Monday Night Mayhem (2002) (TV)

Director:

Ernest R. Dickerson

Writers:

Bill Carter (book)
Bill Carter (screenplay)

Release Date:

14 January 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Sport

Tagline:

Gifford. Cosell. Meredith. There was more action in the booth than there was on the field.

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

American Football | Television Broadcasting | Urination Scene | Based On Book

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

John Turturro	...	Howard Cosell
John Heard	...	Roone Arledge
Kevin Anderson	...	Frank Gifford
Nicholas Turturro	...	Chet Forte
Brad Beyer	...	Don Meredith
Patti LuPone	...	Emmy Cosell
Jay Thomas	...	Pete Rozelle
Eli Wallach	...	Leonard Goldenson
Zak Orth	...	Don Ohlmeyer
Shuler Hensley	...	Keith Jackson
Brennan Brown	...	Bob Goodrich
Leo Burmester	...	Carl Lindemann
Chad Coleman	...	O.J. Simpson
Steve Schirripa	...	Sal
Steve Nuke	...	The Ringleader - PA #1

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Turner Network Television (TNT)

Movie Connections:

References "NFL Monday Night Football" (1970)

Entertaining expose on a successful TV institution.

To expound or pontificate without just and moral actuality sustained with guarded malice and remorse would be an injustice, disservice and undeniable shame. This is a very good TNT production that is not afraid to show the back stabbing, bitching, pompous ego clashing and 'money talking' maneuvers that made Monday Night Football a revered TV institution.

Putting three men in a booth to call a football game was thought to be foolish, haphazard and ratings suicide. Just getting the right trio was not the easiest thing to do, let alone an event that would flourish without its own inherit complications on, off and behind the camera. The focal character from which this story radiates is that of Howard Cosell, portrayed excellently by John Turturro, who never played football, but could make you believe he invented the game. Cosell with his talented brand of commentary seemed well versed and articulate of any and every topic one wanted to entertain.

There are other notable characters that have major parts in this mayhem that began in 1970. There is football heroes Frank Gifford(played by Kevin Anderson)and 'Dandy' Don Meredith(Brad Beyer). John Heard seems flawless as major contributor good and bad, producer Roone Arledge. Outstanding is Nicholas Turturro as director Chet Forte. Forte's story alone is like opening a can of worms. In smaller rolls, but not taking away from their actual importance to Monday Night Football are Shuler Hensley playing a disgruntled Keith Jackson; Michael McGrath as the stoic Jim McKay; Zak Orth portraying Don Ohlmeyer; and Chad Coleman as O.J. Simpson.

High fives to director Ernest R. Dickerson and of course the Turturro brothers. Even if you were not a faithful follower of Monday Night Football or even a sports fan in general you should still find this interesting. Hardcore fans and armchair quarterbacks can use this as entertaining fodder to sustain the memory of the beast. Monday Night Football was mayhem.