Sports NightThe offbeat cast and crew of a sports news show deal with professional, personal, and ethical challenges while functioning in a pressure-cooker work environment.
CreatorAaron Sorkin
Pilot
Sep 22, 1998
Dejected by his divorce and the state of sports, Casey contemplates leaving "Sports Night". Natalie has a crush on an applicant for an associate producer position.
The Apology
Sep 29, 1998
The network is upset when a newly-published magazine interview reveals that Dan is in favor of the legalization of marijuana.
The Hungry and the Hunted
Oct 6, 1998
Jeremy gets his first big producing break - a hunting segment. Natalie tries to get Casey interested in Dana during the run-up to one of Luther Sach's dinner parties.
Intellectual Property
Oct 13, 1998
Casey's jealousy over Dana and Gordon leaves him kicking fire hydrants and hearing phantom flies. Dan faces repercussions from the network for his birthday present to Casey.
Mary Pat Shelby
Oct 20, 1998
Natalie does a pre-interview with a volatile football player and things get out of hand.
The Head Coach, Dinner and the Morning Mail
Oct 27, 1998
A distracted Natalie keeps forgetting things, while Jeremy tries to shield her from her hate mail.
Dear Louise
Nov 10, 1998
Jeremy writes a letter to his sister Louise, flashing back over the day's events, including Dan's problems with writer's block and Isaac's problems with his daughter's new boyfriend.
Thespis
Nov 17, 1998
Dana worries about her Thanksgiving turkey, Isaac worries about his pregnant daughter, and the ghost of Thespis wreaks havoc on the set.
The Quality of Mercy at 29K
Dec 1, 1998
The team anchors a broadcast from Mt. Everest, Dana sees a Broadway show, and Dan tries to find a worthy charity.
Shoe Money Tonight
Dec 8, 1998
Dan and Casey are Atlantic City-bound after the broadcast, Natalie and Jeremy have a fight, and Isaac discovers he's shrinking.
The Six Southern Gentlemen of Tennessee
Dec 15, 1998
Casey appears on _"View, The" (1997)_ and the team follows the story of seven college football players who are suspended for refusing to play under the Confederate flag.
Smoky
Jan 5, 1999
Dan decides that it's time Casey started dating again, so long as he stays away from Sally Sasser. Isaac fears for his job.
Small Town
Jan 12, 1999
Dana, Gordon, Casey, and a woman from Gordon's office go on a double-date, leaving Natalie to produce the show and Dan to contend with a replacement anchor.
Rebecca
Jan 26, 1999
Dan obsesses over a woman who works in the building, and everyone worries about Isaac's job.
Dana and the Deep Blue Sea
Feb 9, 1999
Gordon invites Dana to go snorkeling, and Dan begs Jeremy to talk him up to Rebecca.
Sally
Feb 23, 1999
Gordon stands Dana up, and Casey's missing his favorite shirt.
How Are Things in Glocca Morra?
Mar 9, 1999
The show is held up when a tennis match goes longer than expected, putting a damper on Dana and Gordon's dinner plans.
The Sword of Orion
Mar 23, 1999
Jeremy's parents are getting divorced, and Dan eagerly awaits Orlando Rojas' return to baseball.
Eli's Coming
Mar 30, 1999
Isaac is late coming back from vacation, Bobbi Bernstein returns, and Steve Sisco visits Rebecca.
Ordnance Tactics
Apr 6, 1999
A bomb scare clears the building, Jeremy tries to break up with Natalie, and the network starts pressuring Dana.
Ten Wickets
Apr 13, 1999
Casey is still rattled from the bomb scare, Jeremy tries to understand a cricket story, and Rebecca makes her decision about Dan.
Napoleon's Battle Plan
Apr 27, 1999
When Dana and Gordon get engaged, Casey has no plan and Dan's compelled to reveal a secret.
What Kind of Day Has It Been
May 4, 1999
Casey's son comes to visit, and Dana takes a group photo with her new camera. Season One Finale.
HarrisonHanksHackman
@HarrisonHanksHackman
This is one of my top 10 TV shows of all-time. I hate that it only lasted two season. If streaming TV were around back then and the restraints of network TV were lifted I believe it would have been HUGE. But alas I am happy to have what I have. TV Guide had a cover that said "The Best Show on TV That No One is Watching". IMO it was just to "smart" for network TV. The dialog was quick and it was stuck in-between being a comedy and a drama (dramady). It also suffered from being considered a "sports show". It was basically a behind the scenes look at what Sports Center on ESPN might look like, but because of the relationship drama and the witty dialog you didn't have to be a sports geek to like this show. The rumor was that Aaron Sorkin (creator) didn't fight ABC to keep the show on life support because he was too busy with West Wing. Some of the cast members ended up on West Wing as well. Speaking of the cast, if you haven't seen Sports Night you will probably know most of the top notch cast because of previous work or what they have done since Sports Night. You will see that they all were either already accomplished actors, or landed on their feet and had some pretty big series after Sports Night was canceled. Peter Krause (Six Feet Under, Dirty Sexy Money, Parenthood, 9-1-1), Josh Charles (Dead Poets Society, Wet Hot American Summer, The Good Wife), Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives, Transamerica, American Crime), Robert Guillaume (Soap, Benson, The Lion King) NOTE- Robert had a stroke in real life during the series and the writers did a great job of integrating that into the show, it was inspiring IMO , Joshua Malina (The West Wing, Scandal, Big Bang Theory), and Sebrina Lloyd (Sliders, Ed, Numb3rs) were the main characters. The weekly supporting cast were excellent as well but there are five other characters I have to mention because their 3 to 8 episode runs on the show helped make the show what it was: Ted McGinley (Revenge of the Nerds, Happy Days, Dynasty, Married With Children, Hope and Faith), Teri Polo (West Wing, Meet the Parents, Meet the Fockers, The Fosters), Brenda Strong (Desperate Housewives, Dallas, Blood Relatives, Supergirl)... ...a special nod to Paula Marshall (Spin City, Out of Practice, Californication, Gary Unmarried) who I have had a huge crush on for years and her three episodes as a porn star in Sports Night didn't do anything to hurt that... ...and of course Felicity Huffman's husband, William H Macy (Fargo, ER, Shameless, too numerous to list). The six episode run he had on Sports Night as a hired gun ratings specialist live up to his reputation as a great character actor. Too bad both he and Huffman have been in the news lately for the college cheating scandal...idiots! Anyways, probably more then you wanted to know about a two season series. I hope you get a chance to check it out. I started a discussion if you would like to tell me what you think. Thanks for reading.
