ABC Moves Monday Night Football's Halftime Show Back To New York

New York, New York
MNF's Halftime Show Moves To ESPN's Times Square Restaurant

NEW YORK (AQB)--First, Frank Gifford and Dan Dierdorf left.

Then, the starting time returned to 9 p.m. ET.

Now, Monday Night Football continues its offseason of change by moving its halftime show back to New York and to the new ESPN Zone restaurant in Times Square, which is expected to open in mid-September.

Who said ABC Sports is trying to separate itself from ESPN's image?

Chris Berman will remain host of the "Toyota/Lexus Halftime Report," while Al Michaels will conduct the interviews.

"We're thrilled to be televising halftime for the 1999-2000 season from ESPN Zone in Times Square," ABC Sports President Howard Katz said in a statement Tuesday. "Having Chris live at the crossroads of the world in New York at the flagship ESPN Zone is another exciting component for Monday Night Football's 30th Anniversary."

"I'm looking forward to interacting with the people of New York City," Berman said also in a statement. "New York has passionate fans of every NFL team, and Monday Night Football at ESPN Zone will bring them, as well as fans from around the country, together."

The "Toyota/Lexus Halftime Report" will begin broadcasting Sept. 20, the second week of Monday Night Football. The Monday Night Football season kicks off Sept. 13, when the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos host the Miami Dolphins. At halftime that night, the Broncos will retire the No. 7 that former quarterback John Elway wore for Denver.

After launching in Baltimore's Inner Harbor in the summer of 1998, ESPN Zone opened in Chicago this summer and will open in Atlanta in January 2000 and in Washington, D.C., in the spring. Gee, Baltimore in 1998. New York in 1999. Might the show move to Atlanta or the Capital in 2000?

If there are any such plans, ABC isn't saying. All that is known is that New York is the place this year. The halftime show, which features a live studio audience, will take place in ESPN Zone's Screening Room, which features two 16-foot televisions as well as a dozen 36-inch monitors.

"As we open our flagship ESPN Zone in the sports capital of the world, Monday Night Football's halftime show will be the first of many broadcasts that will take place in New York," said Art Levitt, president of Disney Regional Entertainment. "These broadcast opportunities will really give spectators an up-close, 3-D experience of what ESPN is about."

Past ArmchairQB.com stories on the changes at Monday Night Football:

Monday Night Football Returns To Familiar 9 p.m. ET Slot
Dierdorf Calls ABC Departure 'Not The Most Amicable'
Dierdorf Says 'Aloha' To ABC At Pro Bowl