All losses are teaching moments, as the coaches like to say. In this case, CBS (which otherwise provided a solid production, except for Simms, who talked far too much without any real insight) should think about what its audience truly wants from its on-air talent, in particular its studio crew. Is it just big-name former stars who were great when things broke down on the field but not so much when it happens on the set? Or does it want to be able to come through with a smart broadcast when things don’t go precisely as planned? In the cold light of morning, they need to make some changes.

TAGS: , , , ,

Robert Weintraub is the author of The House That Ruth Built. He is a frequent contributor to The New York Times and Slate, and a television writer/producer based in Atlanta.