ESPN To Bring Back "Primetime" To Counter NBC's Sunday Night Football (Kind Of)

Wednesday, August 20, 2008


One of the best shows ever on ESPN was Chris Berman and Tom Jackson's highlight show, "NFL Primetime". It was a simple, no frills, highlight show and a throwback to how Sports of television used to be. Sure Berman was obnoxious at times, but there was rarely enough time for him to veer off course, and TJ always seemed to bring him back when he did.

Well according to multiple sources, including USA Today, ESPN is planning on bringing back the show. Sort of. They won't have the extensive league highlight package that is reserved for NBC and they'll be ruining the show's legacy by adding in the likes of Mike Ditka, Merril Hoge and Trent Dilfer. Oh, and it will technically just be a Live Sports Center with Berman hosting at 7pm on Sundays.

Actually, nevermind.....that's nothing like Primetime. I take it back. The move is obviously being made to counter NBC's pregame show, which will now feature Dan Patrick alongside Keith Olbermann. While I'm sure I will like the format and the number of analysts yapping at the same time, it's definitely a smart move. It will certainly be a welcome change from the fastest three minutes segment that Berman could barely get through without gasping for air.

I'm also pretty certain that NBC isn't happy about the decision. Hopefully this move will start some sort of battle so Olbermann's snarkiness can go up against Berman's rage in the showdown to end all highlight shows! One can only hope.

18 Comments:

Sure Berman was always obnoxious, but there was rarely enough time for him to veer off course, and TJ always seemed to bring him back when he did.

/fixed

Anonymous said...
Aug 20, 2008, 2:10:00 PM  

Is ESPN also bringing back Bill Pidto to do the Lions and Cardinals highlights?

Aug 20, 2008, 2:15:00 PM  

I actually will watch FNIA rather than fat dope Berman on Sportscenter with his moranic nkcnames.

Anonymous said...
Aug 20, 2008, 2:23:00 PM  

"I actually will watch FNIA rather than fat dope Berman on Sportscenter with his moranic nkcnames."

First, he won't be in the new Ghostbusters game and now he's creating awful nkcnames. FU Rick Moranis! Unless it was supposed to be "moronic nicknames."

/The Grammar Gestapo

Anonymous said...
Aug 20, 2008, 2:31:00 PM  

Berman certainly has his faults, but he and TJ were second to none. NFL Primetime was without a doubt one of the best shows on ESPN.

Stu Scott even did a game or two for a while and added to the broadcast.

Anonymous said...
Aug 20, 2008, 2:42:00 PM  

I can't stand Merril Hoge. Look, I'll admit that Vince Young isn't the best QB in the NFL, but the way Hoge talks about him, it seems like Hoge is personally offended that Vince is even in the league.

Anonymous said...
Aug 20, 2008, 2:42:00 PM  

Primetime had one of the finest--arguably the finest--pieces of background music ever heard. I will miss that.

duhnduhn duhndunhduhn duh duh duh
duhnduhn duhnduhnduhn duhhhhhhhhhhh

Anonymous said...
Aug 20, 2008, 2:44:00 PM  

Sorry, about that, it was supposed to be moronic nickmanes. If Berman didn't do those dopey nicknames the show might be watchable.

Anonymous said...
Aug 20, 2008, 2:47:00 PM  

It's the one show in which Berman was (slightly) endearing instead of (totally) obnoxious.

Anonymous said...
Aug 20, 2008, 2:48:00 PM  

one lame nickname from berman was too much. i couldn't stomach it.

i thought last year nbc's tandem of costas and olbermann was perfect. but ebersol had to ruin that with swarmy dan patrick.

guess i'll have to go to the good ole nfl network. it has yet to let me down whether it be highlights or draft coverage, it's so far superior to bspn i can't properly explain it.

Anonymous said...
Aug 20, 2008, 2:49:00 PM  

I agree that last year Footbll Night with Costas and Olbermann doing the highlights last year was good, and I think this year with Patrick and Olbermann it should be better this year in my opinion.

Anonymous said...
Aug 20, 2008, 3:19:00 PM  

So when they get to golf and racing highlights, what is Tom Jackson supposed to do???

GMoney said...
Aug 20, 2008, 4:16:00 PM  

This was a very original idea... when they did it last year. I can see how big an impact it had on people from the fact that most people can't even remember that ESPN was trying this stunt nine months ago (albeit with just Berman and Jackson) and failing miserably. Highlight shows without highlights = boring.

Chris Lawrence said...
Aug 20, 2008, 5:50:00 PM  

"I'm also pretty certain that NBC isn't happy about the decision."

NBC hasn't been happy about a lot of things recently, to say the least.

Anonymous said...
Aug 20, 2008, 11:31:00 PM  

Hahaha. That actually made me laugh for the first time tonight.

Aug 20, 2008, 11:35:00 PM  

Of course ESPN has to do this. Let's face it, they screwed up by keeping monday night football INSTEAD of the sunday night package. I said it when they announced it and i'll say it again. They should have kept the sunday night package because NFL Primetime was the best nfl highlight show on tv.

Anonymous said...
Aug 21, 2008, 8:14:00 AM  

I wish I could find NFL Primetime archived episodes online and upload them to youtube for all of us to enjoy forever. That was one of the greatest shows of all time.

Anonymous said...
Aug 21, 2008, 1:41:00 PM  

I actually adjusted to the Blitz - didn't have to watch the footage of the Cardinals or the Lions. Is Olberman going to talk about sports or the election during the show? Nobody's watched him since he left ESPN - I don't think a reunion w/ Patrick will change things.

JOATMON said...
Aug 21, 2008, 11:30:00 PM  

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