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You Are Looking Live!: How The NFL Today Revolutionized Sports Broadcasting
You Are Looking Live! is about the genesis, success and magic of a live television show that in 1975 captured the excitement of the country, and launched four magnetic personalities to Brent Musburger, Phyllis George, Irv Cross and Jimmy The Greek Snyder. It was truly a piece of Americana. It was the first NFL studio show to go live and the first to have both a Black and female co-host. Those four personalities battled each other and the competition, and America loved them for it. This is the story of how Brent, Phyllis, Irv and Jimmy got there, their drama and front-page headlines, and what happened to them after the magic ended. Those headlines included Brent and The Greek’s famous fight at Peartrees, Phyllis first marrying the man who produced The Godfather, then dropping him after two months for the next governor of Kentucky, and the shocking firing of Musburger on April Fool’s Day, 1990. America had never seen a show like this before. On the East Coast and the Midwest, people would literally rush home from church to hear what they had to say, and on the West Coast fans loved waking up to it. The NFL Today became so popular that it not only dominated the ratings, but also won its timeslot 18 straight years, from 1975 to 1993, until CBS lost its NFL package to Fox. And today, looking back, these four personalities, like any family, had their own battles, and became even more famous for them.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published October 15, 2021
35 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 3, 2021
In 1975, CBS decided to do something different for its pregame shows on Sundays when the network would be telecasting professional football games. Instead of a brief pregame show that informs viewers about the two teams that are about to take the field, the programmers at CBS Sports decided to do an hour-long live show from their New York studio with multiple hosts. This decision led to one of the most revolutionary changes in televised sports and its genesis is described in this excellent book by Rich Podolsky.
When this decision was made by the network, this was something that was completely "out of the box" thinking. Not only did the show, titled "The NFL Today", go to live coverage in a studio, it showed highlights of other games in a "whip around" format and also had the first woman (Phyllis George) and Black man (Irv Cross) as studio hosts of a sports program. The main anchor who drove the on-camera performance was Brent Musburger and later, they were joined by well-know sports bookmaker Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder. Each of these four on-air personalities have a chapter on their professional and personal lives which make for great reading and information. Not only these people, but others who were involved in the ground breaking production such as Robert Wussler (president of CBS Sports at the time) and Mike Pearl (producer) get good write-ups in the book as well.
The book is not limited to short biographies of the personnel – there is plenty of great writing about the ins and outs of sports broadcasting as well as the specifics of the show. Some of the more notorious events during the show's years on the air (and it's still going strong) are also described in an objective manner. Two of them that made headlines was the firing of Jayne Kennedy, who took over for Phyllis George after she left for a few years (and returned when Kennedy was let go) and the friction between Musberger and Snyder. Snyder later was also fired for making racially insensitive comments and Musberger was as well for other reasons. The book then ends with how Musberger's replacements, Greg Gumble and later Jim Nantz kept the show going.
This book reads at a very fast pace, much like the show has when watching it. The stories and personalities are fascinating and anyone who remembers when NFL Sundays had to start with watching Brent, Irv, Phyllis and "The Greek" will want to pick up this book.
I wish to thank the author and Lyons Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
When this decision was made by the network, this was something that was completely "out of the box" thinking. Not only did the show, titled "The NFL Today", go to live coverage in a studio, it showed highlights of other games in a "whip around" format and also had the first woman (Phyllis George) and Black man (Irv Cross) as studio hosts of a sports program. The main anchor who drove the on-camera performance was Brent Musburger and later, they were joined by well-know sports bookmaker Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder. Each of these four on-air personalities have a chapter on their professional and personal lives which make for great reading and information. Not only these people, but others who were involved in the ground breaking production such as Robert Wussler (president of CBS Sports at the time) and Mike Pearl (producer) get good write-ups in the book as well.
The book is not limited to short biographies of the personnel – there is plenty of great writing about the ins and outs of sports broadcasting as well as the specifics of the show. Some of the more notorious events during the show's years on the air (and it's still going strong) are also described in an objective manner. Two of them that made headlines was the firing of Jayne Kennedy, who took over for Phyllis George after she left for a few years (and returned when Kennedy was let go) and the friction between Musberger and Snyder. Snyder later was also fired for making racially insensitive comments and Musberger was as well for other reasons. The book then ends with how Musberger's replacements, Greg Gumble and later Jim Nantz kept the show going.
This book reads at a very fast pace, much like the show has when watching it. The stories and personalities are fascinating and anyone who remembers when NFL Sundays had to start with watching Brent, Irv, Phyllis and "The Greek" will want to pick up this book.
I wish to thank the author and Lyons Press for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
December 12, 2021
Written by a CBS insider, this is nothing but a puff peace that exalts the talent and executives of CBS Sports. Nothing learned, nothing new, a major disappointment.
July 6, 2022
How great it was to be young and growing up with sports on the tv...forget the dinning room bring the table into the front room so as we could watch the game ma! God who can remember tv before there was cable, I do and it was like hell, nothing much on but Marlin Perkins and his wildlife or lawrence Welk and his dance show...but we did have Hee Haw!!!
One thing that I didn`t like was the way a person cannot have thier own view and say what they think. Take the way poor Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder was let go from the NFL Today. All he did was say durning a lunch break interview to a reporter for WRC -TV on the significance of MLK day was that his view of black athletes are better than white athletes since they are "bred to be that way" and that "the only thing for the whites is a few coaching jobs" Jimmy was basing this first thought on an Sports Illustrated article on January 18, 1971 by Martin Kane "Black is Best" Some of his research was based on an aboltionist Frederick Douglass who wrote that some young slave owner who could not afford more than one slave. So he bought a female slave and rented out the service of a strong young male slave. The aftermath was now he had two new born slaves. I know this is "horrible" but it was the truth and it`s out there to read. Jimmy Should have been given the opportunity to state his source to defend his statement but was never given the chance and was fired.
One thing that I didn`t like was the way a person cannot have thier own view and say what they think. Take the way poor Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder was let go from the NFL Today. All he did was say durning a lunch break interview to a reporter for WRC -TV on the significance of MLK day was that his view of black athletes are better than white athletes since they are "bred to be that way" and that "the only thing for the whites is a few coaching jobs" Jimmy was basing this first thought on an Sports Illustrated article on January 18, 1971 by Martin Kane "Black is Best" Some of his research was based on an aboltionist Frederick Douglass who wrote that some young slave owner who could not afford more than one slave. So he bought a female slave and rented out the service of a strong young male slave. The aftermath was now he had two new born slaves. I know this is "horrible" but it was the truth and it`s out there to read. Jimmy Should have been given the opportunity to state his source to defend his statement but was never given the chance and was fired.
March 13, 2025
A very informative, if uneven, read. There was some fascinating information here about the rise of sports TV in a pre-ESPN world. Very interesting stories on behind-the-scenes folks like Mike Pearl, Bob Fishman and Bob Wussler who brought you the NFL Today, which revolutionized sports television.
But Rich Podolsky presented it in very uneven terms. You'd find out plenty of information about certain characters--and bits and pieces about others. He would tell you when one figure died--and not others. Case in point: we knew the death dates of Irv Cross, Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder and Mike Pearl, but not Phyllis George, on whom vast sections of the book were devoted. I had to Google Bob Wussler to find out if he was still alive (spoiler alert--he died in 2010.)
Plus, he inserted himself in the story far too much. We don't need to know you got an email from a certain figure in the story. It's research. Write it as such. You can always footnote and addendum afterward.
Again, good information, presented in a mediocre fashion.
But Rich Podolsky presented it in very uneven terms. You'd find out plenty of information about certain characters--and bits and pieces about others. He would tell you when one figure died--and not others. Case in point: we knew the death dates of Irv Cross, Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder and Mike Pearl, but not Phyllis George, on whom vast sections of the book were devoted. I had to Google Bob Wussler to find out if he was still alive (spoiler alert--he died in 2010.)
Plus, he inserted himself in the story far too much. We don't need to know you got an email from a certain figure in the story. It's research. Write it as such. You can always footnote and addendum afterward.
Again, good information, presented in a mediocre fashion.
February 23, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up
Living with a father who had absolute control of the television, especially on the weekends, I didn't get to see The NFL Today often, but I remember catching bits of it every now and then. This book wasn't the blast from the past I expected, but it did explain the evolution of today's pre-game shows.
Rather than a general overview of the show itself, each chapter focused on one specific person - Brent Musburger, Phyllis George, Irv Cross and Jimmy 'the Greek' Snyder were the faces everyone saw each week, but the book also delved into the lives and careers of those behind the scenes - Mike Pearl, Bob Wussler, and more.
Not sure I'd recommend this to anyone but the most hardcore NFL fans and those who like to learn about the early days of sports television, but I'm glad I listened to it. It gave a bit of insight into some of the on-air personalities that still pop up from time to time.
Living with a father who had absolute control of the television, especially on the weekends, I didn't get to see The NFL Today often, but I remember catching bits of it every now and then. This book wasn't the blast from the past I expected, but it did explain the evolution of today's pre-game shows.
Rather than a general overview of the show itself, each chapter focused on one specific person - Brent Musburger, Phyllis George, Irv Cross and Jimmy 'the Greek' Snyder were the faces everyone saw each week, but the book also delved into the lives and careers of those behind the scenes - Mike Pearl, Bob Wussler, and more.
Not sure I'd recommend this to anyone but the most hardcore NFL fans and those who like to learn about the early days of sports television, but I'm glad I listened to it. It gave a bit of insight into some of the on-air personalities that still pop up from time to time.
December 26, 2021
Workman-like telling of the story of The NFL Today.
It's 16 chapters, and most of them focus on the separate stories of the different figures -- Brent Musberger, Irv Cook, Jimmy The Greek, Phyllis George, Jayne Kennedy and others. Writing quality is modest (it's written by a former newspaper guy who did some writing for the show, rather than what you might consider a true author -- it's his first book).
Musberger comes across as the bad guy (intentionally tried to make Jimmy The Greek and Jayne Kennedy look bad on camera at times.
If you are an older guy who remembers watching this show in the '70s and '80s, the book should be modestly interesting. If you're not in that demographic, you should definitely not go near it.
It's 16 chapters, and most of them focus on the separate stories of the different figures -- Brent Musberger, Irv Cook, Jimmy The Greek, Phyllis George, Jayne Kennedy and others. Writing quality is modest (it's written by a former newspaper guy who did some writing for the show, rather than what you might consider a true author -- it's his first book).
Musberger comes across as the bad guy (intentionally tried to make Jimmy The Greek and Jayne Kennedy look bad on camera at times.
If you are an older guy who remembers watching this show in the '70s and '80s, the book should be modestly interesting. If you're not in that demographic, you should definitely not go near it.
December 30, 2021
The influence of The NFL Today is undeniable and how it vaulted its talent to stardom is equally undeniable. The background to the groundbreaking show is interesting and offers some new ideas and connections to the reader. Rich Podolsky’s writing is smooth and easy-going and offers a homey feeling. Although generally positive towards the show and it’s cast, he does remain critical of some aspects including the antics and primadonna tendencies of Brent Musberger and the loss of some distinctive talent due to his vice-like grip on many CBS properties. Overall a great read!
April 8, 2022
I suppose there are people who pine for the days of The NFL Today and consider it revolutionary. Then there are those who feel it laid the groundwork for the blowhard pregame shows that plague the airwaves on fall weekends these days. There isn't anything worth celebrating here, and the writing doesn't do a thing to convince you of the show's worth. Instead, it's a bunch of people saying, "Boy, The NFL Today was great," without offering much proof for that claim. Forget it...
October 14, 2021
Wonderful book--very well written and meticulously researched-- with anecdotes and insights into the creation of the pivotal pre-game show, the NFL Today. Filled with interesting background stories and behind the scenes info. I am not a football fan, but that doesn't matter--I raced through the book and enjoyed it all. Highly recommend.
September 9, 2023
I sometimes rate books based on how much I learned that I did not previously know. This is one of those. I grew up in the 70s with the NFL Today and appreciate the personalities involved. What I most enjoyed was learning about the behind-the-scenes personalities who were the visionaries that created the studio show. Whether you are a fan of the media business or the NFL, this is worth a read.
November 13, 2021
Very interesting book. Growing up watching the NFL today on CBS I was very interested in the back stories that involved the day to day operations of this fantastic pregame show. If you are interested in that and are from that time period you will enjoy this book.
December 16, 2021
Good read
I enjoyed the book a lot, remembering the show from my youth. I did think it was very biased in favor of Jim Nantz, almost to a level of idolization, and went out of its way to bash Brent Musburger.
I enjoyed the book a lot, remembering the show from my youth. I did think it was very biased in favor of Jim Nantz, almost to a level of idolization, and went out of its way to bash Brent Musburger.
February 5, 2022
For anyone who wondered how all the pregame shows began, this book breaks it all down. The NFL Today was must watch TV back in the day. The book is filled with incredible stories of how it all started.
March 13, 2023
Excellent read on the show that started the Pregame shows on Network TV. Great personal stories, behind the scenes stories about the cast and crew and a look at the players, coaches and fans that are a part of the NFL. Football fan or not this is an interesting read.
June 29, 2023
It was interesting hearing about the evolution of sports broadcasting, but there was a lot to be desired with this book. It was just... meh. I kinda felt like it was a wasted use of an Audible credit.
September 30, 2021
2.5 stars
March 20, 2022
Great read for the younger generation
Was a child during this period. Great history. Learned a lot about broadcast sports and how it has changed over time.
Was a child during this period. Great history. Learned a lot about broadcast sports and how it has changed over time.
July 21, 2022
Ehh
As a kid the NFL Today was a big deal. I was really looking forward to reading this book, but found it to be pretty average at best.
As a kid the NFL Today was a big deal. I was really looking forward to reading this book, but found it to be pretty average at best.
February 17, 2023
A very good read but all the behind scenes were pretty tame.
February 27, 2023
An interesting inside look at NFL Today and its famous cast of characters by a former producer of the show. Listened to the audio version which was narrated by Barry Abrams.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews