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1966 Week 4 NFL Commentators crews

T

timmyb

Hey, I thought I'd throw a sample random week's NFL commentator crews from the past. If there's any more interest in this, please let me know.

All times eastern.

9/30:
49ers-Rams, 11:00. Local to SF (KTVU). Bob Fouts, Gordie Soltau
10/1:
Browns-Giants, 1:30. CBS. Frank Glieber, Warren Lahr (Cle). Jack Whitaker, Frank Gifford (NY).
Cowboys-Falcons, 1:30, CBS. Jack Buck, Eddie LeBaron (Dal). Ed Thilenius, Johnny Sauer (Atl).
Steelers-Redskins, 1:30. CBS. Joe Tucker, Lowell Perry (Pgh). Jim Gibbons, Pat Summerall (Wsh).
Cardinals-Eagles, 1:30, CBS. Jack Drees, Bill McPeak
Lions-Packers, 2:00, CBS. Van Patrick, Sonny Grandelius (Det). Ray Scott, Tony Canadeo (GB).
Bears-Vikings, 2:00. CBS. Lindsey Nelson, George Connor (Chi). Hal Scott, Jim Morse (Min).
Bye: Colts

CBS was easing into color programming in the 1964-1967 timeframe. Their NFL telecasts wouldn't be fully in color until 1968. In 1965, only the Thanksgiving day game, the Western Conference playoff, the NFL Championship, the NFL Playoff Bowl and the Pro Bowl were in color. In 1966, most games involving their O&O affiliates (NY, LA, Chi, some Phi some StL) and most doubleheader games would be in color. In 1967, all but maybe 10-15 were in color.

Having said that, my guesses on the above games in color would be Cle-NY, Chi-Min and maybe the StL-Phi games.

Why no Eagles commentators? The Eagles "network" consisted of only 3 channels (Phi, Lebanon and Scranton-Wilkes-Barre), all of which could be seen within 75 miles of Philly. So when the Eagles were at home, the Eagles network went dark.

Again, if interested in any other weeks or seasons from the past, please let me know.
 
David67 said:
Can You give Me the announcing crews for the games of Week One in 1968?
Click to expand...

Week 1, 1968 (all times eastern):

9/14:
Falcons-Vikings, 8:00 (?), local to Atl (WAGA). Hal Scott, Norm Van Brocklin
9/15:
Giants-Steelers, 1:00, CBS. Jack Whitaker, Frank Gifford, Dick Stockton
*Browns-Saints, 1:30, CBS. Don Criqui, Johnny Sauer, Jim Thacker
Eagles-Packers, 2:00, CBS. Lindsey Nelson, Tom Brookshier, John Fitzgerald
49ers-Colts, 2:00, CBS. Ray Scott, Paul Christman, Bill McColgan
Redskins-Bears, 2:00, CBS. Chuck Thompson, Lenny Moore, Bruce Roberts
*Lions-Cowboys, 2:00, CBS. Frank Glieber, Eddie LeBaron, Jim Morse
9/16:
Rams-Cardinals, 9:30, CBS. Jack Buck, Pat Summerall, Gil Stratton

games that are listed with a * means that the crew is not fully confirmed.

Men listed in italics were positioned in what was called "CBS Control". This was a makeshift studio just outside one team's dressing room. This person would provide halftime updates, post-game interviews and out of town scores.

The 9/16 game was a national telecast (blacked out in StL).
 
CBS was experimenting with a Monday Night Football type thing(The 1968 9-16 game). Didn't CBS air the Bears-Cardinals game in 1966 as a Monday Night game? The CBS Network suits didn't want Monday Night Football as a permanent thing,because Doris Day's ratings were too high(Short sighted Network execs).
 
1968 was the first season that CBS did away with the "Home team" announcers and assigned announcing teams to games based on merit.
Still, growing up(late 60's-early 70's) I remember Frank Glieber doing most of the games involving the Cowboys. So much that I just assumed him to be the "Cowboys announcer".

Here's a YouTube clip from the 1970 playoff game between Dallas & Detroit (Cowboys won 5-0). The last season the Cowboys played at the Cotton Bowl. Notice Pat Summerall's voice-over in the introduction. Also, this may have been Frank Gifford's last game with CBS as he went to ABC's Monday Night Football the following season.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=EwSBQ6uOQhs
 
timmyb said:
9/30:
49ers-Rams, 11:00. Local to SF (KTVU). Bob Fouts, Gordie Soltau
Click to expand...

...why would KTVU be running this game instead of KPIX-TV? KTVU wasn't the San Francisco CBS affiliate at that time, were they?...
 
Ultimajock said:
timmyb said:
9/30:
49ers-Rams, 11:00. Local to SF (KTVU). Bob Fouts, Gordie Soltau
Click to expand...

...why would KTVU be running this game instead of KPIX-TV? KTVU wasn't the San Francisco CBS affiliate at that time, were they?...
Click to expand...

KPIX probably chose to run the normal CBS line-up that night instead of the football game. So, likely, they sold off the rights to KTVU. This was not uncommon back in the day.
 
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