Networks Think Cold Is Hot for the Playoffs

The weather forecast for today in Pittsburgh, site of the AFC championship game, calls for temperatures in the high teens with a chance of snow.

That might not sound good to the Steelers and New England Patriots, but it warms the heart of Sean McManus, president of CBS Sports, the network televising the game.

“Whenever the weather is really, really horrendous, we seem to get a little spike in the ratings,” he said. “I think it just makes a better scene for the folks at home who are sitting in their living rooms, watching these players try to compete not only against each other but also the elements.

“So, yeah, I’m rooting for terrible weather. I’m not shy about that.”

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Trivia time: McManus is the son of what legendary sportscaster?

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Another fan of snow: Ed Goren, Fox Sports president, was envious last weekend when CBS got snow in New England. His network got sunshine in Green Bay a week earlier.

“How is that possible?” he said. “Every time CBS goes up to New England for a playoff game, it gets snow, more than I care to see.”

So what kind of weather would he like to see today in Philadelphia, site of the Fox-televised NFC championship game?

“I’ve been rooting for snow,” he said. “It makes for great television.”

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No humdingers: The New York Post is known for its catchy headlines, but sometimes the headline writers get a little carried away with plays on names.

After Paul Hackett was replaced by Mike Heimerdinger as offensive coordinator on Jet Coach Herm Edwards’ staff, the headline on the back cover read: “HERM DINGER.”

The headline on the inside story read: “Jets’ ‘O’ Ready for Heim Time.”

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Obvious conclusion: Samuel L. Jackson, star of the recently released movie “Coach Carter,” was asked by ESPN’s Mike Greenberg about the departures of Shaquille O’Neal and Phil Jackson from the Lakers.

“It’s pretty difficult to run up and down the court and demand that you get a raise from the boss and you’re cursing him in public,” Samuel L. Jackson said. “So you have to go.

“When the coach comes in and says, ‘It’s him or me,’ you have to figure out how many Phil Jackson jerseys you sold and how many Kobe Bryant jerseys you sold. Who do you keep? It’s real simple.”

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Looking back: On this day in 1988, Steffi Graf won the Australian Open women’s title with a 6-1, 7-6 (3) victory over Chris Evert.

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Trivia answer: Jim McKay, who in 1950 was asked to change his name from Jim McManus when he became the host of a show called “The Real McKay” for WCBS-TV in New York.

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And finally: So whom will Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell be rooting for if the Eagles and Steelers make it to the Super Bowl? Here’s a hint: The Philadelphia Daily News published pictures a few years back, before Rendell was governor, of him at an Eagle game, throwing snowballs at opposing players.

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Larry Stewart can be reached at larry.stewart@latimes.com.