This is some amazing stuff. I don’t know who uploaded these to YouTube, but this is some pretty video showing entire editions of The NFL Today on CBS. This is from Week 13 in 1979. Brent Musburger is the host (why he has never won a Sports Emmy for Outstanding Studio Host is beyond me), Irv Cross is the analyst, Jayne Kennedy plays role of feature reporter and Jimmy “The Greek” is there for prognostications.
You can see how different The NFL Today was from today’s NFL pregame shows. First, the 1979 show was a half-hour compared to the at least one hour editions seen on CBS and Fox. Second, college football highlights lead the show instead of going straight to NFL news. Third, you see some of the announcers CBS used in 1979. John Madden was on the “C” team for CBS back then working with Gary Bender. Frank Glieber was a former Dallas Cowboys announcer and yes, Vin Scully worked the NFL on CBS in the 1970’s into the early 1980’s. Fourth, only Irv was the analyst as compared to seeing as many as four analysts on the set today.
I love seeing the original commercials from the show as well. And you can see that Jayne was more of a novelty. There weren’t many women working in sports back then. Jayne replaced Phyllis George and both women had time for one feature before throwing it back to Brent.
And the features were longer back then as compared to the quick cuts you’ll see today. I love seeing the commentary from Jack Whitaker, something sorely missing from sports television today. Keep an ear for Pat Summerall voicing a True Value ad. And watch for the always entertaining segments between Brent and “The Greek.” I believe the actress singing in the Muriel Cigar commercial is former actress Susan Anton. Google her.
Check it out.
And let’s go back to Week 14 in 1977 and a very good quality video for the NFL Today. Phyllis George is in this edition. I love the NFL Films open for The NFL Today. Yes, you hear Brent saying Week 14 was the last weekend in the NFL. This was when the NFL actually had a 14 game season.
The remote report features the “A” team for CBS, Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier in Washington for the LOS ANGELES Rams against the DC NFL Team. There’s also Jack Whitaker’s commentary on the biggest sports moments of the year.
Hey gamers! Check out the Atari video game system commercial. Different, huh? And whatever happened to Tuborg Gold beer?
And again, Brent and “The Greek” are always entertaining, but what was the outfit “The Greek” wearing?
This is great stuff. And I hope to resume posting Videos of the Week again.
