it's still the premier NFL game of the week, which it's not anymore (by design).

For instance, how Buffalo appeared on MNF for the first time in a millenium. Well guess what; last year, this year, and in the next few years, there are going to be several more crappy teams appearing for the first time in a long time, because MNF is what SNF used to be: second rate.

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

You have my vote, Patchick. If you can talk as well as you post, then you'll be an instant Emmy nominee.

Seriously, the discourse generally observed here would put most of the broadcast talking heads to shame.

Yeah, sign me up.

Patchick is one of the top posters here by far. She is realistic and objective, something which is missing both at fan sites and in the media at large.

Now I am curious what she writes about normally. But she may not want to blow her cover.

 

[PatriotsReign]

I was watching it when he was on. I didn't have a problem with what he said although when he made the Theisman crack I remember thinking I can't believe he just said that. It went over like a fart in church with Tirico, Jaws and Kornheiser.

Sooner,

Your signature has me intrigued...who is the PF1996 idiot?

 

[Seacoast Fan]

The only thing worse than watching the lousy games they are putting on MNF, is having to watch them while listening to Kornhole and Jaws. I can't stand either of them.

 

[patchick]

The thing that kills me about the current Monday Night Football is that they act and talk like it's still the premier NFL game of the week, which it's not anymore (by design).

For instance, how Buffalo appeared on MNF for the first time in a millenium. Well guess what; last year, this year, and in the next few years, there are going to be several more crappy teams appearing for the first time in a long time, because MNF is what SNF used to be: second rate.

It seems like the NFL pulled a fast one with ESPN, getting them to shell out for the Grand Glory that is Monday Night Football, then shifting the premier games (plus flexible scheduling) to Sunday Night. Gotcha!

It's out of sympathy and sheer public-spiritedness that I offer my services to this poor benighted broadcast. What do you think of the campaign slogan?

 

[Hoodie]

It seems like the NFL pulled a fast one with ESPN, getting them to shell out for the Grand Glory that is Monday Night Football, then shifting the premier games (plus flexible scheduling) to Sunday Night. Gotcha!

It's out of sympathy and sheer public-spiritedness that I offer my services to this poor benighted broadcast. What do you think of the campaign slogan?

You have my vote too.

 

[mojocaster.com]

I don't understand the need for the role that Kornhole plays in the booth - let alone for K. to be chosen to handle that role. Let's go with Tirico & Jawz, that's all we need. I actually like Jawz a lot on those telecasts. He adds something of quality - Kornhole can't say the same.

 

[All_Around_Brown]

Tsk Tsk...Now Jimmy go straight to sensitivity training.

Anyone uptight about a comment as weak as that needs to get a life.

 

[primetime]

Hey, you can go on national TV and take cheap shots at Marino if you want. Of course, he'd be allowed to chew you out and b!tch-slap you on national TV, too.

Right. Just like actors are allowed to "b1tch-slap" critics who give their movies bad reviews.

Again, what bizarro world is this where criticism of entertainment figures gives them the right to enact violent retribution? Even the much-maligned Tom Cruise held himself back from punching that guy who sprayed water in his face a couple years back with the phony microphone, and he had much more reason to do so.

 

[FlyingElvis75]

Right. Just like actors are allowed to "b1tch-slap" critics who give their movies bad reviews.

Again, what bizarro world is this where criticism of entertainment figures gives them the right to enact violent retribution? Even the much-maligned Tom Cruise held himself back from punching that guy who sprayed water in his face a couple years back with the phony microphone, and he had much more reason to do so.

Dude, chill out. It was an exaggeration, just like your "Fans aren't allowed to criticize players unless they're former NFL superstars now?" was an exaggeration. Assault is still a crime, I understand that.

My point is, if you're going to go up there and insult a guy like Marino or Theismann (who might have taken it in stride, but wasn't there), there's no law against it, but the tongue-lashing you'd get in return is to be expected. There's no law against that, either, and there's also no law against firing a guy for making comments the network considers inappropriate.

 

[primetime]

Theismann (who might have taken it in stride, but wasn't there)

The likelihood is that he didn't, because the reason Kimmel is now banned from MNF probably has something to do with a non-disparagement clause in the termination of Theismann's contract.

 

[FlyingElvis75]

The likelihood is that he didn't, because the reason Kimmel is now banned from MNF probably has something to do with a non-disparagement clause in the termination of Theismann's contract.

I had no idea such clauses existed; if so, then what Kimmel did actually WAS "not allowed," because wouldn't it be a breach of contract?

 

[patchick]

The likelihood is that he didn't, because the reason Kimmel is now banned from MNF probably has something to do with a non-disparagement clause in the termination of Theismann's contract.

Ooh, very smart thinking. Now that you put it that way, it does seem likely. IIRC Theisman quietly disappeared before his contract was up, which typically involves a payout and a promise by both sides to behave themselves. Which a Kimmel-off-the-street presumably wouldn't know about. A big oopsie-daisy for ESPN.

 

[primetime]

I had no idea such clauses existed; if so, then what Kimmel did actually WAS "not allowed," because wouldn't it be a breach of contract?

They're pretty common, actually. Usually what they're used for is so a company doesn't come out and say "so-and-so is a terrible worker and no one should ever hire him in the same line of work" and so on; basically preventing the guy from ever getting a job again.

To be honest, Theismann probably didn't get too bent out of shape, but he actually has the right to sue over something like that. It's not a clear-cut case (Theismann was a public figure, and what Kimmel said wasn't out-and-out disparagement), but I think Disney/ABC/ESPN is just covering its own ass by banning Kimmel from MNF.

 

[captain stone]

What do you think of the campaign slogan?

Looks good.

Now, should we keep Tirico, Jaws, Kolber and Tafoya, or should we assemble a crew more befitting your talents? IOW, what would be your MNF Dream Team?