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Touchdowns and extra points are as familiar to Tony Luke, Jr. as top round and extra cheese. Beginning Sept. 11, the co-founder of Tony Luke’s Old Philly Style Sandwiches, 39 E. Oregon Ave., will analyze fans’ adoration of the Philadelphia Eagles with a weekly show titled “Tony Luke’s Eaglemania.” The half-hour program, with its first taping scheduled for Aug. 31, will air Saturdays at 12:05 a.m., with encore showings the following Friday at 1:05 a.m. on WPVI-TV Channel 6.
Luke, 48, has followed the Eagles for most of his life and appeared in “Invincible,” a 2006 Disney film chronicling Vince Papale, a walk-on who earned a roster spot with the Birds in 1976.
“The Eagles production company approached me. I had been on their radar from ‘Invincible,’” Luke said of the show’s origins. “My hat is off to the organization for giving me the chance to tap into what being a fan involves. This show is going to make the fans the stars.”
As one of the four new weekly interactive shows on the team’s television network, “Tony Luke’s Eaglemania” will include pranks on opposing teams’ fans, stunts and homages to individuals proving their love for the team.
“Every week is going to have something different. We’re going to visit the homes of fans who’ve decorated their houses with Eagles gear, we’re going to talk with players about what they love about Philly and we’ll even have sweat sock puppet theater,” Luke said of his project, which will have 20 installments. “One of the puppets will be of Andy Reid. Someone will ask the puppet questions, but it won’t answer.”
Episodes will be taped at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St., which has been building sets to accommodate the antics Luke wants to employ. Those looking to attend a taping of the show can register for free tickets through www.philadelphiaeagles.com.
Luke had no say in determining air times, but he is certain that people will view.
“The times are great because sports bars will air the show. People will probably DVR it, too,” he said.
The premiere occurs the day before the team opens its regular season against the Green Bay Packers (4:15 p.m.) at Lincoln Financial Field, where Luke recently opened his first all-natural sandwich stand. Green Bay factors prominently in the Eagles annals, as the Birds defeated the Wisconsin franchise, 17-13, to win the 1960 NFL Championship.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of that championship run, the team’s last. Tommy McDonald, a star wide receiver who caught a 35-yard touchdown pass in the contest at Franklin Field, will be Luke’s first guest.
As for this year’s team, which will field what he calls “a fairly young cast,” Luke has dreams of Cowboys Stadium, the site of Super Bowl XLV.
“We’re going to win it this year,” he said. “I think [quarterback Kevin] Kolb is going to surprise everyone.”
Luke also hopes his show causes a few surprises.
“It’s going to be an incredibly innovative show. I’m really looking to spotlight the fans and their commitment,” the host said.
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at [email protected] or ext. 124.
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