FOX NFL SUNDAY & THE OT RETURN TO LOS ANGELES HOME IN SEPTEMBER
Emmy Award Winner Joe Buck Returns to Lead NFL Play-By-Play Duty Full Time; Curt Menefee to Host
After a whirlwind season on the road, FOX NFL SUNDAY, America's most-watched NFL pregame show, and THE OT, the nation’s most-watched NFL postgame show, return to the friendly confines of Studio 2A at the FOX Network Center in Los Angeles this September. Simultaneously, Emmy Award winner Joe Buck devotes his attention to the lead NFL on FOX broadcast booth full time while FOX Sports veteran personality Curt Menefee becomes host to both studio shows.
Menefee joins the stellar cast of Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Jimmy Johnson, Pam Oliver, insider Jay Glazer and comedian Frank Caliendo, beginning with the 2007 season premiere on Sunday, September 9 at Noon. Buck, a six-time Emmy Award winner for Outstanding Play-by-Play, continues as FOX Sports' lead NFL and MLB voice with analysts Troy Aikman and Tim McCarver, respectively. Buck and Aikman are also expected to have an increased role on both FOX NFL SUNDAY and THE OT.
"The entire cast and crew did a terrific job under difficult circumstances last season,” said Hill. “It was especially gratifying that Joe recently added an Outstanding Studio Host Emmy nomination for his FOX NFL SUNDAY work last season in addition to a chance at a seventh award for Outstanding Play-by-Play.”
Buck was given the choice to continue to host FOX NFL SUNDAY and THE OT, or resume his full time play-by-play duties. Once he decided to return as the NFL on FOX’s lead play-by-play voice, Menefee was Hill and Goren’s obvious choice to succeed Buck as studio host.
“Curt, who is quick, witty and knowledgeable, did an outstanding job last season in a part-time capacity,” added Hill. “I expect a very smooth transition with Curt at the helm, and Joe is simply the best play-by-play man in the country. There is no one I’d rather have calling our fifth Super Bowl broadcast in February."
"It is an honor and privilege to host the best NFL pregame show on television," Menefee said. "Working with this team every week is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m very grateful that David and Ed have faith in me to carry on FOX NFL SUNDAY’s long tradition of excellence. It’s a dream role."
"This past season was easily the most enjoyable year I have had in my career," Buck said. "Terry, Howie, and Jimmy went out of their way to welcome me and make me feel like part of the team right from the start. It’s hard to leave them, but given the choice, calling games is my first love. Troy is simply the world’s best NFL game analyst, and we enjoy what we do immensely. Curt is a talented, dedicated professional, and he’ll do a great job. I wish him nothing but the best."
"I've told Ed and David time and time again to just let me host the whole show, but for some strange reason they keep saying no," quipped Bradshaw. "We had a blast on the road last year with both Joe and Curt. We’ll miss Joe, but we look forward to Curt settling in and becoming a full-time member of the team."
Menefee began his career at FOX Sports in 1997 as a sideline reporter, and later moved to the game booth to call play-by-play for NFL and NFL Europe League games on FOX Sports and FSN. He has also served as a game reporter for MLB on FOX's postseason coverage. Prior career stops have taken Menefee to WNYW FOX5 and MSG in New York, KTVT-TV in Dallas where he also hosted a daily two-hour show on The Ticket sports radio. Menefee also anchored sports for WTLV-TV (NBC) in Jacksonville, and served as a sports anchor and reporter at WISC-TV (CBS) in Madison, WI and WOI-TV (ABC) in Des Moines.
Menefee has received several awards for his sports anchoring and reporting, including the Associated Press Award for Best Sports Reporter in New York and four Katie Awards (the Texas equivalent of an Emmy) for Best Sportscast and Best Sports Special.
As it heads into its 14th season, FOX NFL SUNDAY is America's most-watched, highest-rated pregame show on television. Since its premiere in September 1994, the program has won 18 Emmy Awards for its production and personalities including four for Outstanding Studio Show.
