He’s won multiple Emmys for his work as an NFL studio host for both CBS and Fox, but this week, James Brown has called an audible, filling in for Scott Pelley on “CBS Evening News.”
“It’s been exciting, it keeps my juices flowing,” Brown told TVNewser in an interview this afternoon. “I forgot how all-encompassing it is because news happens continuously.”
“I got a call the other day saying, ‘J.B. you need to get over here a little bit sooner than planned because we have some breaking news you need to be on top of.’ So, I am on 24/7 in that regard.”
The leads on “Evening News” have reflected a busy news week: extreme weather on Monday, athlete head injuries on Tuesday, and the deadly Ebola outbreak in West Africa on Wednesday.
“I’ve made it a point once I signed on to become a special correspondent [for CBS News] to make certain my day consists of at least being relatively well-versed with a range of news, whether it’s local, domestic, or global.” he said. “And also on the silos: health, education, Capitol Hill–and all the dysfunction that’s taking place there–I make certain that I have at least a good fundamental understanding of what’s going on.”
And how does Brown feel about sitting in the anchor chair for CBS’ flagship newscast compared to his usual NFL studio digs?
“There is absolutely no difference. The bottom line is you better be sharp, you better be well prepared, because it’s a very discerning, very erudite audience you’re talking to.”
Brown’s usual audience, the NFL crowd, will see more of him starting September 11 when CBS’ “NFL Thursday Night Football” debuts. And keep your eyes on TVNewser in September as we feature James Brown’s “My First Big Break.”