11/23/24
July 14, 2003
Rush Limbaugh is a big, fat ESPN Sunday NFL Countdown Commentator...
I dunno. Leaving his politics aside, Limbaugh's style is to be a mean, hectoring dickhead and I don't know if the NFL (or ESPN, as far as that goes) needs another one of those around. Remember, there was a time when Limbaugh was going to be the third guy in the booth on MNF, until it was decided that Dennis Friggin Miller was a better fit. And we saw how well that worked out.
posted by cobra! at 01:51 PM on July 14, 2003
A mean, hectoring dickhead ... man, I hope those words appear on my tombstone. I like the idea of Rush spouting off about something every week, a Dennis Miller rant without the "Oh, look how damned smart I am" edge to it. I think the three challenges will be interesting also. The key will be keep the artist formerly known as the Round Mound of Sound's conservatism in check. The minute he starts yapping about the government, I'm changing the channel, and I'm a Republican.
posted by wfrazerjr at 02:06 PM on July 14, 2003
Is ESPN's Hectoring Dickhead Department big enough for Rush and Jim Rome?
posted by Mookieproof at 02:23 PM on July 14, 2003
Oh, call me skeptical, but it doesn't seem like it'll last more than one season, maybe two. ESPN and ABC have learned that getting celebrities that will make news on their "analyst" panel or sideline reporting will garner ratings, at least teporarily. Miller was added when MNF was getting some of their poorest ever ratings and he bolstered them at least for a little while by getting people to turn it on just to see what he would say or do. Once people got tired of his schtick on the program, he was cut. Same thing will happen here and to Mrs. JKidd (if she in fact gets hired) and Timberlake and in the next ten years, who knows? Maybe Kid Rock or Howard Stern.
posted by Ufez Jones at 02:25 PM on July 14, 2003
Someone shoot him please!!
posted by StarFucker at 02:27 PM on July 14, 2003
Oh good God no. Just when I was finally really starting to get into football, too.
posted by Samsonov14 at 02:59 PM on July 14, 2003
I wonder what Rush would think of the Praise Jesus Discount?
posted by vito90 at 03:03 PM on July 14, 2003
Ah lads, its a match made in pigskin heaven. Just have him well fed before the coin toss, or we could see him trying to nab the opening kick-off ala frisbee dog, ahem, hog.
posted by garfield at 03:20 PM on July 14, 2003
Does anyone actually watch the pregame shows anymore? Ever since I've lived on the West Coast they just start too fecking early to bother with.
posted by billsaysthis at 03:56 PM on July 14, 2003
billysaysthis: I second that - West coast 10AM kickoffs are wonderful. You have a choice between waking up at 9AM and taking a shower (wife/significant other: happy); or waking up at 10AM and showering, maybe, at halftime (wife/significant other: unhappy). Adding Rush just gives me one more reason to sleep in.
posted by dusted at 04:12 PM on July 14, 2003
8 a.m.: coffee, newspaper, more coffee 9 a.m.: farmer's market, more coffee 10 a.m.: kickoff early game 1:15: kickoff afternoon game, espresso 5:15: kickoff night game except if LFC is playing on the Sunday and game is on FSW.
posted by billsaysthis at 06:51 PM on July 14, 2003
billsays: except if LFC is playing on the Sunday and game is on FSW. Then, I would be at bill's house. Hahahahahahaha.
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:34 PM on July 14, 2003
btw, is this the best they can do? Get a fat old gasbag to greet you on Sunday? Can't I get that at WalMart? Holy shit. If the NFL keeps this up, soccer will be the top sport in the US in five years. Talk about a dearth of ideas. They should get Michael Savage next!
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:36 PM on July 14, 2003
No problem, just bring some good good beef or chicken to grill ;)
posted by billsaysthis at 11:36 PM on July 14, 2003
Jim Rome tries too hard and ends up coming off as phony in my opinion.
posted by insomnyuk at 03:58 PM on July 15, 2003
For those who don't like this ESPN experiment, there's the radical option of not watching the show. I envy those who have the time to watch pre-game shows and the games. There are sports idiots all over TV, radio, and print. Why should this be any different? Words like big, fat, old, mean describe at least 50% of the sports media. If Bob Ryan can get on TV, anyone should have a chance. See this for what it really is: an attempt by ESPN to boost ratings. It's all about money. Simple.
posted by munger at 05:18 PM on July 15, 2003
But boosting it for who? This just doesn't seem to be for the younger crowd, does it? Or maybe young Republicans and wacko right-wing football fans?
posted by worldcup2002 at 06:05 PM on July 15, 2003
The targeted demographic for NFL football, that's a good question. I don't think it's limited to 18-34 year olds. There are a lot of football media and fans over 34. I think ESPN is attempting to attract as many viewers as possible regardless of the method. I try to keep my politics and sports separate. Politics doesn't determine who I watch, read, or listen to in sports. There's no need for ESPN to attract "wacko right-wing" fans, since most football fans are already wacko. I saw a lot of wild stuff in the old Dawg Pound of Cleveland Stadium. The Raider Nation doesn't look like a wine-tasting group. And how about the Philadelphia Eagle fans?
posted by munger at 07:21 PM on July 15, 2003
I'm not a dittohead, but I've heard that Rush is a huge NFL fan and very knowledgeable to boot. As long as he keeps his politics out of his commentary, and I'm sure ESPN wants that as well, I'm willing to give him a chance...