Sports Night (1998) s01e17 Episode Script
How Are Things in Glocca Morra?
Is everything all right? Yeah.
Previously on "Sports Night" No, I meant with you|and Gordon.
You need to let the show go|once in a while.
Yes, I do.
-- What shirt are you missing?|Your favorite.
|-- My white J.
Press.
Maybe it got mixed up|with someone else's laundry.
-- How'd the shirt|get left behind?|-- I spilled wine.
-- The 2:00 A.
M.
is my show.
|-- And you do a good job.
Natalie tells me that Rebecca|really liked me and that|I should call her.
That's the second time|you called me Danny.
-- Do you like it?|-- Yeah.
Listen,|I better get in action.
Do you think Casey's|been seeing Sally? -- What's on your mind, Casey?|-- You're wearing my shirt,|Gordon.
Will: Studio "A, "|this is Master Control.
You're up on router 9 tonight.
|Have a good show.
Dave: Standby audio,|standby VTR.
-- Kim, I'm still looking for|two back in the teens.
|-- We're getting there.
Man: Can I hear a roll call|from the field, please? -- This guy won't die.
|-- He won't.
-- He will not die.
|-- He just won't.
-- Can you believe this?|-- The man won't die.
Jeremy: Dear Louise, here's|what's going on right now.
CSC is carrying|the Continental Challenge live.
Sampras is playing|a first-round match against a guy named|Alberto Fedrigotti, who's ranked 178th|in the world tennis standings and who Sampras should have|easily finished off by now.
I gotta be perfectly honest|with you, I've never heard of this guy.
His name's Alberto Fedrigotti.
I've never seen him play.
Sampras won the first two sets|in a walk and was up 4-love in the third.
The crowd filed out to the|parking lot a half-hour ago.
The match was over.
Except nobody told|Alberto Fedrigotti.
[ All groan .]
This guy won't die! He really won't.
Jeremy: He battled back|and was up a break, and, to Sampras' astonishment,|was serving for the set.
We were still assuming Sampras|would break his serve and we'd be able to get|the show underway.
Will: Two minutes to VTR.
|Chris: Standby 2, 2A, and 3.
Preview animation.
|Standby F/X-3.
Dana, I'm at ready-1.
Hang on.
We may have to hold|for a few minutes.
And the thing is, we're|supposed to go on the air|at 1 1:00, and if Fedrigotti holds his|serve and forces a new set, that means we've got to hold|for another half-hour while Sampras|makes this guy say uncle, and nobody here likes to hold.
In the studio, Dan and Casey|were waiting for the cue -- "60 seconds to VTR.
" Dan was doing|what he always does|when it's two minutes to air -- he was annoying Casey.
-- I don't think|you should be this way.
|-- I'm being this way.
-- Yeah, but I don't think|you should be this way.
|-- I am this way.
-- Seriously, all right?|-- Danny.
-- Seriously.
|-- No.
No seriously.
|We're doing the show.
-- This has something to do|with the shirt, doesn't it?|-- Danny.
Does it have something to do|with the shirt? -- You're wired.
|-- No, I'm not.
-- You're wired.
|-- I'm perfectly calm.
You're wired.
|I don't want to talk about it.
In the control room,|Dana was resigned to going up|three or four minutes late to allow Sampras|to close out the match, but she just wasn't|emotionally prepared for the thing to get thrown|to a fourth set.
Can you believe this guy is|doing this to me? I don't think it's personal,|Dana.
Oh, it is personal, Jeremy.
Don't worry.
My Pete's|gonna take care of him.
Your Pete? Pete Sampras|has a little crush on me.
-- Really?|In Natalie world or --|-- Yeah.
-- In Natalie world.
|He sends me flowers a lot.
|-- Ah.
One time he came over|and cooked me dinner.
He was wearing the most|beautiful charcoal gray -- Hang on.
-- [ All groan .]
|-- I didn't see the forehand|passing shot that Fedrigotti made|to force the new set.
Neither did Sampras.
This guy won't die.
Dan: Do you want to talk|about it now? Casey: No.
I mean,|now that I'm not wired.
-- We gotta hold.
|-- No.
-- Yes.
|-- Why? Just to bother you.
-- Why are we holding?|-- 'Cause some guy named|Fettucine Alfredo just -- Jeremy, what's his name? Alberto Fedrigotti.
Alberto Fedrigotti just took|Sampras to a fourth set.
Why would he do this to me? He's not doing it to you|personally, Casey.
He's doing it to me|personally.
All right, Dave.
|I guess take us down|from ready-1.
Kim, Elliott, why don't you|talk to the field? Let's stay on top|of the late scores.
And don't anybody go too far.
Dave, you should take us down|from ready-1.
Kim, Elliott, you should|get on the phone and call our people|in the field and back them up|about 45 minutes.
Obviously, we'll keep|updating the late scores.
And please, don't anybody|go too far.
Dana, we just did this.
Ah.
[ Sighs .]
No, this is good 'cause now we can talk|about it.
Want to get a doughnut? -- I was gonna stay and write|a letter to Louise.
|-- Ah.
Hey, uh, Mildred.
|It's Dana.
Is he there? Do you want to go someplace|and make out? That sounds good, but I really want to write|this letter to my sister.
Okay.
It's gonna be 20 minutes --|half-hour tops, I promise.
Come by here at 12:30|and pick me up.
We're gonna have a great time|tonight.
Okay, I'll see you then.
Hi.
Hi.
Are, uh, Kim and Elliott -- Yeah.
Good.
Oh, hey, did someone|tell lsaac -- -- Yeah.
|-- Good.
Excellent.
Cool.
Natalie.
Yeah.
I have nothing to do.
-- [ Sighs .]
|-- Do you want to go with me|to get a doughnut? Mmm, nah.
Do you want to go someplace|and make out? No.
-- I'm gonna get a doughnut.
|-- Okay.
What are you doing? I'm writing a letter.
To your sister? To my sister.
That's nice.
Louise is a nice name.
She's named|for our grandmother.
Yeah? Yep.
My grandmother's name|was Alice on my mother's side.
My father's,|it was Penelope which is a name|you don't hear much anymore.
-- Penelope was --|-- You know what's hard? Writing here|and talking there.
I have unscheduled time|on my hands.
And I know how difficult|that must be for you, butI want to write|this letter.
Okay.
Want to play|garbage-can basketball? -- Dana!|-- A little|garbage-can basketball? No.
That's fine.
Jeremy: Anyway, Michael said|when he saw you you were upset about|the divorce and talking|about leaving school.
For the moment,|I'm not going to lecture you.
I know you're concerned|about Mom and Dad, and we're|on this hold right now, so my intention is simply to|take your mind off things with|some tales of "Sports Night.
" I'm gonna have to get up for|a second, though, 'cause I know|what's about to come from Dana.
Is it 'cause you're chicken? Be right back.
Jeremy: I'm back.
I should tell you, in the|interest of full disclosure, that Dana's a surprisingly good|garbage-can basketball player.
I'm likely to have a random|visitor or two while|I write this, but for the most part,|everyone here has gone to some neutral corner|for a little bit.
Casey I'll tell you what|the problem is here.
No provolone cheese? No provolone.
You're saying you don't|want to talk about it? I'm saying I'd like just once|for there to be provolone.
Is this one of those times when you say you don't|want to talk about it but you really do? No, but it's shaping up to be one of those times when I say|I don't want to talk about it but we end up talking|about it anyway.
You'll be happy to know that|Dan finally got a date|with Rebecca.
They've been out to dinner|twice, but because of a kind of|emotionally abusive marriage|that Rebecca just got out of, she's been very cautious|with Dan.
Hey, Casey.
|Hey, Dan.
-- Hey, look at this.
|-- Hi.
-- You're here.
|-- I know.
We're actually on a hold.
|The tennis coverage is|running over.
I know.
You look nice.
Thanks.
Am I in trouble? Yes.
-- I'll leave.
|-- Casey, do you remember|the reason why Dan came down to my office|in the first place? Uh, please, oh, please,|don't drag me into this.
It was to tell me|that he couldn't ask me out because he'd started seeing|a woman named Elaine.
|Am I right, Casey? You see, I'm sitting here|with no provolone.
Then, when he became|helplessly in love with me --|as men are prone to do -- he said he'd tell Elaine|that they couldn't see|each other anymore.
-- Rebecca --|-- Oh, by the way, I took a couple|of phone messages|while I was sitting here.
Did my father call,|by any chance? Elaine called.
Look at this.
|Hey, Elaine called|for you, Casey.
Mmm.
You're pitiful.
There hasn't been|the kind of time necessary -- You've got a little time|on your hands right now,|doesn't he, Casey? This is big-time television.
The guy puts out Swiss cheese|and nothing else.
Here's the thing.
|I would do it right now.
I would do it|right this second.
But I'm in sort of|a preshow mode.
That's a very delicate energy,|and it can't be tampered with.
All anyone here is thinking|about is the broadcast.
-- Guys, a little garbage-can|basketball?|-- Dan's in preshow mode.
[ Laughs .]
That's a good one.
[ Sighs .]
See, the thing about|the preshow mode is that -- I'll see you|after the show.
You bet.
Kim! Here's what's interesting|about sports.
None of that would've happened|if tennis boy here had gotten|beat when he was supposed to.
-- Yeah?|-- Next time I step out of|my office and ask you to|catch my phone calls, can you do me a favor and,|you know, do it? Still can't get the green light|from Rebecca? Shut up.
Dave You've got "H.
" Kim, you've got "H-O.
" Will,|you've got "H-O-R-S," which is sad.
I'm winning,|which is inevitable.
Natalie, your shot.
From Elliott's desk,|off the conference room glass,|into the garbage can.
Jeremy: Meanwhile,|the Sampras/Fedrigotti match is deep in the fourth set.
I'm starting to see signs that|we'll be going on the air soon.
Everyone's assuming that|Sampras will finish off this|guy in just a few minutes.
But there's a look|on Sampras' face now that you have to be around|sports long enough|to recognize.
He's the greatest player|in the world, and he's been on the court|with this guy way too long.
-- What's going on?|-- He just broke his serve.
Ah.
It's about time.
|I'll go tell everybody.
-- Elliott.
|-- Yeah.
Fedrigotti just broke|Sampras' serve.
[ Keyboard keys clicking,|telephone ringing .]
Dana: All right, from|the plant, ricochet off|Will's head -- Guys, we got a ballgame.
What? He just broke Sampras' serve.
|It's 4-2 in the fourth.
Doesn't this guy understand|that I'm in television? This match, which was supposed|to be a walk, was heading|into its fourth hour.
And that was a bad break|for Dana, 'cause tonight's the night|that Dana's meeting|Gordon's friends.
He broke serve? Yeah.
Dana and Gordon have been|on thin ice lately, due mostly to Gordon's feeling that Dana's more involved with|the show than with him and that|Dana's not making an effort.
She knew that canceling|their date tonight|would infuriate Gordon.
She tried catching him|at the office before he left to come over,|but he'd already left|to come over.
Wellwe've got ourselves|a ballgame.
I really don't believe it.
He just absolutely|will not die.
Elliott, call the field.
Back them up|another 45 minutes.
This man|is ruining my night.
You're up $50.
I have plans tonight.
I have plans tonight with people|who aren't any of you.
He just won't die.
He'll understand.
No.
He will.
I'm meeting his friends.
|They're at the restaurant.
He's coming here|to pick me up.
This is just the kind of thing|that he was -- Hey.
There's another option.
What? Give the show to Sally.
-- Natalie --|-- It's after midnight.
-- Dana, if you want --|-- No way.
No way.
Jeremy: As if things|weren't bad enough, Dana has the clock|to contend with.
It's after midnight|right now, and if the fifth set of|the Sampras/Fedrigotti match|goes long, it will be past 1:00.
At some point, a decision will|be made whether to go on|with the late broadcast or to hand off the show|and let the 2:00 A.
M.
pick up|the scores and highlights, and handing off the show|means Sally.
You've done it before.
As a last resort,|as a worst-case scenario.
-- Yes.
|-- Mm-hmm.
A scenario that's so bad|there's no other choice.
-- A worst-case scenario.
|-- Right.
How bad do you want Gordon|not to break up with you? I -- I don't -- I don't think|that should enter into it.
You're right.
-- That it shouldn't|enter into it?|-- Yes.
-- I am.
|-- I know.
Mm-hmm.
|I'm confident I'm right.
And you know|what's happening tonight? The world|in which I'm confident is running right smack into|the world in which I'm not I understand.
Iike when your parents|come to school.
-- I'm just wondering --|and don't get mad --|-- What? Would you care this much|if Sally wasn't involved? This isn't about Sally.
Okay.
This isn't about Sally.
Jeremy: Sally Sasser has Dana's|job on the 2:00 A.
M.
show, which is called|"West Coast Update.
" And while "West Coast Update" may be considered the ugly|stepsister around here, Sally Sasser is considered|anything but.
And it hasn't escaped|Dana's notice that Sally's looks haven't|escaped Casey's.
Everything was fine|until your Pete started playing like two pounds|of stuffed cabbage.
Do not blame this on Pete.
How has he not put|that guy away yet? He's lulling him into|a false sense of security.
I'm not handing the show|to Sally so I can meet|Gordon's friends.
This is where I like to be.
This is what I want to do.
This is what I care about.
This and my honeydew.
What's going on? Fedrigotti won the fourth set.
-- Dana --|-- We're still in a hold.
The show hasn't started yet? If the show had started, Gordon,|I'd be in the control room.
Dana, they are gonna be|sitting at the restaurant.
Honey, I'm really,|really sorry, but there's|nothing I can do.
Natalie can't do the show? -- I didn't prep it.
|-- She didn't prep it.
But, I mean, at this point,|isn't it just calling out|numbers from a script? You produce|a lot of live television at the|district attorney's office? -- Natalie|-- U.
S.
Attorney's office.
|Can't, uh -- Listen, I'm the executive|producer of "Sports Night.
" When I say I can't leave,|I can't leave.
I'm not lying.
-- I didn't say you were.
|-- I'll be done in an hour|and a half.
Well, they'll be gone|in an hour and a half.
I'll make it up to them.
These were plans we had, Dana.
News happens, Gordon.
|This is news.
This! This is sports.
Yes! Here are some people who are|staying late after school.
Hey, Sally.
It's starting to get late.
Yeah, I'm not dumping|the show, Sally.
I'm saying they're tied up|in the fifth.
-- I know.
|-- It's not Pete's fault.
-- No, Pete looks good.
|-- I'll say.
Sally, you've met my boyfriend,|haven't you? Gordon.
That's funny.
|My name's Gordon, too.
Yes, that's hysterical, dear.
Gordon had my shirt.
What? He was actually wearing it.
What do you mean? I'm saying he had my shirt.
Whoa, start from the beginning.
-- I'm talking about it.
|-- I know.
You asked me to talk about it,|I'm talking about it.
-- Gordon had your shirt?|-- Yes.
The shirt you left at Sally's? Yes.
Gordon's sleeping with Sally? Yes.
-- You're sure?|-- Yes.
-- How are you sure?|-- He told me.
-- He told you?|-- I'd figured it out.
|He had my shirt -- And you've known about this|for how long? A week.
-- And you're telling me when?|-- I'm telling you now.
Why is Dana still with him? She doesn't know.
-- She doesn't know?|-- She doesn't know.
Because you haven't told her.
That's right.
Because to tell her|that Gordon slept with Sally you'd have to tell her|that you slept with Sally.
Hey.
Hey.
What's going on? Two games apiece|in the fifth.
Finish the letter? -- I'm taking a break.
|-- What's Dana thinking? -- About dumping the show?|-- She's not gonna dump it.
Half past 12:00|and Gordon's here.
I've known Dana for 15 years.
|She's not dumping the show.
-- You guys need anything?|-- Nah.
She's not dumping the show.
-- Casey|-- I don't want her to find out,|Danny.
Yeah.
All right.
Just the market analyst|I'm looking for.
What's going on? We're waiting for the tennis|match that wouldn't end to end.
-- Listen|-- Yes.
I've called Elaine.
I've told her that while she|seems like a very nice woman,|I've met someone else.
I've met a woman named|Rebecca -- wonderful, sensational --|dare I add sexy -- Rebecca, and Rebecca is who I'm dating|right now.
-- That is what|I have told Elaine.
|-- Really? No, but I left a message|on her machine to call me.
-- Dan, listen to me.
|-- Rebecca.
-- Do you like "Beck"?|Can I call you Beck?|-- No.
-- Rebecca's fine.
|-- It's okay if you want to|go out with Elaine.
I don't want to go out|with Elaine.
-- It's okay if you do.
|-- I don't.
This isn't school.
-- I know.
|-- I'm sorry, Dan -- -- Hey, Jeremy.
|-- Hey.
What's up? There's a sort of|impromptu meeting in the|conference room going on.
-- You might want to get in|on it.
|-- What's going on? It's quarter to 1 :00.
Sally? Yeah.
I gotta go.
I want to see a show.
I was told there'd be a live|sports show of some kind.
I hear the anchors are|kind of cute, and I want to see|the show.
You and me both.
I'll be down in my office.
Will you give me a call|when the tennis match|that wouldn't end ends? Absolutely.
Rebecca Yeah? I'd never make a fool|out of you.
Okay.
What made you say that? Nothing.
|No reason.
I'll see you in a few minutes.
Dana: Gordon -- -- This is the kind of thing --|-- Please, lower your voice.
[ Softly .]
|This is the kind of thing|that I'm talking about.
I'm very sorry|that I can't spend time|with your friends tonight.
No, no.
You can spend time|with my friends, and you can spend time|with me.
You just heard Sally tell you|that you can.
Okay, and why don't we just have|one of the guys in your office|take over your caseload? -- Hey.
|-- Hey.
Oh.
|Late night for you guys.
Hmm? I-I said late night|for you guys.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
[ Chuckles .]
Hey, Sally, you must have slept|with this guy Fedrigotti.
|How long you think he can|keep at this? I was just thinking,|"It's been such a long time "since Dan said something|charming to me," and|then there it was.
I do what I can.
|What's going on? She just told you she could do|the show at this point.
Let me tell you something.
-- I know she could do|the show at this point.
|-- So what are you saying? I'm saying this is my show.
|This isn't my hobby.
And I'd appreciate it|if you didn't come in here and try to broker deals|between Sally and me.
I need to get something|from you, Dana.
I need a sign.
I mean --|I thought you wanted a life.
I need you|to give me something or What? Or what? [ Sighs .]
You know what? It's 1 :00 A.
M.
|I'm dumping "Sports Night.
" Sally, you'll run the show|with my team in the room and Dan and Casey|at the desk.
Jeremy: I'll never get it,|Louise.
I understand what makes|a woman think that any man|is better than nothing.
I'll just never understand|what makes a woman think|she's got nothing.
So there you go.
|I'm not kidding.
Let's go.
|Let's do our show.
Dana handed off the show|for the night and went with Gordon|and his friends.
Casey didn't see it coming, and to see his face|at the moment he found out, you'd think a string|inside of him broke.
I have a hunch|it's gonna be a while before Casey and Dana are quite|the same with each other.
Meanwhile, Sally ran the show|without a hitch.
Standby F/X-3.
Show me Cincinnati and get me|Judy in Oakland.
Jeremy: Rebecca stuck around|and watched the show live|from the studio.
My guess is that either|she's never seen a live television broadcast|or she really likes Dan.
Either way,|she was very excited.
Oh, my God, it's happening.
|The show's starting.
Yeah.
Yes.
-- You guys are all set.
|-- Have a good show.
-- Oh, my God.
|-- Thank you, Alyson.
-- You have 30 seconds.
|-- Yes.
Aren't you nervous? -- Rebecca|-- Yeah? remember I was talking to you|about being in show mode? -- Yeah.
|-- Show mode.
-- Show mode.
|-- Oh.
I'll, um --|I'll stand over there.
-- Excellent.
|-- Okay.
-- Hard not to like her.
|-- Tell me about it.
Fedrigotti lost his match, as|the whole world knew he would.
But I wish you could've seen|the look in his eyes when Sampras hugged him|at the net.
It was a sight to see.
Good show, everybody.
All right,|ready for the lecture now? Under no circumstances|are you to leave school.
End of lecture.
|There will be a test|on that material.
Look, things are gonna be|a little rough for|a little while, but, Lou, I want you to keep|your head in the game.
We'll come out the other side|of this, no problem.
In the meantime,|stay out of trouble, Louise.
Love, Jeremy.
In 32 Good evening.
|From New York City, I'm Casey McCall|alongside Dan Rydell.
[ Rock music plays .]
Previously on "Sports Night" No, I meant with you|and Gordon.
You need to let the show go|once in a while.
Yes, I do.
-- What shirt are you missing?|Your favorite.
|-- My white J.
Press.
Maybe it got mixed up|with someone else's laundry.
-- How'd the shirt|get left behind?|-- I spilled wine.
-- The 2:00 A.
M.
is my show.
|-- And you do a good job.
Natalie tells me that Rebecca|really liked me and that|I should call her.
That's the second time|you called me Danny.
-- Do you like it?|-- Yeah.
Listen,|I better get in action.
Do you think Casey's|been seeing Sally? -- What's on your mind, Casey?|-- You're wearing my shirt,|Gordon.
Will: Studio "A, "|this is Master Control.
You're up on router 9 tonight.
|Have a good show.
Dave: Standby audio,|standby VTR.
-- Kim, I'm still looking for|two back in the teens.
|-- We're getting there.
Man: Can I hear a roll call|from the field, please? -- This guy won't die.
|-- He won't.
-- He will not die.
|-- He just won't.
-- Can you believe this?|-- The man won't die.
Jeremy: Dear Louise, here's|what's going on right now.
CSC is carrying|the Continental Challenge live.
Sampras is playing|a first-round match against a guy named|Alberto Fedrigotti, who's ranked 178th|in the world tennis standings and who Sampras should have|easily finished off by now.
I gotta be perfectly honest|with you, I've never heard of this guy.
His name's Alberto Fedrigotti.
I've never seen him play.
Sampras won the first two sets|in a walk and was up 4-love in the third.
The crowd filed out to the|parking lot a half-hour ago.
The match was over.
Except nobody told|Alberto Fedrigotti.
[ All groan .]
This guy won't die! He really won't.
Jeremy: He battled back|and was up a break, and, to Sampras' astonishment,|was serving for the set.
We were still assuming Sampras|would break his serve and we'd be able to get|the show underway.
Will: Two minutes to VTR.
|Chris: Standby 2, 2A, and 3.
Preview animation.
|Standby F/X-3.
Dana, I'm at ready-1.
Hang on.
We may have to hold|for a few minutes.
And the thing is, we're|supposed to go on the air|at 1 1:00, and if Fedrigotti holds his|serve and forces a new set, that means we've got to hold|for another half-hour while Sampras|makes this guy say uncle, and nobody here likes to hold.
In the studio, Dan and Casey|were waiting for the cue -- "60 seconds to VTR.
" Dan was doing|what he always does|when it's two minutes to air -- he was annoying Casey.
-- I don't think|you should be this way.
|-- I'm being this way.
-- Yeah, but I don't think|you should be this way.
|-- I am this way.
-- Seriously, all right?|-- Danny.
-- Seriously.
|-- No.
No seriously.
|We're doing the show.
-- This has something to do|with the shirt, doesn't it?|-- Danny.
Does it have something to do|with the shirt? -- You're wired.
|-- No, I'm not.
-- You're wired.
|-- I'm perfectly calm.
You're wired.
|I don't want to talk about it.
In the control room,|Dana was resigned to going up|three or four minutes late to allow Sampras|to close out the match, but she just wasn't|emotionally prepared for the thing to get thrown|to a fourth set.
Can you believe this guy is|doing this to me? I don't think it's personal,|Dana.
Oh, it is personal, Jeremy.
Don't worry.
My Pete's|gonna take care of him.
Your Pete? Pete Sampras|has a little crush on me.
-- Really?|In Natalie world or --|-- Yeah.
-- In Natalie world.
|He sends me flowers a lot.
|-- Ah.
One time he came over|and cooked me dinner.
He was wearing the most|beautiful charcoal gray -- Hang on.
-- [ All groan .]
|-- I didn't see the forehand|passing shot that Fedrigotti made|to force the new set.
Neither did Sampras.
This guy won't die.
Dan: Do you want to talk|about it now? Casey: No.
I mean,|now that I'm not wired.
-- We gotta hold.
|-- No.
-- Yes.
|-- Why? Just to bother you.
-- Why are we holding?|-- 'Cause some guy named|Fettucine Alfredo just -- Jeremy, what's his name? Alberto Fedrigotti.
Alberto Fedrigotti just took|Sampras to a fourth set.
Why would he do this to me? He's not doing it to you|personally, Casey.
He's doing it to me|personally.
All right, Dave.
|I guess take us down|from ready-1.
Kim, Elliott, why don't you|talk to the field? Let's stay on top|of the late scores.
And don't anybody go too far.
Dave, you should take us down|from ready-1.
Kim, Elliott, you should|get on the phone and call our people|in the field and back them up|about 45 minutes.
Obviously, we'll keep|updating the late scores.
And please, don't anybody|go too far.
Dana, we just did this.
Ah.
[ Sighs .]
No, this is good 'cause now we can talk|about it.
Want to get a doughnut? -- I was gonna stay and write|a letter to Louise.
|-- Ah.
Hey, uh, Mildred.
|It's Dana.
Is he there? Do you want to go someplace|and make out? That sounds good, but I really want to write|this letter to my sister.
Okay.
It's gonna be 20 minutes --|half-hour tops, I promise.
Come by here at 12:30|and pick me up.
We're gonna have a great time|tonight.
Okay, I'll see you then.
Hi.
Hi.
Are, uh, Kim and Elliott -- Yeah.
Good.
Oh, hey, did someone|tell lsaac -- -- Yeah.
|-- Good.
Excellent.
Cool.
Natalie.
Yeah.
I have nothing to do.
-- [ Sighs .]
|-- Do you want to go with me|to get a doughnut? Mmm, nah.
Do you want to go someplace|and make out? No.
-- I'm gonna get a doughnut.
|-- Okay.
What are you doing? I'm writing a letter.
To your sister? To my sister.
That's nice.
Louise is a nice name.
She's named|for our grandmother.
Yeah? Yep.
My grandmother's name|was Alice on my mother's side.
My father's,|it was Penelope which is a name|you don't hear much anymore.
-- Penelope was --|-- You know what's hard? Writing here|and talking there.
I have unscheduled time|on my hands.
And I know how difficult|that must be for you, butI want to write|this letter.
Okay.
Want to play|garbage-can basketball? -- Dana!|-- A little|garbage-can basketball? No.
That's fine.
Jeremy: Anyway, Michael said|when he saw you you were upset about|the divorce and talking|about leaving school.
For the moment,|I'm not going to lecture you.
I know you're concerned|about Mom and Dad, and we're|on this hold right now, so my intention is simply to|take your mind off things with|some tales of "Sports Night.
" I'm gonna have to get up for|a second, though, 'cause I know|what's about to come from Dana.
Is it 'cause you're chicken? Be right back.
Jeremy: I'm back.
I should tell you, in the|interest of full disclosure, that Dana's a surprisingly good|garbage-can basketball player.
I'm likely to have a random|visitor or two while|I write this, but for the most part,|everyone here has gone to some neutral corner|for a little bit.
Casey I'll tell you what|the problem is here.
No provolone cheese? No provolone.
You're saying you don't|want to talk about it? I'm saying I'd like just once|for there to be provolone.
Is this one of those times when you say you don't|want to talk about it but you really do? No, but it's shaping up to be one of those times when I say|I don't want to talk about it but we end up talking|about it anyway.
You'll be happy to know that|Dan finally got a date|with Rebecca.
They've been out to dinner|twice, but because of a kind of|emotionally abusive marriage|that Rebecca just got out of, she's been very cautious|with Dan.
Hey, Casey.
|Hey, Dan.
-- Hey, look at this.
|-- Hi.
-- You're here.
|-- I know.
We're actually on a hold.
|The tennis coverage is|running over.
I know.
You look nice.
Thanks.
Am I in trouble? Yes.
-- I'll leave.
|-- Casey, do you remember|the reason why Dan came down to my office|in the first place? Uh, please, oh, please,|don't drag me into this.
It was to tell me|that he couldn't ask me out because he'd started seeing|a woman named Elaine.
|Am I right, Casey? You see, I'm sitting here|with no provolone.
Then, when he became|helplessly in love with me --|as men are prone to do -- he said he'd tell Elaine|that they couldn't see|each other anymore.
-- Rebecca --|-- Oh, by the way, I took a couple|of phone messages|while I was sitting here.
Did my father call,|by any chance? Elaine called.
Look at this.
|Hey, Elaine called|for you, Casey.
Mmm.
You're pitiful.
There hasn't been|the kind of time necessary -- You've got a little time|on your hands right now,|doesn't he, Casey? This is big-time television.
The guy puts out Swiss cheese|and nothing else.
Here's the thing.
|I would do it right now.
I would do it|right this second.
But I'm in sort of|a preshow mode.
That's a very delicate energy,|and it can't be tampered with.
All anyone here is thinking|about is the broadcast.
-- Guys, a little garbage-can|basketball?|-- Dan's in preshow mode.
[ Laughs .]
That's a good one.
[ Sighs .]
See, the thing about|the preshow mode is that -- I'll see you|after the show.
You bet.
Kim! Here's what's interesting|about sports.
None of that would've happened|if tennis boy here had gotten|beat when he was supposed to.
-- Yeah?|-- Next time I step out of|my office and ask you to|catch my phone calls, can you do me a favor and,|you know, do it? Still can't get the green light|from Rebecca? Shut up.
Dave You've got "H.
" Kim, you've got "H-O.
" Will,|you've got "H-O-R-S," which is sad.
I'm winning,|which is inevitable.
Natalie, your shot.
From Elliott's desk,|off the conference room glass,|into the garbage can.
Jeremy: Meanwhile,|the Sampras/Fedrigotti match is deep in the fourth set.
I'm starting to see signs that|we'll be going on the air soon.
Everyone's assuming that|Sampras will finish off this|guy in just a few minutes.
But there's a look|on Sampras' face now that you have to be around|sports long enough|to recognize.
He's the greatest player|in the world, and he's been on the court|with this guy way too long.
-- What's going on?|-- He just broke his serve.
Ah.
It's about time.
|I'll go tell everybody.
-- Elliott.
|-- Yeah.
Fedrigotti just broke|Sampras' serve.
[ Keyboard keys clicking,|telephone ringing .]
Dana: All right, from|the plant, ricochet off|Will's head -- Guys, we got a ballgame.
What? He just broke Sampras' serve.
|It's 4-2 in the fourth.
Doesn't this guy understand|that I'm in television? This match, which was supposed|to be a walk, was heading|into its fourth hour.
And that was a bad break|for Dana, 'cause tonight's the night|that Dana's meeting|Gordon's friends.
He broke serve? Yeah.
Dana and Gordon have been|on thin ice lately, due mostly to Gordon's feeling that Dana's more involved with|the show than with him and that|Dana's not making an effort.
She knew that canceling|their date tonight|would infuriate Gordon.
She tried catching him|at the office before he left to come over,|but he'd already left|to come over.
Wellwe've got ourselves|a ballgame.
I really don't believe it.
He just absolutely|will not die.
Elliott, call the field.
Back them up|another 45 minutes.
This man|is ruining my night.
You're up $50.
I have plans tonight.
I have plans tonight with people|who aren't any of you.
He just won't die.
He'll understand.
No.
He will.
I'm meeting his friends.
|They're at the restaurant.
He's coming here|to pick me up.
This is just the kind of thing|that he was -- Hey.
There's another option.
What? Give the show to Sally.
-- Natalie --|-- It's after midnight.
-- Dana, if you want --|-- No way.
No way.
Jeremy: As if things|weren't bad enough, Dana has the clock|to contend with.
It's after midnight|right now, and if the fifth set of|the Sampras/Fedrigotti match|goes long, it will be past 1:00.
At some point, a decision will|be made whether to go on|with the late broadcast or to hand off the show|and let the 2:00 A.
M.
pick up|the scores and highlights, and handing off the show|means Sally.
You've done it before.
As a last resort,|as a worst-case scenario.
-- Yes.
|-- Mm-hmm.
A scenario that's so bad|there's no other choice.
-- A worst-case scenario.
|-- Right.
How bad do you want Gordon|not to break up with you? I -- I don't -- I don't think|that should enter into it.
You're right.
-- That it shouldn't|enter into it?|-- Yes.
-- I am.
|-- I know.
Mm-hmm.
|I'm confident I'm right.
And you know|what's happening tonight? The world|in which I'm confident is running right smack into|the world in which I'm not I understand.
Iike when your parents|come to school.
-- I'm just wondering --|and don't get mad --|-- What? Would you care this much|if Sally wasn't involved? This isn't about Sally.
Okay.
This isn't about Sally.
Jeremy: Sally Sasser has Dana's|job on the 2:00 A.
M.
show, which is called|"West Coast Update.
" And while "West Coast Update" may be considered the ugly|stepsister around here, Sally Sasser is considered|anything but.
And it hasn't escaped|Dana's notice that Sally's looks haven't|escaped Casey's.
Everything was fine|until your Pete started playing like two pounds|of stuffed cabbage.
Do not blame this on Pete.
How has he not put|that guy away yet? He's lulling him into|a false sense of security.
I'm not handing the show|to Sally so I can meet|Gordon's friends.
This is where I like to be.
This is what I want to do.
This is what I care about.
This and my honeydew.
What's going on? Fedrigotti won the fourth set.
-- Dana --|-- We're still in a hold.
The show hasn't started yet? If the show had started, Gordon,|I'd be in the control room.
Dana, they are gonna be|sitting at the restaurant.
Honey, I'm really,|really sorry, but there's|nothing I can do.
Natalie can't do the show? -- I didn't prep it.
|-- She didn't prep it.
But, I mean, at this point,|isn't it just calling out|numbers from a script? You produce|a lot of live television at the|district attorney's office? -- Natalie|-- U.
S.
Attorney's office.
|Can't, uh -- Listen, I'm the executive|producer of "Sports Night.
" When I say I can't leave,|I can't leave.
I'm not lying.
-- I didn't say you were.
|-- I'll be done in an hour|and a half.
Well, they'll be gone|in an hour and a half.
I'll make it up to them.
These were plans we had, Dana.
News happens, Gordon.
|This is news.
This! This is sports.
Yes! Here are some people who are|staying late after school.
Hey, Sally.
It's starting to get late.
Yeah, I'm not dumping|the show, Sally.
I'm saying they're tied up|in the fifth.
-- I know.
|-- It's not Pete's fault.
-- No, Pete looks good.
|-- I'll say.
Sally, you've met my boyfriend,|haven't you? Gordon.
That's funny.
|My name's Gordon, too.
Yes, that's hysterical, dear.
Gordon had my shirt.
What? He was actually wearing it.
What do you mean? I'm saying he had my shirt.
Whoa, start from the beginning.
-- I'm talking about it.
|-- I know.
You asked me to talk about it,|I'm talking about it.
-- Gordon had your shirt?|-- Yes.
The shirt you left at Sally's? Yes.
Gordon's sleeping with Sally? Yes.
-- You're sure?|-- Yes.
-- How are you sure?|-- He told me.
-- He told you?|-- I'd figured it out.
|He had my shirt -- And you've known about this|for how long? A week.
-- And you're telling me when?|-- I'm telling you now.
Why is Dana still with him? She doesn't know.
-- She doesn't know?|-- She doesn't know.
Because you haven't told her.
That's right.
Because to tell her|that Gordon slept with Sally you'd have to tell her|that you slept with Sally.
Hey.
Hey.
What's going on? Two games apiece|in the fifth.
Finish the letter? -- I'm taking a break.
|-- What's Dana thinking? -- About dumping the show?|-- She's not gonna dump it.
Half past 12:00|and Gordon's here.
I've known Dana for 15 years.
|She's not dumping the show.
-- You guys need anything?|-- Nah.
She's not dumping the show.
-- Casey|-- I don't want her to find out,|Danny.
Yeah.
All right.
Just the market analyst|I'm looking for.
What's going on? We're waiting for the tennis|match that wouldn't end to end.
-- Listen|-- Yes.
I've called Elaine.
I've told her that while she|seems like a very nice woman,|I've met someone else.
I've met a woman named|Rebecca -- wonderful, sensational --|dare I add sexy -- Rebecca, and Rebecca is who I'm dating|right now.
-- That is what|I have told Elaine.
|-- Really? No, but I left a message|on her machine to call me.
-- Dan, listen to me.
|-- Rebecca.
-- Do you like "Beck"?|Can I call you Beck?|-- No.
-- Rebecca's fine.
|-- It's okay if you want to|go out with Elaine.
I don't want to go out|with Elaine.
-- It's okay if you do.
|-- I don't.
This isn't school.
-- I know.
|-- I'm sorry, Dan -- -- Hey, Jeremy.
|-- Hey.
What's up? There's a sort of|impromptu meeting in the|conference room going on.
-- You might want to get in|on it.
|-- What's going on? It's quarter to 1 :00.
Sally? Yeah.
I gotta go.
I want to see a show.
I was told there'd be a live|sports show of some kind.
I hear the anchors are|kind of cute, and I want to see|the show.
You and me both.
I'll be down in my office.
Will you give me a call|when the tennis match|that wouldn't end ends? Absolutely.
Rebecca Yeah? I'd never make a fool|out of you.
Okay.
What made you say that? Nothing.
|No reason.
I'll see you in a few minutes.
Dana: Gordon -- -- This is the kind of thing --|-- Please, lower your voice.
[ Softly .]
|This is the kind of thing|that I'm talking about.
I'm very sorry|that I can't spend time|with your friends tonight.
No, no.
You can spend time|with my friends, and you can spend time|with me.
You just heard Sally tell you|that you can.
Okay, and why don't we just have|one of the guys in your office|take over your caseload? -- Hey.
|-- Hey.
Oh.
|Late night for you guys.
Hmm? I-I said late night|for you guys.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
[ Chuckles .]
Hey, Sally, you must have slept|with this guy Fedrigotti.
|How long you think he can|keep at this? I was just thinking,|"It's been such a long time "since Dan said something|charming to me," and|then there it was.
I do what I can.
|What's going on? She just told you she could do|the show at this point.
Let me tell you something.
-- I know she could do|the show at this point.
|-- So what are you saying? I'm saying this is my show.
|This isn't my hobby.
And I'd appreciate it|if you didn't come in here and try to broker deals|between Sally and me.
I need to get something|from you, Dana.
I need a sign.
I mean --|I thought you wanted a life.
I need you|to give me something or What? Or what? [ Sighs .]
You know what? It's 1 :00 A.
M.
|I'm dumping "Sports Night.
" Sally, you'll run the show|with my team in the room and Dan and Casey|at the desk.
Jeremy: I'll never get it,|Louise.
I understand what makes|a woman think that any man|is better than nothing.
I'll just never understand|what makes a woman think|she's got nothing.
So there you go.
|I'm not kidding.
Let's go.
|Let's do our show.
Dana handed off the show|for the night and went with Gordon|and his friends.
Casey didn't see it coming, and to see his face|at the moment he found out, you'd think a string|inside of him broke.
I have a hunch|it's gonna be a while before Casey and Dana are quite|the same with each other.
Meanwhile, Sally ran the show|without a hitch.
Standby F/X-3.
Show me Cincinnati and get me|Judy in Oakland.
Jeremy: Rebecca stuck around|and watched the show live|from the studio.
My guess is that either|she's never seen a live television broadcast|or she really likes Dan.
Either way,|she was very excited.
Oh, my God, it's happening.
|The show's starting.
Yeah.
Yes.
-- You guys are all set.
|-- Have a good show.
-- Oh, my God.
|-- Thank you, Alyson.
-- You have 30 seconds.
|-- Yes.
Aren't you nervous? -- Rebecca|-- Yeah? remember I was talking to you|about being in show mode? -- Yeah.
|-- Show mode.
-- Show mode.
|-- Oh.
I'll, um --|I'll stand over there.
-- Excellent.
|-- Okay.
-- Hard not to like her.
|-- Tell me about it.
Fedrigotti lost his match, as|the whole world knew he would.
But I wish you could've seen|the look in his eyes when Sampras hugged him|at the net.
It was a sight to see.
Good show, everybody.
All right,|ready for the lecture now? Under no circumstances|are you to leave school.
End of lecture.
|There will be a test|on that material.
Look, things are gonna be|a little rough for|a little while, but, Lou, I want you to keep|your head in the game.
We'll come out the other side|of this, no problem.
In the meantime,|stay out of trouble, Louise.
Love, Jeremy.
In 32 Good evening.
|From New York City, I'm Casey McCall|alongside Dan Rydell.
[ Rock music plays .]