News: ESPN will begin a new yet to be named show about the NFL and college football on Mondays that will feature Booger McFarland and Herman Edwards as analysts with Michael Eaves the host, The Post has learned.
Booger Mobile: McFarland has been a survivor after his post-“Monday Night Football” run. After being removed from game coverage, he landed on “Monday Night Countdown,” before moving to Saturday ABC college football studio work and the ESPN+ NFL PrimeTime show with Chris Berman. Now, after being in some danger during the latest round of ESPN layoffs and being moved from “Countdown,” he is maintaining his presence with this new program. It is a testament to McFarland’s personality.
When he was on MNF for two years, beginning in 2018, he got totally mismanaged. Though ESPN’s lead producer at the time compared him to Charles Barkley, McFarland probably outkicked his coverage in getting the role with his lack of game experience. Then, he got put on a crane on the sideline while working with a booth (Joe Tessitore and Jason Witten), who had never called the NFL. After Witten fled the booth for a return to the field, McFarland and Tessitore were on borrowed time.
Replacement: The new show moves into the “NFL Rewind” spot, which had been in that slot the previous year.
Name: Expect a boring name as Norby Wiliamson oversees the NFL now. He is known for bland names, so I’m guessing something like: “Football Monday.”
Quick clicks
“Fox NFL Kickoff” has added Julian Edelman as a panelist to join Charissa Thompson, Charles Woodson, Michael Vick and Peter Schrager as regulars on the show. Edelman showed some potential on “Inside the NFL.” Fox made a run at Matt Ryan, but he decided to go with CBS. … Lionel Messi maybe should start his own streaming service, Messi+. We kid, but he has undoubtedly helped Apple’s MLS deal. Last week, Paramount+ had more value as Messi’s Inter Miami team won penalties in the U.S. Open Cup after Messi had some magic at the end of regulation to tie the game. Messi likely didn’t sell that many extra subscriptions, but a big part of retention is demonstrating value to consumers and this was a nice little extra. Apple TV+ has all of MLS’ games, except the U.S. Open. …
Talented and well-liked Kevin Connors has a new multi-year deal with ESPN, according to sources. By the end of the deal, Connors will be approaching two decades at the company. In what has been a turbulent time with layoffs and different approaches over the last decade, Connors has been a consistent, top notch host without making any noise off air. Good job by ESPN recognizing his value. … Blue Wire announced it has raised $1 million on a valuation cap of $25 million in a community fundraising round in partnership with WeFunder. “Blue Wire is becoming a mid-major powerhouse in sports podcasting, just like a college sports team can outpunch its weight with less funding and ‘talent,’” Blue Wire founder Kevin Jones said.
Stephen A. and Skip: Still together
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“Embrace debate,” the phrase that has become synonymous with the cable sports morning programs, has never been about some higher calling, which is fine. The term really means the old sports argument at the bar. For the most part, it is not all that serious.
Shows such as ESPN’s “First Take” and FS1’s “Undisputed” have been criticized for years, because of their inanity, which is exactly the point.
Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless were both journalists — Stephen A. still dabbles in that realm — and continue to bring that work ethic to their programs, but they earn their millions for the characters they have created.
While they will tell you they are genuine — and who are we to doubt what they believe — they are showmen, which is why it makes sense the soap opera-loving Smith wants his next act to include more acting. (Smith is already on “General Hospital.”)
Bayless is the ultimate talk show heel. He has made millions by getting under people’s skin, both those who listen to him and the athletes he talks about. It’s a skill to be that relentlessly annoying, but to build enough appeal to earn attention.
That is why their latest WWE act is genius TV for both.
The tag team of Stephen A. and Skip have just concluded a TV free agent war. As Bayless heads back into studio, the two have kept their shows relevant all summer.
Stephen A’s “First Take” has hired Shannon Sharpe for two days a week. This was after Sharpe left Bayless. Meanwhile, Bayless has Smith’s buddies, First Takers, Keyshawn Johnson as the new co-host and Michael Irvin as a contributor.
The jockeying is like wrestling.
The competition between the 55-year-old Smith and the 71-year-old Bayless is real. No doubt. But they are still working together, even if they don’t know it. It’s all a show.
Clicker Book Club
Papa Clicker recommends for those readers who want an interesting and fun change of pace that they consider Ryan McGee’s “Welcome to the Circus of Baseball (A Story of the Perfect Summer at the Perfect Ballpark at the Perfect Time.)” The author takes you through his summer of 1994 as an employee working for $100 per week with the minor league Asheville Tourists, describing all his challenging tasks and introducing readers to his colorful co-workers. McGee receives 4.4 out of 5 clickers.