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Network Post-Game Show Questions

Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2020 8:56 pm
by Retro Rider
I am curious to know when the networks began the practice of airing post-game shows? The earliest I can remember goes back to when I began watching the NFL in late 1970. NBC featured a wrap-up show called the Gillette Football Scoreboard. The board was in the shape of a football. They would show the score and the host would give a few brief details about the game. There were no actual game highlights if I remember correctly. Probably something similar at CBS. Bruce Roberts would narrate highlights of key games on Monday mornings for CBS News. Other than that you had to wait for Howard Cosell's Monday Night halftime highlights to get a look at game action from Sunday.

So when did the networks start showing same day game highlights on their post-game shows? I remember NBC had the Sperry-Rand NFL Report around 1973 but it's been such a long time ago. I'm guessing NBC/CBS would have been doing that by then (?)

Re: Network Post-Game Show Questions

Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 1:15 am
by Retro Rider
An answer to the first part of my question from The Coffin Corner Vol. 26 No.'s 3 & 4 (2004): A Chronology of Pro Football on Television (parts 1&2) by Tim Brulia

1965 - CBS offered a post-game show for the first time: Pro Football Report hosted by Bruce Roberts (1965-1973). The NFL on CBS takes over post-game coverage in 1974. The NFL Today handles post-game coverage starting in 1975.

1970 - NBC gets into the post-game act with The Sperry NFL Report and Pat Herndon serving as host. I seem to remember it being The Gillette Football Scoreboard in 1970 (and possibly 1971). Herndon is listed as host from 1970-1974 but I could swear that Tim Ryan hosted the Sperry NFL Post-Game Report from 1972-1974 (Ryan also did NHL play-by-play for NBC from '72-'75). In 1975 NBC debuts a pre-game and halftime show known as Grandstand. Grandstand also handles the post-game coverage. After a repeat in 1976, NFL '77 replaces Grandstand on NBC.

Re: Network Post-Game Show Questions

Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2020 1:56 am
by SixtiesFan
In the early 60's there would be a "scoreboard" show after a game. They would just read the scores of the day's games. I think the show would be put on by the local affiliate. At halftime they would show a marching band, an interview, and give the scores of other games. The elaborate halftime and post game shows didn't exist circa 1961, at least on the stations I watched as a child.