MovieChat Forums > Monday Night Mayhem (2002) Discussion > Something Special

Something Special

posted 9 years ago by boudicea1967
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I know that Howard Cosell was demanding and what I think it was about was that he didn't so much care about the "jocks" being a part of sportscasting, but I do believe he was tough on Frank and Don because he knew what they were capable of and wanted them to be the best at it. He gave them a lot of guidance and he could say what he wanted to them, but if any "outsider" said something about them, then watch out because Howard would set a fire on them.

I remember them when it started and they made one hell of a team. There were some very good times and some bad times. But, they would not have had that spark or magic without Howard and I hope that was noticed by people. He was not always right or correct, but if it were not for him, it never would have been such a success. I am not excluding Frank Gifford and Don Meredith because the three o9f them were terrific together and it was historic in some ways. It reminds me of the Beatles and KISS in a way that they were part of something very special.

[–] Barney-Robel 9 years ago

I always looked forward to the Sunday game highlights narrated by Howard (without a script) during halftime. This was before ESPN, the NFL network and other twenty four hour cable sports shows that relay the highlights in real time today. All we had was our own local evening news sports reports that didn't have much time to cover much NFL action other than the local team(s). Howard's MNF report was a great way to see first hand the out-of-market teams, players and highlights.

[–] boudicea1967 8 years ago

Yea, those guys really were brilliant. Frank Gifford died not that long ago and I think he and Meridith got it wrong in some ways. Howard really did love those guys and he knew that they could be great and I think he felt like a mentor and almost father figure in this area. Howard KNEW that they could be much more than what ABC asked from them because he wanted their very best and expected that from them. If you noticed, Howard could say what he wanted to them, but God forbid an "outsider" say something and then he was like "Don't you criticize my guys!!!" which I think he proved over and over again. That stupid "monkey comment" was blown out of proportion and Frank Gifford did stand up for him, I can remember. I guess I understand why it was unsettling, but he did not mean it in any racist terms and it was surprisingly that anyone could think that. But, that was a time when racial equality and recognition were coming about and it was in it's infancy. I am just glad that Jackie and Mohamed spoke up for him as well.

You know, my uncle met Mohamed Ali. He sat next to him during a flight in first class and thought he was the greatest, most considerate and kind man. He did not have a big head about him and was so nice, polite and considerate to any fans that wanted autographs and never complained and was respectful and helpful to the flight attendants. I would have really loved to have met him because he really loved kids. He was always such a better role model than OJ. OJ did have his talents no doubt, but he was all about image. Jim Brown was more real than OJ and never pretended to be something he was not and from what my mom always said was very much a class act and has helped the African American community a hell of a lot more than OJ ever did. I liked him because in "The Towering Inferno" he played a nice guy who finds the kitty cat (I was going into or was in the 2nd grade when it came out) and he was good in it.

But hey, thanks for the comment. Yea, those were the good old days when cable consisted of maybe 13 channels if you were lucky. They will always be a part of that history and I am glad that I was able to see it.