December 6, 2021, Issue 785
Lessons Of The Manning Cast
The ESPN 2 Monday Night Football With Peyton & Eli – alternately known as The Manning Cast – has been consistently growing ratings since it debuted the first week of the NFL season. After opening with 800,000 viewers, the Oct. 25 edition boasted 1.6 million viewers according to The Hollywood Reporter. But while the elder Manning majored in Speech Communications at the Peyton Manning (l) and Eli Manning University of Tennessee (Go Vols!) and the younger earned a degree in Marketing from the University of Mississippi, neither has a broad background in broadcasting to bring to the show. But radio pros say there may still be lessons to be learned for on-air personalities. Peyton and Eli both do most of what broadcasters have been trained not to do, including talking over one another and overusing crutches including “right,” “uhm” and “like.” And they have detectable accents and stutters. But what they also have is a Steve Reynolds uniquely inside perspective on the game, genuine relationships with the players and other guests joining them each week, strong personalities, sibling banter and a highly researched, well-produced show. As The Reynolds Group talent coach Steve Reynolds asserts, “Unpolished is the new polished. One thing I endeavor to do with every show I work with is having a long list of Tim Roberts things that fit our brand that only our brand offers the marketplace.” During a typical three-hour broadcast, the Mannings welcome a half-dozen guests, including current and former NFL players, (continued on page 8)
Bringin’ Sixty Back: Curb’s Lee Brice and actor/singer Kiefer Sutherland perform at Beasley Media Group’s 60th anniversary and 4th Annual Holiday Soiree. Pictured (l-r) are Bruce Beasley, Marie Tedesco, Sutherland, Caroline Beasley, Brice, Brad Beasley, Justin Chase and John Reynolds.
Beginning To Sound A Lot Like... Those looking to freshen up holiday playlists have no shortage of options this year. Full Christmas albums from Brett Eldredge, Cody Johnson, the Pistol Annies, Josh Turner and Brett Young cover the spectrum from traditional favorites to aspiring future classics. Dan + Shay have released two holiday tracks this year to add to the two they released last year, though there are no plans at this point for a full Christmas collection from the duo. And new voices including Lainey
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