Photos via ESPN Images
Popular Impressionist Returns to Sunday NFL Countdown Week 1 with Help from the Muppets
Comedian Frank Caliendo, one of the country’s top impressionists, has reached a new contract extension to remain with ESPN. He will continue to be featured primarily on ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown during the 2015 NFL regular season and playoffs.
Since joining ESPN as a Countdown contributor in 2012, Caliendo has consistently produced memorable and humorous segments on the popular NFL pregame show. Before Super Bowl XLIX, he filed spot-on impersonations of several former NFL coaches in a faux profile of Patriots head coach Bill Belichick titled “Frank Caliendo Goes Under The Hoodie.” In 2014, Caliendo’s “Richard Sherman 30 for 30 Mockumentary” also garnered critical acclaim.
“Combining his unique humor and wit with football themes, Frank’s signature impressions add another layer to how Countdown covers the NFL,” said ESPN’s Seth Markman, senior coordinating producer who oversees the network’s NFL studio shows. “Frank’s work on the show has produced some very memorable moments in recent years and he continues to help us develop a connection with viewers.”
In addition to Countdown, Caliendo makes regular appearances on ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike, and he has taped segments for SportsCenter, the NFL Draft and Jon Gruden’s QB Camp series.
“I agree with Seth Markman’s sentiment about me,” said Caliendo. “He’s a great boss – and a truly smart man.”
Prior to ESPN, Caliendo was a member of the Fox NFL Sunday team for nine seasons (2003-11). He also starred in the self-titled sketch show Frank TV on TBS in 2007-08, and has released six solo CDs. He continues to perform standup comedy at sold-out venues across the country.
For his first Countdown segment this Sunday, Sept. 13 (11 a.m. ET), Caliendo enlists the help of The Muppets – stars of the new ABC primetime series “The Muppets,” premiering Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 8 p.m. ET– to preview the new NFL season. While NFL teams welcome new teammates to their rosters, Caliendo welcomes Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and other Muppets to the Countdown team as they discuss key storylines entering the 2015 campaign.
About Sunday NFL Countdown (Sunday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. ET)
Sunday NFL Countdown – which marks its 30th anniversary in 2015 – is ESPN’s signature NFL pregame show featuring host Chris Berman, analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson, host/reporter Wendi Nix and NFL Insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter. The two-hour program includes discussions of topical issues, highlights, preview of the week’s matchups, up-to-date league news and information, and fantasy football with senior fantasy sports analyst Matthew Berry.
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