to Reno and others on MNF and D. Miller

[Sonny Palermo]

The other thread was getting long, didn't want my opinion buried. Here goes:
1. We were thisclose to gettin Limbaugh the big fat idiot. Therefore just about ANYONE was a blessing.
2. They have gone back to three man, instead of two man booths, so Miller won't be forced to fill air time, this should allow things to flow naturally for him.
3. Reno - you may have just been kidding but JJ was actually an interesting choice/suggestion - he knows the sport AND he wagers on it. MNF is getting it's ass kicked by WWF (as is boxing in pay-per-view area) BECAUSE they are dominated by narrow minded, crotchety, old school curmudgeons who refuse to adapt to changing times. Put someone in the booth who is rootin for the team his money is on. Half the wagerers will hate him (those who have the other side), half will cheer with him (those who bet on the same side) but HELL, AT LEAST IT WOULD CAUSE EMOTIONS TO RISE, instead of the usual dead-talk that puts us to sleep.
4. Boomer - The quality of the games on schedule has been so poor lately that they'd need a topless Pamela Anderson to keep viewers tuned in.
5. Regardless - pro Miller or con, he will ALWAYS get credit in my book for this:
True story - a few years back air-pirates in Chicago cut into the evening broadcast of 'Jeopardy'. They switched viewers over to a hard core porn flick. It took the network approx. 5 minutes to get the porn off. Millers quote? - "viewers tuning in to watch Jeopardy knew something was amiss when they heard a man say 'suck my *ick' instead of
'what is - suck my *ick'!

[This message has been edited by Sonny Palermo (edited 06-28-2000).]

[Scott Landau]

Sonny, heard that joke when he did it; the guy has a wit for sure...latest rumor has CNBC offering megabucks to George Carlin to sit alongside Bill Griffith to spice up PowerLunch, because lately, all we do is wait on the Fed...George mulled it over, called back and said he'd do the show only if Maria Bartoromo was sitting in his lap!

[sportsbank]

Scott,
Do you play the market also?

[Scott Landau]

Sportsbank, not actively, mostly just buy and hold. If I catch something that looks promising in the business section I'll grab some shares. Saw a great story about CEPH 2 years ago and bought it at 9. My best friend started working in 1983 for a small company called AL Williams and he talked me into buying 100 shares at 8. I've never touched it and it is now 1100 shares- of Citigroup! If I had bought 2000 shares I'd probably be doing something else right now. I haven't made a move the entire year thus far. Gotta tip, SB?

[sportsbank]

Scott,
E-mail me: sportsbank@hotmail.com

[reno]

Sonny, I don't know if JJ would be a good choice. I know he bets, because I used to see him and Cookie Jar playing at the Stardust.

An ex-partner, who ripped me off for 150 dimes, worked at Eiferman's Gym before he joined me. He told me that JJ worked out there, but that he wasn't a naturally funny guy, that he was only funny when doing his routine. My ex-partner claimed that he himself was funnier than Jimmy.

What is really funny, in a tragic way, was the sign that hung over my ex-partner's desk at Eiferman's. The sign said, "After all is said and done, more is said than done." That sign perfectly describes my ex-partner. His MO is to bamboozle people with BS, and then do nothing.

[Ronbets]

Sonny,
Nice take on MNF. Personally, I think pro football is over saturated and just might be in a down period. One possible solution would be 2 Monday night games scheduled. One for the local markets and the other national. In case of a blowout, switch the rest of the nation over. The gambling fraternity would love it and so would the ratings.
Placing JJ "Dynomite" LIVE in the booth, I think Id go with renos first choice Mr.LV Wayne Newton.

Scott Landau,
CNBC countered with Sue Herrera and the deal was nixed.:}

[Sonny Palermo]

JJ wouldn't be my choice, only used him as an example to point out that I think they should try a sports bettor in the booth who OPENLY roots with the pointspread in mind, instead of hinting at the number like Al Michaels does. Is it radical? Sure, especially from a forum that usually chooses ex-players. BUT.....if the idea is to reach the audience THE AUDIENCE IS NOT MADE UP OF EX-PLAYERS! The audience is largely made up of SPORTS BETTORS so why not use one of their own as an announcer to reach them? Simple math to me but then again, the staid hypocracy that rules the networks and league all but shuns alluding to betting. The ostrich with it's head in the ground approach has MNF ratings in a steady decline while wrestling grows phenominally - because it GOES for controversy, it gives the public what it WANTS, no what it thinks is good for it......
Reno - sorry to hear about your partners lack of integrity, hope you get back what is due, in cash or on flesh; and I've seen JJ at the 'dust too, he's a surly kind of guy...

[loudog]

Sonny/Reno,

Have to throw my two cents in at this point regarding Jimmie. I consider him a close personal friend, having met in in the Bahamas in 1992. My opinion is that he is far funnier hanging out and BSing in person than he is doing his shtick, which I have seen 5 or so times. Have you seen him on Politically Incorrect? I can also see how someone looking at him from the outside might consider him 'surly' or 'standoff-ish'. In reality, he is just trying to make his living as a generally funny and personable stand-up comedian, and all anyone wants to hear him say is 'DYN-O-MITE'. He is a little touchy on that subject because he'd rather be recognized on his merit as a comedian today. From the front door of the Riv to the tower where Damon Wayans was doing standup night before the ATL/DEN superbowl maybe 20 people that we passed screamed Dynomite or JJ. After awhile it even annoyed me. Anyway, had to step in for my boy. If either you want to chat, grab my e-mail from Jeff.

peace,

loudog

[Junior44]

Like I said in the other thread, the hiring of Dennis Miller was a brilliant move with tremendous upside and very little risk. He is a highly intelligent man and he knows his role in the booth. The problem with MNF last year was the incredible switcharoo between the haves and have nots. The 2 superbowl teams, Denver and Atlanta, were horrible. San Fran, Dallas, Pittsburgh, the Jets, and to some degree, Miami all went in the tank, and you had Indy, the Rams, and Tennessee rising from the ashes. I certainly could not have projected that and I doubt MNF could either. I think Miller adds an element that is sorely needed in the booth....some fun, a little sarcasm, some smart, sharp, jokes......I mean, after all, it IS a game, isn't it? One other thing: Al Michaels does indeed bet, or at least he used to 5 or 6 years ago....I assume he still does......

[Sonny Palermo]

LouD, I realized after I posted what you pointed out - I judged with no groundpoint. I may be surly too if people pigeon-holed me as the 'dyn-o-mite' kid. I guess when you've had fame one price you pay is puttin up with morons in public. I go to all the fights, know who is fan-friendly and who is of the "don't-talk-to-me, don't-even-look-at-me" category. It must be tough to not be able to go in public with out being harrassed. J.Nicholson works the crowd, smiling, waving. But I'll never forget Pacino, surrounded by security, head bowed, arms up around his head, covering up from the crowd yelling, hoo-haw (from Scent of a Woman); he looked to actually be in pain, and I could almost feel it. That's the price artists pay I guess, but it's not a bad trade off, eh?

[bighands]

even though SI burried Miller today i think MNF hit a grand slam. Miller's wit is very similiar to Cosell.i think Miller will attract not only football fans but fans of Miller.i doubt the network just picked his name from the air.this must have been researched extensively. the only one who will make this sink or swim is Miller.

[reno]

What would be funny would be to give various Hollywood guys who have flopped on big-time TV shows the first shot at MNF. One by one, we could watch guys like Pat Sajak and Chevy Chase try to win viewers over. It could be like that "Survivor" TV show. Maybe MNF can resurrect MacLean Stevenson for a try at the job.

[AussieVamp2]

bring back the A-Team, let them do it

[Scott Landau]

Worst choice would be William Shatner...Priceline.com commercials are so bad I'm ready to short the stock.