Flyers' TV voice optimistic
by Laura Nachman
Bucks County Courier Times
December 17, 2004

Despite the NHL owners' rejection of the players' proposal to end the lockout this week, Flyers' television announcer Jim Jackson continues to be optimistic that there will be a settlement, and he will be able to get back to work.

"Until the season is declared dead, I still have hope," said Jackson, who would have begun his 12th season with the team this fall.

Because Jackson's contract ran out in August, he is not getting paid during the lockout. Fortunately, his employer, Comcast, is continuing to cover his health care benefits.

To make up the income, Jackson is working part-time at WIP 610-AM and doing voiceovers. He's also playing "Mr. Mom" for his 7-year-old daughter, Deanna, and 4-year-old son, Johnny. His wife, Bernadette, is working two part-time jobs.

Beginning this summer, Jackson, who in his career spent eight years doing baseball, will join Dan Loney on the Trenton Thunder's broadcast team.

"Though it has been a financially stressful time, the positive aspect is that I've met new friends like the people at WIP and the Trenton Thunder who've bent over backwards to help," Jackson said.

Jackson's book about the 1973-74 Flyers, "Walking Together Forever: the Broad Street Bullies Then and Now," is expected in stores this week. It can also be pre-ordered at www.sportspublishingllc.com.

Sunday night ratings

At 11:30 p.m., WPVI's "Football Frenzy" was the top-rated Sunday night sports show for November sweeps with a 6.5 rating/13 share. WCAU's "Sports Final" had a 4.4 rating/9 share, and KYW's "Eagles Access" had a 3.7 rating/8 share. At 10:45, WTXF's "Sports Sunday" registered a 4.6 rating/7 share. Each rating point represents around 30,000 households.

Catch this show

Terrell Owens will be a guest on "Late Show with David Letterman" at 11:35 tonight on CBS. The segment was taped on Monday.

Goosed

Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa will call the Eagles-Cowboys game Sunday at 1 p.m. on Fox. We had a nice break from Siragusa the last few weeks, but he's back thanks to the Cowboys.

The network's No. 1 team of Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Cris Collinsworth is doing the Jets-Seahawks game.

Trivia question

What was Collinsworth's number when he played for the Cincinnati Bengals? Correct responses will be printed next week.

December 17, 2004 6:59 AM