Instant Replay: The Day That Changed Sports Forever

by Tony Verna

On December 7, 1963 TV and sport history was made when the first "instant replay" ever seen on the air was broadcast during the Army-Navy game on CBS Television. The creator was 29-year-old... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0977913147
• ISBN13: 9780977913145
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Creative Book Publishing International
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

A riveting read about a television innovator

Blink, and you'll miss it. That was the world of sports until Tony Verna revolutionized it. "Instant Replay: The Day That Changed Sports Forever" is the story of the Instant replay, something so common place in modern day sports that to be without it would be unthinkable. Verna tells his story of his long and elaborate career in the world of television, working with countless stars and celebrities from Mick Jagger & Tom Selleck to Mother Theresa to even President Ronald Reagan. "Instant Replay" is a riveting read about a television innovator.

Instant Replay

Without instant replay, games would be won by the "wrong" teams. Here is the behind-the-scenes story of the invention of instant replay as told by the creator himself. This is a good source of detailed information of the interesting life of a man in the field of television and sports. For instance, the first time instant replay was introduced--during the fourth quarter of a CBS telecast of the Army-Navy game from Municipal Stadium in Philadelphia on December 7, 1963--the announcer was fearful that television viewers might think that Army had scored another touchdown! So, he said, "This is not Live! Ladies and Gentlemen, Army did score again." But, what would we do without it now? The book is written chronologically in first person, with chapters divided every ten years. This would help anyone to use this as a resource to look up information relative to a particular time period. Although at times repetitive, so much information is intriguing: the famous people the author has met, conversations he's had, and his detailed experiences, all make this a worthwhile read, especially for those interested in sports and television.

A history of television by a man who made a lot of it

Tony Verna is a longtime director of television programs and is the inventor of the instant replay, both in the conceptual and implementation senses. It is an invention that truly revolutionized sports coverage, once it was completely implemented; you no longer miss all aspects of a play. I feel this most clearly when I attend a game of our local minor league baseball team. When the teams are out on the field, you must pay attention, for if something exciting happens, if you miss it, you miss it forever. However, this book is not really about the invention of instant replay or the impact it has had on sports coverage. Verna is a man who has been in the television business as a director for approximately fifty years. He received a baptism by fire as a youth when all television was live and you had to be prepared with at least one backup in case something went wrong. That was really the most interesting part of the book; some of the circumstances he had to deal with would have taxed anyone. No one with knowledge of the history of the United States will be surprised at the prejudice he encountered as an Italian-American in the fifties and sixties. I know about it and still it was sad to read how deep-rooted and generally routine such prejudices were in the United States. Fortunately, Verna was able to overcome those obstacles and become one of the truly innovative people in the managing of major television events. The list of people involved in his productions covers the complete spectrum of sports and life. This group includes figures in all types of sports, singers, actors, royalty, Presidents, Popes, dancers, saints, sinners and journalists. The events include multiple Super Bowls, two different Olympic games, championships in major sports, and such worldwide productions as Pope John Paul's worldwide "Prayer for World Peace" and "Live Aid." Verna certainly deserved his impressive list of Emmys and his lifetime achievement award. This is a book about the history of television by one of the true pioneers, a man that planned and winged as the circumstances dictated. Furthermore, whatever the situation, he did it well, as you learn from his story. Verna is certainly someone who should be much better known for his incredible accomplishments.