NFL broadcasting starts its “post John Madden era,” this weekend when NBC covers Sunday’s Hall of Fame game from Canton, Ohio, as the Bills face the Titans at 8 p.m.
The new broadcast team for NBC Sunday Night Football will be Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth, who takes Madden’s place in the broadcast booth. Returning will be talented sideline reporter Andrea Kremer, who will be seen both on TV and online.
During a conference call this week, I spoke to Michaels about Madden and his new partner Collinsworth:
Michaels on working with Madden: “I had a wonderful seven years with John Madden, four on Monday night and three on Sunday night. And, I’ve said it many, many times, the only regret I have in regard to that partnership is that we didn’t get to do it for 27 years instead of seven.”
Michaels on what he will miss most about Madden off the air: “Most people who watched John on TV were unaware of his intellect. We could, and often did, talk about anything and everything. He is a very well-read man who loves history, politics and issues of the day. He also loved and interacted well with every member of our broadcast crew and I know that they will miss him as much as I will.”
Michaels on his new partner: “Years ago when I first heard Cris on the air and he was doing college football I said, ‘there’s a guy I’d like to work with someday because he’s got it.’ He has the goods. As great as Cris has been in the studio in his career, people forget he was also on the number one team at FOX. This is about as seamless a transition as you can have. For me, it couldn’t work out any better. If John was going to retire, to bring Cris in and have him as my partner is just great. … I did ask Cris to work on his ‘booms’ and he’s getting there.”
NBC opens its regular season coverage Thursday, Sept. 10, with the Super Bowl Champion Steelers hosting the AFC South champion Titans. In the first “NBC Sunday Night Football” contest of the season, on Sept. 13, the Packers will renew their longtime rivalry with the Bears.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on washingtonexaminer.com.
