TK Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 Despite Criticism, No Decision on 'Playmakers' By Leonard Shapiro Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, November 12, 2003; 5:10 PM ABC/ESPN President George Bodenheimer said today that he was "in no hurry to decide" the future of "Playmakers," a controversial series about a fictional pro football team aired on ESPN this fall. The last episode appeared Tuesday night, and the New York Post reported Wednesday in its Page Six gossip column that there would not be a second season of the show, which has depicted some players as abusers of drugs, alcohol and women. NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw have publicly criticized the show, as have several team owners and players concerned about the image it projects about the sport. Last week, Gatorade announced it was pulling its advertisements from the show. Bodenheimer was asked about the future of the show during a meeting today with reporters and editors at The Washington Post. Questioned about the criticism from the NFL, he said, "We listen to input from anyone. We don't disregard its point of view. . . . I understand their concern. I'm listening to all input." ABC/ESPN, owned by parent Disney Corp., also is among the NFL's television partners in airing games. ABC carries the long-running Monday night football series and ESPN airs games on Thursday and Sunday nights. The NFL's current television contract runs out after the 2005 season, with negotiations on a future contract likely to begin within the next year. The league is also launching its own NFL Network this month, and there has been speculation that it eventually could carry games now seen on cable. "I'm not looking to poke my finger in anyone's eye," Bodenheimer said. "I don't see any evidence that anyone watches less football because of Playmakers." An NFL spokesman declined to comment. Washington Post staff writer John Maynard also contributed to this story. © 2003 Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactivehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32328-2003Nov12.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeletor The Invincible Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 I never watched an episode. Looked too, uh, stupid to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeathByLinebacker Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 I never watched it either, but Gene Upshaw and Paul Taglibue need to spend more time worrying about the image that the actual actions of NFL players project and less about some TV show. The storylines they show in the commercials are all things that actually happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skins24 Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 I'm all for bringing it back...........if they show more football Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCS Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 Never really watched it, but it would be shame if it was taken off the air due to NFL, ( no fun league sometimes), and not low ratings. Which rom what I gather wasn't a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BG Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 I thought it was a fun show. Way hoky, nut how can a men's soap opera show not be hokey? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Slammer Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 It was an entertaining show. I'd like to see it back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsfanjoe Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 If ESPN doesn't bring it back, I bet HBO picks it up. It was the highest rated show on ESPN. That's probably not a hard thing to do when your only competition is PTI and Around the Horn. Nevertheless, it is quite entertaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ignatius J. Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 It was a good show, especially when they started dealing withthe gay football player. It really was a great show to watch with my girl too. She really got into it, and so it got her more into football. -DB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosperity Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 I liked it, watched every episode except maybe one or two. I don't really mind if they dont show a lot of football, I watch it more for the drama and what happens when players aren't playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dark Horse Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 As much as I hate to admit it, I watched regularly. It started out a little flakey but got better as it went along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boy2Der Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 I really liked it and I was just saying to my self I can't wait for season 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbooma Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 Originally posted by skinsfanjoe If ESPN doesn't bring it back, I bet HBO picks it up. It was the highest rated show on ESPN. That's probably not a hard thing to do when your only competition is PTI and Around the Horn. Nevertheless, it is quite entertaining. That show would be awesome on HBO, then they could get away with everything The show will be back on TV somewhere the ratings were too good and it was a decent show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMac Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 I enjoyed the show and even got my wife into watching it. I agree that if ESPN drops it then HBO will be all over it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codeorama Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 I loved it and so did my wife. I watched every episode. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funkyalligator Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 I really thought it was a good show and seemed realistic. I'm not a pro football player myself but I would assume that this follows reality pretty well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BG Posted November 18, 2003 Share Posted November 18, 2003 Originally posted by jbooma That show would be awesome on HBO, then they could get away with everything The show will be back on TV somewhere the ratings were too good and it was a decent show. Dude that thought at first seemed awesome so maybe we get to finally see that news reporter on cold pizza butt naked!!!! Then I thought that HBO has OZ. Please no more man a*s.....:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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