Newsday has learned that Frank Gifford, who worked on "Monday Night Football" for 27 of its first 39 seasons, will have a role in its 40th.
Giff last week taped vignettes that will appear during the regular season in which he will look back at famous moments from the series' past.
"It brought back good memories for me," he said by phone the other day. "I liked the way they did it."
Would Gifford have been surprised to hear 40 years ago that the series still would be on in 2009?
"I think even Roone Arledge had misgivings about it, but ABC was so behind, ratings-wise, it didn't really matter," he said.
What did Gifford think of the show the past three years with Tony Kornheiser in the booth?
"We talked way too much, and I think they talked way too much and I think all the telecasters talk way too much," he said. "There are so may toys the directors and producers have today, it becomes an expression of whatever the director or producer is.
"Sometimes you're better off just letting the game play."
Giff last week taped vignettes that will appear during the regular season in which he will look back at famous moments from the series' past.
"It brought back good memories for me," he said by phone the other day. "I liked the way they did it."
Would Gifford have been surprised to hear 40 years ago that the series still would be on in 2009?
"I think even Roone Arledge had misgivings about it, but ABC was so behind, ratings-wise, it didn't really matter," he said.
What did Gifford think of the show the past three years with Tony Kornheiser in the booth?
"We talked way too much, and I think they talked way too much and I think all the telecasters talk way too much," he said. "There are so may toys the directors and producers have today, it becomes an expression of whatever the director or producer is.
"Sometimes you're better off just letting the game play."
