Broadcast legend Al Michaels came out of what Amazon called the NFL’s “Thursday Night Football” game, with mixed results overall.
Michaels was his usual self. Color commentator Kirk Herbstreit was solid for a broadcaster whose background is almost entirely in the realm of college football.
Unfortunately, however, the entire crew had to cover ‘Thursday Night Football’, a prime-time slate notorious for often failing among ill-prepared and tired teams. The 2018 season could not shake off that stigma, even with Michaels on board.
In an interview with The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch published Thursday, Michaels addressed the issue of TNF game quality, especially when it came to all the misfires between the Denver Broncos and the Indianapolis Colts, sugaring his answers. Did not coat:
“I think for the rest of my life and career I’ve been watching sports since I was 6 years old and feeling what the crowds are feeling. Denver vs. Indianapolis in Week 4 is a terrifying game. There is no other way, in fact, at some point during the game, I said to[analyst]Kirk (Herbstreit), ‘How could this game be so bad that it could actually be a good game? Are you there?” I asked. He had never heard it from his partner and said ‘No! ”
It’s not that Michaels is wrong, he’s the only one who says so. The game, with its slogan of 4 turnovers without touchdowns, was so unwatchable that a local TV station in Denver apologized for airing it (TNF games are still available in local markets). aired), which one commentator described as “burning your retinas.”
But there were worse games. Michaels called the game with his 3-point, lopsided blowout, and very brutal performance in the first half, which basically wiped out any optimism about a particular No. 2 overall pick. Some games were good, some were not.
According to Michaels, Amazon took the issue seriously. Considering we’re paying $1 billion a year until 2033 for the privilege of streaming games, we hope so.
Have you heard anything from Amazon management about this?
“From the people at Amazon, nothing but support. I think they understood what this was all about. We’re making the most of it. I mean overselling something. It can’t be a 20-year-old Mazda? That’s what you’re asking me to do. I can’t sell you a used car. What were you supposed to do at that point in this game? And I left.
Perhaps the “Thursday Night Football” game will finally get better next year. Amazon won’t be the first rights holder to hope so.
Michaels, on the other hand, could at least enjoy a playoff game. NBC announced Wednesday that on Saturday he will be back in Los Angeles to call his game the Chargers vs. Jacksonville Wildcard for the Jaguars.
