Review by Booklist Review
"It was like peanut butter meeting jelly for the first time," said Mike Madden, son of coach and broadcaster John Madden, who, along with Pat Summerall, his play-by-play partner for 23 NFL seasons on CBS, then Fox, spun magic every Sunday afternoon. Podolsky details the backstory of each, their fortuitous pairing (Madden a last-minute fill-in for Summerall's rowdy wingman, Tom Brookshier), and some of their innovations, such as Madden's famed Telestrator pen. However, this is really a valentine showcasing their friendship, the love and respect they earned from fans, coaches, and players, and the football know-how they brought to the booth--easy to forget, say, that an injured Summerall booted the game-winning field goal that launched his New York Giants into the 1958 postseason. Madden's eulogy for Summerall, reprinted in full here, is a model of concision, humor, honesty, and tenderness. After broadcasting his third game with Summerall, as Madden told mourners, "I came away from there with one thought: This guy is really a good guy, and if I get nothing else out of this, I've got that."
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Sports reporter Podolsky (You Are Looking Live!) provides a thorough examination of the broadcast partnership between John Madden and Pat Summerall. The two spent 21 years announcing pro football games together for CBS and Fox, forming what Podolsky calls "the greatest NFL broadcasting team in history." Madden retired as coach of the Oakland Raiders at 42 in 1978 and turned to TV as his second act. Summerall, who played for multiple NFL teams, fell into broadcasting after an executive from WCBS Radio told him he had a great voice for it. When CBS executives paired them together as lead NFL announcers in 1981, the chemistry was immediate. Madden was the charismatic everyman, someone viewers felt like they could have a beer with, while Summerall provided a counterbalance with his concise, authoritative style. Through extensive interviews with those close to them (Summerall died in 2013 and Madden in 2021) and his own astute analyses, Podolsky effectively illustrates how their complementary styles ("No matter how far Madden would stray telling his stories, Summerall would have the perfect capper to move things back to neutral") paired with their deep knowledge of the sport set the standard for NFL telecasts. Football fans will appreciate this behind-the-scenes look at one of the sport's most famous duos. (Sept.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
All professional football fans have heard of John Madden (1936--2021) and Pat Summerall (1930--2013). In their 21 years of broadcasting pro football games together, sports fans were drawn in by Madden's brash yet folksy manner in his descriptions and explanations, as well as by Summerall's well-spoken, pleasant, and soothing commentary. Paired together, it was like listening to two good friends in conversation, and they have often (and rightly) been proclaimed the greatest sports broadcasting team ever. Podolsky's (You Are Looking Live!: How The NFL Today Revolutionized Sports Broadcasting) book assembles information from numerous conversations with people who knew Summerall and Madden well, presenting a detailed account of their lives, from their broadcasting beginnings through their recent deaths. For older football fans, this book will be like a nostalgic trip down memory lane, made even sweeter with additional details. For younger readers, it will serve as an essential historical record of two men who were pioneers in sports broadcasting. Podolsky's storytelling ability and his honest opinions will appeal to all audiences. VERDICT This book is a completely engulfing read and an excellent purchase for public and academic libraries.--Steve Dixon
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