Yes, it’s that time of the year when men chase and clobber one another for a little weekly ritual ABC likes to call “Monday Night Football.” And in case you haven’t already heard: It’s also Miller time. Actually, make that, Dennis Miller time.
That’s right, the stand-up comic-cynic will assume his duties as “MNF’s” newly anointed commentator in the Hall of Fame game between the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots tonight, completing a revamped booth crew which includes veteran play-by-play Al Michaels and new analyst Dan Fouts.
“I do know football reasonably well. I know well enough that I didn’t play the game,” Miller told The Associated Press. “So therefore I would defer on most things to people who had the guts to play it. I watch it as much as anybody and I can bring a little humor, hopefully. I just want to make it entertainment to some extent.”
Which is exactly what ABC is looking for. “Monday Night Football” has been suffering from a consistent dip in ratings in its past five seasons, and the addition of Miller is expected to inject some much-needed life and attitude to the usual shoptalk.
The game kicks off at 7 p.m. EDT/PDT.
And that’s “MNF” for you, and we’re outta here.
