An institution which, sadly, no longer exists at Sunday dinner time, although it looks as of early 2012 that ESPN is trying to work it back in, NFL contracts with other networks notwithstanding. Berman and Jackson highlighted the NFL games of the day, joined some years by a second-stringer or two to give the major talents a breathing spell. Originally it ran 7-8, then it was moved back to 7:30-8:30 (mistake), probably as some marketing tool to run into ESPN's own Sunday night game when they had one. Berman and Jackson are one of the great two-somes in TV history, and I go far enough back to be able to say that with some authority. Over the 20 year run Berman coined a number of what are now Americanisms, starting with "he could go all the way" (a Cosell schtick sometimes said when the runner didn't make it), to made-up middle names, to rumbling bumbling stumbling, to tick tick tick tick, tick tick tick tick. A recent iteration of "Primetime" involved Michael Irvin, requiring an immediate channel switch, and even more recently the babbling, obnoxious and insufferable Trent Dilfer. In its true form NFL Primetime is the duo of Berman and Jackson only, hopefully it will return there some day.
5 Reviews
A Great Show and Sorely Missed
babyfir7727 September 2011
A great show, with the highlights of the NFL play, the voice overs by Chris Berman and Tom Jackson, and that fantastic score made especially for the program! It is really missed these days.
In its heyday, Berman would be very funny with his words and tone. One could see that he enjoyed the sport and was hip to everything, as he will sometimes nickname players. I was going to cite examples but my brain is stumped!!! Berman does the Monday Night Football halftime so at least we get a snippet of what he was so great at doing, if not for an entire hour.
Robin Roberts had some time with the show and she did well. I was never a Pete Axthelm fan. There were at least two others who also did some air time for the show.
NFL Network can't even compare to this highlight show. Those guys try to be funny.....end up being more sarcastic.
In its heyday, Berman would be very funny with his words and tone. One could see that he enjoyed the sport and was hip to everything, as he will sometimes nickname players. I was going to cite examples but my brain is stumped!!! Berman does the Monday Night Football halftime so at least we get a snippet of what he was so great at doing, if not for an entire hour.
Robin Roberts had some time with the show and she did well. I was never a Pete Axthelm fan. There were at least two others who also did some air time for the show.
NFL Network can't even compare to this highlight show. Those guys try to be funny.....end up being more sarcastic.
The Best- What Memories! Everyone Watch!
mel5716 September 2019
Stumblin Bumblin Boring Fat Slob
Johnny_West11 May 2021
1979 Sportscenter started on its mission to turn sports into comedy entertainment, and the lead clown was stumbling bumbling Chris, the master of moronic description.
Over forty years later, long after better hosts like John Saunders and Pete Axthelm passed away, the same bumbling goof ball marches on, with the same dumb remarks about every sports highlight.
NFL Prime Time was a great show when there were real sports journalists involved, who treated Football like an honorable sport. Unfortunately, many of those excellent journalists were pushed out in favor of stumbling bumbling comedy hosts.
Over forty years later, long after better hosts like John Saunders and Pete Axthelm passed away, the same bumbling goof ball marches on, with the same dumb remarks about every sports highlight.
NFL Prime Time was a great show when there were real sports journalists involved, who treated Football like an honorable sport. Unfortunately, many of those excellent journalists were pushed out in favor of stumbling bumbling comedy hosts.
Can't find it
quockquock3 November 2021
Where is this show? I pay 140 dollars per month for cable and ESPN wants me to pay more for ESPN+? I barely watch regular ESPN. They don't show sports highlights, they just have a panel of people babbling over who shoulda coulda woulda did this or that the day before. It's like watching MTV, which doesn't play music TV any more.
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