By Gail Shister--The Philadelphia Enquirer
June 23, 2000
Naming acerbic comedian Dennis Miller--along with Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts--to the "Monday Night" announcing team last night was an inspired choice by ABC, says CBS late-night host Craig Kilborn.
But the network didnt go far enough.
"Let's have Robin Williams replace Ted Koppel, Louie Anderson replace Peter Jennings and Ellen DeGeneres replace Barbara Walters," says "Late Late Show"'s Craig Kilborn, an ESPN "SportsCenter anchor from 1993 to '96.
And for Diane Sawyer? "Carrot Top," says the snarky standup. "Isn't he a girl?"
ABC created shockwaves late Thursday with the announcement that Miller, 46, "Saturday Night Live"'s "Weekend Update" anchor from 1985 to '91 and current host of "Dennis Miller Live" on HBO, would join veteran play-by-play man Al Michaels in the booth.
With ratings at an all-time low last season, ABC had to do something drastic to stop a five-year slide. Miller qualifies.
Aside from his football expertise, Miller's speed-of-light rapier wit could provide the kind of spontaneous combustion not seen since the raucous Howard Cosell era.
The big question: After seven seasons on anything-goes HBO, will Miller be able to color within the lines of broadcast TV?
"If Dennis says something funny at an inappropriate time, there wil be a bit of a cringe factor," says Kilborn, 37. "But obviously, if a player gets hurt, he's going to be compassionate."
Oh yeah? Just for fun, Kilborn worked up a few gems he can envision for Miller this season:
"This guy goes right faster than a Christian Coalition Meeting."
"I haven't seen a pass go so long since Kissinger asked Jane Fonda to the Republican sock hop."
Miller, who does his live HBO rant in the same building as Kilborn, will continue with the 11:30 p.m. Friday show. His January-to-August season doesn't interfere with football.
Pigskin purists may see Miller's appointment as "sacrilege," says Kilborn, but consider this: Right-wing radio talker Rush Limbaugh was a serious candidate, says "Monday Night Football" exec producer Don Ohlmeyer. The Rush-man may be brought in for a few guest spots.
"I only hope and pray Dennis gets to be opposite him," says Greg Gumbel, CBS's No. 1 NFL play-by-play announcer.
"I like Dennis," adds Gumbel, 54. "You know he'll be entertaining, and he's certainly a better choice than the other people they were considering. I was really shocked it wasn't Regis Philbin. He's doing everything else out there."
"Monday Night Football" "is a different animal" than hard-core Sunday afternoon games, Gumbel says, because it appeals to a broader prime-time audience.
ABC's banking on Miller to attract non-jocks as well as fans.
"The Golden Age of TV is over," said Kilborn, tongue firmly in cheek. "The standards have been lowered. I'll take the blame for that."
