Okay, I named HBO's Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel one of my Ten Best of 2006. The latest episode, which is airing all month, will help it get on the 2007 list as well.
The show opened with a look at Stephon Marbury's attempt at curbing the violence of inner-city youth and the beatings and deaths of kids-- for their f-ing shoes! Marbury created a line of basketball shoes with his name on them that cost $14.98 as opposed to the $150-200 other name stars' shoes cost. He even wears them on the court during his own games just to show kids that they hold up. I think it's ridiculous that basketball shoes cost in the triple digits. Of course, when Nike and its ilk pay people millions and millions of dollars to put their names on their shoes, I guess we can see why they cost so much. And kids hurt and kill other kids just to steal the shoes off their feet.
The next feature was a heartbreaking look at baseball star Jeff Reardon's post-career life. He retired from pro ball in 1994. He dealt with his son's drug abuse and made the wrenching decision to send him to a school in his senior year that would pretty much keep him in lock-down so he couldn't use. His son graduated and was attending college and looked like he had turned his life around. But then he died of an overdose. Reardon fell into severe depression (even to the point of attempting suicide) and eventually had to be put on heavy medication. An illness added to his meds which caused him to go into a delusional state where he robbed a jewelry store 16 months ago. He was found not-guilty by reason of insanity. Since then, he has had electroshock treatments, which have helped him some, but also caused him to lose memories of his life. He is on the road to recovery, but he admits he still hasn't come to grips with his son's death-- even after years.
The third feature was an inspirational look at horseback riding therapy for kids with severe disabilities. It was amazing to see the progress kids with spina bifida, autism, blindness and other problems had after riding on horses. I've heard of the program before, but I have to admit, I thought it was one of those ritzy-titzy things celebs like to jump on board with to get their names out there without really helping. I was wrong. While this feature had no mention of celebrities in it, I did see the worth of the program.
And even more amazing is one of the goofballs from FOX NFL Sunday, James Brown, was the reporter on the piece. His interaction with a severely disabled little girl made me see him in a whole other light (one of a serious, and compassionate reporter).
The last feature was a look at little league kids undergoing a very serious shoulder surgery because they are being taught to throw pitches they should not be attempting due to the strain they cause on their growing bodies as well as the massive number of pitches they're allowed to throw in a day. It was scary to see the pressure these kids are put on by parents and coaches who really don't know any better. Doctors are putting the word out and one of the Little League organizations listened and have changed their rules to limit the amount of throws a youngster can throw in a period of time.
Finally, Gumbel took the floor to give a brief monologue about civility. He mentioned how Don Imus, "Pacman" Jones, and Mike Nifong all had gotten "spanked" for atrocious behavior in recent weeks, and that it was a step in the right direction because people need to be punished for their outrageous actions. He said it was a good start down the road of civility to people each of us should have.
After writing the features out, it was interesting to see how this episode played out against others I have watched religiously the past year. The show always starts with an uplifting story about how a young player is trying to do good things for those around him. The second usually shows a person's post-career fall (more by bringing a story to light-- and to show the struggle-- as opposed to glorifying it). The third is a look at something that you may not have heard of and needs recognition; usually having to do with young people. The fourth is a "look back" at a previous piece and how things have gotten better or worse since it aired. Finally Gumbel gives a monologue about his thoughts on current issues (my favorite, and his most notorious, was when he told the new NFL commissioner he needs to ask Pete Rozell where NFL Players Union head Gene Upshaw's leash is; that was totally hardcore).
So if you get HBO, it's a must see show. Even if you (like myself) don't like sports all that much.
And the thing is: HBO doesn't air sports other than boxing. It's a crime that FOX Sports, ESPN, or the major networks, who all carry professional sports, don't air any shows that have the hard-nosed look at sports like HBO does.
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