View source for Sports Night

{{About|the American television series||SportsNight (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox television
| image         = SportsNight.jpg
| image_alt     = Sports Night written in white on black
| genre         = [[Comedy drama]]
| runtime       = 22 minutes
| creator       = [[Aaron Sorkin]]
| starring      = [[Josh Charles]]<br/>[[Peter Krause]]<br/>[[Felicity Huffman]]<br/>[[Joshua Malina]]<br/>[[Sabrina Lloyd]]<br/>[[Robert Guillaume]]
| country       = United States
| language      = English
| network       = [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
| first_aired   = {{Start date|1998|09|22}}
| last_aired    = {{End date|2000|05|16}}
| num_seasons   = 2
| company       = [[Imagine Entertainment|Imagine Television]]<br/>[[ABC Signature|Touchstone Television]]
| num_episodes  = 45
| list_episodes = 
| composer      = [[W. G. Snuffy Walden]]
}}
'''''Sports Night''''' is an American [[comedy drama]] television series about a fictional sports news show also called ''Sports Night''. It focuses on the friendships, pitfalls and ethical issues the creative talent of the program face while trying to produce a good show under constant network pressure. Created by [[Aaron Sorkin]] and produced by [[Imagine Entertainment|Imagine Television]] and [[ABC Signature|Touchstone Television]], the half-hour [[prime time]] [[comedy drama]]<ref name="still writing">{{cite news |author = Sherri Sylvester |title = Sorkin still writing on 'Sports Night,' 'West Wing' |date = March 16, 2000 |publisher = CNN |url = http://archives.cnn.com/2000/SHOWBIZ/TV/03/16/aaron.sorkin/ |access-date = June 14, 2007 |archive-date = June 22, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070622021245/http://archives.cnn.com/2000/SHOWBIZ/TV/03/16/aaron.sorkin/ |url-status = dead }}</ref> aired on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] for two seasons, from September 22, 1998, to May 16, 2000.

The show stars [[Robert Guillaume]] as managing editor Isaac Jaffe, [[Felicity Huffman]] as executive producer Dana Whitaker, [[Peter Krause]] as anchor Casey McCall, [[Josh Charles]] as anchor Dan Rydell, [[Sabrina Lloyd]] as senior associate producer Natalie Hurley, and [[Joshua Malina]] as associate producer Jeremy Goodwin. Regular guest stars included [[William H. Macy]] as ratings expert Sam Donovan and [[Brenda Strong]] as Sally Sasser, the producer of ''West Coast Update'' (a sister show on the same network as ''Sports Night'') and professional and romantic rival of Dana. Other notable guest stars included [[Paula Marshall]] and several who later appeared on Sorkin's ''[[The West Wing]]'' including [[Janel Moloney]], [[Teri Polo]], [[Ted McGinley]], [[Lisa Edelstein]], [[Clark Gregg]], [[Nina Siemaszko]], [[John de Lancie]], [[Timothy Davis-Reed]], [[Cress Williams]], [[Nadia Dajani]], and [[Spencer Garrett]].

''[[TV Guide]]'' ranked it #10 on their 2013 list of 60 shows that were "Cancelled Too Soon".<ref>Roush, Matt (June 3, 2013). "Cancelled Too Soon". ''[[TV Guide]]''. pp. 20 and 21</ref> In 2025, the show ranked #8 on a ''[[TVLine]]'' list of television's best two-season shows.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Luther |first=Dave Nemetz,Nick Caruso,Andy Swift,Kimberly Roots,Ryan Schwartz,Charlie Mason,Matt Webb Mitovich,Rebecca |date=2025-07-28 |title=TV’s Best Two-Season Shows, Ranked: Andor, Pushing Daisies, Timeless, Smash, Galavant, Mindhunter and More! |url=https://tvline.com/lists/best-tv-shows-two-seasons-cancelled-list-photos/ |access-date=2025-08-20 |website=TVLine |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Overview==
The show is said to be a semi-fictional account of the [[ESPN]] ''[[SportsCenter]]'' team of [[Keith Olbermann]] and [[Dan Patrick (sportscaster)|Dan Patrick]], with Rydell representing Olbermann and McCall representing Patrick. Patrick has confirmed this on his syndicated radio program ''[[The Dan Patrick Show]]''. It has also been said that many of the storylines for McCall were inspired by [[Craig Kilborn]], who was an anchor on ''SportsCenter'' during the mid 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/56321/11-fun-facts-about-sports-night |title=11 Things You Might Not Know About Sports Night |publisher=Mental Floss |date=September 21, 2018 |access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref>

The fictional ''Sports Night'' is a sports news program in the style of ''SportsCenter''.<ref name="keeping it real">{{cite news |author = Jeff Merron |title = Keeping it real on 'Sports Night' |date = November 12, 2002 |publisher = ESPN Page2 |url = https://www.espn.com/page2/s/merron/021112.html |access-date = June 14, 2007}}</ref> The show broadcasts live from 11 pm to midnight and is rebroadcast through the next morning; it may broadcast at other times for special events, such as the [[NFL draft]].<ref name="draftday1">{{cite episode | title=Draft Day, Part 1 | series=Sports Night | network=ABC | airdate=March 14, 2000 | season=2}}</ref> The program debuted in 1996{{r|cliffgardner}} and airs from [[New York City]] on the fictional Continental Sports Channel (CSC), a unit of Continental Corp, owned and run by Luther Sachs. Continental Corp owns cable networks around the United States; when the company is offered for sale, bidders include [[Time Warner]], [[Disney]] (which, incidentally, owns a majority of ESPN in reality), and [[News Corporation (1980–2013)|News Corporation]].<ref name="destino">{{cite episode | title=La Forza del Destino | series=Sports Night | network=ABC | airdate=May 9, 2000 | season=2}}</ref>

Dialogue in a Season 2 episode suggests the studio is located in [[Rockefeller Center]],<ref name="louiserevisited">{{cite episode | title=Louise Revisited | series=Sports Night | network=ABC | airdate=October 26, 1999 | season=2}}</ref> although establishing shots regularly showed the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center.]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Television's uneasy relationship with the World Trade Center |url=https://ew.com/article/2013/01/21/televisions-uneasy-relationship-with-the-world-trade-center/ |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=EW.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Jason |date=2018-09-21 |title=Every Episode of Sports Night, Ranked |url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/09/sports-night-best-episodes.html |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=Vulture |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Star-Ledger |first=Alan Sepinwall/The |date=2009-06-03 |title=Sports Night: Revisiting the pilot |url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/2009/06/sports_night_revisiting_the_pi.html |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=nj |language=en}}</ref> Production took place in [[Burbank, California]], with Sorkin splitting time between ''Sports Night'' and the first season of ''The West Wing'' in the second season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2001-02-21 |title=Double Time: Aaron Sorkin splits his attention between sophomore hit Sports Night and The West Wing. |url=https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/double-time-aaron-sorkin-splits-attention-sophomore-hit-sports-20050/ |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=www.backstage.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Richmond |first=Ray |date=1998-09-21 |title=Sports Night |url=https://variety.com/1998/film/reviews/sports-night-1200455073/ |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Julie |date=2012-12-31 |title=The Sets of Aaron Sorkin's Movies and TV Shows |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/aaron-sorkin-sets-west-wing-social-network-newsroom-slideshow |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=Architectural Digest |language=en-US}}</ref>

Both the fictional show and the network have competitive and financial difficulties. The network, according to Continental Corp's CFO, has an annual deficit up to $120 million.<ref name="april">{{cite episode | title=April is the Cruelest Month | series=Sports Night | network=ABC | airdate=March 28, 2000 | season=2}}</ref> Although ''Sports Night'' does better than [[CNN/SI]],<ref name="smoky">{{cite episode | title=Smoky | series=Sports Night | network=ABC | airdate=January 5, 1999 | season=1}}</ref> Dana Whitaker says that ''Sports Night'' is "in third place. We are getting our asses kicked by ESPN and [[National Sports Report|Fox]]". Natalie Hurley replies, "Every show on this network is in third place. It's a third-place network."<ref name="cliffgardner">{{cite episode | title=Cliff Gardner | series=Sports Night | network=ABC | airdate=October 19, 1999 | season=2}}</ref> When ''Sports Night'' is asked to interview [[Michael Jordan]] about his new perfume, the retired basketball star's publicity team demands [[final cut privilege]]—something it would not ask Fox or ESPN—because it believes that ''Sports Night'' is more desperate for ratings.<ref name="sweetsmellofair">{{cite episode | title=The Sweet Smell of Air | series=Sports Night | network=ABC | airdate=January 25, 2000 | season=2}}</ref>

Although the first season of ''Sports Night'' is a sitcom, it often is portrayed as more of a [[comedy drama]] representative of some of Sorkin's later work on ''The West Wing''. Sorkin intended for the series' humor to be drier and more realistic than typical sitcoms. He initially wanted the show to be recorded without a [[laugh track]], but ABC network executives insisted on including one.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Joe Flint |title=A Laugh Riot: The TV industry keeps pumping up the canned laughter, even on shows that genuinely earn their guffaws. But the cranked-up chuckles are making some sitcom creators gag |newspaper=Entertainment Weekly |issue=451 |date=September 25, 1998 |url=https://ew.com/article/1998/09/25/laugh-tracks-use-or-not-use/ |access-date=June 14, 2007 |archive-date=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112113558/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,284963,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author = Rob Owen |title = 'Sports Night' one of best players in season's starting lineup |date = September 22, 1998 |publisher = Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |url = http://www.postgazette.com/magazine/19980922sports5.asp |access-date = June 14, 2007 |archive-date = February 5, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120205082029/http://www.postgazette.com/magazine/19980922sports5.asp |url-status = dead }}</ref> The volume of the laugh track faded as Season One continued<ref name="swing" /> and was abandoned at the beginning of Season Two.<ref>{{cite web |author = Mike Pinsky |title = Sports Night: The Complete Series |date = December 9, 2002 |publisher = DVD Verdict |url = http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/sportsnight.php |access-date = June 14, 2007}}</ref>

The dialogue is often delivered at a rapid-fire pace and intentionally exposes many aspects of communication that go beyond the words that are spoken. The show also frequently employed a technique known as "[[walk and talk]]", where the characters are walking from one location to the next while in conversation. This is another characteristic of Sorkin's shows as "walk and talks" are used quite frequently in ''[[The West Wing]]'' and ''[[Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip]]''. A number of similar themes, elements and actors carried over from ''Sports Night'' to ''The West Wing'' and later ''Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip''.<ref>{{cite web  | author = Peter Vetsch
  | title = Actors Overlap between Sports Night & West Wing  | publisher = The West Wing Continuity Guide  | url = http://westwing.bewarne.com/overlaps/sports_actors.html  | access-date = June 14, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web  | author = Peter Vetsch  | title = Miscellaneous Overlaps between Sports Night & West Wing  | publisher = The West Wing Continuity Guide  | url = http://westwing.bewarne.com/overlaps/sports_misc.html  | access-date = June 14, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web  | author = Peter Vetsch  | title = Episode Overlaps between Sports Night & West Wing  | publisher = The West Wing Continuity Guide  | url = http://westwing.bewarne.com/overlaps/sports_episodes.html  | access-date = June 14, 2007}}</ref>

The show's main focus is the relationships between the characters. These include an off-again on-again flirtation and romance between Dana and Casey, the partnership of Natalie and Jeremy, and Dan's ongoing problems with relationships in general. The character of Isaac Jaffe hovers over his staff as a benevolent but uncompromising [[father figure]].

The show is mostly set in the studio and station offices. However, in the second season Anthony's, a local sports bar and restaurant, was introduced as another location for scenes out of the work environment.

Guillaume suffered a stroke midway through the first season and this event was worked into his character and the season's [[story arc]].<ref name="still writing"/><ref name="swing">{{cite news |author = Sylvia Rubin |title = Malina Gets Into the Swing of 'Sports Night': But critically acclaimed show may need a ratings boost to survive second season |date = October 5, 1999 |newspaper = San Francisco Chronicle |url = http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/1999/10/05/DD1481.DTL |access-date = June 14, 2007}}</ref>

''Sports Night'' struggled to find an audience<ref>{{Cite web |date=1999-05-04 |title=A fine first season for 'Sports Night' and creator Aaron Sorkin {{!}} SouthCoastToday.com |url=http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19990504/NEWS/305049934&cid=sitesearch |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003205959/http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19990504/NEWS/305049934&cid=sitesearch |archive-date=2012-10-03 |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=www.southcoasttoday.com}}</ref> and ABC cancelled it after two seasons. Although it had the opportunity to move to several different networks, including [[HBO]], [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] and [[USA Network|USA]], Sorkin decided to let the show pass so that he could focus on ''The West Wing''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2000-06-22-0006210413-story.html|title=SHOWTIME WON'T GET SPORTS NIGHT|work=New York Daily News|via=Orlando Sun-Sentinel|date=June 22, 2000}}</ref>

==Cast==
*[[Josh Charles]]&nbsp;– Daniel "Dan" Rydell, Co-Anchor. A graduate of [[Dartmouth College]], he has known Casey for 10 years as of the show's first season and they have worked together for five years. Before ''Sports Night'' they co-hosted a sports show in Dallas.
*[[Peter Krause]]&nbsp;– Casey McCall, Co-Anchor. He turned down an offer from NBC to [[Late Night with Conan O'Brien|replace David Letterman in 1993]]. Casey divorced Lisa, his college girlfriend, after 10 years of marriage just before the show's first season.
*[[Felicity Huffman]]&nbsp;– Dana Whitaker, Executive Producer. She has been friends with Casey since college and there is romantic tension between the two of them.
*[[Joshua Malina]]&nbsp;– Jeremy Goodwin, Associate Producer & Research Analyst who has an on-again off-again relationship with Natalie.
*[[Sabrina Lloyd]]&nbsp;– Natalie Hurley, Senior Associate Producer who has an on-again off-again relationship with Jeremy.
*[[Robert Guillaume]]&nbsp;– Isaac Jaffe, Managing Editor. A [[Pulitzer Prize]]-winning journalist who began with the ''[[Atlanta Journal]]'' and ended his career as London bureau chief for CNN. A lifelong sports fan who attended the [[Shot Heard 'Round the World (baseball)|Giants-Dodgers game that decided the 1951 National League pennant]], he agreed to come out of retirement when Continental Corp began a sports cable channel.

===Supporting cast===
*[[Kayla Blake]] – Kim, Associate Producer
*[[Greg Baker]] – Elliott, Associate Producer
*[[Jeff Mooring]] – Dave, Director
*[[Ron Ostrow]] – Will, Technician
*[[Timothy Davis-Reed]] – Chris, Technician
*[[William H. Macy]] – Sam Donovan, CSC Ratings Advisor (season 2)
*[[Teri Polo]] – Rebecca Wells, Market Analyst for Continental Corp.
*[[Brenda Strong]] – Sally Sasser, Executive Producer of ''West Coast Update''
*[[Robert Mailhouse]] – J.J., Network Advisor
*[[Ted McGinley]] – Gordon Gage (season 1)
*[[Jayne Brook]] – Abby Jacobs (season 2)
*[[Paula Marshall]] – Jenny (season 2)
*[[Megan Ward]] – Pixley (season 2)
*[[Clark Gregg]] – Calvin Trager (season 2)

==Episodes==
===Series overview===
On November 5, 2002, [[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment]] released the entire series on DVD in [[DVD region code#1|Region 1]] for the first time.

A special 10th Anniversary Edition ''Sports Night'' DVD set was released on September 30, 2008, from [[Shout! Factory]] with new bonus features including all-new interviews with creator Aaron Sorkin and cast & crew, featurettes and commentaries.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tvacdb.sandboxen.com/series/Sports-Night | title=Sports Night - tv audio commentary database }}</ref>  Also included is a commemorative 36-page booklet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.homemediamagazine.com/news/sports-night-redux-12771 |title='Sports Night' Redux |work=Home Media Magazine |date=May 16, 2008 |access-date=June 17, 2012}}</ref>

In March 2010, [[Shout! Factory]] released ''Sports Night: Season One'' on DVD with just 16 episodes.

{{Series overview
| infoA      = U.S. ratings
| infoB      = Rank

| color1     = #FFA500
| link1      = #Season 1 (1998–99)
| episodes1  = 23
| start1     = {{Start date|1998|9|22}}
| end1       = {{End date|1999|5|4}}
| infoA1     = 10.5 million
| infoB1     = #65

| color2     = #00FF00
| link2      = #Season 2 (1999–2000)
| episodes2  = 22
| start2     = {{Start date|1999|10|5}}
| end2       = {{End date|2000|5|16}}
| infoA2     = 11.5 million
| infoB2     = #49
}}

===Season 1 (1998–99)===
<onlyinclude>{{Episode table |background=#FFA500 |overall= |season= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |prodcode= |viewers= |country=US |episodes=
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=1
 |EpisodeNumber2=1
 |Title=[[Pilot (Sports Night)|Pilot]]
 |DirectedBy=[[Thomas Schlamme]]
 |WrittenBy=[[Aaron Sorkin]]
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|9|22}}
 |ProdCode=N-301
 |Viewers= 12.56<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41307174/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 21–27, 1998)|date=September 30, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Already at odds with the network over Casey's recent lack of professionalism, the team is struggling to get the go-ahead to air a human interest feature on an African runner who's about to compete in his first major race since recovering from a potentially career-ending leg injury. Natalie finds herself attracted to Jeremy, a nerdy and knowledgeable applicant for an opening on the production team. 
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=2
 |EpisodeNumber2=2
 |Title=The Apology
 |DirectedBy=Thomas Schlamme
 |WrittenBy=Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|9|29}}
 |ProdCode=N-302
 |Viewers= 10.48<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41309288/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 28–Oct. 4, 1998)|date=October 7, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=The network is upset when a magazine quotes Dan as saying that he favours the decriminalization of [[marijuana]]. When he is forced to give an on-air apology, he dedicates it to his little brother who died in a car accident while intoxicated.
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=3
 |EpisodeNumber2=3
 |Title=The Hungry and the Hunted
 |DirectedBy=Thomas Schlamme
 |WrittenBy=Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|10|6}}
 |ProdCode=N-303
 |Viewers= 12.39<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41372444/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 5–11, 1998)|date=October 14, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Isaac sends Jeremy out on his first line producing job, covering hunting. Natalie uses a company function to encourage Casey and Dana to date, but when they get there they discover she is on a date with a man named "Gordon" ([[Ted McGinley]]). When Jeremy returns from the hunting trip, he is visibly shaken by what he has seen. 
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=4
 |EpisodeNumber2=4
 |Title=Intellectual Property
 |DirectedBy=Thomas Schlamme
 |WrittenBy=Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|10|13}}
 |ProdCode=N-304
 |Viewers= 10.48<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41307440/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 12–18, 1998)|date=October 21, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Casey is jealous of Dana's relationship with Gordon. Dan is reprimanded for singing "[[Happy Birthday to You|Happy Birthday]]" to Casey on the air, because the network was forced to pay royalties to the song's copyright holder, and wants everybody on the team to choose a [[public domain]] song for him to sing on their birthdays. 
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=5
 |EpisodeNumber2=5
 |Title=Mary Pat Shelby
 |DirectedBy=Thomas Schlamme
 |WrittenBy=[[Tracey Stern]] and Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|10|20}}
 |ProdCode=N-305
 |Viewers= 10.11<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41371185/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 19–25, 1998)|date=October 28, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=The team tries to score an exclusive interview with Christian Patrick, a football player who's under investigation for sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend, but Patrick's agent will only grant the interview if the assault allegation is off limits. Natalie is sent to conduct a pre-interview with him, but comes back with an injured wrist. All hell breaks loose when the team learns that a stadium employee saw Patrick physically attack a female sports reporter in the locker room. 
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=6
 |EpisodeNumber2=6
 |Title=The Head Coach, Dinner and the Morning Mail
 |DirectedBy=Thomas Schlamme
 |WrittenBy=Matt Tarses and Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|10|27}}
 |ProdCode=N-306
 |Viewers= 11.07<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41370936/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 26–Nov. 1, 1998)|date=November 4, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Still on edge from the Christian Patrick incident and the hate mail she's receiving from football fans for deciding to press charges, Natalie is distracted and keeps messing up her work. The team is cutting her some slack, but the show is beginning to suffer. Jeremy wants to take Natalie out to dinner to comfort and support her, but is having trouble choosing a restaurant. 
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=7
 |EpisodeNumber2=7
 |Title=Dear Louise
 |DirectedBy=Thomas Schlamme
 |WrittenBy=David Walpert and Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|11|10}}
 |ProdCode=N-307
 |Viewers= 11.72<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41316218/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 9–15, 1998)|date=November 18, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Jeremy writes a letter to his sister Louise, describing a day in the office. Dan struggles with writer's block and Natalie tries to help him by acting as if it were the [[hiccups]]. Isaac is unhappy that his teenage daughter is dating a young [[United States Republican Party|Republican]]. 
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=8
 |EpisodeNumber2=8
 |Title=Thespis 
 |DirectedBy=Thomas Schlamme
 |WrittenBy=Aaron Sorkin 
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|11|17}}
 |ProdCode=N-309
 |Viewers= 11.38<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41313160/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 16–22, 1998)|date=November 25, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=The mischievous Greek ghost [[Thespis]] is in the building, causing havoc with the show. Dana worries about impressing her mother at Thanksgiving dinner, while Isaac worries about his oldest daughter's pregnancy complications. 
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=9
 |EpisodeNumber2=9
 |Title=The Quality of Mercy at 29K  
 |DirectedBy=Thomas Schlamme	
 |WrittenBy=Bill Wrubel and Aaron Sorkin 
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|12|1}}
 |ProdCode=N-308
 |Viewers= 11.39<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41370229/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 30–Dec. 6, 1998)|date=December 9, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=The team is covering a mountaineering expedition that is close to the top of [[Mount Everest]]. Dana develops a surprising interest in [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] musicals after taking her niece to see ''[[The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King]]''. Dan struggles to find a charity to support. 
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=10
 |EpisodeNumber2=10
 |Title=Shoe Money Tonight
 |DirectedBy=[[Dennie Gordon]]
 |WrittenBy=Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|12|8}}
 |ProdCode=N-310
 |Viewers= 11.38<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41295417/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 7–13, 1998)|date=December 16, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Another anchor team's flight is grounded in Pittsburgh, forcing Casey and Dan to stay at work instead of taking a planned weekend trip to [[Atlantic City]]&nbsp;— but they turn disappointment into opportunity, challenging the rest of the team to an office poker night.
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=11
 |EpisodeNumber2=11
 |Title=The Six Southern Gentlemen of Tennessee
 |DirectedBy=[[Robert Berlinger]]
 |WrittenBy=Aaron Sorkin and Matt Tarses & David Walpert & Bill Wrubel
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|12|15}}
 |ProdCode=N-311
 |Viewers= 11.17<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41372304/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 14–20, 1998)|date=December 24, 1998|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Casey appears on ''[[The View (talk show)|The View]]'', but upsets some of his coworkers when he accepts a compliment on his clothes without giving credit to the wardrobe staff. Seven college football players in Tennessee are suspended for refusing to play under the [[Confederate Flag]] and Isaac resists the idea that he's obliged to get personally involved in the story just because he's black. 
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=12
 |EpisodeNumber2=12
 |Title=Smoky
 |DirectedBy=Robert Berlinger
 |WrittenBy=Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|1|5}}
 |ProdCode=N-313
 |Viewers= 12.55<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41314278/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 4–10, 1999)|date=January 13, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Isaac is worried about his job because he spoke out on the Confederate Flag issue. Dan thinks Casey should start dating again.
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=13
 |EpisodeNumber2=13
 |Title=[[Small Town (Sports Night)|Small Town]]
 |DirectedBy=Thomas Schlamme
 |WrittenBy=[[Paul Redford]] and Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|1|12}}
 |ProdCode=N-314
 |Viewers= 11.52<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41319654/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 11–17, 1999)|date=January 20, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Natalie is in the producer's chair for the night when Dana, Gordon, Casey and a woman from Gordon's office go on a double-date. When a rumor about a major player trade starts filtering through the gossip mill, the production staff scrambles to land an exclusive scoop. Dan has to contend with fill-in co-anchor Bobbi Bernstein ([[Lisa Edelstein]]), who claims that Dan once had sex with her in a hotel in Spain.
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=14
 |EpisodeNumber2=14
 |Title=Rebecca
 |DirectedBy=Thomas Schlamme
 |WrittenBy=Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|1|26}}
 |ProdCode=N-315
 |Viewers= 10.42<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41321511/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 25–31, 1999)|date=February 3, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Dan is intrigued by Rebecca Wells ([[Teri Polo]]), an analyst in the network's marketing department who may or may not have flirted with him in the elevator. Dana is worried that Gordon wants to break up with her, and Isaac is flustered by a critical newspaper article.
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=15
 |EpisodeNumber2=15
 |Title=Dana and the Deep Blue Sea
 |DirectedBy=Thomas Schlamme
 |WrittenBy=Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|2|9}}
 |ProdCode=N-316
 |Viewers= 10.62<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41321832/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 8–14, 1999)|date=February 18, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Gordon invites Dana on a [[snorkeling]] trip, but Dana is afraid of fish. Dan tries to convince Jeremy to put in a good word for him with Rebecca. Note: This episode was a direct continuation of the ''[[Spin City]]'' episode "Internal Affairs" on the original air date.
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=16
 |EpisodeNumber2=16
 |Title=Sally
 |DirectedBy=Robert Berlinger
 |WrittenBy=[[Rachel Sweet]] and Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|2|23}}
 |ProdCode=N-312
 |Viewers= 9.88<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41320206/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 22–28, 1999)|date=March 3, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Gordon stands Dana up, which makes her worried about their relationship. Jeremy is nervous about spending the weekend with Natalie's family, fearing conflict because they're Catholic and he's Jewish. Dan discovers that Casey has slept with Sally. Casey discovers that Gordon has also slept with Sally and confronts him about it.
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=17
 |EpisodeNumber2=17
 |Title=How Are Things in Glocca Morra?
 |DirectedBy=[[Marc Buckland]]
 |WrittenBy=Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|3|9}}
 |ProdCode=N-317
 |Viewers= 9.76<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41294681/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (March 8–14, 1999)|date=March 17, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=A tennis match has gone longer than expected, delaying ''Sports Night'' and messing up Dana's dinner plans with Gordon. The network allows Dana to hand off the show to Sally and Casey is shocked and offended when Dana decides to do exactly that.
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=18
 |EpisodeNumber2=18
 |Title=The Sword of Orion
 |DirectedBy=Robert Berlinger
 |WrittenBy=David Handelman & [[Mark McKinney]] and Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|3|23}}
 |ProdCode=N-318
 |Viewers= 8.55<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41319150/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (March 22–28, 1999)|date=March 31, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=When Jeremy learns that his parents are divorcing, he becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to The Sword of Orion, a yacht which went off course and wrecked during a sailing competition 10 years before. Dan tries to convince Rebecca to watch a baseball game with him.
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=19
 |EpisodeNumber2=19
 |Title=Eli's Coming
 |DirectedBy=Robert Berlinger
 |WrittenBy=Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|3|30}}
 |ProdCode=N-319
 |Viewers= 8.89<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41299838/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (March 29–April 4, 1999)|date=April 7, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Dan's having a truly horrible day: first he sees Rebecca talking to her ex-husband, and then Bobbi Bernstein's back again to cover a college basketball event. The team is worried when they don't hear from Isaac long after his flight from London lands. They eventually find out that Isaac had a [[stroke]].
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=20
 |EpisodeNumber2=20
 |Title=Ordnance Tactics
 |DirectedBy=[[Alex Graves]]
 |WrittenBy={{StoryTeleplay
 | s = Paul Redford
 | t = Aaron Sorkin
 | slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
 | tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
 }}
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|4|6}}
 |ProdCode=N-320
 |Viewers= 10.08<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41308705/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (April 5–11, 1999)|date=April 14, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Dana is in charge while Isaac is in the hospital and the network is coming down hard. As if that weren't enough to put everybody on edge, someone has phoned in an anonymous bomb threat.
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=21
 |EpisodeNumber2=21
 |Title=Ten Wickets
 |DirectedBy=Robert Berlinger
 |WrittenBy={{StoryTeleplay
 | s = Matt Tarses
 | t = Aaron Sorkin
 | slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
 | tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
 }}
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|4|13}}
 |ProdCode=N-321
 |Viewers= 9.90<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41320437/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (April 12–18, 1999)|date=April 21, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=A [[cricket (sport)|cricket]] player in India has taken [[List of first-class cricket records#Best figures in an innings|all ten wickets in an inning]]. It is a major story, and the team is willing to cover it on the show except they don't know what it means. Casey's been making [[Jerry Falwell]] jokes on the air ever since the bomb threat and Dana wants him to knock it off. Rebecca tells Dan she wants to go back to her husband.
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=22
 |EpisodeNumber2=22
 |Title=Napoleon's Battle Plan
 |DirectedBy=Robert Berlinger
 |WrittenBy=Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|4|27}}
 |ProdCode=N-322
 |Viewers= 10.93<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41320129/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (April 26–May 2, 1999)|date=May 5, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Gordon has proposed to Dana. Casey's response is to follow Napoleon's battle plan ("Show up, and see what happens"), but Dan isn't sure that's a good idea: Napoleon lost, after all. Dana, for her part, sublimates her mixed feelings about Gordon's proposal by developing a high-end camera obsession.  When she finally finds out that Gordon and Casey both slept with Sally, she's more upset about Casey.
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=23
 |EpisodeNumber2=23
 |Title=What Kind of Day Has It Been?
 |DirectedBy=Thomas Schlamme
 |WrittenBy=Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|5|4}}
 |ProdCode=N-323
 |Viewers= 10.78<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41313596/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (May 3–9, 1999)|date=May 12, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 16, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Dana buys the new camera and wants to take a staff photo. Casey's son Charlie comes to visit. Jeremy is following a baseball game in the hopes that the losing team might get a ninth inning rally. Just when everything has gone wrong and Dana is desperate for something good to happen, Isaac arrives for a visit.
 |LineColor=FFA500
}}
}}</onlyinclude>

===Season 2 (1999–2000)===
<onlyinclude>{{Episode table |background=#00FF00 |overall= |season= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |prodcode= |viewers= |country=US |episodes={{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=24
 |EpisodeNumber2=1
 |Title=Special Powers
 |DirectedBy=[[Thomas Schlamme]]
 |WrittenBy=[[Aaron Sorkin]]
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|10|5}}
 |ProdCode=N-324
 |Viewers= 12.38<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41320606/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 4–10, 1999)|date=October 13, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Casey tries to find the courage to ask Dana on a date. Jeremy and Natalie have a fight after Natalie is offered a job in [[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]]. Isaac is back at work, but the stroke appears to be affecting his job performance.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=25
 |EpisodeNumber2=2
 |Title=When Something Wicked This Way Comes
 |DirectedBy=[[Robert Berlinger]]
 |WrittenBy=Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|10|12}}
 |ProdCode=N-325
 |Viewers= 12.16<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41320334/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 11–17, 1999)|date=October 20, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=There's a rumour going around that the network is bringing in a ratings consultant to rejig the show. Isaac shocks everybody by announcing that not only is the rumour true, it wasn't the network's idea&nbsp;— it was ''his''. He introduces Sam Donovan ([[William H. Macy]]) to the staff, but nobody trusts him. Dana decides that Casey, who hasn't been on even one date since the breakup of his marriage to Lisa, should date other people for six months before they begin a relationship with each other. Dan attends a [[United States Democratic Party|Democratic Party]] fundraiser, and subsequently tries to track down [[Hillary Clinton]] to clarify his comments on education funding after learning that he got two words confused and told her the opposite of what he really meant.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=26
 |EpisodeNumber2=3
 |Title=Cliff Gardner
 |DirectedBy=Robert Berlinger
 |WrittenBy=Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|10|19}}
 |ProdCode=N-327
 |Viewers= 11.47<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41300202/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 18–24, 1999)|date=October 27, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Sam Donovan's presence has everyone on edge. Dana considers leaving the show, because she feels like she's being held responsible for the show's problems. A meeting with network executives escalates into a crisis which has the team on the verge of quitting, but Sam deftly defuses the situation.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=27
 |EpisodeNumber2=4
 |Title=Louise Revisited
 |DirectedBy=[[Marc Buckland]]
 |WrittenBy={{StoryTeleplay
 | t = Aaron Sorkin
 | ex1 = Miriam Kazdin
 | tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
 | ex1label = {{abbr|S/T|Story and teleplay by}}
 }}
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|10|26}}
 |ProdCode=N-326
 |Viewers= 10.97<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41320905/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 25–31, 1999)|date=November 3, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Jeremy gets nervous when he discovers that Natalie is writing to his sister Louise. The network sets up a web poll to ask whether Dan or Casey is cooler, and Casey asks Jeremy to help him manipulate the votes. Dana goes out for dinner with an old high school friend, and nobody (not even Dana) can figure out why she took off her underwear in the middle of dinner.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=28
 |EpisodeNumber2=5
 |Title=Kafelnikov
 |DirectedBy=Robert Berlinger
 |WrittenBy=Matt Tarses & Bill Wrubel
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|11|2}}
 |ProdCode=N-328
 |Viewers= 9.87<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41313745/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 1–7, 1999)|date=November 10, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Dan meets an attractive woman ([[Jayne Brook]]) and learns that she's a psychologist, then becomes obsessed with whether she was interested in dating him or taking him on as a therapy client. Jeremy accidentally blacks out the entire studio while trying to run [[Year 2000 problem|Y2K]] tests on the production board.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=29
 |EpisodeNumber2=6
 |Title=Shane
 |DirectedBy=Robert Berlinger
 |WrittenBy=[[Kevin Falls]] & Matt Tarses & Bill Wrubel
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|12|7}}
 |ProdCode=N-329
 |Viewers= 9.29<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41321675/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 6–12, 1999)|date=December 15, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=The Vatican has declared that Hell isn't real, and Natalie struggles to understand why she should bother being a good person if there's no eternal punishment for sin. Casey interviews an old friend, baseball player Shane McArnold, but Dana won't let him clean up the tape to bury Shane's bigoted comments about New York City. After Dan and Jeremy spend over an hour recording and rerecording a ten-second commercial voiceover because Dan can't say [[Yevgeny Kafelnikov]], Dan thinks he may need therapy after all.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=30
 |EpisodeNumber2=7
 |Title=Kyle Whitaker's Got Two Sacks
 |DirectedBy=[[Dennie Gordon]]
 |WrittenBy=Tom Szentgyörgyi & Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|12|14}}
 |ProdCode=N-331
 |Viewers= 11.19<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41319068/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 13–19, 1999)|date=December 22, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Dana is beaming with pride after her brother Kyle, a professional football player, gets two sacks in a game on ''[[Monday Night Football]]''. Dana sends Casey to Ohio to investigate an imminent [[steroid]] scandal, not knowing that her brother is one of the players involved. Jeremy is nervous about firing an incompetent employee in the video library who happens to be J.J's cousin.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=31
 |EpisodeNumber2=8
 |Title=The Reunion
 |DirectedBy=Dennie Gordon
 |WrittenBy=Kevin Falls & Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|12|21}}
 |ProdCode=N-332
 |Viewers= 10.03<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41321564/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 20–26, 1999)|date=December 29, 1999|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Kyle is coming to town after his suspension is announced, and Dana's pretty much ready to kill him. Everyone is shopping for their office [[Secret Santa]] gifts, and Casey is mystified when Isaac says he wants a cheese grater. With the turn of the millennium just days away, the team is still struggling to decide whom to name as the athlete of the 20th century.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=32
 |EpisodeNumber2=9
 |Title=A Girl Named Pixley
 |DirectedBy=Dennie Gordon
 |WrittenBy=David Walpert
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1999|12|28}}
 |ProdCode=N-330
 |Viewers= 10.10<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41379979/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 27, 1999–Jan. 2, 2000)|date=January 5, 2000|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Jeremy is nominated for a sports journalism award that Natalie knows he's not going to win. After fighting Dana's dating plan, Casey finally goes out on a date with a girl named Pixley, and Dana begins to have second thoughts.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=33
 |EpisodeNumber2=10
 |Title=The Giants Win the Pennant, the Giants Win the Pennant!
 |DirectedBy=Pamela Dresser
 |WrittenBy=Matt Tarses & Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2000|1|11}}
 |ProdCode=N-333
 |Viewers= 14.01<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41381605/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 10–16, 2000)|date=January 19, 2000|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Dan wants to do a feature report on the [[Shot Heard 'Round the World (baseball)|Shot Heard 'Round the World]], but Isaac refuses to be interviewed for it even though he was at the game. Dan thinks Isaac is embarrassed about his speech having been slowed down since the stroke, but in reality Isaac is embarrassed to admit that he missed the home run because he was in the bathroom. Dana is even more freaked out when Casey goes on a second date with Pixley.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=34
 |EpisodeNumber2=11
 |Title=The Cut Man Cometh
 |DirectedBy=[[Alex Graves]]
 |WrittenBy={{StoryTeleplay
 | t = Aaron Sorkin
 | ex1 = Bill Wrubel
 | tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
 | ex1label = {{abbr|S/T|Story and teleplay by}}
 }}
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2000|1|18}}
 |ProdCode=N-334
 |Viewers= 12.64<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41379298/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 17–23, 2000)|date=January 26, 2000|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Dan's perennially disapproving father ([[Peter Riegert]]) is in town for a visit. The team is preparing to cover a heavily hyped boxing match, but must contend with an annoyingly dense on-site reporter who insists on being addressed as "Cut Man". The match ends in less than a minute, because the underdog goes down for the count on the very first punch, and the team has to improvise to fill the whole hour. Dana and Casey argue about the dating plan.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=35
 |EpisodeNumber2=12
 |Title=The Sweet Smell of Air
 |DirectedBy=Alex Graves
 |WrittenBy={{StoryTeleplay
 | t = Kevin Falls, Matt Tarses, Aaron Sorkin
 | ex1 = David Handelman
 | tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
 | ex1label = {{abbr|S/T|Story and teleplay by}}
 }}
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2000|1|25}}
 |ProdCode=N-335
 |Viewers= 13.27<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41308627/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 24–30, 2000)|date=February 2, 2000|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=''Sports Night'' is offered an exclusive interview with [[Michael Jordan]], but the team struggles to accept the strict conditions attached: they can't ask him about sports at all, but only about his new line of cologne. The Michael Jordan interview was only offered to them out of the perception that they would be the only one of the major sports networks desperate enough for the ratings to agree to Jordan's conditions, but Sam tells Isaac and Dana that they are not. Casey is invited to speak to Charlie's class, but can't figure out what to talk about.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=36
 |EpisodeNumber2=13
 |Title=Dana Get Your Gun
 |DirectedBy=Alex Graves
 |WrittenBy=David Walpert
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2000|2|1}}
 |ProdCode=N-336
 |Viewers= 12.33<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41314523/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 31–Feb. 6, 2000)|date=February 9, 2000|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Natalie and Jeremy fight over going to a nightclub. Dan has the night off, but the substitute anchor is morose and keeps making comments on the air to his girlfriend instead of reading the teleprompter. Dana is conflicted after she inherits an antique Revolutionary War gun.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=37
 |EpisodeNumber2=14
 |Title=And the Crowd Goes Wild
 |DirectedBy=Alex Graves
 |WrittenBy={{StoryTeleplay
 | t = Aaron Sorkin
 | ex1 = Tom Szentgyörgyi
 | tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
 | ex1label = {{abbr|S/T|Story and teleplay by}}
 }}
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2000|2|8}}
 |ProdCode=N-337
 |Viewers= 10.96<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41381880/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 7–13, 2000)|date=February 16, 2000|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Jeremy and Natalie's breakup begins to impact the show after Jeremy asks for his stuff back. Casey is temporarily blinded from an eye test, and Dan takes the opportunity to play practical jokes on him. After a riot breaks out at [[Madison Square Garden]], Natalie objects to the show turning over its film of the event to the police.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=38
 |EpisodeNumber2=15
 |Title=Celebrities
 |DirectedBy=Robert Berlinger
 |WrittenBy=Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2000|2|29}}
 |ProdCode=N-338
 |Viewers= 10.90<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41303577/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 28–March 5, 2000)|date=March 8, 2000|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=After being excluded from a staff game night because Natalie was organizing it, Jeremy goes to a bar and befriends Jenny ([[Paula Marshall]]), but panics when he realizes that she's a [[pornography|porn]] actress. Isaac is upset that he can't remember the lyrics to a song from a Broadway show.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=39
 |EpisodeNumber2=16
 |Title=The Local Weather
 |DirectedBy=[[Timothy Busfield]]
 |WrittenBy={{StoryTeleplay
 | s = Pete McCabe
 | ex1 = Aaron Sorkin
 | slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
 | ex1label = {{abbr|S/T|Story and teleplay by}}
 }}
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2000|3|7}}
 |ProdCode=N-339
 |Viewers= 12.28<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41380249/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (March 6–12, 2000)|date=March 15, 2000|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Dan decides to skip his therapy appointment, but spends the entire length of a normal appointment in his therapist's office explaining why. Jeremy e-mails Jenny to apologize for blowing her off, but then meets up with her in person only to explain why he's not going to see her again. Casey tries to bribe the gang to watch a track and field event with him in the middle of the night.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=40
 |EpisodeNumber2=17
 |Title=Draft Day: Part I — It Can't Rain at Indian Wells
 |DirectedBy=[[Bryan Gordon]]
 |WrittenBy=Matt Tarses & Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2000|3|14}}
 |ProdCode=N-340
 |Viewers= 11.77<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41380846/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (March 13–19, 2000)|date=March 22, 2000|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Casey and Dana compete with each other over their [[National Football League|NFL]] draft predictions. Dan has a golf date with PGA star [[David Duval]], but work might keep him from being able to go. Jeremy tells Natalie about Jenny, except for the part about her being a porn star. Casey and Dan are angry with each other and their professional relationship might be in trouble.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=41
 |EpisodeNumber2=18
 |Title=Draft Day: Part II — The Fall of Ryan O'Brian
 |DirectedBy=[[Danny Leiner]]
 |WrittenBy={{StoryTeleplay
 | s = Kevin Falls
 | t = Aaron Sorkin
 | slabel = {{abbr|S|Story by}}
 | tlabel = {{abbr|T|Teleplay by}}
 }}
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2000|3|21}}
 |ProdCode=N-341
 |Viewers= 12.70<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41379430/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (March 20–26, 2000)|date=March 29, 2000|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Jenny is coming to visit the studio, but Jeremy is afraid of what Natalie will think of her. Dan makes Casey look foolish on the air.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=42
 |EpisodeNumber2=19
 |Title=April is the Cruelest Month
 |DirectedBy=[[Don Scardino]]
 |WrittenBy=Bill Wrubel & Matt Tarses
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2000|3|28}}
 |ProdCode=N-342
 |Viewers= 11.34<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41380687/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (March 27–April 2, 2000)|date=April 5, 2000|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Due to network cutbacks, the show's Olympic coverage is going to be limited and Natalie may be about to lose her job. Dan and Jeremy hold a [[Passover Seder]] and Dan makes up for his inappropriate on-air behavior toward Casey.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=43
 |EpisodeNumber2=20
 |Title=Bells and a Siren
 |DirectedBy=Don Scardino
 |WrittenBy=Chris Lusvardi & David Walpert & Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2000|4|4}}
 |ProdCode=N-343
 |Viewers= 11.78<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41314982/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (April 3–9, 2000)|date=April 12, 2000|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Natalie gets a job interview with ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', but Dana wants everyone to undermine her confidence so that she won't get the job and leave the ''Sports Night'' team. Dan's publicist wants him to make a public appearance in New Jersey. Isaac is upset because his grandson has been scared of him ever since the stroke. Casey and Jeremy decide to investigate CSC's financial situation, but make an unsettling discovery in the process: the network might be up for sale.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=44
 |EpisodeNumber2=21
 |Title=La Forza del Destino
 |DirectedBy=Timothy Busfield
 |WrittenBy=Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2000|5|9}}
 |ProdCode=N-344
 |Viewers= 10.39<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41380156/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (May 8–14, 2000)|date=May 17, 2000|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Everybody begins to plan what they'll do if CSC is sold and they lose their jobs. Dan and Casey debate a job with a television station in Los Angeles. Dana meets a mysterious stranger ([[Clark Gregg]]) who seems to be following the CSC bidding war unusually closely; his advice to Dana is to ask her staff, "Where are we going?"
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=45
 |EpisodeNumber2=22
 |Title=Quo Vadimus
 |DirectedBy=Thomas Schlamme
 |WrittenBy=Aaron Sorkin
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2000|5|16}}
 |ProdCode=N-345
 |Viewers= 11.07<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/41303427/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (May 15–21, 2000)|date=May 24, 2000|work=[[The Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 17, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}{{free access}}</ref>
 |ShortSummary=Everyone prepares for the worst as the sale of CSC draws closer. Dan wants to go to Los Angeles, but Casey decides not to. Dan's decision is complicated when Rebecca returns and wants to get back together. An unforeseen bidder, Quo Vadimus, suddenly puts in a new bid for CSC. When Jeremy tells Dana that Quo Vadimus means "Where are we going?", she suddenly realizes that her mysterious new friend is Calvin Trager. She rushes out to find him and he confirms that he has bought CSC and plans to keep ''Sports Night'' on the air.
 |LineColor=00FF00
}}
}}</onlyinclude>

==Additional airings==
*After its cancellation, the rerun rights to the show were briefly picked up by [[Comedy Central]].
*In 2004, [[ABC1 (UK)|ABC1]], a British offshoot of [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], began broadcasting Season 1 of ''Sports Night'' in the [[United Kingdom]] for the first time. The second season aired in January 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hay |first=Hayli |date=2004-08-05 |title=Disney To Launch ABC Network In U.K. |url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-to-launch-abc-network-in-u-k/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=The Walt Disney Company |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ABC1 expands on to UK cable |url=https://www.c21media.net/news/abc1-expands-on-to-uk-cable/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=C21media |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Deans |first=Jason |date=2004-08-05 |title=ABC spells out plans for Freeview channel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/aug/05/digitaltv.broadcasting |access-date=2025-03-31 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-03-29 |title=ABC1 : Sports Night |url=http://www.abc1tv.co.uk/ms_profiles.html?program=sports_night |access-date=2025-03-31 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060329153651/http://www.abc1tv.co.uk/ms_profiles.html?program=sports_night |archive-date=March 29, 2006 }}</ref>
*It was also aired briefly in Latin America on [[Sony Entertainment Television (Latin America)|Sony Entertainment Television]]. The Spanish version of this channel ran the show in Spain.
*Australia's [[Seven Network|Channel 7]] aired the show on late night television from 1999 to 2001 and was later repeated in the mornings in 2002.
*Australia's [[Foxtel]] cable network aired ''Sports Night'' on [[The Comedy Channel]] in 2005.
*The show was aired in [[Turkey]] on [[DiziMax]] in 2006.
*The show aired in [[Italy]] on [[Raidue]] (from 2006 to 2008) and [[Rai4]] (July 2009).
*The show was available on [[Netflix]]. The [[Netflix]] airings did not retain the entire original soundtrack.
*Reruns of ''Sports Night'' aired semi-regularly on [[FXX]] from the network's inception in 2013 until 2017.
*All episodes of the show previously were available on [[Hulu]] in the US.
*In 2023, the show aired on the [[Free ad-supported streaming television|FAST]] channel [[Maximum Effort]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-06-21 |title=Ryan Reynolds x Fubo: Maximum Effort channel debuts |url=https://www.advanced-television.com/2023/06/21/ryan-reynolds-x-fubo-maximum-effort-channel-debuts/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Awards==
*; [[American Cinema Editors]] (ACE)
:1999: Best Edited Half-Hour Series for Television (Janet Ashikaga for "Small Town", nominated)

*; [[Art Directors Guild]] (ADG)
:1998: Excellent Production Design&nbsp;– Television Series (Thomas Azzari, nominated)

*; [[Casting Society of America]] (CSA)
:1998: Best Casting&nbsp;– Comedy Episodic (nominated)
:1998: Best Casting&nbsp;– Comedy Pilot (nominated)
:1999: Best Casting&nbsp;– Comedy Episodic (nominated)

*; [[Directors Guild of America]] (DGA)
:[[Directors Guild of America Awards 1998|1998]]: Outstanding Directorial Achievement&nbsp;– Comedy Series ([[Thomas Schlamme]] for "Pilot", '''won''')
:[[Directors Guild of America Awards 1999|1999]]: Outstanding Directorial Achievement- Comedy Series (Schlamme for "Small Town", nominated)

*; [[Emmy Awards]]
:1999: [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series|Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series]] ([[Thomas Schlamme]] for "Pilot", '''won''')
:1999: [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Multi-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series|Outstanding Multi-Camera Picture Editing for a Series]] (for "Small Town", '''won''')
:1999: [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series]] ([[Aaron Sorkin]] for "The Apology", nominated)
:2000: [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series|Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series]] (for "Cut Man", '''won''')
:2000: [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series|Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series]] (nominated)
:2000: [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series|Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series]] (Schlamme for "Quo Vadimus", nominated)
:2000: [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series]] ([[William H. Macy]] for playing "Sam Donovan", nominated)
:2000: [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Multi-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series|Outstanding Multi-Camera Picture Editing for a Series]] (for "The Cut Man Cometh", nominated)

*; [[Golden Globe Awards]]
:[[Golden Globe Awards 1999|1999]]: [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Musical or Comedy Series|Best Actress&nbsp;– Musical or Comedy Series]] ([[Felicity Huffman]] for playing "Dana Whitaker", nominated)

*; [[Humanitas Prize]]
:1999: Television series&nbsp;– 30 minutes. '''won'''

*; [[Image Awards]]
:1998: Outstanding Actor&nbsp;– Comedy Series ([[Robert Guillaume]] for playing "Isaac Jaffe", nominated)
:1999: Outstanding Actor&nbsp;– Comedy Series (Guillaume, nominated)
:2000: Outstanding Actor&nbsp;– Comedy Series (Guillaume, nominated)

*; [[Producers Guild of America]] (PGA)
:1999: Television Producer of the Year Award in Episodic (nominated)

*; [[Satellite Awards]]
:2000: Best Actor&nbsp;– Musical or Comedy Series ([[Robert Guillaume]] for playing "Isaac Jaffe", nominated)

*; [[Screen Actors Guild]] (SAG)
:1999: [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Cast&nbsp;– Comedy Series]] (nominated)

*; [[TCA Awards|Television Critics Association Awards]] (TCA)
:1999: [[TCA Award for Program of the Year|Program of the Year]] (nominated)
:1999: [[TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy|Outstanding Achievement in Comedy]] ('''won''')
:1999: [[TCA Award for Outstanding New Program|Outstanding New Program]] (nominated)

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|display=''Sports Night''|commons=no|d=Q2418937|b=no|v=no|voy=no|n=no|mw=no|species=no|wikt=no|s=no}}
* {{IMDb title|0165961}}
* [http://sportsnight.tktv.net/ Episode Guide&nbsp;– TKTV]
* [http://www.sportsnight.net/ Sportsnight.net]
* {{cite AV media |date= October 23, 2017 |title= Robert Guillaume Interview |url= https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/interviews/robert-guillaume |website= [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]] |format= Video }}

{{Aaron Sorkin}}
{{Brian Grazer}}
{{TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy}}

[[Category:1998 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:2000 American television series endings]]
[[Category:1990s American comedy-drama television series]]
[[Category:2000s American comedy-drama television series]]
[[Category:1990s American sports television series]]
[[Category:2000s American sports television series]]
[[Category:American sports comedy television series]]
[[Category:American sports drama television series]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Primetime Emmy Award–winning television series]]
[[Category:Television series about television]]
[[Category:Television series by ABC Studios]]
[[Category:Television series created by Aaron Sorkin]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Television series by Imagine Entertainment]]
[[Category:American Broadcasting Company comedy-dramas]]
[[Category:Fiction about Jews and Judaism]]
[[Category:Jewish American television series]]