On Fri, Oct 7, 2011 at 3:11 AM, JW <[email protected]> wrote: > > The only times Bristol U* should care about politics is when it > > directly impacts their programs (like when the legislature starts > > getting involved in making the NCAA institute a real playoff in what's > > now the Football Bowl Sub-division). > > ESPN, like any other network, is going to care about politics when > they may affect ratings. In 2011 America, there are enough people at > either end of the political spectrum who will respond/overreact to > what they perceive as insults. (See, for instance, "Fire Dave".) For > something as trivial as the MNF open, it's easier to pull the song and > ride a couple waves of discontent than stick with it and have to keep > defending the decision. >
ESPN has some history with Hitler comparison controversies (was it Lou Holtz?). Though I have to assume they are sitting on some research that suggests that Junior's song is not as popular with their target audience as the perception of its iconic status might suggest. I have only just barely tolerated it myself over the years, and will not particularly miss it. The joke in this affair is the claim by ESPN that their MNF coverage is always about the game itself, not the frills. What will be interesting is to see if they eventually go with another pop song opener, and if so, which act they go with (NBC seems to have a winner with Faith Hill, but would ESPN want to go country again?). There was a short period when either ABC or ESPN (I forget which) went with a rotating sample of different artists each week, -- TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en
