Sports Night

The Posnanski column and blog postings about the Lester no-hitter reminds me of the pilot episode of Sports Night when Casey calls his son late at night to tell him turn on the TV. Sports Night is the story about a small, struggling cable sports show that faces constant pressure from the network to increase their ratings. In the pilot, a suit (J.J.) from the network gives the anchors (Dan and Casey) and producers (Dana and Natalie) notes on their upcoming broadcast and objects to one of their planned stories.

Dana rather pleasantly asks what J.J.'s concerns are. "Who is Ntozake Nelson?"

Natalie explains that Nelson is a South African distance runner, 15,000 meters. He led protests against the white majority.

J.J. says, "That's swell, but..."

but Natalie won't let him cut her off and says, "He was beaten up and thrown in jail. His legs were broken and the doctor said he'd never walk without a cane. He's 41 years old and guess what he's doing tonight," says Natalie.

"It doesn't matter since I've already changed the channel," says J.J.

The race takes places just before the broadcast. As Dan and Casey are preparing to go on the air, they are told to run into the newsroom.

On the monitors is the long-distance race -- there's one runner far ahead of the pack. Anyone want to guess who's winning? The entire staff is rapt, watching the screens. Lucky Dan showed up, because no one thought to turn on the audio until he screeched for it, while Casey starts saying, "That time can't be right!"

As the race enters the final moments, everyone starts cheering Nelson on. Casey looks around and runs to a phone and calls Charlie (who had to be woken up by Lisa -- I don't see this custody arrangement changing any time soon). Isaac looks over and spies Casey rushing into the meeting room where it's quieter.

"Charlie! It's Dad! Did you finish all your homework?" Wha? (To his credit, Casey makes a "why did I ask that?" gesture.) Casey tells Charlie to turn on the TV ("My channel," says Casey. I liked that). He tells Charlie who the runner is. "I'll call you tomorrow and tell you all about it, but for now you just watch him run. He's not doing much, he's just running faster than any man has ever run before."

He then tells Charlie he's going to be on air soon, and Charlie can stay up to watch the beginning of the show ("if Mom says it's okay") but when he gives Charlie the special signal (aw!), he has to turn off the TV. Casey's voice breaks a little as he says, "I love you too, Charlie."

(Quote is from the Television Without Pity recap)

I think that sports brings out my inner sap. Rewatching that episode, having come to "know" the character of Casey, my eyes start to water while he's on the phone with his son.