In an unexpected twist, Jason Kelce, a former NFL player, is set to host a limited-run late-night TV show on ESPN.
This new show, titled “They Call It Late Night With Jason Kelce,” is scheduled to run on five consecutive overnights leading into late-season NFL football weekends. It will kick off at 1 a.m. every Saturday, starting January 4 on ESPN. Kelce, who enjoyed a 13-year career in the NFL, will present the show live from Philadelphia’s Union Transfer. The show will be taped on Friday evenings, just a few hours before it airs.
While it remains to be seen whether ESPN envisions a permanent late-night role for Kelce, he is keen on experimenting with this format. Upon joining the Disney sports behemoth earlier this year, Kelce expressed interest in expanding his role beyond “Monday Night Countdown,” the prelude to “Monday Night Football.”
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At the time of his hiring in May, both Disney and ESPN expressed their interest in exploring further opportunities with Kelce.
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Kelce isn’t just known for his football skills; he’s also known for his larger-than-life personality. He co-hosts a popular weekly podcast, “New Heights,” with his brother, Travis. He has also made several TV appearances, including a stint in the WWE’s WrestleMania.
His late-night venture seems to be a safe bet. None of the well-known late-night shows on ABC, CBS, or NBC currently air original broadcasts on Friday nights. The primary Friday night option, HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” airs earlier in the evening. Most late-night shows catering to sports fans are already broadcast on ESPN, featuring Scott Van Pelt in a late-night rendition of “SportsCenter.”
The show will feature many familiar elements for late-night fans, including live music from Philadelphia band Snacktime. Kelce and his guests will discuss the upcoming weekend’s games and engage with fans at the venue.
Ideally, this programming strategy will attract younger audiences to NFL games. The show will premiere just hours before the last weekend of regular-season NFL play, with subsequent episodes leading into Super Wild Card, Divisional, and Conference Championship weekends. The final episode will air ahead of the Pro Bowl Games and nine days from Super Bowl LIX.
In addition to airing on ESPN, each episode will also be available on ESPN+, ESPN’s YouTube channel, and the Jason Kelce YouTube channel presented by ESPN. Replays will be broadcast on ESPN2. NFL Films, in collaboration with Kelce’s Wooderboy Productions and Skydance Sports, will produce the show.
While the show is a new venture, it does pay tribute to history. Its title, “They Call It Late Night With Jason Kelce,” is a nod to NFL Films’ first full-length project, “They Call It Pro Football.” This original feature was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2012 for its portrayal of football and sports on television. Time will tell if Kelce’s new project will receive a similar honor.
FAQs:
Q: What is “They Call It Late Night With Jason Kelce”?
A: It’s a limited-run late-night TV show on ESPN hosted by former NFL player, Jason Kelce.
Q: When will the show air?
A: The show will run on five consecutive overnights leading into late-season NFL football weekends, starting at 1 a.m. every Saturday from January 4 on ESPN.
Q: Where will the show be filmed?
A: The show will be filmed and broadcast live from Philadelphia’s Union Transfer.
Q: What will the show feature?
A: The show will feature live music, discussions on upcoming weekend games, and audience engagement. It will also be available on ESPN+, ESPN’s YouTube channel, and the Jason Kelce YouTube channel presented by ESPN.
Q: What is the significance of the show’s title?
A: The title, “They Call It Late Night With Jason Kelce,” pays tribute to NFL Films’ first full-length project, “They Call It Pro Football.”
Credit: variety.com
