There are probably two reactions to that headline:
1. No big deal, I didn't really watch that show anyway.
2. There's a show called Inside the NFL?
Actually, there's a third reaction possible, when you realize that the show has been on for 31 years! I had no idea the show was on for that long, nor did I know that HBO has existed for that long. I wonder how many people had cable in 1977?
Anyway, tonight at 10pm, HBO airs the final episode. The episode will recap Sunday's Super Bowl game between The New York Giants and The New England Patriots. So if any of you Pats fans feel especially masochistic today, and you want to relive all of the excitement and exquisite pain you felt on Sunday night and Monday morning, you can watch the final episode of Inside the NFL at 10 or a replay of the entire game at 8:30 on NFL Net. (Note: the press release above says it's the final ep "on HBO" - not sure if that means it's going to another network or not.)
My favorite Bob Costas TV appearance is still the episode of NewsRadio he did, where he beat up Joe and called security after Matthew showed him the ant bites on his ass.
Update: The NFL says the show will continue next season on another network but didn't say which one.
[via TV Tattle]
Sesame Street's 40th: Five funniest characters
Sesame Street's 40th: Five biggest controversies
Press Kits Unwrapped: The Prisoner
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-06-2008 @ 3:35PM
YouFaceTheTick said...
That's a huge bummer. Wonder why it's leaving HBO? I've watched it for years and unlike the knuckleheads at ESPN, the Inside the NFL crew provide commentary and insight that's not seen on TV. Thank god for the NFL N or we'd not have anywhere to go for football information.
Reply
2-06-2008 @ 3:51PM
Denji said...
So now that HBO no longer has a partnership with the NFL, they can pick up Playmakers, right?
I can always dream.
Reply
2-06-2008 @ 4:17PM
willy the impeached said...
I think this makes a great point about the "guys" writing for this blog. For the love of God, Bob, you really didn't know about Inside the NFL?
To who ever is in charge: please hire someone with just a smidge of testosterone, check wikipedia for details. I realise your in CA and its tough, but try ... please !
Reply
2-06-2008 @ 4:52PM
Jeff N. said...
Yes, Many Many Football fans and HBO subscribers know about Inside the NFL. I'm sorta surprised Bob didn't.
I think HBO made a big mistake not making producing this show in HD over the last few year. With both ESPN and NBC doing NFL highlight shows in HD, HBO was behind technology wise.
2-06-2008 @ 5:04PM
stummies said...
Inside the NFL is actually a really great show. I'll definitely miss it, though I'm glad to see it's going somewhere else. Unfortunately, it will probably go to the NFL Network (which I don't have), or maybe even be of lesser quality since it won't be HBO. I hope not.
Anyway, I'll definitely be watching tonight, to relive the Giants awesome win. Woot!
Reply
2-06-2008 @ 5:07PM
David said...
I am a huge NFL fan but I haven't watched this show in many years. There are just too many other, better options for getting my NFL news and game recaps than the format (and schedule) this show offered. It's a smart decision by HBO, in my opinion, even if nostalgia makes it an emotionally difficult one.
Reply
2-06-2008 @ 5:52PM
stummies said...
I agree that the schedule really hurt the show. It's hard to get excited over a sports show that airs Wednesday, when most fans will probably have seen their football recaps 100 times by then on ESPN, etc.
I think Inside the NFL does a good job with content, but it's just too late in the week to care.
2-06-2008 @ 5:18PM
Bob Sassone said...
I didn't say in my post that *I* didn't know about Inside The NFL (of course I did, I list it almost every week in What's On) but that many readers might not have heard of it.
Reply
2-06-2008 @ 10:03PM
seph said...
I am one of those few who had cable back then....15 channels for 4.99 a month. Mostly local Indiana and Chicago channels and for 5.49 extra a channel called HBO from 5PM to 2AM. That was quite a budget buster back in the old days.
Reply
2-07-2008 @ 2:53AM
Mike said...
I had cable in '77 and it was fione show then too. I am betting NFL Network if nowhere else.
Reply
2-07-2008 @ 10:06AM
Ethan Rom said...
I watched this show all the time. I love the NFL film style replays they have. I hope it goes to a channel I can get in HD.
Reply
2-07-2008 @ 2:01PM
Jim Kosmicki said...
Yes, some of us remember it from the days of Lenny and Nick. This is one of the few sports programs that I watched regularly. HBO Sports had this show, Real Sports, and almost always great documentaries. All are worth watching.
You could tell that the show was floundering the past few years with some of the correspondents and gimmicks, but it was still consistently the most informative hour about the NFL each week.
Reply