The ManningCast has been a delightful change of pace for the football world. Eli Manning and Peyton Manning’s alternate Monday Night Football broadcast has given football fans a unique and entertaining way to watch the chosen game of the week, which has made for some memorable moments and highlights along the way.
Unfortunately, it seems as if the ManningCast shine has worn off for many since the start of its three-year run. According to a report from Pro Football Talk, ratings for the ManningCast are down and are threatening to dip below one million for the first time. Even more distressing is the percentage share of the Monday Night Football audience the ManningCast holds. When the ManningCast first started in 2021, the broadcast accounted for 13 percent of the total audience.
This year? The ManningCast has fluctuated between 5.5 and 7.5 percent of the total audience count.
It’s possible ManningCast fatigue has started to set in with audiences, that tuning into Joe Buck and Troy Aikman just makes for a better product. While fans on Twitter were quick to point out the famed broadcast duo and Monday Night Football‘s rough slate of recent games as reasons not to tune in, one trend started to emerge.
According to NFL fans, one of the big reasons people have abandoned the ManningCast are the onslaught of guests. What once was just a broadcast between two brothers has since drawn larger and larger guest appearances, from Barack Obama to Arnold Schwarzenegger, to varying degrees of success.
And it seems NFL fans this season have grown tired of the guest appearances and just want a return to the original, Manning vs. Manning broadcast. Here’s how NFL fans reacted to the news of the ManningCast’s recent slump in ratings.
It's because they always have a "special guest" on and they talk to them for an hour and forget about the game. Just have a talk show if that's gonna be the way.
— Jim Rose (@JimRoseAF) November 8, 2023
It seems like the Manningcast is a lot loss entertaining than years before. Almost like they are trying too hard. I would much rather listen to the main broadcast with Joe Buck tbh
— Dylan Wilkerson (@wilkersonadylan) November 8, 2023
You’re saying nobody enjoyed watching Arnold Schwarzenegger pet his donkey for an hour during an NFL game?!
— —__Jason__— (@k__jason__) November 8, 2023
They are very likable, but sometimes the guest doesn't seem thrilled to be there, and sometimes the conversation gets too goofy and hard to follow, while at the same time an important play might be going on. I sometimes switch over to the regular game.
— dsmj (@dsmj1010) November 8, 2023
Love the Manning cast but can do without the guest
— Rage (@DHanemann) November 8, 2023
I enjoy the Manningcast but it’s definitely a better listen when no guests are on because they focus on the game and explaining the details
— Sports Guy (@smsportsguy) November 8, 2023
Get rid of the guests. When it is just them two talking about the game, it is must see TV.
The guests are too much. At the most have a guest at halftime.
— Dawgs By Nature (@DawgsByNature) November 8, 2023
They should focus on football more, the wacky interviews most of the game take away from it
— Jets Memes (@MemesJets) November 8, 2023
The interviews in the middle of games suck. I really just want to watch the ManningCast for their insight into football and to laugh when Peyton gets mad at bad QB play. The rest can go. Keep it simple.
— Elden Lord 🇵🇸 (@MSB973) November 8, 2023
Two things:
1) Nobody knows when they will be on because they do not do every week.
2) The guests ruin it. https://t.co/bd815yYPsU
— Adam Gretz (@AGretz) November 8, 2023
The original Manning cast was Peyton and Eli mostly busting each other's chops while they both gave insight into the game that was deeper than usual.
When it became them doing a podcast over the top of a game it was pointless. Joe and Troy are easier to listen to. https://t.co/8PqxC2Hjvq— Evan 🍓 🏴☠️ (@WandasAbed) November 8, 2023
I could do without the guests most times, but if they do insist on having a guest, they should be quick and at least loosely relevant to the game being played, imo. https://t.co/qzGIgKHuSP
— Derek Schultz (@Schultz975) November 8, 2023
