Don't be fooled by Kimmel's ban

Looks like ESPN is taking a cue from Vince McMahon and the WWF.

Late night host Jimmy Kimmel was banned from Monday Night Football, but seeing is not always believing. To put it in wrestling terms -- the banning of Kimmel is a work. In other words, this whole thing was orchestrated by Monday Night Football to get increase its sagging ratings.

Kind of convenient seeing that this publicity comes prior to the Monday night's biggest game of the season, Indianapolis vs. Jacksonville.

Having Kimmel in the booth in Atlanta for an otherwise meaningless game seemed kind of strange and out of place. But now everything is perfectly clear. Kimmel was there to stir up some controversy and give so much needed life to a faded franchise. Monday Night Football is the Kathleen Turner of sports television shows, where it leaves viewers scratching their heads and thinking, "I once thought you were hot?" Now the show stars as a cross-dressing man in a popular sitcom.

So now you have to wonder what the next move is for ESPN. Obviously, nothing is going to happen to Kimmel. ABC is smitten with the guy -- as they should be. Kimmel hosts award shows and, like he said on Monday night, he will be filling in for Regis. One bit of conjecture would be that ESPN might be thinking to put Kimmel in an opposing booth with some pals like the Sports Dork Bill Simpson and Adam Carolla on ESPN 360. Kind of like what ESPN has already done with Calvin Cowherd on some of its college football broadcasts. And what better way to generate interest for this, would be to have Kimmel be banned from the real Monday night broadcast.

This kind of thing has happened before on Monday night. Only it was the WWF's Monday Night Raw, when Jim Ross had a separate broadcast. So is this what ESPN has stooped to? Howard Cosell must be rolling over in his grave.