For those peeved about Al Michaels' performance last week...

[Bossy Monkey]

he and Madden were blithering about someone (turned out to be Condoleeza Rice)'s ambition to be NFL commissioner and about Tagliabue's future, then Michaels says, "But we're only supposed to be talking about football" and broke it off. Presumably, ABC had words with him. (Why would they when they gave the Republican convention an extra day's free exposure at halftime? That's another question.)

Edit: Look down to RevCheesehead's post for clarification; I was surfing channels and missed the beginning.

[RevCheesehead]

1. hmm..you beat me to the post.

Michaels was pointing out that Condaleeza Rice was at the game. They talked about her, and how at one time, she wanted to be the NFL commissioner. Madden said "she could hold on for a year or two, I think Pete Tagliabu (sp?) will be stepping down."

Michaels' response: "I think she'll want to wait at least another 4 years. BUT; we're only supposed to talk about football."

Madden, to his credit, was silent.

Send those complaints to ABCSports/Monday Night Football:mad:

[Bossy Monkey]

3. Ah, thanks for clarification

I edited to refer folks to your post, rather than just and cut and paste it into mine. As I say above, I was just channel surfing and so missed the start.

[In Truth We Trust]

2. I was one and am glad to see that perhaps he was slapped down

He is a DOUCHEBAG!

[VOX]

4. Jeez, Michaels even manages to slip in a comment **before** the "but!"

Ever the true Republican. I sent a smoking e-mail to ESPN, as the ABC Sports online e-mail comes back as undeliverable -- and it's been that way since August, when Michaels was fawning over Cheney and showing the Rasmussen poll of * ahead of Kerry in Missouri -- on a football broadcast!

Al, you are a **dick**. (Excuse me, everyone, but his use of nationwide sportscasts to spit out the GOP party-line is inexcusable. Can you imagine the fallout if a Democrat did this, and they invited Clinton up into the broadcast booth?)

[RevCheesehead]

5. Post your complaints here:

http://www.abcnews.go.com/service/Help/abcmail.html

let's practice separation of Sports and Politics!

[VOX]

12. Thanks for the link, Rev!

I'll be happy to share a few words with ABC News!

:toast:

[tmooses]

16. Thanks for the link

I sent this one after having 3 messages to ABC sports returned as undeliverable since last Thursday:

Al Michael's remark during the ABC telecast of the Pats/Colts game regarding "flip-flop" was a cheap, unprofessional crack and an unnecessary direct political opinion in a football broadcast. Those fans that watched the game and heard this remark that I talked to afterwords were incensed with this type of blatant grandstanding in front of an audience tuning in to watch football -not hear Mr. Michael's political views. I believe he deserves an apology to John Kerry and his supporters and not act like some petulant kid who had his hand slapped as he did on Monday's night game.

I hope this one gets there. We've got the right wing using religion to deliver their message, now they're using sports-let's keep the pressure
up.

[BlackVelvetElvis]

6. I missed the uproar

Could someone fill me in on what happened last week?

[JohnKleeb]

7. Michaels while in New England made some remark about flip flopping

[BlackVelvetElvis]

8. I just saw the quote

about "being in the right state for that" (flip flop).
Isn't he clever? <sarcasm off>

[JohnKleeb]

13. I remember that prick from so long ago

My parents apparently bought me this video called Great Moments of the 80's and Al was the narrator.

[mark414]

19. i have one of those!

they're great

chris berman did a bunch too

[Awsi Dooger]

9. In last Thursday's New England/Indianapolis NFL opening game

In Foxboro, MA, late 4th quarter there was an exchange of turnovers. John Madden siad, "That's what you call a flip, flop." He paused slightly between the flip and flop.

Al Michaels, who has a history of pro-right remarks during sporting events, immediately replied, "Well, you're in the right state for that."

I was livid and posted a thread here. There were at least two others.

[steely]

10. That's when I turned it off - honest

The camera shot was way too long - was hoping some MNF would pass the time nicely, and then.....

[Meshuga]

11. Al michaels is a jerk and his punishment is having to...

sit with Madden.

[lpbk2713]

14. They should have canned Michaels when they canned Dennis Miller.

I've noticed ABC has a tendency to draw RWers like Miller and Rushbo into a venue they know nothing about. Sort of like a turd draws flies.

[ewagner]

15. More like a sewage treatment system

...'cause only the big chunks float to the top.......Michaels is the biggest chunk of all.

[Bossy Monkey]

18. Pat Summerall appears to be dried out and available

Though he's doing "corporate video brochures" so it's an open question whether he'd be an improvement in this regard. But I seem to remember him as an all-football guy

[miss_kitty]

20. one big difference though

flies KNOW turds.

[Hobarticus]

17. Condi will be job-hunting soon...

Maybe she can be grossly incompetent in sports management, too.