LIKE IT IS

by Howard Cosell ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 21, 1974

Telling it like it is (""the pursuit of truth and the correction of wrongdoing"") is markedly similar to ""exploring the issues"" in Cosell. Don't be surprised then if his latest is both part-sequel to the highly popular original as well as part-filler (the second half) -- with not only a quantity of questions and answers but also a nostalgic return to his childhood haunts -- the stickybally ""Brooklyn Revisited."" In addition to the personality profiles of O.J. Simpson, Evel Knievel and Jimmy ""The Greek"" Snyder (he mades odds, not book), Cosell treats: football (nailing down the new man in the booth for Monday Night Football and the trio of WFL-jumping Dolphins); boxing (the Foreman-Norton fight, a two-rounder appropriatedly dubbed ""the Caracas Caper""); tennis (King vs. Riggs on the night Sugar Daddy was out-suckered). Less informative than forthright, Cosell is at his unrankling best knocking baseball for its lack of antitrust laws and ""franchise carpetbagging"" or deflating spectators' puristic concept of professional sports. One may not care to know that working with Sonny's ex, Cher, was ""a disgusting experience"" -- however, it's nice to see that Humble Howard is aware of his ""innate need to perform and be recognized"" as well as the danger of parodying himself. Having survived the ""chicanery of the broadcast jungle,"" Cosell could have used a guide in the green mansions of quickie publishing. This is an unfulfilled demi-task.

Pub Date: Oct. 21, 1974

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Playboy Press

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1974

Categories: NONFICTION