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Will Al Michaels’ third season on Amazon Prime’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ be his last?

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Will Al Michaels' third season on Amazon Prime's 'Thursday Night Football' be his last?

As a long-time film enthusiast and sports broadcasting connoisseur, I find myself utterly captivated by Al Michaels’ latest endeavors. His return to the booth for Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime Video is like a warm blanket on a chilly autumn night – comforting, reliable, and just the right amount of nostalgia.

In 2022, when Al Michaels took his place in the commentary box for “Thursday Night Football” on Amazon Prime Video, he provided a sense of familiarity and reassurance to viewers who might be new to streaming live sports.

1. The games have managed to accomplish what the league aimed for – attracting a larger number of younger spectators who no longer stick to conventional television viewing. Michael’s reputation played a significant role in transforming the game into a key event marking the beginning of the NFL weekend, following years where fans were often left watching subpar play due to insufficient rest.

Michael and Kirk Herbstreit return to the commentary booth on Thursday as Amazon Prime Video kicks off its third season featuring the Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts in pre-season play. The first regular season game is set for September 12th. With Michael approaching his 80th birthday this year, fans are speculating if this might be his final season. In a recent Zoom chat from his home in Brentwood, he discussed his future plans.

Let’s discuss the recent news about movies – Amazon MGM is set to produce a film directed by David O. Russell, starring Nicholas Cage as the life story of your ex-partner from “Monday Night Football”, John Madden. Who do you consider would be suitable for portraying Al Michaels in this movie?

As a movie enthusiast, I’d be the perfect fit for this role – I can certainly find the time for it. If I were to choose someone to portray me, I’d go with my friend Greg Kinnear. We have trust in each other and his down-to-earth nature makes him a great choice. While stars like Leonardo DiCaprio or Brad Pitt are undeniably talented, they’re not what I’m after for this role. Kinnear is more relatable – the everyman that audiences can truly connect with.

Will Al Michaels' third season on Amazon Prime's 'Thursday Night Football' be his last?

You’ve mentioned that the “Thursday Night Football” matches this year look promising based on the teams involved. Approximately a dozen of these games appear to be closely contested. Can you explain why it seems like the scheduling team at the NFL has been particularly generous towards Amazon Prime this season?

They’ve provided us with an impressive array of inter-divisional games (such as the Los Angeles Rams versus the San Francisco 49ers on Dec 12), which we haven’t seen before. I believe the NFL has grown quite accustomed to “Thursday Night Football.” It’s not just about the game itself, but also the supplementary shows featuring Ryan Fitzpatrick, Andrew Whitworth, Charissa Thompson, Richard Sherman, and Tony Gonzales. Taylor Rooks is a rising talent in her own right, resonating with a younger audience.

It’s clear that these individuals are exceptional, and it seems they have grown accustomed to the league. There was a significant turning point last season when the league assigned a playoff game to Peacock, one of the more enticing games featuring the Miami Dolphins against the Kansas City Chiefs. This move highlighted the importance of streaming for the league.

It’s suggested that the NBA might have felt more at ease with Amazon due to our approach in broadcasting “Thursday Night Football.” I’ve even heard this sentiment expressed by a few NBA owners.

Will you possibly take part in Amazon Prime’s NBA game coverage when they start broadcasting in the 2025-26 season, seeing as you predicted the NBA Finals at ABC?

1. I’m not convinced by that, though. It seems Amazon is planning for the long haul on this project, assembling a team capable of sustaining it for many years to come and growing it further. I have no doubt they will proceed in that manner. As for the NBA, it has been a while since I was actively involved, but I’m content to watch from the sidelines next year and beyond.

Will Al Michaels' third season on Amazon Prime's 'Thursday Night Football' be his last?

You’re entering the third and final year of your contract. What are your future plans?

Currently, I’m thriving and eagerly anticipating the upcoming season. I strive to stay grounded and enjoy the present moment without dwelling too much on what lies ahead. I’m excited for the next four and a half months. The team at Amazon has been exceptional, starting from [Amazon Chief Executive] Andrew Jassy all the way down; everyone has been fantastic. As we progress through the season, I believe we may have a chance to reflect on this experience. For now, I’m just having a blast! Whether I continue or not will be determined in due time, as will other decisions related to my journey.

What was your response when you discovered that an AI-generated version of your voice was utilized to produce personalized Paris Olympics recaps on Peacock’s platform?

While in Paris, people remarked, “Since you’re here, you’re participating,” but I responded, “Not at all.” In reality, I attended events, yet contributed nothing substantially. I was an NBC guest, but my involvement was minimal. I remember feeling alarmed a couple of times and saying to myself, “This is intense.” It was an unfamiliar experience that could be met with resistance or acceptance. I chose the latter, and now I’m glad I did because people often express admiration, saying, “That’s impressive!” My only encounters with it have been positive.

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2024-08-22 13:32

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