Cunningham fine in TNT debut

Tim Graham

Wednesday, Aug. 28, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

It's going to take some time before Randall Cunningham is able to scramble around the studio as well as he did the gridiron.

But after making his debut on TNT's "Pro Football Tonight" last Sunday, it's apparent he will do just fine in his role as NFL analyst.

"I always criticized guys who criticized me, but being on the other side is different," said Cunningham, who starred at UNLV and still resides and owns a business in Las Vegas. "I have to be opinionated."

The 33-year-old, who announced his retirement last week after an 11-year career as quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles, was a two-time recipient of the Bert Bell Award as NFL player of the year. He turned down a CBS college football assignment for a one-year TNT contract reportedly worth $250,000.

He was smooth in his debut, but TNT producer Mike Pearl is certain he will get better.

"I think he was all right," Pearl said. "He was a little tentative, but any time you step into this for the first time you have to get used to your surroundings. I think it will take him two or three weeks to get acclimated. He has the potential to be very good.

"He's in store for a few long days of preparation and work. He's going to go blind the first time he has to spend eight or nine hours watching all the games and then be fresh at 7 p.m. and again at 11 for the post-game show."

It didn't take Cunningham long to learn he can't be a drop-back passer when he's on the air, comfortably taking his shots from behind a protective front. Instead, he has to be quick on his feet. Anything goes.

Co-analyst Mark May, in his second year on the show, didn't grant Cunningham a rookie grace period.

"Randall is pretty good with jabs," said May, a former Washington Redskins tackle. "I tested him a couple times on the air Sunday about the quarterback situation in Philadelphia and he responded pretty well.

"I gave him that quick left hook about the Eagles upgrading their quarterback position. He looked at me with his mouth wide open and said 'Uh ... uh ... uh, I think so, too.'"

While May claims Cunningham "adds camaraderie," he also is looking forward to some disagreements.

"When we're in our production meetings we'll sit there and go at it," May said. "He'll take one side and I'll take another side and I think that is rich for the show."

Cunningham knows he can seek help from another Las Vegan on the Ted Turner payroll: CNN's Ron Meyer. In fact, the former UNLV and NFL mentor -- who coached Randall's big brother, running back Sam "Bam" Cunningham, with the New England Patriots -- made it easier for the QB to call it quits.

"I see him being content with his life," Cunningham said. "He made the transition into commentating and I can see me doing the same thing."

Static

* SHAME: An ESPN executive told the New York Post last week that when the network found out about the death of its own Tom Mees, it decided to hold the story for the 4 p.m. "SportsCenter" because it has a larger audience than the 3:30 p.m. segment. The Associated Press reported the announcer's death from drowning before ESPN did, all because the network wanted higher ratings.

* TENNESSEE TV: Only one local Las Vegas television sports crew will make the trek to Tennessee this weekend as UNLV begins its biggest football season. KLAS Channel 8 will be the lone representative, only because it's the TV home of head coach Jeff Horton's show and sports anchor Dave McCann is a Rebels announcer. One Nashville station is showing Las Vegas how it's done by dispatching a correspondent to the valley. Ironically, it's former KVBC Channel 3 sports director Jerry Olenyn, who has been in town for a few days, gathering features and interviews to be aired in Tennessee. ... The game is being beamed from Knoxville and can be seen on KUPN Channel 21 at 4 p.m.

* DOCUMENTING ALI: A riveting, inside look at the life of Muhammad Ali airs on TNT (Prime Cable Channel 18) Tuesday at 5, 7 and 9 p.m. The two-hour documentary has no narrator and is comprised only of footage (some never before seen) and interviews with those close to the former heavyweight champion. The special focuses more on Ali's life outside the ring, showing him at his best and worst. Interviews with Ali's many ex-wives and Muslim mistresses are especially interesting, but the documentary is lacking in one key element: It doesn't show the tragedy of Ali today, as he battles the debilitating effects of Parkinson's disease. It still is quality viewing.

* GLOBAL HOCKEY: The inaugural World Cup of Hockey -- featuring 142 NHL players competing for six countries -- can be seen on fX, starting Thursday at 5 p.m. when Russia faces Canada. Viewers can catch doubleheaders Saturday (2 p.m. and 5 p.m.) and Sunday (9 a.m. and 5 p.m.) on fX, which will air a total of 14 games, including the best-of-three championship series Sept. 10-14.