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Season 1 – Sports Night

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Sports Night 1998 Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
90% Tomatometer 21 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Casey McCall and Dan Rydell are two sports anchors and best friends both on and off the screen. At "Sports Night," their nightly cable program, the two display their unique talent and skills in reporting up-to-the-minute sports news. Producer Dana Whitaker is an on-again, off-again love interest of Casey's.
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Sports Night — Season 1

Sports Night — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Aaron Sorkin's irresistible rat-a-tat dialogue and an impossibly appealing cast bring an incandescent energy to Sports Night.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard Sandomir New York Times Looking back at "Sports Night" you're reminded how difficult it is to empathize with characters who not only do not make you laugh very much but whose workplace is not all that fascinating. Jan 8, 2019 Full Review Matthew Gilbert Boston Globe The script had a sound, a rhythm, of its own, as well as a strong sense of human nature and a penchant for ideological tugs of war. It was "Broadcast News"-like, as it toyed with the ethics of the news industry and the emotional tolls of deadline work. Jan 8, 2019 Full Review Linda Holmes NPR Sports Night was marvelous in its ability to show people -- recognizably smart, loving people -- making real mistakes that created the kinds of real conflicts that real people encounter in real relationships and workplaces. Sep 11, 2018 Full Review Robert David Sullivan Boston Phoenix You can enjoy the series even if, like me, you'd rather get a tooth pulled than sit through a football game. Apr 5, 2023 Full Review J.M. Suarez PopMatters The biggest problem with Sports Night is its portrayal of women and gender politics. The series goes out of its way to tell the audience how progressive it is, particularly in its depiction of women in the workplace. Rated: 5/10 Sep 11, 2018 Full Review Melissa Camacho Common Sense Media It slowly eliminated the pre-recorded laugh track while it was on the air, and incorporated unique techniques that are now considered Sorkin trademarks, including the use of quick sarcastic exchanges, and the "walk and talk." Sep 11, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (2) audience reviews
Audience Member Absolutely one of the smartest, well-written, well-acted shows of all time. Unbelievable that we only got two seasons of this gem! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Most underrated show of all time and it still stands up today as an outstanding and entertaining show with a lot of heart and some good natured laughs. I would recommend this show to just about anyone and can always come back to it re-watch it on multiple occasions. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Sports Night — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Aaron Sorkin

Creator

Peter Krause

Casey McCall

Josh Charles

Dan Rydell

Felicity Huffman

Dana Whitaker

Robert Guillaume

Isaac Jaffee

Joshua Malina

Jeremy Goodwin

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 22, 1998 Pilot Dan and Dana try to keep Casey from getting the boot while he's working through his divorce. With Peter Krause, Josh Charles, Felicity Huffman and Robert Guillaume. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 29, 1998 The Apology The network demands an apology when Dan tells a national magazine he supports the legalization of marijuana. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 6, 1998 The Hungry and the Hunted Jeremy's (Joshua Malina) new assignment puts him in danger; Casey (Peter Krause) notices Dana (Felicity Huffman) in a different light. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 13, 1998 Intellectual Property Casey tries to conceal his jealousy when Dana starts dating someone; Dan learns the value of a happy birthday. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 20, 1998 Mary Pat Shelby Dana (Felicity Huffman) is faced with a difficult decision when a notorious football player agrees to come on the show. Details Episode 6 Aired Oct 27, 1998 The Head Coach, Dinner and the Morning Mail Natalie receives hate mail after pressing charges against a football star; Dana continues to date Gordon. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 10, 1998 Dear Louise ... Jeremy (Joshua Malina) writes a letter to his sister about his job, which includes a romantic surprise from Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd). Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 17, 1998 Thespis The same date marks the anniversary of Dan and Casey's first broadcast, Isaac's grandchild's birthday and the day the show starts to fall apart. Details Episode 9 Aired Dec 1, 1998 The Quality of Mercy at 29K The team broadcasts a Mount Everest ascent, while Dan searches for a charity to donate to; Dana discovers the Broadway musical. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 8, 1998 Shoe Money Tonight The gang starts an all-night game of poker when Dan and Casey have to cover the early morning West Coast Update. Details Episode 11 Aired Dec 15, 1998 The Six Southern Gentlemen of Tennessee Isaac (Robert Guillaume) publicly criticizes Luther Sachs; Casey (Peter Krause) learns that the team is a great gift. Guest stars: Joy Behar, Meredith Vieira, Debbie Matenopoulos and Star Jones. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 5, 1999 Smoky Certain employees try to position themselves for a promotion when rumors of Isaac's leaving start to circulate. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 12, 1999 Small Town Dana and Casey (Felicity Huffman, Peter Krause) spend their night off on a double-dating disaster; Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd) produces the show alone. Details Episode 14 Aired Jan 26, 1999 Rebecca Dana seeks advice from Casey when she fears Gordon will break up with her; rumors spread about Isaac's job status. Details Episode 15 Aired Feb 9, 1999 Dana and the Deep Blue Sea Dana agrees to go snorkeling with Gordon, even though she is afraid of fish, in an attempt to keep the relationship going. Details Episode 16 Aired Feb 23, 1999 Sally Dan (Josh Charles) tries to find out who Casey (Peter Krause) slept with; Jeremy (Joshua Malina) fears spending a weekend with Natalie's (Sabrina Lloyd) parents. Details Episode 17 Aired Mar 9, 1999 How Are Things in Glocca Morra? Dana must choose whether to cancel a date or hand the show over to Sally when a tennis match delays the start of the show. Details Episode 18 Aired Mar 23, 1999 The Sword of Orion Jeremy (Joshua Malina) investigates a yachting disaster; Rebecca agrees to watch a baseball game with Dan (Josh Charles). Details Episode 19 Aired Mar 30, 1999 Eli's Coming Dan has a bad day when Bobbi Bernstein returns to the broadcast, and he finds out Rebecca's husband remains part of her life. Details Episode 20 Aired Apr 6, 1999 Ordnance Tactics With Isaac in the hospital, tension mounts as more pressure is put on Dana, and Jeremy wants to break it off with Natalie. Details Episode 21 Aired Apr 13, 1999 Ten Wickets Natalie refuses to break up with Jeremy; Dan struggles to keep Rebecca; Dana has a pressing engagement. Details Episode 22 Aired Apr 27, 1999 Napoleon's Battle Plan Dana confronts Sally about her social activity just as Casey devises a plan to break up Dana and Gordon. Details Episode 23 Aired May 4, 1999 What Kind of Day Has It Been Casey's son visits the office; Dan tries to recover from his breakup; Dana hopes just one good thing will happen. Details

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Season Info

Director
Thomas Schlamme, Marc Buckland, Alex Graves, Dennie Gordon, Robert Berlinger
Creator
Aaron Sorkin
Executive Producer
Aaron Sorkin, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Tony Krantz, Thomas Schlamme, Rob Scheidlinger
Screenwriter
Aaron Sorkin, David Handelman, David Walpert, Matt Tarses, Bill Wrubel, Tracey Stern, Mark McKinney, Paul Redford
Network
ABC
Rating
TV-PG (D)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 22, 1998