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ND & Showtime agree to a Hard Knocks type series

schadenfreude

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Oct 4, 2001
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"Sources: Notre Dame and Showtime finalizing details of “Hard Knocks” styled series

Sources tell FootballScoop that executives from Showtime and Notre Dame hope to finalize an agreement in the next 48 hours under which Showtime will immediately begin filming Notre Dame’s 2015 training camp experience, with the goal of producing the first of a dozen episodes beginning the Tuesday, Sept. 8, following the Fighting Irish’s season opener versus Texas.

While not finalized, sources tell FootballScoop the expected time slot would be Tuesday nights following Showtime’s “Inside the NFL,” which airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. Eastern.

The network and university collaborated previously on a documentary following the Fighting Irish men’s basketball program.

While providing an unquestioned financial boost to the university, certainly the potentially larger boost for Notre Dame is the national storytelling the series will provide and the expected bump in appeal for the program, the coaches and its players. Under Armour won’t hate the exposure, either.

The series should provide excellent insight into how Brian Kelly coaches his team, how new offensive coordinator Mike Sanford, Jr., leads the offense and there is no doubt that a large part of the population will watch just to enjoy Brian VanGorder’s exchanges with his players.

Separate sources tell FootballScoop that Florida State was very close to agreeing with a major cable production company to produce a similar series last season, but that agreement fell through at the last minute. Here’s to hoping that Showtime and Notre Dame get the I’s dotted and the T’s crossed this time.

Fighting Irish, prepare your DVRs… "
 
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Anyone remember the Notre Dame football documentary series (ran during Willingham's tenure?)? Canceled by ND after the second game of the 2003 season IIRC.
 
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Yes, but remember ND is irrelevant according to opposing fans and some dopey posters here.
I don't see Michigan, Indiana or PSU getting that type of exposure.
Oh, and ND is all over ESPN today also.
 
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Yes, but remember ND is irrelevant according to opposing fans and some dopey posters here.
I don't see Michigan, Indiana or PSU getting that type of exposure.
Oh, and ND is all over ESPN today also.

Please link to the irrelevant comments. Also, note that Florida State was initially offered this series, but the Noles turned it down.
 
I don't see where the Noles turned it down. In fact, it wasn't with Showtime and it was last season.
There could have been several Jamies reasons to have not produced that series.

And, look at 90% of the posts started here by non-ND fans, which this site now seems to be dominated by, and you will see plenty of comments about how ND is over-hyped and irrelevant in CFB today.
 
Please link to the irrelevant comments. Also, note that Florida State was initially offered this series, but the Noles turned it down.
Given their recent issues and negative publicity, that is certainly believable.
 
Just who is or is not "irrelevant" is simply a matter of opinion. Some people think ND is irrelevant (although your 90% figure is a gross exaggeration). Some people think the Big Ten is irrelevant. Who cares?
 
Not sure why there is so much little girl bickering in this thread.

But this is freaking awesome and could go down as a real game changer!
 
Sounds like a great opportunity for ND. It will show Kelly in his element. The staff and all the work necessary to get a top programs team ready for a season. It will show Kelly coaching and may even dispel many critics - like myself. Now we can all see and judge.

Better idea, film the team's prep work for each week prior to a game and show weeks prep with that games highlights. Even if delayed several weeks, it not only would be informative, but would be great advertising. Wish ND could have a Sunday morning (after game) sped up highlight film of the Saturday game. The way Paul Hornung and a sportscast (?) use to do. A whole generation of fans grew up watching ND every Sunday. Again, great visibility. ND should leverage it's ability to draw eyeballs on any show nationally. All the other teams are regional and don't have national following. It's an asset for us - use it!
 
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As an old-guy I do NOT like it. HUGE distraction from the task at hand.
Understand your thinking; however, the youth of today crave media and the show aspect of everything. Given that climate, I think this development is a positive.
 
Sounds like a great opportunity for ND. It will show Kelly in his element. The staff and all the work necessary to get a top programs team ready for a season. It will show Kelly coaching and may even dispel many critics - like myself. Now we can all see and judge.

Better idea, film the team's prep work for each week prior to a game and show weeks prep with that games highlights. Even if delayed several weeks, it not only would be informative, but would be great advertising. Wish ND could have a Sunday morning (after game) sped up highlight film of the Saturday game. The way Paul Hornung and a sportscast (?) use to do. A whole generation of fans grew up watching ND every Sunday. Again, great visibility. ND should leverage it's ability to draw eyeballs on any show nationally. All the other teams are regional and don't have national following. It's an asset for us - use it!

AFAIK you still have that "Irish Week" show on NBCSports. Doesn't show anything controversial, just stuff for rah rah fans.
 
AFAIK you still have that "Irish Week" show on NBCSports. Doesn't show anything controversial, just stuff for rah rah fans.

Didn't know the above. Like to see the combination of weeks prep work, planning and discussion before a game followed by the game highlights, but that is probably way too much info to share. Make for a great sport show and could be a spectacular revenue stream. Too much I suppose, even if shown after the season...but, maybe a topic line to explore for other possible shows.
 
It's a done deal according to Bleacher Report. Was going to to cancel all my movie channels dew to getting netflix. Guess i'll keep showtime. The wife won't be happy lol.
 
This is great news giving the opportunity to show fans and potential students athletes how ND works and why the school and program is held in such high esteem.

Had FSU been given the same opportunity they would have demanded that Jumbo be given the first right to destroy any video evidence as he was given by the TPD in the Winston and Cook cases. Video tape of FSU players is historically not something FSU wants.
 
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I'll be glued to this every week. I love "Hard Knocks" and think it's just a tremendous show.

I always laugh at anyone who gets offended by the "Notre Dame is irrelevant" talk. If anyone is talking Notre Dame that automatically defeats this argument. People who get so worked up about it need to have their heads examined.
 
This is great news giving the opportunity to show fans and potential students athletes how ND works and why the school and program is held in such high esteem.

Had FSU been given the same opportunity they would have demanded that Jumbo be given the first right to destroy any video evidence as he was given by the TPD in the Winston and Cook cases. Video tape of FSU players is historically not something FSU wants.


http://www.quizrocket.com/idiot-quiz
 
Understand your thinking; however, the youth of today crave media and the show aspect of everything. Given that climate, I think this development is a positive.

Agree......but will they have time to study? Will their roomies? Will coaches be distracted/embarrassed? Most importantly...will it help ND WIN???
 
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