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Season 3 – 30 for 30

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As part of its 30th anniversary celebration, ESPN looks back at notable sports happenings that occurred from 1979 to 2009 with this documentary series featuring 30 films from some of Hollywood's finest directors and producers. Peter Berg, Barry Levinson, John Singleton, Spike Jonze, Dan Klores, Barbara Kopple, Ron Shelton and Albert Maysles are among the filmmakers involved, and the stories told include the shocking trade of Wayne Gretzky in 1988, the Baltimore Colts' nighttime move in 1984, Reggie Miller's rivalry with the New York Knicks, the death of Len Bias in 1986, a profile of George Steinbrenner and his family business, and a look at Michael Jordan's attempt at a baseball career. A new series of 30 films premiered in October 2012 with "Broke," about the challenges athletes face in managing their money.
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30 for 30 — Season 3

Critics Reviews

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John Anderson Wall Street Journal Mr. Davis's handling of an unwieldy season and story is expert; the editing by Colin Cosack, Josh Freed and Jack Mankiewicz is first-rate; and Joel Goodman's original music percolates, though he does get some help from Mozart. Sep 14, 2021 Full Review Brian Lowry CNN.com "Once Upon a Time in Queens" wants to do for baseball and the 1986 Mets what The Last Dance did for the NBA and the Chicago Bulls. Yet while it's a great deal of fun, ESPN's four-part "30 for 30" docuseries doesn't quite scale those heights. Sep 14, 2021 Full Review Ann Killion San Francisco Chronicle I'm not a filmmaker, but I know the best documentaries are layered with context and insight. Jun 16, 2020 Full Review Neely Swanson Easy Reader (California) This documentary speeds by, loaded with information you probably didn't know, even if you were familiar with the key players. Feb 19, 2021 Full Review Graeme Tuckett The Post NZ Over a well-assembled 100 minutes, here's the whole story [of Dennis Rodman], from homelessness and airport janitor to global superstar, husband to Madonna and bestie to Kim Jong Un. It's all true and mostly incredible. Dec 30, 2020 Full Review Peter Sobczynski eFilmCritic.com "Long Gone Summer" cannot help but come across as a slightly disappointing and far too benign take on a potentially fascinating subject. Jun 11, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member for the excellent episode big shot Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
30 for 30 — Season 3

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Oct 13, 2015 Trojan War The rise and fall of the USC Trojan football team under the nine-year leadership of Pete Carroll. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 20, 2015 The Prince of Pennsylvania The tragic story of Olympic gold-medalist Dave Schultz, murdered by multi-millionaire John du Pont. Details Episode 3 Aired Nov 3, 2015 The Gospel According to Mac The polarizing beliefs and on-field successes of former Colorado football coach Bill McCartney. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 25, 2015 Down in the Valley The city of Sacramento fights to keep its beloved Kings from relocating to Seattle. Details Episode 4 Aired Nov 10, 2015 Chasing Tyson Boxer Evander Holyfield patiently awaited his chance to take on Mike Tyson, who ruled the heavyweight division with an outsized personality and ferocious punches, even while behind bars. Details Episode 5 Aired Dec 12, 2015 Four Falls of Buffalo The Buffalo Bills of the early '90s made it to four straight Super Bowls, yet never brought home the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy. Details Episode 6 Aired Feb 4, 2016 The '85 Bears A look at the Chicago Bears on the 30th anniversary of their Super Bowl XX win. The birth of Buddy Ryan's 46 Defense, their win over the 49ers, the loss to the Dolphins that ruined their perfect season and the Super Bowl Shuffle. Details Episode 7 Aired Mar 13, 2016 Fantastic Lies On March 13, 2006 the Duke University lacrosse team threw a party that not only changed lives and ruined careers, it jeopardized the future of the sport at the school and tarnished the university's reputation. Details Episode 8 Aired Apr 14, 2016 This Magic Moment The Orlando Magic are considered the fairytale team of the mid-'90s whose popularity grew, in part, due to players like Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway. Details Episode 9 Aired May 14, 2016 Believeland Director Andy Billman chronicles the struggles of Cleveland's major sports franchises over the past 50 years and the impact it has all had on the psyche of a typical Cleveland sports fan. Details Episode 10 Aired Jul 14, 2016 Doc & Darryl A look at former New York Mets superstar pitcher Dwight "Doc" Gooden and power hitter Darryl Strawberry. They were stars on a team that captured the 1986 World Series, then broke the hearts of Mets fans when their lives spiraled out of control. Details Episode 11 Aired Oct 18, 2016 Phi Slama Jama The University of Houston's high-flying basketball team, known as "Phi Slama Jama," made three straight trips to the Final Four and transformed the game forever. Details Episode 12 Aired Nov 1, 2016 Hit It Hard The rise and fall of golfer John Daly, known as much for his struggles with alcohol, gambling, depression and women, as for his golfing prowess, the length of his drives, and "Grip It and Rip It" mentality. Details Episode 13 Aired Dec 10, 2016 Catholics vs. Convicts The fascinating back story behind the famous/infamous 1988 "Catholics vs. Convicts" college football game between Notre Dame and the University of Miami. The slogan summarized the subtext of cultural and racial tensions brewing between the schools. Details Episode 14 Aired Feb 2, 2017 This Was the XFL In 2001, sports entertainment titans Dick Ebersol and Vince McMahon launched the XFL, a bold challenge since other leagues had attempted to compete with the NFL and ultimately failed. Details Episode 15 Aired Apr 13, 2017 One and Not Done An intimate look at University of Kentucky men's basketball coach John Calipari, one of the most compelling and controversial figures in sports. Featuring never-before-seen footage as he tries to capture his second national title. Details Episode 16 Aired Jun 13, 2017 Celtics/Lakers: Part 1 The Celtics and Lakers played three riveting NBA Finals in a four-year span during the mid-1980s that fueled the popularity of the league and set the stage for the tremendous growth and heightened profile the NBA has enjoyed since. Details Episode 17 Aired Jun 13, 2017 Celtics/Lakers: Part 2 Boston's Larry Bird and LA's Magic Johnson headline rosters full of charisma and talent as their teams collide in the epic 1984 NBA Finals. The two had previously met in the 1979 NCAA Championship Game, and now welcomed a second title clash. Details Episode 18 Aired Jun 14, 2017 Celtics/Lakers: Part 3 When the Celtics and Lakers meet again in the 1985 and 1987 NBA Finals, the teams' disdain and animosity for each other gradually turns to mutual respect -- led by superstars Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Details Episode 19 Aired Jul 13, 2017 Mike and the Mad Dog Chronicling the history of Mike Francesa and Chris Russo's "Mike and the Mad Dog" radio show, which ruled afternoon sports talk from the New York studios of WFAN 660 for nearly 20 years. Featuring in-depth interviews with colleagues and fans. Details Episode 20 Aired Jul 20, 2017 George Best: All By Himself George Best, Northern Ireland's legendary star, remains one of the most naturally gifted soccer players ever. Best's skill and exuberance lifted Manchester United, but his career was over before he turned 29, the result of his battle with alcoholism. Details Episode 21 Aired Aug 24, 2017 What Carter Lost With several players who would eventually make it to the NFL, the 1988 Dallas Carter Cowboys high school team was one of the greatest in Texas history. A look back at a legacy that was thrown away after a group of players made a terrible decision. Details Episode 22 Aired Sep 12, 2017 Year of the Scab Redskins replacements crossed the picket line to play in the NFL, but for most of them, what was billed as the last shot at a dream became a nightmare as these "scabs" braved ridicule and threats of violence for one last chance at glory. Details Episode 23 Aired Sep 27, 2017 Tommy Boxer Tommy Morrison's remarkable rise and stunningly tragic fall. He was one of the best heavyweights of his time; a handsome, yet unsettled young fighter primed for more stardom before a positive HIV test forced him into retirement at age 27. Details Episode 24 Aired Nov 7, 2017 Nature Boy The life and career of WWE legend Ric Flair, including interviews with Flair's living children and several retired wrestlers including Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, Ricky Steamboat, Sting, Triple H, The Undertaker, Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard. Details Episode 25 Aired Feb 1, 2018 The Two Bills The relationship between coaching masters Bill Belichick and Bill Parcells that spans over four decades. Details Episode 26 Aired Apr 12, 2018 The Last Days of Knight Examining Bob Knight's fall from grace at Indiana University. Details Episode 27 Aired Sep 20, 2018 Seau A look at the life and career of Junior Seau. Details Episode 28 Aired Dec 11, 2018 42 to 1 The incredible, impossible story of when James "Buster" Douglas defeated Mike Tyson for the heavyweight championship of the world on Feb. 11, 1990, in Tokyo. Details Episode 29 Aired Jan 31, 2019 Deion's Double-Play Deion Sanders plays for both the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Falcons in the same 24-hour period in October 1992. Details Episode 30 Aired Apr 30, 2019 Dominican Dream The incredible journey of retired professional basketball player Felipe Lopez. Details Episode 31 Aired May 28, 2019 Qualified Chronicling the roadblocks and hardships that auto racing legend Janet Guthrie overcame in becoming the first woman ever to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500. Details Episode 32 Aired Jul 2, 2019 The Good, The Bad, The Hungry An analysis of competitive eating's most storied pair -- Japan's Takeru "Kobi" Kobayashi and Californian Joey Chestnut. Includes candid interviews with both competitors. Details Episode 33 Aired Sep 10, 2019 Rodman: For Better or Worse The story of Dennis Rodman, on the basketball court and beyond. Featuring revealing interviews, exploits and accomplishments and his foray into international diplomacy with North Korean Kim Jong Un. Details Episode 34 Aired Sep 26, 2019 Chuck & Tito The story of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz, frenemies from SoCal who brought millions of fans to mixed martial arts and supercharged the UFC. Details Episode 35 Aired Jan 30, 2020 Vick (Part 1) Part one of a comprehensive look back at each chapter of former NFL quarterback Michael Vick's saga: the incredible rise, shocking fall, and polarizing return. Details Episode 36 Aired Feb 6, 2020 Vick (Part 2) Part two of a comprehensive look back at each chapter of former NFL quarterback Michael Vick's saga: the incredible rise, shocking fall, and polarizing return. Details Episode 37 Aired May 24, 2020 Lance (Part 1) A compelling chronicle of Lance Armstrong, one of the most inspirational - and then infamous - athletes of all time. Based around extensive interviews with Armstrong, the film is a character study that captures a unique chapter of sports history. Details Episode 38 Aired May 31, 2020 Lance (Part 2) A compelling chronicle of Lance Armstrong, one of the most inspirational - and then infamous - athletes of all time. Based around extensive interviews with Armstrong, the film is a character study that captures a unique chapter of sports history. Details Episode 39 Aired Jun 7, 2020 Be Water A gripping, fascinating, intimate look at not just those final, defining years of Bruce Lee's life, but the complex, often difficult journey that led to Lee's ultimate emergence as a singular icon in the histories of film and martial arts. Details Episode 40 Aired Jun 14, 2020 Long Gone Summer In the summer of 1998, the St. Louis Cardinals' Mark McGwire and the Chicago Cubs' Sammy Sosa embark on a chase of one of the game's most hallowed records, igniting the passion and imagination of fans and non-fans everywhere. Details Episode 41 Aired Sep 28, 2020 The Life and Trials of Oscar Pistorius (Part 1) ESPN Films covers the remarkable and complex story of Oscar Pistorius. Details Episode 42 Aired Sep 29, 2020 The Life and Trials of Oscar Pistorius (Part 2) ESPN Films covers the remarkable and complex story of Oscar Pistorius. Details Episode 43 Aired Sep 30, 2020 The Life and Trials of Oscar Pistorius (Part 3) ESPN Films covers the remarkable and complex story of Oscar Pistorius. Details Episode 44 Aired Oct 1, 2020 The Life and Trials of Oscar Pistorius (Part 4) The remarkable and complex story of Oscar Pistorius. Details Episode 45 Aired Sep 18, 2020 The Infinite Race The Tarahumara runners of northern Mexico continue to fight for their survival and to preserve their traditions of barefoot running, as the outside world, drug cartels and violence encroaches on their community. Details Episode 46 Aired Feb 4, 2021 Al Davis vs. The NFL The story of the long-running feud between Raiders owner Al Davis and NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle - as told by the two men themselves, their spirits "re-created" using deepfake technology. Details
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Season Info

Director
Jim Podhoretz, Ken Rodgers, Marina Zenovich, Stanley Nelson, Jonathan Hock, Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, Charlie Ebersol, Jesse Vile, Patrick Creadon, Andrew Billman, Robert Abbott, Nicole Lucas Haimes, Steven Cantor, Jenna Ricker, Jason Hehir, Jeremy Schaap, Bao Nguyen, Daniel Gordon, Ben Houser
Executive Producer
Jonathan Hock
Network
ESPN
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date
Oct 13, 2015
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