As sports director Don Tollefson would say, the new NFL deal with Fox is "awesome" news for WTXF.

Because the Eagles are an NFC team, the Fox O-and-O (owned and operated) affiliate usually airs 10 to 12 Eagles games a year, not including the playoffs.

An Eagles game is always the top-rated show of the week here. Last week's game against Pittsburgh scored a 35.2 rating/63 share. Each local rating point equals almost 30,000 households.

Though Fox would not divulge its advertising rates, it obviously can charge much higher rates during Eagles games. Many analysts credit the acquisition of football by Fox in 1994 for giving the network credibility.

Impossible dream

The winner of "Dream Job 2" will be determined at 9 p.m. Tuesday on ESPN. The finalists are Grant Thompson and David Holmes.

Many viewers are complaining that last year's winner, Mike Hall, is rarely seen on the network. This year's new judges, Stephen A. Smith and Woody Paige, are great "Simons." However, not many people could enjoy the show this time around as ESPN made the fatal mistake of putting it on at midnight most weeks.

"Dream Job" finalist Brian Startare, of Glassboro, N.J., who was cut a few weeks ago, was spotted at the Achievement in Radio (AIR) Awards with a CN8 cameraman taping some "stand-ups." Startare said he is ready to quit his "real job" and try to get a full-time job in broadcasting. He also predicted that Thompson would win the "Dream Job."

Great achievement

Football friends Ron Jaworski, Harry Gamble, Bill Campbell, Bill Bergey and Cecil Martin were on hand at the AIR Awards for Eagles announcer Merrill Reese, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award Tuesday.

Monday Night specials

Comcast SportsNet will air an "Eagles Pre-Game Live" at 8 p.m. before the "Monday Night Football" game between the Eagles and Dallas on ABC. The station also will do the usual "Post Game Live" following the game. Does that mean we'll get treated to a Vaughn Hebron wardrobe change?

WPVI will air a special edition of "Football Frenzy" with Dhani Jones after the late news.

Condolences

Condolences to WIP 610-AM morning show host Angelo Cataldi, whose father, Angelo Cataldi Sr., died at the age of 86. The show struggled without him Monday and Tuesday, but got a shot in the arm from substitute host Mike Missanelli later in the week. WIP needs to find a place for Missanelli, a Bristol native, who hasn't had a fulltime job since he was let go by WMMR earlier this year.

Funny guy

Philadelphia native and author Joe Queenan is one of the new funny people replacing Wanda Sykes on HBO's "Inside the NFL." Comic Jim Florentine is also a contributor to the show this season. Sykes is doing a series on Comedy Central.

What a doll

The Howard Eskin "King of Bling" bobblehead doll is available for $14.95 at www.610wip.com. All proceeds go to charity. Another gift idea for the holidays is the "Philly Sports Challenge" CD-ROM game at www.phillysportschallenge.com.

Dare to dream

WTXF's Don Tollefson, CN8's Lou Tilley, Eagles analyst Mike Quick and other sports personalities will speak to more than 500 area high school students at the "Dare-to-Dream Experience" in Downingtown today.

Hometown connection

ESPN reporter Lisa Salters is a graduate of Upper Merion High School and Penn State. Salters grew up in King of Prussia.