I have first-hand knowledge.
Michaels, part of the NBC Sports "Sunday Night Football" crew, in town tonight in Santa Clara covering the 49ers'-LA Rams game, gave me a boost to my broadcast career.
It was an early 90's encounter at the Clift Hotel in Downtown SF. Michaels had just finished his (at the time) Monday Night Football duties at Candlestick Park and was set to do a phone interview with Larry King on his radio show, an event I arranged and took part in. Michaels, as usual, was gracious, funny, and insightful.
It was a very fun night.
At 75, Michaels hasn't lost a step, any step for that matter. He is the ultimate pro; the pro's pro. He doesn't kowtow to anyone and he's first and foremost up front with all the viewers of SNF.
When the crew of SNF, had their first broadcast of the season in Kansas City, Michaels told viewers that they were hearing "fake crowd noise"--it wasn't a knock on the NBC crew, it was just Michaels being truthful to the audience. Nothing extraordinary but a reminder that Al made it clear he wanted everyone to know. It's a small point but it speaks a lot about Michaels treats the viewers. NO BS.
Michaels can still walk the walk, from his legendary "Do You Believe in Miracles?" 1980 Olympics Hockey, USA--USSR match to today's NFL Football Night in America. He hasn't missed a beat and commands an audience 40 years later. The SNF "Football in America" is #1 across the board in the USA.
We're lucky to watch and listen to a class act like the still great, HOF broadcaster, Al Michaels.
Now if Al could just stop bitching about having to wear a mask...
ReplyDeleteI like Michaels but why does he continue to say "San Fran"? As someone who lived here you would think he knows better.
ReplyDeleteSeriously?
DeleteThat's why the streets are full of dopers and poop...because people like YOU worry about little stupid word fails.
"Frisco, Frisco, Frisco"
Did ya hear they split the 415 area code?
I guess somebody has to worry about the little stuff.
Consummate Pro! Last of his kind. Still have the VHS tapes of the Earthquake series of "89".
ReplyDeleteIt that the same Al Michaels who was bitching and complaining about wearing a mask, like some 9-year old spoiled brat throwing a tantrum about not getting his way about shit? Yeah, it is.
ReplyDeleteThe Niners believed in miracles tonight. I guess Levi's has suddenly turned into a troublesome place for Jared Goff. Whoa! The Niners actually played the Rams better than the Bills did. Talk about rabbit out of the hat!
ReplyDeleteI remember when NBC got a ton of backlash for sweetening The Masters with bird sounds. But in Baseball and Football, the sweetened sounds are not even a mention.
ReplyDeleteCBS has aired the Masters since the 1950s.
DeleteI stand corrected
DeleteWish michael's would realize the C and S are not pronounced she!!!
ReplyDeleteAl Michaels is one of the best sports announcers of all time. Heard he cut back on his travel schedule this year for the NFL...as long he continues west coast games that is still cool. Too bad he doesn‘t do Baseball as much...
ReplyDeleteNow if they could just pair him with someone other than that idiot Cris "This football team needs to score the football to win this football game" Collinsworth . . .
ReplyDeleteHe's a mush mouth with spray on hair. But he's still better than Joe Starkey!
ReplyDeletethose two goofs first bitched about having to wear a mask a couple weeks ago, and then this week they wore them below their nose. Privileged "talent" whose time has passed.
ReplyDelete