LB48 Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 The announcer less game was an American football contest played on December 20, 1980, between the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. As an experiment, the NBC television network broadcast it without assigning any commentators to cover it. The Jets won 24-17 in an upset over the Dolphins! I don't like many of the NFL announcers today with scripted comments and analysis BUT this game was ultra boring!! 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Vader Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 There was another game without announcers on NBC, between the Dolphins & Bills in Miami. I want to say it was in 1981. I remember watching that game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwksilver Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 I remember it being very strange. That's probably why they haven't done it since. What idiot thought it was a good idea? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Chandler's Hands Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 I wonder if in today's world of large screen high definition TV's and ability to check on information (access rosters and stats, game day threads...) it would be more appealing than watching on the little CRT's sets we all had in 1980? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmanfan Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 It was weird. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SinceThe70s Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 12 minutes ago, oldmanfan said: It was weird. Well put. It definitely didn't work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotton Fitzsimmons Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 What’s good, gents? What’s good? The next gimmick they should try is flames trailing the ball whenever Josh throws it a la the glowing puck Fox trotted out for their NHL games some years ago. 3 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
without a drought Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 It was the last game of the season between two nonplayoff teams. It wasn't a success yet lots of us watched some of it, and that was kind of the point. It was more of a gimmick to garner interest than a way to improve an NFL broadcast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevewin Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 I thought you were referring to the Beth Mowins / Rex Ryan game 7 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
without a drought Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 I usually watch football with the sound off and listen to music so it's really not that weird to me now. Back then it was probably weirder to watch part of a meaningless game the week before the playoffs. But once again that was the point of it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GETTOTHE50 Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 i prefer it w/o the stupid commentators. especially cause i love hearing the sounds of the game 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsfaninSB Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 I think it was cool they tried it so I give NBC credit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djp14150 Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 1 hour ago, LB48 said: The announcer less game was an American football contest played on December 20, 1980, between the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. As an experiment, the NBC television network broadcast it without assigning any commentators to cover it. The Jets won 24-17 in an upset over the Dolphins! I don't like many of the NFL announcers today with scripted comments and analysis BUT this game was ultra boring!! Bob costas did cut in periodically on dome info. Generally the game had no broadcasters thus was one of the special broadcast late season Saturday games iirc i fo remrmber watching it. They still had down and fistsnce graphics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1ManRaid Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 That was exactly 4 years and 1 day before I was born, so no. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ganesh Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 (edited) Wasn't there also a game that Terry Bradshaw and Jimmy Johnson called, but not from the booth ? https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Bradshaw-Johnson-will-comment-on-game-from-studio-3118475.php?forceWeb=1 Edited October 30, 2020 by ganesh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UConn James Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 That happened when I was still in diapers and a bassinet, so I don’t have the lived experience at least as far as football is concerned. But some years ago on the ESPN3/BBC feed of Wimbledon 🎾, there were a number of matches where the commentators spoke only a couple of times a game and it was awesome to be able to feel like you were just a guy sitting in the stands. Some graphics came up which provided info and the umpire would announce the Hawkeye challenges and such. It was nice to just have the sounds of the court in full breath and not have to listen to someone trying to get in your head and chat you up and explain their worldview. But tennis is different; shorter time between play. Maybe not advocating a full removal of an announcer, but definitely paring down how much they talk might be refreshing. With the coming ATSC 3.0 broadcast standard I’m hoping that comes with more audio options. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 1 hour ago, LB48 said: The announcer less game was an American football contest played on December 20, 1980, between the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. As an experiment, the NBC television network broadcast it without assigning any commentators to cover it. The Jets won 24-17 in an upset over the Dolphins! I don't like many of the NFL announcers today with scripted comments and analysis BUT this game was ultra boring!! I think if they ever went with no broadcasters that people (lord knows how much we love to B word about evertything) would complain about how boring it was. I remember this game, and remember thinking it was terrible at the time. As bad as some announcers may (or may not be), you always have the option of turning the volume down. If you watch this way, you really do miss a lot of the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalobillswin Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 It would be interesting if they turned the on field mics up or added more especially since there is no crowd noise. But then again every other second would need to be bleeped out due to swearing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv's Neighbor Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 1 hour ago, qwksilver said: I remember it being very strange. That's probably why they haven't done it since. What idiot thought it was a good idea? The same one that is keeping the fans away! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Squirrel Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 I remember the PA announcer was cranked up so some of what we would normally hear from the booth was covered by that. It was just not a big deal IMO; even then, at 15, I was sophisticated enough to not need them yammering at me. And who here among us hasn't been in a sports bar where they had all the games playing but only one with audio? Once in a blue moon something confusing happens that requires a verbal explanation, but most of these guys think they get paid by the word and wouldn't be missed in the least if someone "accidentally" pulled the plug on them. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 24 minutes ago, buffalobillswin said: It would be interesting if they turned the on field mics up or added more especially since there is no crowd noise. But then again every other second would need to be bleeped out due to swearing. If you watch any of the NFL Films hilights from this season (Like "Inside the NFL" or "Turning Point") it sounds weird, how silent everything is, on the field. Different sport, I know, but Boston Bruins goaltender Tuuka Rask opted out of the bubble, in the middle " Of course, it didn't go over well with fans (and likely the team) but he said it was just extra hard to get the juices flowing for games without crowds. Also, saw a little interview with Erin Andrews after doing a Bucs game earlier in this season. She said (paraphrasing) "I knew the guys swore a lot, but until you are down there on the field, in a game without fans, you just have no idea how much swearing they really do. If people only knew how many F bombs Tom Brady drops, they would be shocked..." 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Formerly_of_Roch Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 Do remember the game, recalled it was the Jets, but didn't remember who they played until read it here. Was reading an article the other day about Fox winning the broadcast rights in 1992 to the NFC games. Something I had forgotten about until Reading the article, prior to that the score of the game wasn't on the screen all the time, usually only at commercial breaks and once i na great while during a long drive. Will say watching the KC game on Fox last week, I do like how they show the QB's stats all the time too and maybe the stats for the RB or WR who made the last paly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasons1992 Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 11 hours ago, Cotton Fitzsimmons said: The next gimmick they should try is flames trailing the ball whenever Josh throws it a la the glowing puck Fox trotted out for their NHL games some years ago. "I think you're onto something there, fella!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsShredder83 Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 Im an hour outside of Charlotte, and week 1 i had Bills on Sunday ticket, and Panthers game on the smaller tv. There were no announcers, it was strange, but I liked it. Wouldnt want it all the time but there is so much stuff happening on the field i enjoyed it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 I remember. I now watch most games with sound off. I don't need announcers telling what just happened and then just using cliches the entire game. Gumbel asked Gannon last game what the Bills were doing differently to stop the Jets in 2nd half...his answer was the Jets are struggling on 1st down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nextmanup Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 I definitely remember the "no announcers" experiment. Now if we could somehow magically get the "no commercials" experiment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffalOhio Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 12 hours ago, buffalobillswin said: It would be interesting if they turned the on field mics up or added more especially since there is no crowd noise. But then again every other second would need to be bleeped out due to swearing. ***king right boys!!!! Let's ***king go!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 14 hours ago, oldmanfan said: It was weird. Yep. I remember watching it. 13 hours ago, Cotton Fitzsimmons said: What’s good, gents? What’s good? The next gimmick they should try is flames trailing the ball whenever Josh throws it a la the glowing puck Fox trotted out for their NHL games some years ago. Worst idea ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddie's Dead Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 Don Ohlmeyer was a young producer at NBC at the time. He was looking for a way to boost the ratings on a meaningless late-season game between two teams with losing records. It worked, as ratings were much higher than expected. A brilliant ploy by a sports genius in the making. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Schick Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 And this was of course before the scoreboard and clock were constantly in the corner, along with the crawl at the bottom of the screen. People would lose their minds if they did that now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Romes Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 (edited) This was largely a reaction to the consensus that “the mouth” Cosell was way over the top. Fast forward 40 years people are watching old YouTube MNF videos to understand how great Howard was. Edited October 30, 2020 by Charles Romes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LB48 Posted October 31, 2020 Author Share Posted October 31, 2020 21 hours ago, 1ManRaid said: That was exactly 4 years and 1 day before I was born, so no. Why are you so young - lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LB48 Posted October 31, 2020 Author Share Posted October 31, 2020 9 minutes ago, BUFFALOBART said: Yeah, but only for Josh! Not to mention, that Cosell as a boxing commentator, was unmatched. He was the BEST boxing commentator. Even in a miss matched fight he could make it relevant with his points of view! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CorkScrewHill Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 On 10/29/2020 at 9:28 PM, LB48 said: The announcer less game was an American football contest played on December 20, 1980, between the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. As an experiment, the NBC television network broadcast it without assigning any commentators to cover it. The Jets won 24-17 in an upset over the Dolphins! I don't like many of the NFL announcers today with scripted comments and analysis BUT this game was ultra boring!! It was notably worse than most games but surprisingly better than games where the commentator was Todd Christianson or Chris Collinsworth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiotAct Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 19 hours ago, Charles Romes said: This was largely a reaction to the consensus that “the mouth” Cosell was way over the top. Fast forward 40 years people are watching old YouTube MNF videos to understand how great Howard was. Don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarleyNY Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 On 10/29/2020 at 9:28 PM, LB48 said: The announcer less game was an American football contest played on December 20, 1980, between the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. As an experiment, the NBC television network broadcast it without assigning any commentators to cover it. The Jets won 24-17 in an upset over the Dolphins! I don't like many of the NFL announcers today with scripted comments and analysis BUT this game was ultra boring!! I remember it. I really liked it. Or rather I preferred it to an announced game. I’d rather hear the field noises during the play but that’s not going to happen. Now I usually opt for condensed games or All 22 unless it’s a live game I really care about. Condensed games cut out most of the announcer drivel and All 22 has no sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coloradobillsfan Posted October 31, 2020 Share Posted October 31, 2020 If your audio setup has a center channel/speaker, mute it. This will silence the announcers while keeping the sounds of the game intact. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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