Which controversial television celebrity, mostly popular in the 60's and 70's, was described as a "brash, arrogant inquisitor with a staccato delivery and unparalleled penchant for verbal arabesques"?

The description "brash, arrogant inquisitor with a staccato delivery and unparalleled penchant for verbal arabesques" perfectly captures the essence of Howard Cosell, a broadcasting icon who revolutionized sports commentary in the 1960s and 70s. Cosell, originally Howard William Cohen, was a lawyer before transitioning to sports broadcasting in the mid-1950s, bringing an intellectual and often confrontational approach to a field previously dominated by "unabashed adulation". His distinctive "twangy Brooklyn monotone" and outspokenness quickly made him both loved and hated by audiences.

Cosell's rise to national prominence was cemented by his work on ABC's "Monday Night Football," which debuted in 1970. Alongside former football players Frank Gifford and Don Meredith, Cosell introduced a new style of commentary that blended play-by-play with his sharp analysis, often engaging in "barbed comments" and clashes with his co-hosts. He was known for his "tell it like it is" approach, tackling controversial subjects like athlete activism, racism, and drug use, making sports reporting closer to "hard" news. His willingness to challenge norms and speak his mind, even when it meant alienating viewers or network executives, was a hallmark of his career.

Beyond football, Cosell's most famous interviews and a deep, complex friendship were with Muhammad Ali, whom he steadfastly supported after Ali was stripped of his heavyweight title for refusing military service during the Vietnam War. Cosell was also one of the first sportscasters to refer to him as Muhammad Ali after he changed his name. His career was marked by a determination to uncover "the story behind the story," often delving into legal and social issues surrounding sports. Though he often drew criticism, Cosell himself embraced descriptions such as "arrogant, pompous, obnoxious, vain, cruel, verbose, and a show-off," acknowledging that these traits were part of his unique appeal and impact on American sports coverage.