Or just consider that this entire film is worth watching for two specific moments: 1) The first appearance of mush-mouth O.J. Simpson (Chad L. Coleman) as a "Monday Night" commentator. Remember when he used to be legitimate? 2) The point where Don Meredith (played as an ambling, fun-lovin' Texan by Brad Beyer) introduces a game with the line, "Denver is Rocky Mountain high—and so am I."

This "unauthorized" take on the genesis of "Monday Night Football" fascinates on a few levels, not the least of which is as a chance for those of us who grew up in its aftermath to get some sense of the program's revolutionary status. From the primetime slot and the multiple close-action cameras, to the presence of Howard Cosell (captured in gesture and intonation, if not look, by John Turturro), "Monday Night Football" was an entirely new beast. In comparison, the addition of comic Dennis Miller to the current ranks isn't a hundredth of the shocker it was simply to have football in primetime with wisecracky, and sometimes raunchy, commentary.

ABC Sports veteran Roone Arledge (a surprisingly great performance by the frequently flaky John Heard), gets most of the credit for running with the idea when the old men at NBC and CBS refused to give it a go. And while much of the story follows the insecurities of love-him-or-hate-him Cosell—the mouthy Jew from the wrong borough—and his need for the approval of Arledge, that portion of it seems the least believable. But again, it's all highly watchable, especially knowing that there's probably a little grain of truth in the idea that the unflappable Cosell had a huge chip on his shoulder.

The unauthorized part comes with those naughty glimpses into what supposedly went on inside the booth, from Don Meredith (Brad Beyer) getting high, to Cosell getting drunk and throwing up on Meredith, to the not-so-smart verbal stylings of Frank Gifford (Kevin Anderson). It's suggested that Gifford, who warmed a seat for twenty years on "Monday Night" and never, ever got any better, kept his job simply because he was close friend with Arledge. Again, who knows if it's true, but if it is, it would certainly explain why a guy who made name mistakes that would put Harry Caray to shame never got the sack.

As it turns out, "Monday Night Mayhem" is much smarter than its title suggests. And while it seems short on some details—it only runs from the show's beginning in 1970, to the point Cosell quit in the mid eighties—the overall package is a nice bit of fun and one of the better made-for-TNT pictures ever. The perfect pre-playoff football fix.

"Monday Night Mayhem" airs Monday, January 14 at 8pm on TNT. Check local cable listings.

Also by Elaine Richardson

FILM VAULT
A couple of years ago, local film/video artist Jim Finn began showing movies in his backyard. Not videos, films—16mm films that could be checked out from the Chicago Public Library's collection of 5,500.
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THE GIFT GUIDE
You're in the mood, so make sure your bed is as well with erotic bedsheets from Toronto, Ontario-based Lusty Linens. Get 200-thread count, 100-percent cotton sheets that are "lovely to frolic and sleep on"—with designs ranging from "Gay Gladiators" and "Sappho sheets" to "Feng Shag" and "Kama Sheetra"
(2001-11-15)

ALL ABOARD
Perhaps the best way to consider train travel is as a romantic journey. There's something inherently glam about moving, eating, sleeping and socializing while you're essentially chauffeured around—especially if you're rolling along on something with a classy name.
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BRAIN FREEZE
Insanely entertaining, "Married Man" might be considered the male version of "Sex and the City." But all they really have in common is a complete forthrightness about sex and frank use of sexual terms, for while "City" plays the single girls scene, "Married Man" is just what it promises, an insider look at what goes on inside the brains of your average leg-shackled guy.
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ANALYZE THIS
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THE GOOD FIGHT
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BIG MUDDY
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HOT AIR
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GOING GOURMET
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TALK BACK
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MONEY TALKS
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HOT AIR
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