This series is pretty good. The USFL and Ali/Holmes pieces were fantastic. The Len Bias and Jimmy the Greek shows are getting rave reviews also. The only thing is, why are they all sad stories?
yeah I watched Without Bias. I watched about half and then I got too depressed to continue. It was very well made though.
I was flipping back and forth between the Bias story and Lakers-Thunder last night. I was surprised to see the number of people that they got for the Bias story. To actually get the guys that were in the room with him, plus both his parents and coaches to talk about it, pretty good stuff. Didn't know that his brother was murdered 4 yrs later. Terrible for any family to have to go through. The past few "Real Sports" (HBO) shows have had tragic stories too. The 4 guys whose boat tipped outside of Florida, with 3 dying. Then they interview the lone survivor and he explains in detail what happened... wow! Then the Angels pitcher that died the night after his dad watched him pitch his first start. The dad originally said he couldn't make it cause he had a job interview that same day, then he calls the son back and says "yes, I'll be there". Less than 6 hours later, he dies in a car wreck... WTF? Sad stories indeed.
What is the Jimmy the Greek episode. I have seen 1) USFL 2) Colts 3) Ali 4) Without Bias 5) Gretzky Has there been more that I have missed? This 30 for 30 series is absolutely fantastic. Great stories.
Celebrating ESPN's 30 year anniversary. 30 different documentaries from 30 different filmmakers. (i.e. Peter Berg--Friday Night Lights and Hancock--did the one on Gretsky, different top-notch director for every ep.) On the ESPN Bill Simmons podcast he was talking about how important it was to them that they give the directors complete, independent freedom and control with minimal studio involvement, that's why they're a little different and, hopefully, good.
Love this series. Have everything DVR'd, but haven't watched anything past the Band that played for years after the Colts left Baltimore as I was catching up on the WSOP on DVR. Never did see a Jimmy the Greek one?
I can't wait for the Steve Bartman documentary, and I'm also looking forward to the one about the Columbian soccer player who scored an own goal against the US in the World Cup and was murdered when he got home.
They've all been well done. This comes as a surprise to me that ESPN is basically allowing these independent filmakers as much freedom as they want. The Ali one was unique in that it was basically an unshown, unwanted documentary made nearly 30 years ago, and slightly recut to flawlesssly meld the reaction of today. I'll tell you right now the documentary, "The U," will be the most watched of the 30 on 30 films. Airs in December. I had worked with the film company for a couple months that made the documentary. Very intriguing and takes a different approach than all of these exceptional, but "sad" retrospective stories.
Just figured I'd give a head up for those who may be interested in what I think will be one of the more entertaining 30 For 30 documentaries. The U will air tomorrow night (Saturday) on ESPN right after the Heisman Trophy Presentation. Scheduled for 9PM ET. <object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MapmxTJ6mvg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MapmxTJ6mvg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object> I can only imagine how this will be both entertaining and the reminder of a black eye for the Miami program, especially in the midst of recruiting season. Can't wait!
