Unnecessary Roughness

By Madd Max

(7 February 2001) -- What a weekend for the XFL. Vince McMahon's brainstorm has television network executives turning their heads. Whether you are for or against the XFL, you have to hand it to Mr. McMahon, the opening weekend ratings were better than you can imagine.

ESPN (a.k.a. Eggs Stain Protruding Noses) came out and said they would not cover the XFL, and had ESPN radio personalities warning callers that they would not discuss the league on air. Tsk, tsk...ESPN is now showing highlights, albeit negative ones. The 9.5/17 share ratings were higher than even Vince projected, and with all the talk around office water coolers, there is a chance that those numbers are reachable again this weekend. When all the bugs are worked out, Vince really may have that grinch-like smile permanently.

Inaugural weekend observations:
Overall consensus for odd camera angles: use them, but less often.....On field interviews: maybe at half-time, not during play.....Cheerleaders: more like strippers in uniforms-but hey, what's wrong with that?.....Xtreme trash talking leads to hoof in mouth disease.....Rage and Enforcers put on quite a show to a full house.....Hitmen fans will not tolerate a slow start.....Demons made fans Xtreme-ly happy with a great show at Pac Bell.....Las Vegas hasn't rocked like that since the King disappeared.....Maniax ground out and old time football win.....Bolts hung tough.....Shame on ESPN.....Kudos to NBC, TNN, UPN and the Governor!

E-mail MaddMax@XFLBoard.com