NFL Pregame Wars: Costas's Unlikely Rise to Host

Resources

Resources & Recommendations

Books

• "The Orchid Thief" by Susan Orlean - This book was adapted into the movie "Adaptation."

Videos & Documentaries

• "The Last Dance" - This documentary was mentioned in the context of Michael Jordan and Ahmad Rashad's relationship.
• "The Naked Gun" - The original movie was mentioned as one of O.J. Simpson's acting roles.
• "Charlie Rose" (Interview with Bob Costas in 1993) - This interview was referenced for Bob Costas's early misgivings about the violence in football.
• "The New Yorker" (Netflix documentary) - This upcoming documentary is about The New Yorker magazine, which will be the subject of a future podcast series.

People Mentioned

• Brent Musburger - Host of the CBS pregame show, "The NFL Today," and a significant figure in the "NFL pregame wars."
• Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder - Bookmaker and analyst on CBS's "The NFL Today."
• Ahmad Rashad - Former NFL player and analyst on NBC's pregame show, known for his charisma and star power.
• O.J. Simpson - Former NFL player and analyst on NBC's pregame show, known for his massive celebrity status.
• Frank Deford - Renowned sportswriter for Sports Illustrated and essayist on NBC's pregame show.
• Larry King - Radio and television host who appeared on NBC's pregame show, known for his interview style.
• Pete Axthelm - Writer and analyst on NBC's pregame show, known for his literary approach to sports.
• Irv Cross - Former NFL player and analyst on CBS's "The NFL Today."
• Phyllis George - Former Miss America and broadcaster on CBS's "The NFL Today."
• Jane Kennedy - Broadcaster who later joined CBS's "The NFL Today."
• Paul Maguire - Former NFL player and analyst on NBC's pregame show, known for his game picks.
• Rudy Martzke - Author of the "Sports on TV" column in USA Today, a highly influential media critic during the "pregame wars."
• John Filippelli (Flip) - Producer of NBC's pregame show, known for his unconventional and competitive approach.
• Felicia Ayers Allen - Actress (Felicia Rashad) who played Claire Huxtable on "The Cosby Show" and was proposed to on air by Ahmad Rashad.
• Ted Danson (as Sam Malone) - Actor whose character on "Cheers" was a former Red Sox relief pitcher, prompting a segment on the NBC World Series broadcast.
• Will McDonough - Sportswriter and analyst who appeared on NBC's pregame show.
• Ralph Wiley - Sportswriter (later known from ESPN's Page 2) who appeared on NBC's pregame show.
• Bobby Beathard - NFL executive who appeared on NBC's pregame show.
• Bill Parcells - Former NFL coach who appeared on NBC's pregame show.
• Greg Gumbel - Host of CBS's retooled "The NFL Today."
• Terry Bradshaw - Former NFL player and analyst on CBS's retooled "The NFL Today."
• Dick Ebersol - Longtime NBC Sports executive and producer, a mentor to Bob Costas.
• Ross Greenberg - Executive at HBO, involved with "Inside the NFL."
• Al Michaels - Renowned sportscaster, part of the "Mount Rushmore" team for Sunday Night Football on NBC.
• John Madden - Legendary NFL coach and commentator, part of the "Mount Rushmore" team for Sunday Night Football on NBC.
• Chris Collinsworth - Former NFL player and commentator, part of the "Mount Rushmore" team for Sunday Night Football on NBC.
• Marv Albert - Legendary sportscaster, called NBA games for NBC.
• Pat Riley - Legendary NBA coach and analyst, joined NBC's NBA coverage.
• Tom Hammond - Versatile sportscaster for NBC, known for his play-by-play across many sports.
• Dick Enberg - Legendary sportscaster, called NBA games for NBC.
• Vin Scully - Legendary baseball play-by-play announcer.
• Tony Kubek - Former MLB player and broadcaster, partnered with Bob Costas on NBC Baseball.
• Joe Garagiola - Former MLB player and broadcaster, partnered with Vin Scully on NBC Baseball.
• Mike Weisman - Executive producer at NBC, instrumental in Bob Costas's hosting career.
• Brandon Tartikoff - Head of NBC Entertainment during its successful 1980s era.
• Bill Murray - Actor and comedian, a passionate Chicago Cubs fan, who called Ahmad Rashad about his TV presentation.
• Ryan Sandberg - Former MLB player for the Chicago Cubs, whose "Sandberg Game" was discussed.
• David Remnick - Editor of The New Yorker, to be interviewed in a future podcast episode.
• Harold Ross - Founder of The New Yorker magazine.
• A.J. Liebling - Journalist and writer for The New Yorker.
• Joseph Mitchell - Journalist and writer for The New Yorker.
• Tina Brown - Former editor of The New Yorker magazine.
• Susan Orlean - Writer for The New Yorker, whose book "The Orchid Thief" was adapted into "Adaptation."
• Charles Addams - Cartoonist for The New Yorker, whose characters inspired "Wednesday."
• Kurt Gowdy - Legendary sportscaster.
• Ian Eagle - Sportscaster.
• Noah Eagle - Sportscaster.
• Dan Caesar - Sportswriter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Organizations & Institutions

• CBS Sports - Broadcast network, home of "The NFL Today" pregame show.
• NBC Sports - Broadcast network, home of Bob Costas's pregame show and NBA coverage.
• Sports Illustrated - Magazine, known for its in-depth sports journalism and writers like Frank Deford.
• USA Today - Newspaper, home of Rudy Martzke's "Sports on TV" column.
• The New Yorker - Magazine, celebrating its 100th birthday, subject of a future podcast series.
• HBO - Cable network, home of "Inside the NFL."

Websites & Online Resources

• backstage.spotify.com - Website for Spotify Portal, an internal developer portal.
• loveofdriving.us - Website to learn more about Mobile 1 synthetic motor oil.
• pressboxringer (Instagram page) - The Instagram page for "The Press Box" podcast where a magazine cover for "The December Issue" will be posted.

Other Resources

• "Adaptation" - Movie adapted from Susan Orlean's book "The Orchid Thief," discussed as a film that emerged from New Yorker content.
• "Wednesday" - TV show inspired by Charles Addams's cartoons for The New Yorker, discussed as a TV show that emerged from New Yorker content.
• "The Cosby Show" - Popular TV show where Felicia Ayers Allen (Felicia Rashad) played Claire Huxtable.
• "Cheers" - Popular TV show where Ted Danson's character Sam Malone had a background as a former Red Sox pitcher.
• "The Tonight Show" - Late-night talk show, mentioned in the context of O.J. Simpson's cultural stardom.
• "The Dating Game" - Classic game show, referenced by Bob Costas.
• "Love Connection" - Classic game show, referenced by Bob Costas.