4.1: Pilot (Sports Night S1E1)

It’s S1E8 of Sports Night — Thespis! Somehow, functional grown adults believe they are being haunted by a Roman god. Or a Greek ghost. Or something. Meanwhile, Isaac frets about his pregnant daughter, and a dumb joke about a turkey is telegraphed from a mile away. Luckily, Brian and Lex are. Let’s Sorkin’ In It together. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Jeremy is writing a letter. And falling in love. And Dana’s getting ready to lip sync to “The Jackal”. Wait, wrong Sorkin show - it must be a dance to “Boogie Shoes”. And the team covers a sad story. Almost as sad as their kerning. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Natalie keeps screwing up, and no one will call her on it. Jeremy’s trying to protect Natalie from seeing death threats — and ends up finding the best place to eat in all of Manhattan. And Casey’s mad as hell at a terrible coaching decision. The best decision YOU can make? Checking out this episode of Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Lex and Brian are at the news desk to record another episode of Sorkin’ In It. This time, the Sports Night team lands a huge interview with a major athlete, but there are surprise conditions. Not only that, but Dana sends Natalie to the pre-interview and… unpleasantness ensues. But, good news, everybody - Dan has a quirky subplot to rise to the challenge: He’s contemplating growing a goatee. Okay. What’s next? We’re Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Dan sang happy birthday to Casey. What a jerk! But at least we get to meet Yeardly Smith, and she’s not voicing a Simpson. Meanwhile Casey is frustrated by a fly. Or Dana’s new boyfriend. Or something. None of this makes sense, but have you looked around lately? Escape from the world, friends. Join us. Sorkin’ in it. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Jeremy gets “the call”. Hospitalization ensues. And the “will they or won’t they” storyline between Casey and Dana kicks into high gear — a gear it may never leave. We don’t love everything, but we do love the character development for Will and Isaac. And you. We also love you. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

We owe you an apology. Whoops, our mistake: We owe you a podcast about the Sports Night episode called “The Apology.” Dan must apologize after voicing his support for a group advocating the legalization of marijuana. The episode is as strong as that premise is dated. Except for Josh Malina’s storyline. But that’s okay. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

It’s season one, episode one. We’re watching Sports Night for this season of Sorkin’ In It. We meet a slew of characters. We deal with that grating laugh track. And we wonder if Casey’s gonna quit the show halfway into the Sports Night pilot. (Spoiler alert: He doesn’t.) Will Brian or Lex quit the podcast in this first episode of our new season? Only one way to find out. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

We’re kicking off a brand new season of Sorkin’ In It. And this time, we’re watching Sorkin’s first series: Sports Night. So stick around. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Wipe away those tears, the series finale of Studio 60 is upon us. We’re in K&R part 17 by our count: Tom’s brother remains in peril. As does Jordan. And, sigh, somehow Matt & Harriett’s relationship. But, hey, it’s a finale, and fan service abounds. We promise. Stick with it. We take as long to discuss the final episode as it takes to watch it. And, in true Sorkin fashion, we talk about What’s Next. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.