4.41: Draft Day: Part 2 - The Fall of Ryan O'Brian (Sports Night S2E17)

In this, the penultimate episode of Sports Night and the current season of Sorkin’ In It, we start with a “big honkin’ doofus.” That doesn’t relate to the plot, but we just love saying it. The gang’s at the bar meeting strangers and pondering the future — of the network, of the show, of their lives. These are desperate times — and Natalie’s not wearing socks, so who knows what will happen next! Whatever the future, Brian and Lex will be Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Natalie has a job interview with Saturday Night Live. Tension at the studio builds as everyone worries about the future of the network. I don’t think you should be worried, though. Sure, there may be bells. There may be a siren. But Lex and Brian will be with you every step of the way. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Dan’s working to patch things up with everyone while he and Jeremy host a Seder for the team. Meanwhile, Casey’s figuring out his top favorite movies. Lex and Brian discover some overlap in their top movies too, but we’re best buds, so no need to patch anything up. Right Lex? … Lex? Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

An adult film star visits the office… and she’s Jeremy’s girlfriend, who is decidedly not a choreo-animator. Tensions are running high between Dan and Casey, and they even bleed into the TV broadcast, which is… not good. (Lex and Brian would never let that happen in this show.) And you know what IS good? Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

The team’s covering the NFL draft which might take a bit longer due to some cloudy skies. Jeremy says the line “It cannot, it must not rain at Indian Wells” (anybody want to guess whether it starts raining?) Meanwhile, Jeremy is a bit nervous because he invited his new girlfriend to visit the studio. And Dana has an inexplicable bandage on her face? Lex and Brian think some of this makes sense, and some … less so. Either way, all this talk of rain tells me we’ll definitely be Sorkin’ In It! Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Dan isn’t one of the 100 Most Influential People in Sports, but Casey is. You can bet that goes over like a fart in church. Speaking of church - Dana visits one to get out of the rain… and likes it (the church, not the rain… or the fart). The rain also helps Jeremy continue his flirtation with Jenny. There’s so much Sorkin In It to do. We got you. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Jeremy meets an intriguing woman…primarily because he wasn’t invited to the office game of Celebrities. Breakups are hard. What’s not hard is breaking DOWN… another Sports Night episode. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Casey can’t see. It’s funny, even if it beggars belief. Sam’s leaving the show. That’s sad, even if it was inevitable. And there’s a break up on the show, but don’t worry, it’s not Brian and Lex. By some counts, this is our 100th show, and we’re still together, Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Dan wants to see Tom Waits, which is hard to explain. (Wait a sec. Lex, did you write this? I happen to like Tom Waits. Anyway…) Dana inherits a gun, which is also strange (OK, we both agree here). William H. Macy’s Sam gets a big storyline and a dramatic moment, and the substitute anchor filling in for Dan is so terrible that it — you guessed it! — beggars belief. We’re Sorkin’ In It all, though, so let’s discuss. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.

Lex and Brian are back, and certainly missed you, dear listener. Sam’s back too, and Dana’s a bit “psyched out”. Meanwhile, the team lands an interview with Michael Jordan, but turns out there are strings attached; and Casey has to figure out how to talk to a bunch of 5th graders. What could go wrong? We’ll let you know as we do what we do: Sorkin’ In It. Lex Friedman and Brian Warren.