From Deseret News archives:
Keith Jackson seems resigned to ESPN TV sports dominance
So will Bob Griese and Brent Musburger, who've called college football only on ABC. They'll each be on bowl games on ESPN, with Jackson working the Dec. 29 Holiday Bowl. He says it'll be no big deal, "as long as we get to do it our way."
Jackson sees ESPN's dominance as simple and inevitable since cablecasters unlike broadcasters get subscription fees as well as ad money. Jackson, who in 1970 called the first season of ABC's "Monday Night Football," sees "MNF's" move to ESPN next year as a matter of math: "Disney is going where the money is. The whole industry is acting out of self-defense."
And he seems resigned to the new TV sports styles that ESPN has helped create. "Stand at an office water cooler and you hear every catchphrase known to man and some that aren't," says Jackson, 77. "What used to be common sports vernacular has become a foreign tongue. Sometimes I watch and don't know what they're talking about."
Still, Jackson knows something about the value of catchphrases, having created one of the all-timers. All together now, because you all knew this was coming: "Whoa, Nellie!"
Jackson, who'll call the Rose Bowl the Bowl Championship Series national title game on ABC along with Dan Fouts, isn't enamored of how modernity has affected even ABC's game coverage: "It's so saturated with imagery and plugs that sometimes something happens and you have to wait three minutes to say it. Foutsie turns purple because he has something to say and nowhere to say it."
College football's best-known voice planned to retire after the 1998 season. He hasn't decided whether to retire after this season. He doesn't need advice from critics: "Every week I look at (his) game tape and whine and curse in the mirror. I'm not as quick as I once was."
Still, ESPN executive vice president Norby Williamson says, "Anytime you get Keith Jackson on TV, it's a good thing."
So, is Jackson, who'd certainly add credibility to, say, ESPN's X Games, willing to pop up again on ESPN? "It depends on what is," he says. "But I'm 77 and thrifty. I'm not unprepared."
Comments
- Hockey HOF class gets its rings 3:03 p.m.
- Phelps to test old suits at World Cup 3:03 p.m.
- Flyers get QB back for semifinal tilt 3:02 p.m.
- Former DPS head pleads guilty 2:46 p.m.
- Hasan's lawyer to meet with him 2:45 p.m.
- Hatch empathizes with Muslims 2:42 p.m.
- Two arrested in $3 robbery 2:41 p.m.
- Dow hits highest level in a year 2:33 p.m.
- 2 more in GOP may challenge Bennett 2:31 p.m.
- Life sentences for juveniles examined 2:20 p.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Hope for single moms
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- TCU moves into 4th place in BCS
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
246 - House passes health care bill
212 - Lobo suspended
176 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
153 - TCU showdown has big implications
145 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
130 - Thousands protest health bill
107 - Provo company innovating engines
106 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
103 - RSL rallies to advance
103
All lawyer/legal tactics aside, there are only three ultimate possibilities:...
"I read they do like people w/ accounting degrees and/or people of the LDS...
God was only aiming for one of us. The rest of us have minor bumps bruises,...
Welcome sir ! You're extremely important to all of us ! Thank you for your...
Welcome to the Salt Lake City Field Office Mr. McTighe. Maybe we'll get some...
Interesting article, but don't understand the danger of non carbon receipts....
The "progressives" and "liberals" who think that the Constitution has no...
Soon we will see if CJ is as good as you think he is?? I'm not sure he would...
That's kind of the point. Most people don't mind Bingham or Alta saying they...
JD you and your school SS are nothing but losers! your season is over!!!!!!...



You can be the first to comment on this story.