Those Stories, Plus...A Sports Night Podcast

Steve and Adam return to discuss the life and career of the late Robert Guillaume who played Isaac Jaffe on "Sports Night." Previous guests and fans check in with their favorite Isaac moments as the boys talk about stage names, character balance, and relive the best scenes of the sage that was Isaac Jaffe.

After a long hiatus, the boys have returned to discuss "The Sword of Orion!" Steve and Adam reunite to relive their appreciation for "Kids in the Hall", question the cold open, remember the 1999 Baltimore Orioles, break down Baja California (NO COMMA!), and they answer VIEWER MAIL!!! It's more exciting than an Orlando Rojas spring training start. They're pumped, you're pumped, let's all get pumped.

As the gang has to hold for Alberto Fedrigotti's furious rally against Pete Sampras, Adam explains how "the hold" works in sports TV and discusses his "show mode", Steve wonders why Gordon's friends eat such late dinners, and Adam confesses to a Dan Rydell-like moment...except he used the "c-word". An episode so jam-packed, Julie Andrews plays us out.

Why doesn't Dan know the word diminutive? Where has Sally been all this time? And how extensive IS Rachel Sweet's resume, beyond the "Clarissa Explains It All" theme song? Steve and Adam ponder these questions and others as they discuss "Sally", a fantastic episode with a fast-paced 2nd act and fabulous ending. And as Jeremy prepares to meet Natalie's family of a different religion, the boys welcome in Dori (@dorizinn) and Joey (@thejoeycortez) who also come from different backgrounds. The pair parallel their experiences to what Jeremy and Natalie might be dealing with in this episode.

We couldn't find another podcast to do a crossover episode with so you'll have to settle for Steve and Adam discussing "Dana and the Deep Blue Sea!" The boys talk about the crossover with "Spin City", too much Urkel, the proper pronunciation of Scorsese, the difference between a sports anchor and sportscaster, and, despite his near-stalker level of devotion, the excellent delivery of Dan's speech to Rebecca.

If you ever wondered what a zamboni driver's salary is, the persnickety boys (for some reason) find out together. Steve and Adam also discuss "Rebecca"! They're introduced to Teri Polo's new character, they discuss the psychology of Dan, and admit how this episode was disappointing in certain ways but still entertaining.

We close out 2016 with a jam-packed podcast as the boys discuss “Small Town.” Steve and Adam touch on the inaccurate date of the MLB trade deadline, Liza vs. Lisa, and the well-placed craziness of Bobbi Bernstein’s debut. They also welcome in both reporter/anchor Laura Rutledge (@LauraMRutledge) and game producer Joe Taylor (@vonhayes541) of ESPN/SEC Network to discuss how they approach and adjust to breaking news during live broadcasts.

We have returned! After a few hiatus weeks, the boys are back to discuss their flirting pasts, Team Sally or Team Dana, and one of the best-delivered lines in the history of "Sports Night." Merry Thanksgiving, ya filthy animals!

A fascinating episode, the storyline of 1998's "The Six Southern Gentlemen of Tennessee" almost directly parallels the intersection of sports and politics in 2016. Steve and Adam get great insight from Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) of USA Today who has covered and written about those topics extensively (and happens to be a Sorkin geek, too). The boys also learn the names of Janet, Jerome, Cajun (CAJUN!), and Monica (played by Janel Moloney) while enjoying another fantastic Sorkin-o-logue, this one delivered by Isaac Jaffe.

"Shoe Money Tonight" is here! One of the most popular episodes of "Sports Night" and labeled as the definitive episode of the series by Steve and Adam, the boys discuss the introduction of Sally, the height of free-roll poker, the first time Steve went gambling, why the relationship between a broadcaster and producer is so important, and one of Aaron Sorkin's best monologues. And with Steve's penchant for using lines from movies and TV shows as song titles, we have an Easter egg at the end of the episode for you.

It’s a jam-packed episode as Steve and Adam are joined by ESPN/SEC Network producer Daniel Bramlette (@DannyBrams) who shares his insight and experience on sitting in Dana Whitaker’s chair. And while the boys will not be climbing Mount Everest anytime soon, Steve’s wife Lauren, a neurosurgical nurse practitioner, explains why cerebral edema is pretty scary. Prepare for some serious schmaltz in “The Quality of Mercy at 29K."

We'll save you the St. Crispin's Day speech and instead tell you that Steve and Adam break down one of their favorite episodes, "Thespis". A balance of humor, sadness, and drama, the boys talk November 23rd, Encarta, and their introductions to Greek mythology.

Steve and Adam are back (!!!), Steve a little older and Adam a little more tired, but they have returned with their boogie shoes to discuss the light-hearted episode "Dear Louise." The boys get more background on some key characters while chatting about writer's block, teenage political party affiliations, the shifting landscape of sports highlight shows, subtle racism in the episode, and also bulging...things.

Hopefully, you've enjoyed the Labor Day Holiday. Adam is currently laboring over prep for a LONG week of broadcasts (IRONIC, NO?) so Steve checks in with an update. We return next week with Episode 7, "Dear Louise", another signature first season episode.

Previously, on "Those Stories, Plus...", the boys discussed a seriously-toned episode of "Sports Night." In a continuation of last week's episode, we get a show rife with Sorkinisms, Steve and Adam get to talk Tony Orlando and Don Quixote, and Adam shares a story about a date that completely contradicts Dan Rydell's words of wisdom.

Steve and Adam discuss a heavier episode of "Sports Night" as Natalie deals with a sexual assault and the crew attempts to balance ratings points against journalistic integrity. The boys get some help on these topics from their first ever guest on the podcast (!!!), NBC Sports producer Tess Quinlan (@TessQuinlan).

Steve and Adam dive headfirst into the virgin snow of a fast-paced episode of "Sports Night". They'll talk Lisa Simpson's cameo, Stephen King's drug problem, Tippi Hedrin's impact, and break down a great scene between Dana and Casey.

As Jeremy Goodwin gets "the call", Steve and Adam discuss answering their own "calls", the complexities of playing quarterback, and literary devices blown and sprayed throughout the third episode of "Sports Night."

Steve is in Italy (AWESOME!) and Adam is headed to Connecticut (less awesome...) so "Those Stories, Plus..." updates you on the boys' whereabouts and returns next week with Episode 3 where they'll discuss "The Hungry and The Hunted", a signature episode of the first season.

Steve and Adam discuss how "The Apology" is a foundation for what Aaron Sorkin's television writing will become while Adam rants about talking of a no-hitter while broadcasting one.

Steve walks us through the pilot episode of "Sports Night" while Adam discusses his position as a national sportscaster as it relates to the show.