John Lennon on Monday Night Football in 1974 [11-20-95]

[@FuturCrayon]

I get so emotional when I see John so alive, witty, aware, humble and gentle, even answering THE question with a large smile on his face. All those years without him that's depressing

[@davidcoombes9961]

Dont measure the state of your mental health by the presence or abscence of John Lennon. He wouldnt measure his mental health by your existence.

[@jonny7680]

I agree he sure is missed

[@jonny7680]

So do i ....So do i

[@davidpearlactorteacherbizman]

This is magic... john seem so happy here while I'm amazing because he's not even an American but it guess he loved Living in America great rapport with Howard Cosell they really get along well with each other. Yes it's incredibly sad that he's gone he does seem very happy and down-to-earth and accessible here. Even said he got sad when he heard a Beatles song yesterday and today he seemed to be open to a Beatles reunions I've never seen him so cheerful. Oh my God I was 11 years old I remember this happening live on a Monday back when I was starting sixth grade

[@tiagoc5321]

even after all these years… i miss it when hes not here 😢

[@stringtheoryguitars4952]

"It makes Rock concerts look like tea parties"! John, you will never be replaced.

[@semimaster83]

just think if he would were still with us today, he would have a better understanding of the rules and for all he might have performed a super bowl halftime show.....maybe even a Beatles reunion....

[@purefoldnz3070]

with all the armor the players wear it definitely looks like a tea party

[@nadiachristiansen7599]

His friend and songwriting-partner got replaced 8 years earlier.

[@armandgallanosa]

Lennon for all his faults, was a bemused observer of life, one of the most intelligent rock stars ever, and is sorely missed

[@spy1965]

We're all flawed one way or another

[@Twotontessie]

Garcia, Townshend, Lennon - geniuses. If they hadn't been musicians they would have been huge in whatever field they chose.

[@jaspurr77]

@@Twotontessie I don't think that's accurate these guys were pretty lazy and the socio economic trends of the day fell in their favour..

[@jeffwright1722]

amen

[@m.e.d.7997]

And he truly loved America and New York City!

[@Johnny-lr5jt]

In just a few short moments, Lennon shows that he is more articulate and intelligent than 99% of entertainment celebrities.

[@emptyspotlight]

sometimes I imagine what would be his point of view about certain things like the world today

[@Ruda-n4h]

@@emptyspotlight He was a very compelling interviewee.

[@richardedenfield5167]

100%

[@AnaFerreira-h4k]

​@@richardedenfield5167Delegada de policia federal Df Doutora FBI Princesa original

[@alfredodistefanolaulhe2212]

@@emptyspotlight It's not difficult to imagine, just take a look to his sons, they are like son like father.

[@markJaggi]

I could listen to John talk all day long about anything. He was so interesting.

[@andydporter5136]

Beware of the cult of the personality.

[@markJaggi]

@@andydporter5136 Or just enjoy a rock and roll legend in conversation. Why go dark?

[@andydporter5136]

@@markJaggi I'm a big fan of Lennon's music/songwriting and he'd be an amazing conversation partner but I've no delusions about his character. Truth is for all his swagger he was a kinda cowardly, and a rapacious opportunist. I mean, look at his absolutely craven reposnse to the 'The Beatles are bigger than Jesus' hoopla. And then there's how he always managed to monetise his political activitism.

[@markJaggi]

@@andydporter5136 If you look at his life you'll see a very flawed person who was always working on himself. Given his upbringing it shouldn't be any surprise he might have some issues. As he ages he admits to his flaws unabashedly and seems to keep working on himself and trying to do better. I think that's the true mark of a good man. Paul was just sort of naturally balanced from the get go. But he did have a loving mother while she was alive and a good dad. John did not. Cheers.

[@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek]

​@@andydporter5136not much wrong with his character

[@JStarStar00]

Notice John says of a Beatles reunion, "We might do it if it was a spectacle like this (an NFL game)." Maybe the Beatles would have played a Super Bowl halftime!

[@kellyegan7348]

JStarStar00 imagine that. That would’ve been awesome

[@NxDoyle]

I would agree if not for the fact that The Beatles were bigger than the Superbowl.

[@GAPSYO3O1]

Nx Doyle the Beatles probably would’ve been the start of big stars during the Super Bowl era, cause for awhile Super Bowl halftime shows were marching bands, chubby checkers, and if I remember correctly there was a huge advertisement for Disney one time lol

[@johnkon8346]

@@NxDoyle Yes. Would completely overshadow the game.

[@wangdangdoodie]

I suppose it would take one's mind off what a shit sport American football is.

[@warwick802]

I wish he was still with us. I miss that strong accent and I could honestly listen to him ramble about life for days

[@joeydoherty368]

Yeah he had an amazing voice.

[@swirlingfudge]

I use Paul 'O Grady as a slightly camper substitute

[@ArtFlunky]

I feel the same.

[@mrslebowski]

when i see him in such a good mood my heart flies, i mean, witty , talkative, present, funny, like George said once, "he was a groove" (surely when he wanted to)...i really enjoyed this video, many many thanks!

[@mark11967AD]

John Lennon so down to earth here. I think when he doesn’t feel there’s going to be any adversarial BS he’s ready to be just a nice guy and good for him. George, Paul, and Ringo honestly all the same way. I don’t think any of them were ready to take shit from anyone really, but also genuinely nice people when there wasn’t any of that. I would have loved seeing John on something like David Letterman although I don’t think he would have played along as say a Ringo but you never know. In a way I think the Beatles really were the last gasp of the romantic era pre computers.

[@cactaceous]

Letterman was such a huge Beatles fan when he was a kid that he would have been in awe of his favorite Beatle and possibly been shy, which he almost never was, and fawned over him like he did with Ringo and Paul.

[@mark11967AD]

@@cactaceous yeah probably

[@waynej2608]

John would've been a blast on Letterman. And Dave would've loved to have had him on. John would've had some good banter with Paul Shaffer, too.

[@Jalapablo]

It's obvious that John really liked Howard Cosell. He seemed very happy this evening. Normally Lennon is inscrutable during interviews, but here you can tell he genuinely enjoyed the chat. Hard to believe that in six years time, almost to the day of this interview, he would be murdered. And Cosell, of all people, would be the first on ABC to announce his death live on air -- and during another Monday night football game, no less. Uncanny.

[@JohnSmith-kz8yo]

And that his death would be announced by Cosell right before a blocked field goal by an English born kicker. also eerily the song 'Revolution 9' ends with a crowd chanting 'BLOCK THAT KICK'.

[@wwekane2468]

Paul West he respected Howard as did everyone

[@FryngeMinority]

John Smith That’s fuckin eerie

[@aztiff]

John was working class and appreciated a guy like Howard

[@hv3926]

John Lennon and Howard Cosell were friends. It was very hard 6 years later for him to announce John's death to the world.

[@coreywiley3981]

It is interesting to see two people with such iconic and distinct voices interact.

[@krisscanlon4051]

Yes absolutely...kinda of meshed well

[@justinherbert9146]

When I was a youngster I had a radio next to my bed and at night when the lights were out and getting ready to go to sleep i would listen to a radio show called SPEAKING OF EVERYTHING on WABC hosted by Howard Cosell and he had John Lennon as a guest a couple of times and I distinctly remember how much I loved John's appearances because he was a great guest and he and Howard had a great on air chemistry -- so that is why John is so at ease during his appearance with Howard on TV as this football game, they had a history together. This is the lovable, intelligent, self deprecating side of John Lennon that the other Beatles truly loved him for. RIP John and Howard

[@markb20]

Pop culture is mind blowing. In '74 these two '60s icons are talking sports on national tv, name dropping the Beatles and Ronald Reagan. It's then being shown 21 years later in 1995, by two sports/media icons of the '70s and '80s. And now, 45 years after the first broadcast and 24 years after the second, the world can see both again along with hearing about all those pop culture icons and discuss their legacies and how they all intersected over the decades. This is KZbin and the Internet at their best.

[@markb20]

I forgot to add- 100,000 years from now when our transmissions reach the distant planet ZX#OR%GIT, the alien race there will comment "Stupid Earthlings wasted their time watching old video clips containing older video clips that talked about very old relics like the Beatle Gods and Ronald Reagan. Fools, they should have been preparing for the 10 mile wide asteroid that would hit them the next day. Oh, by the way, wasn't it nice the way John complimented Paul's song Yesterday?"

[@CozmoNurse]

Don't forget also, almost exactly six years to the day Howard did that interview with John, he broke the news of his assassination to the world on MNF.

[@markb20]

What goes around comes around, whether it's anniversaries or viruses

[@jamesy4003]

John always seemed happy away from Yoko. - 74-75 he was a very pleasant relaxed guy

[@Jalapablo]

except when he wasn't throwing down at the the Troubador lol

[@christopherstarr8050]

very true and alot more social .

[@jchow5966]

Agree. I think john & yoko would have eventually broken up had he lived. She is narcissistic.

[@zackamania6534]

John routinely states that the “Lost Weekend” was a miserable time in his life. He loved Yoko and the world needs to deal with that.

[@SuzanasVoice]

I disagree. There's plenty of footage of him looking very happy when he's with Yoko. They had their ups and downs like all of us do.

[@peggyolson6511]

Awww, dear, sweet John. Sure do miss him.

[@paulbadoo9326]

One of the greatest tragedies, not just in rock history, but in history. We missed so many years of this man's contributions to culture, music, activism, ...just imagine him with a smartphone and a twitter account. Imagine.

[@andydporter5136]

Interesting how Lennon always found a way to monetise his activism

[@jamesslick4790]

@@andydporter5136 Yah, NO ONE would DARE to do that NOW. /S

[@chrishyde1216]

Spot on. He was a wonderful song-writer and singer, but also a fantastic talker and commentator of all aspects of life. He would have lit up social media.

[@Bloxdio_God]

Lovely man John Lennon should still be with us now. X

[@davidm7840]

John was away from Yoko during this period and magically he is peppy and humorous, just like he often was prior to her arrival.

[@cactaceous]

As if he was not “peppy and humorous” when he was with her. Don’t be a fucking idiot. We have all seen the interviews on KZbin. The proof is all here. He was peppy and humorous on Dick Cavett. On Mike Douglas. On Weekend World. Presenting at the Grammys. Get off the bullshit anti Yoko childish fucking narrative mate. Just say you have an imaginary problem with someone you never met. Makes you look less daft.

[@danhobson24]

That was because this video was recorded before Sean Lennon was born. John wasn’t away from Yoko very much in the first half of 1970’s, they spent most time together. From 1975-1979 John and Yoko were together 24/7

[@cactaceous]

@@danhobson24 Not really. After Sean was born, Yoko was constantly working on their real estate empire, their whole sale cattle operation and the purchasing and selling art while John spent a lot of time with Sean, the nanny and his assistant around the city and then later on their properties out in Cold Spring Harbor on Long Island, and on their upstate farm in Franklin, NY. Later he spent a lot of time down in their house in Palm Beach, Florida and even spent months away from Yoko in a house in Bermuda. He actually voiced complaints to the people around him that Yoko was always working on the telephone in their office and he barely saw her.

[@frankbarnwell____]

Dude. John and yoko. Liked each other. Get a grip

[@jimmuzzi1072]

Another Yoko basher. If you listen to ANY of the interviews he did when Double Fantasy came out, or even before the Lost Weekend, he was just as witty, and lovable as we all wanted.

[@randyking3057]

John's charming.

[@jimmcfarlane5611]

John seemed totally relaxed in that interview as if that was the real him. Not having to portray his macho rock star image. Just seemed like a regular north of England dude

[@emilypace2769]

@́ dude, he's been portraying his "macho image" from BEFORE he even got with Cynthia! Yoko has nothing to do with it.

[@scottandrewbrass1931]

He was as about as macho as Harry Potter.

[@gregphillips2827]

His interviews in this period are so refreshing compared to his interviews immediately post-Beatles and in 1980. He just seems so much more chill.

[@Official_KC]

I believe him and Howard Cosell were like friends, actually. Like legitimately liked one another. Any time the two of them were talking, Lennon always seemed to put his guard down and be way more friendly

[@soulscanner66]

@@scottandrewbrass1931 Agreed. Two points for Gryffindor!

[@jamesslick4790]

The very IDEA of Ronald Reagan with his arm around John Lennon, explaining American Football made me smile. I am an admirer of BOTH men for different reasons. 👍😊👍✌✌

[@roddyboethius1722]

Can't stand Reagan. He was such a fraud. D List actor who sold out to General Motors and destroyed the middle class. Glad he lost his mind at the end.

[@JamieStier]

THAT is a video I wish we'd seen.

[@ekimklaw]

Lennon said he was "cheered up no end" to hear a Beatle tune as he entered the venue. Yesterday. One of Paul's songs. It made me smile.

[@paulhallatt4313]

You do get that he was taking the piss in the nicest possible way...

[@rmartin7558]

I always loved that he said hearing "Yesterday" cheered him up no end. Particularly considering the supposed post-breakup animosity and the fact "Yesterday" was essentially a Paul McCartney solo number. It was very cool that he'd say that.

[@markb20]

Absolutely, thought the same thing. This was only just over 4 years since their breakup, but maybe they had already started talking again. He had openly talked about how much he liked Paul's last album Band on the Run.

[@tricornclub9594]

John and Paul had spent time together earlier that year in L.A.

[@joemasse4568]

I know Paul wrote it, but, its a Lennon and McCartney original! Says the credits! And the label says by the Beatles!

[@mikebradshaw6484]

He actually said that they were playing a Beatles song yesterday when he came to the stadium not the song yesterday.

[@gregphillips2827]

I loved that too. Often he felt the need to throw little insults at Paul in interviews, so it’s nice he didn’t here.

[@marvindeleon4659]

John would have been a great commentator.

[@timbalistreri6012]

What a pleasant interview....very friendly....both guys behaved terrifically.....Cosell genuinely grieving on the air when reporting at a game the day Lennon was shot......

[@jimbobjimjim6500]

KZbin time capsule is extraordinary.

[@dundeedell1960]

This made me smile and cry at the same time

[@Gunn27]

I doubt that very much.

[@davidcoombes9961]

Smiling and crying at the same time. Thats a lot of emotion for a two minute clip.

[@jchow5966]

I am do glad that he eas alive for the 1st 16 years of my life. He was sp cool & positive. I miss him. 💟☮️

[@christinafrch904]

There was something sweet and cool about John Lennon..... Love him.......always and forever.

[@jchow5966]

Me 2. Beatles 4 ever ☮️💟

[@freddesmet259]

Notice how John calls them by their first name. Informal and personable.

[@Canyon2023]

John is so sweet here and a beautiful smile!!

[@neilwinchester9187]

This reminded me of Howard Cosell announcing to the world on Monday Night Football that John had been shot and killed. A mere 6 years later. Bittersweet watching this pleasant interview.

[@elbecko7969]

Two men renowned for unpredictability, fireworks and cutting remarks in interviews (not all the time but always with great potential), and yet they talk with such great respect for each other and the topics. I think they knew that each other deserved more respect than they were being afforded at that time.

[@aaronpaterson1615]

Ronald Reagsn with his arms around John Lennon explaining American Football 1974, Classic

[@JerichoMile4]

John Lennon on Monday Night Football December 9, 1974 Washington Redskins 23 at Los Angeles Rams 17 F Lennon murdered on December 8, 1980 (Cosell announced it on MNF)

[@neilsun2521]

Also The Magical Mystery Tour was released on Dec' '8th 13 years to the day before Lennon shot

[@FlamingoKicker]

Reagan was a great politician. Unlike some other politicians I could name Reagan knew how to get along with people that he disagreed with. Lennon actually said he wished he'd been a citizen so he could have voted for Reagan.

[@chuckcollins2349]

sad day

[@Revolver1981]

@@neilsun2521 No pal. Magical Mystery Tour was first shown on Boxing Day, December 26th 1967.

[@scottharrison3391]

@@FlamingoKicker John would have liked Trump too.

[@fanboy2015]

Wow, John knew his sports.

[@MrBamcito]

George Alexander it's British.. he born with Soccer

[@hudsonrilke]

Lol. Believe me his description of rugby was less than accurate. Lol.

[@lollypopjo1]

Carlin *football

[@paultaylor4647]

George Alexander The Beatles weren’t particularly interested in sports but John and Paul went to the 1966 F.A Cup Final which featured Everton apparently!Theres a completely useless piece of Beatle trivia for you!

[@mohdazmi10]

Paul Taylor they are simply Evertonians even though they donned Liverpool colours during the Mad Day Out photo sessions in 1968.

[@jnwd1723]

Howard is great interviewer. Doesn't talk fast, asks good questions and listens to the person because he loved his job. Ya know.....despite all the bad things people say against John, he had a genuine good side and could be really funny. He had that sarcastic wit sometimes when dealing with dodo bird interviewers but then he can turn around and be endearing. In old interviews he liked America and wanted to make this place his home. He said in the U.K. when growing up he watched the old movies we showed e.g. Doris Day and Rock Hudson and others. There wasn't anything good to watch on t.v. from there. He listened mostly to the musicians over here. He liked how things were here and just wanted to hop over the pond making this his home. I know nothing can be done now but he didn't deserve to be gunned down in cold blood by a back shooter. I'm sorry I shouldn't mention it. I'd rather think of all the times he made us smile, laugh and dwell on his good attributes. This impromptu interview was neat to watch. I was almost 12 but I remember people not liking Howard Cosell because he made a goof, but don't we all. John sounded great here and I enjoyed him talking shop with H,C, about football. He looks real relaxed and happy.

[@louiseraso5914]

jn wd 9

[@robertbrown8362]

We had Pinky and Perky in the UK

[@NelsonVlog66]

@@AlbertEinsteinSpock I believe the "goof" referred to is the time Cosell dropped the N word during MNF.

[@davidhopeman3591]

@@NelsonVlog66 Howard Cowell never did that ....what he was getting grief about,he used the term "little Monkey" about a quick good receiver on the Redskins football team.. I could say it about Julian Edelman...but Howard said it about a receiver who happened to be black...

[@LSU01]

John was a human being like all of us with many sides to his personality , He was of course more famous but when it comes down to it he was just one of us!

[@theestimator]

It break's my heart listening to John now , especially when he was in a good mood together with little insight's like the Reagan thing , plus of course it was Howard that announced to the World that heinous act in New York ......

[@ericruiz1036]

Haunting. Thanks for posting this.

[@whatsforafters7843]

My pleasure. Thanks for taking the time to post a note of appreciation.

[@Twotontessie]

Man that cat when he turned it on could be the most charming and delightful person like … ever

[@johnrotten3268]

I really like how Howard was so enthusiastic to speak to John. Rare for an old dinosaur like him to be so giddy speaking to a counter culture icon.

[@markb20]

He probably realized it would make him seem more "hip" to be talking to a rock star, regardless of how clueless he was to John's music.

[@paulsonj72]

@@AlbertEinsteinSpock Reagan despite only being a governor at the time was very well known across the country and was being talked about as a possible future presidential candidate then. He of course would challenge Ford in 1976 and win in 1980

[@zero-pl3tt]

@@AlbertEinsteinSpock I mean, John and the other beatles were probably the most famous people alive at that point, hard for anybody to compete with that.

[@RichV20]

Howard was always an attention seeker and wanted to be friends with the biggest names ie Muhammed Ali.

[@soulscanner66]

@@RichV20 So were John and Paul.

[@kevinpyne5808]

I watched this live. I never missed Monday Night Football and the great halftime highlights of the prior day Sunday games.

[@johnkon8346]

Cool to see that Lennon knows his stuff about sports. One would assume his sole interests in life would be art and music. Very observant for watching the game for the first time.

[@jamesslick4790]

@@josephesposito3499 Um, No.

[@jamesslick4790]

My primary interests are in music and technology. But NOT on a HOCKEY NIGHT IN PITTSBURGH! My Pens aren't doing all that great right now, But HOCKEY!!! People are diverse!

[@galacticfantastic4195]

Sports and music gold. Thanks for posting.

[@thiggs93]

Outside of a game winning touchdown, field goal etc. This is one of the greatest moments in MNF history in my opinion

[@paulcachia3480]

Fabulous Lennon! The Man..

[@charleswinokoor6023]

Cosell and Lennon genuinely liked one another. And as I’ve previously stated in a post, the interview Cosell did on his radio show with Lennon was the best I’ve ever heard with the former Beatle.

[@CMRinehart]

No question John came across as a super nice guy.

[@U.S.A.98]

Amo o John , pura humildade e simpatia sem fim...meigo e educado e meu eterno ídolo também para sempre!

[@randydavisman]

Great video. Thanks for posting! Of course, it was filmed during Mr. Lennon's long, "lost weekend" in Los Angeles. A few weeks later at the same LA Coliseum, the Rams beat the Redskins in the Divisional Playoff game but didn't make it to the Super Bowl.

[@ZumaDogg]

What a huge pop culture moment. Only had 3 TV networks and no internet. Monday Night Football was #1 in the ratings, anyway. And, original Beatle John Lennon in a rare LIVE appearance. He brought a great energy. America must have lit up like a Christmas tree from the buzz. Wow.

[@rockyracoon3233]

A picture of Lennon next to Reagan would be priceless!

[@snakeoiler1292]

+Rocky Racoon One true human being and one piece of shit!

[@MichaelDiPrima03201994]

Regan gave the Black employees a pay rise as President. JFK didn’t. Reagan wasnt a bad guy really.

[@jnwd1723]

mikemoair I'm not a political person but out of all that I knew about having being born in '62 and learning about them as I got older I loved Reagan the best mainly for the type of man he was. A gentleman, mature, considerate, respectful, polite, intelligent, no sordid scandals, he really did love our country and took the position seriously. I know others have their qualms but while he was President I had no cause to feel unsafe for our nation. He was governor of my home state. I guess I appreciated his genuine nature and he had a great sense of humour even after Hinckley tried to assassinate him, he quipped a few funny lines to his body guard when he shoved him in the limo and to Nancy at the hospital. I wish he were here now to sort out this mess. He's the only President I trusted.

[@sominboy2757]

@mikemoair was lennon a thatcher fan?

[@josephparish7203]

I wouldn't think he was. But Lennon hadn't lived in England since 1971 when I believe Edward Heath was PM.

[@johnbastille5483]

John was taken away from us by an incredibly stupid act just at a time when he could have just been starting to make a real impact and bring people together. I still miss that wonderful, imperfect, funny, intelligent human being.

[@TheBatugan77]

His assassin has now been fed and kept by New York longer than Lennon was alive.

[@sittininmytree]

Seeing John enjoying his day, being nice and happy makes me happy too ❤

[@pbrickley6247]

In 1974 had Lennon actually mentioned the names of his new album or Ringos new album he could have been fined as much as $15,000 by the FCC and probably would have lost any chance of fighting deportation. The laws have since changed.

[@NelsonVlog66]

@@AlbertEinsteinSpock The US government was still debating whether John should have been deported several years after his death.

[@HangingWithNathan]

It's pretty impressive how young John looks. He almost looks like his '64 self. Usually post '66 John looks nothing like the early beatle days. So this is interesting.

[@ronaldganze8965]

Is this when he was on "vacation" from Yoko?

[@HangingWithNathan]

Yes.

[@johnkon8346]

Probably on a break from heroin and coke.

[@wilsonstone935]

Thought the same thing

[@getheroutofthetruck]

Yoko took heroin until 1980. She's a disgrace

[@dreams1319]

What a legend John lennon was/is

[@NxDoyle]

The Cosell/Lennon interview that took place not long before this appearance is excellent. Howard was great with John, it's a pity their conversation lasted only 25-30 minutes.

[@hansenmv]

rarely hear john full-up liverpool --- scrum was background noise

[@jchow5966]

He was so cool. I miss john☮️💟

[@joycesalvagna5643]

This still breaks my heart....

[@fkdkfnfnldbjdbfjd7179]

Unbelievable man. Watching this you can just see how wonderful it would have been to still have John with us. He would have contributed so much to entertainment, you can just tell. His killing is the saddest fucking thing. I'm not so much a fan of his solo work, and I do think he was well past his prime in music. But just having him around would have been amazing. And there was no real point to it at all. Fucks sake if there was ever a need for a bodyguard that night would have been it.

[@ge484]

wow, 2 of my fav things, john and nfl, tyvm!

[@caryheuchert]

I still believe his passing altered the direction of music. Had John lived, his continued influence would have made a difference. A huge loss for all of us.

[@ericdreizen1463]

Cosell, Reagan, & John were all there, positive vibes too! What a night! Holy flock!

[@christined2495]

Julian looks just like John Love you John Lennon ❤️

[@DRIVEIN101]

Great interview segment with two legends, both dearly missed

[@ChubbyChecker182]

It was around this time he and Paul were regularly meeting up, and.also did have a jam session together alongside Harry Nilsson, Stevie Wonder and Linda McCartney. You can see how happy John looks here.... I think they were closr to doing something again. Buy then He went back to Yoko

[@Bluepilled-c5t]

Haha. John Lennon at the football, what a contrast. He seemed impressed with it too. Great video whoever posted it.

[@CarlBowlby]

How terrible it was just 6 years on from this interview and almost to the very day Cossell (did I spell that correctly?) had to announce the murder of Lennon. A terrible day for the world and the world of American football...

[@rockylombardo6978]

John Lennon proved one thing for sure, Fame riches etc doesn't make you happy, I'm a huge Beatles fan John and George being my favorites, John was a very unhappy person all he ever really wanted was his mom and dad, he proved that money doesn't make you happy

[@pablosouza8932]

It was during the time he spent with May Pang. He was so vivid, creative and witty in one of the most prolific periods of the post-Beatle era.

[@NxDoyle]

If I remember rightly, it was on this night that John met Ronald Reagan and they apparently got on like a house on fire. This kind of self-injection into American popular culture would have been very helpful PR for John as he fought deportation.

[@FreddyGomezThinksTooMuch]

Thanks for sharing.

[@whatsforafters7843]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it, and took the time to share a note of appreciation :)

[@LucicPower]

This version of John makes Yoko inexplicable

[@cactaceous]

You never met her so your skepticism of a complete stranger is what is inexplicable.

[@David_R922]

John seemed like a charming guy. He probably knew more about the sport than he was letting on.

[@juliehubbard158]

John is just adorable here

[@ustheserfs]

Fresh off the heels of his guest appearance with Elton John at MSG

[@tonyginnetti5828]

Ahhh, yes! Back when nearly everything about the entertainment industry was good AND when the NFL was a respectable professional football league- not the sorry excuse it is today! Boy, how times have changed, and NOT for the better!

[@LSU01]

Agree!

[@jimmyqjones7122]

john a great and talented genius of the 1900's !!!!

[@jasonphinney5391]

This was obviously during the “Lost Weekend” with May Pang. See how freakin happy and content, upbeat he was mentioning the Beatles and Ringo??

[@loungejay8555]

Howard Cosell is the man that would announce to the world that John Lennon was dead six years later, almost to the day.

[@justinmay3451]

50 years ago tonight!

[@valentino1000]

Imagine, if the Beatles had agreed on reuniting every five years for a new album and three concerts. It was nice that John Lennon was praising "Yesterday".

[@jchow5966]

What a wonderful blast from the past! Liffe was better when John Lennon was alive. (& Howard too).

[@WhaleManMan]

I in 2021,am watching this video from 2014, of a 1995 re-broadcast of a 1974 broadcast.

[@joemacinnis1972]

John was so witty

[@jameskohn5855]

john lennon's shooting was announced on the air during a monday night football game in 1980.

[@m.st.6657]

1:36 This was on December, 9, 1974. Almost exactly 6 years before his death...💔

[@mirrlamp]

John Lennon looked more relaxed, healthy and sociable and was happy to collaborate with fellow big name musicans during his so called lost weekend. I sometimes wish he'd stayed lost but he needed Yoko and even said he hoped to go first as he wouldn't know how to survive without her.

[@LSU01]

Yes, according to May Pang ,John was going to go to Nw Orleans and help Paul record his album : Venus and Mars! ... then came Yoko.

[@TenementFunster.74]

the irony that howard had to interrupt a game 6 years later to announce that john had been murdered.RIP john,

[@peterdarker1]

Jesus...is there a PICTURE of Reagan with his arm around Lennon talking football??

[@Straw65]

The date of this original broadcast blows me away.

[@johnboutet7560]

For different reasons, two of the most recognizable men in the world.

[@neilfeinberg7825]

Almost six years to the day when the music died- 12/8/80

[@HailAnts]

Wow, Lennon saying in 1974 in regards to a Beatles reunion, _”Ya never know…”_ 😳

[@fredapeeples6619]

Great interview. Part of me died years later on 8 December. We'll meet again.

[@lewisclark1122]

I'd have loved to have seen and heard Ronald Reagan explaining the rules of (American) Football to Lennon.

[@2Uahoj]

Gifford got it wrong here --- Lennon and Reagan were not philosophically "poles apart." Lennon was anti-totalitarian ("if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao, you ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow"), and Reagan was radically pro liberty and freedom ("Mr. Gorbachev, "Tear down this wall!"). They may have been a generation apart but not really philosophically.

[@roddyboethius1722]

Reagan was a crypto fascist sell out who destroyed the middle class. His administration was the peak of corruption before Trump came

[@thereunionparty]

This is a nice interview. There is a longer one with John and Howard Cosell from around the same period. I think it was a radio interview. It's on KZbin. John grew up in post war Britain. The war had been won but it had to be paid for. Economically, times were hard. Austerity was the prevailing policy and rationing of essential items didn't end until the mid-fifties. Britain was rather drab and dreary. The youth looked to the USA as the great beacon of prosperity and excitement. (John Mahoney - Frasier's Martin Crane, born in the same year as John, emigrated to the U.S. and basically became an American). Add in Elvis and the rock and roll phenomenon to the mix and John was hooked. Where he differed from the other Beatles, who also were swept along with the same enthusiasm for America and rock and roll, was that John was treated very badly by the English tabloid press. When they weren't setting him up for a drugs bust they were deriding, with barely concealed racism, his relationship with Yoko. So John fled to America. While the other Beatles were content to visit, John wanted to make it his home (in spite of Nixon's goons trying to kick him out for political reasons). And herein lies the tragedy. If he had stayed in England, or if he had maintained a peripatetic lifestyle, the lowlife who murdered him wouldn't have had such easy access to him. But everyone knew he lived in the Dakota building, where anyone with a grudge and a perverted desire to steal another man's fame, could hang out and wait for his moment.

[@David_R922]

Was it about 6 years later that Howard announced his death on MNF?