Official espn 30 for 30 thread

[Spaceman Spiff]

These documentaries have been great, I know a lot of people watched the Gretzky one and I've seen them mentioned in other threads. I thought the one on the USFL was especially good.

Tonight they're showing the Len Bias one so it seems like a good time to start a thread to discuss all of them.

For those of you who don't know they're on every Tuesday at 8pm. IMO, this is when espn is at its best.

[IONTOP]

E:60 followed by 30 for 30....

Greatest two hours on TV...

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Didn't they have one on Ali/Holmes?

[ixcuincle]

Yes last week

This one should be interesting, 7 more minutes

[ixcuincle]

Lol those guys are crazy...did you see those trick shots

"Dude perfect"

[Spaceman Spiff]

Didn't they have one on Ali/Holmes?

Yeah, it was pretty good.

[Heidenreich]

I missed the Ali/Holmes one.

Taping the Bias one right now.

The Gretzky one was OK. The Baltimore Colts Band, and the USFL ones were OUTSTANDING.....

[Skinz4Life12]

this **** is sad...

[Spaceman Spiff]

I just remember hearing his name over and over, I had to be about 5. I think that was the first time I'd heard about drugs, my parents were pretty upset and I don't think anyone could have hid me from it. So that was the moment I decided I'd never do cocaine. I figured early on if it could happen to someone that famous could die from it, I could to. That was all I needed to know.

[Spaceman Spiff]

And Marion Barry makes an appearance.

But Jim Vance is the ****ing man. I love that guy. Never knew he had a coke problem.

[ixcuincle]

Buckhantz made an appearance too, and James Brown

Really is a very moving documentary. Well done.

[WALEOVECHKIN]

This is the shady part of the story. The use of the near pure coke, that is inconceivable to me that him and his college buddies had nearly pure cocaine and were recreationally using it. I always thought and still do think that part of the story is missing as to how deep Len was into this. Really a sad and terrible story.

[ixcuincle]

And now the documentary begins to analyze the war on drugs.

Very intriguing.

[Perky72]

Man. I was 13 or 14 in Charlottesville, watched Bias all the time on TV and probably at UHall. I remember being really confused when it was announced that it was a heart attack. Guess I just wasn't aware that coke could cause that. I feel sorry for all involved, even those like his roommate who could be seen as bearing a lot of the responsibility.

The docus have been great so far, my favorite is the Colts. I think they're doing one on Hank Gathers too, his death and Loyola-Marymount's reaction to it (and possible blame) is really compelling. Can't wait for that one.

[ixcuincle]

It's sad what happened to Len, but the documentary points out that his death triggered a reaction so strong from Congress and the government against drugs, packing the jail systems with small time offenders.

[WALEOVECHKIN]

Here is a list of 26 of the 30 docs. Most of them look really compelling and I will try and watch them all...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_for_30

[WALEOVECHKIN]

Donnie Simpson on the post credits. They put tons of DMV in this.

The end scene of the doc was chilling.

[IONTOP]

Powerful... That's how I sum it up...

[ixcuincle]

Some of them are more lighthearted than the one we just saw...the Reggie Miller one looks good.

I also see Ice Cube directed one on the Raiders.

[CRogersGuy]

Wow, Without Bias was totally incredible. Very, very powerful. Probably my favorite so far.

[terpskins10]

What'd everyone think of the Bias documentary? One of my good friends worked on promoting that movie because Kirk Fraser, the director, is his cousin. I saw a few responses but I'm sure he'd like for me to tell him what people thought about it on here.

I would have watched it but I had to study for neurophys instead. Balls.

[Spaceman Spiff]

What'd everyone think of the Bias documentary? One of my good friends worked on promoting that movie because Kirk Fraser, the director, is his cousin. I saw a few responses but I'm sure he'd like for me to tell him what people thought about it on here.

I would have watched it but I had to study for neurophys instead. Balls.

Pretty amazing. The footage and the photos were incredible. The cast of people he interviewed was great. It touched on all the important angles that were impacted by his death. I don't think anyone could have done better.

[Perky72]

Here is a list of 26 of the 30 docs. Most of them look really compelling and I will try and watch them all...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_for_30

ooh, thanks for that list!

Strongly looking forward to:

Loyola-Marymount
Evert & Navratilova
Reggie Miller

Not looking forward to:

Michael Jordan in the minor leagues (who cares? not me)
Tupac Shakur (okay, friends with Tyson but does that justify it as a sports docu? Big WTF is my early reaction)

[terpskins10]

Pretty amazing. The footage and the photos were incredible. The cast of people he interviewed was great. It touched on all the important angles that were impacted by his death. I don't think anyone could have done better.

I'll definitely catch it tomorrow when it re-airs on ESPN2. I promised my friend I'd watch it today, but school got in the way. He also invited me to the premiere at Hoff Theatre, and couldn't make it then either.

Can't blow him off 3 times, haha. He also said that they want to come out with a feature film sometime depicting this story, but not sure at all about the timeline for that. Look out for it though.

[WALEOVECHKIN]

What'd everyone think of the Bias documentary? One of my good friends worked on promoting that movie because Kirk Fraser, the director, is his cousin. I saw a few responses but I'm sure he'd like for me to tell him what people thought about it on here.

I would have watched it but I had to study for neurophys instead. Balls.

It was spectacular. It was done fabulously and really intertwined old footage and people actually around Len at that time to tell the story. It had every major player involved. I would bet that it also will drum up the controversy surrounding his death (many believe someone spiked his coke or that Tribble gave him a lethal dose of pure cocaine). Overall it is great and I really admire Fraser's work, he did the Lil Kim thing for BET and also did the American Gangster series which was fabulous.

[ixcuincle]

I'll definitely catch it tomorrow when it re-airs on ESPN2. I promised my friend I'd watch it today, but school got in the way. He also invited me to the premiere at Hoff Theatre, and couldn't make it then either.

Can't blow him off 3 times, haha. He also said that they want to come out with a feature film sometime depicting this story, but not sure at all about the timeline for that. Look out for it though.

Word is he is working on a full-length feature film of the Len Bias story, according to the ESPN blurb they had of the director. He did a very nice job with this one.

[Perky72]

It was spectacular. It was done fabulously and really intertwined old footage and people actually around Len at that time to tell the story. It had every major player involved. I would bet that it also will drum up the controversy surrounding his death (many believe someone spiked his coke or that Tribble gave him a lethal dose of pure cocaine). Overall it is great and I really admire Fraser's work, he did the Lil Kim thing for BET and also did the American Gangster series which was fabulous.

Yeah it was a really good docu, and it stuck straight to the salient points. Thought-provoking, illuminating, and emotional. I didn't know he was involved in American Gangster, those are really good too.

[terpskins10]

Word is he is working on a full-length feature film of the Len Bias story, according to the ESPN blurb they had of the director. He did a very nice job with this one.

Check out my post. Broke the news before you. ;) jk!

I was talking to my buddy and I was asking whether making an actual feature film of the story would take away from the documentary or the story itself. I'm not sure how much justice it would do, but hey that's why I'm not a director!

[TheDoyler23]

ooh, thanks for that list!

Not looking forward to:

Michael Jordan in the minor leagues (who cares? not me)


What if someone can prove those rumors that Jordan was secretly suspended that year for gambling? Then it'll be appointment viewing. :cool2:

[Spaceman Spiff]

What if someone can prove those rumors that Jordan was secretly suspended that year for gambling? Then it'll be appointment viewing. :cool2:

Dunno, I think it'd be cool to see regardless. There are only a couple on that list that I wouldn't totally be interested in but then again the trailers haven't launched yet.

[Perky72]

What if someone can prove those rumors that Jordan was secretly suspended that year for gambling? Then it'll be appointment viewing. :cool2:

oh, I'd forgotten about those rumors! Okay, I might look forward to that one :silly:

[ixcuincle]

Last week they had one on Jimmy "The Greek". NFL Today nostalgia.

Unsure if there is one this week

[DCranon21]

Last week they had one on Jimmy "The Greek". NFL Today nostalgia.

Unsure if there is one this week


Yeah, I think it's about Univ of Miami..called "The U". Let me check.

Edit: it's December 12th. No more until then.

[f_trizzy]

I liked the Jimmy The Greek one as well as the USFL one. Being too young to have seen either one of them during their time, it was nice to get some insight into them as I've always found their respective stories intriguing.

[Dan T.]

Barry Levinson's film on the Baltimore Colts band, "The Band That Wouldn't Die," was REALLY well done.

Do they repeat these? There are several that look good, but I've missed them. ESPN should be commended for producing these...

[WALEOVECHKIN]

Barry Levinson's film on the Baltimore Colts band, "The Band That Wouldn't Die," was REALLY well done.

Do they repeat these? There are several that look good, but I've missed them. ESPN should be commended for producing these...

On Christmas they play them all, in order.

[Cooley4President]

Barry Levinson's film on the Baltimore Colts band, "The Band That Wouldn't Die," was REALLY well done.

Do they repeat these? There are several that look good, but I've missed them. ESPN should be commended for producing these...

The Colts band one was the only one I haven't seen, looking forward to the re-airing of it. I'm particularly enjoying these because they're sort of an education fo rme as I was too young to remember things like Bias's death and the USFL. The Ali/Holmes one was particularly interesting as well because while I had seen many old great Ali fights and seen him in his current state, I had never seen him between the greatness and the frail state he's in like he was in that film.

Looking forward to all the rest.

[Elessar78]

I think I watched the Ali/Foreman fight (aka Rumble in the Jungle) I'm pretty sure it was a 30 for 30 thing. That was awesome.

[stwasm]

Is there a way to go back and see ones that have aired previously? My DVR failed on me when the Len Bias one aired.

[grhqofb5]

I think I watched the Ali/Foreman fight (aka Rumble in the Jungle) I'm pretty sure it was a 30 for 30 thing. That was awesome.

If you're really 31, you didn't see that one. Doubtful that you'd remember Holmes/Ali either.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I thought Jimmy the Greek was good. Interesting to learn about that guy...all I knew about him prior was that he said some racist comments in the late 80's and lost his job because of it. Had no idea he was responsible for bringing sports gambling to the forefront of American culture.

Kinda bummed we have to wait till Dec 12 for the next one. It's about "The U", the trailer looks pretty cool.

[Elessar78]

If you're really 31, you didn't see that one. Doubtful that you'd remember Holmes/Ali either.

Huh? I meant ESPN recently aired the fight again and I watched that. I think it's part of their 30 for 30 specials that they're running these days.

[Kosher Ham]

I just hope they put it on video. I have seen none of them, but heard great things about all of them.

[grhqofb5]

Huh? I meant ESPN recently aired the fight again and I watched that. I think it's part of their 30 for 30 specials that they're running these days.

Oh, I thought you meant that you saw it live. I know there's some people who claim to remember their own births, but it would be really hard to remember seeing something before your birth.

These fights are replayed quite frequently, and usually stop me dead in my tracks for the next hour.

[ixcuincle]

I wrote on another forum about the U documentary last night.


I think what the documentary did the best was elaborate from the view of the player and coaches their views on what happened during that decade. Are some of the things they did classless, brash, and rude? Yes. But they were kids. They were disrespected kids, playing a game they grew up playing in the 'hood. They were superstars. It was them against the world. This kind of brash behavior was to be expected, when the whole world hates what you do. And some would argue the world hated them because of their behavior, but it was them against the world even before they arrived at Miami, when they were growing up.

This was in a day before the overly-sensitive PC era took over. I guess one could say, as the documentary pointed out, it was the U who would help spurn this current NCAA policy of strict disapproval upon any type of emotion being shown. The U didn't take no ****. They were brawling, they were putting ears to helmets as they high stepped into the end zone, it was just pure comedy. And then you compare that to the draconian era of NFL and NCAA sports we have now, when such celebration is not encouraged. Call me crazy, but I want the old times back.

I guess the documentary helped if anything to shed light upon the life of the Miami player. I used to be one of those who was uneducated about the program and insulted them for fighting and trying to stomp on other players. I'll still insult them when necessary but I kind of see where the players are coming from.

Next ESPN 30 for 30 film is about Reggie Miller in 1995. Shame they don't have playoffs like those anymore, the rivalry, the intensity. Won't play until March.

1995 Flashback
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCEsVa3ZBZA

[ixcuincle]

This documentary on Reggie Miller is very entertaining. Amazing how much more physical the NBA was back then. Nowadays you get thrown out for what they did all the time in the 90's. Don't know why.

[ixcuincle]

Bumped again because there was an intriguing documentary again on Jordan riding the bus

We all know of what Jordan did in basketball, but what he did in baseball is not as well known, and the documentary explores more into his time in MiLB

Wish I could have seen it, I will end up watching it online somehow ;)

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

I had no idea that Terry Francona was his minor league manager. That's pretty cool.

[IONTOP]

I had no idea that Terry Francona was his minor league manager. That's pretty cool.

Yeah I thought that was cool too...

I swear... I saw MJ play SOMEWHERE... I was living in Atlanta at the time, and possibly went down to Florida for Spring Training... I'll have to ask my dad...

[desioreo87]

it definitely shines a much more positive light onto his foray into baseball.

Also Terry Francona said that if MJ dedicated a few years to baseball he could have made the Majors eventually so I find that pretty remarkable.

[IONTOP]

it definitely shines a much more positive light onto his foray into baseball.

Also Terry Francona said that if MJ dedicated a few years to baseball he could have made the Majors eventually so I find that pretty remarkable.

Especially being a first year player at 31!! I could see 25 or 28, but 31? That's insane...

[Spaceman Spiff]

Does anyone realize that Mike Tyson didn't fight anyone tough during his prime (pre-prison)?

[The Sir]

Does anyone realize that Mike Tyson didn't fight anyone tough during his prime (pre-prison)?

Yeah that's what I always say. I mean Larry Holmes was washed up and Michael Spinks was a blown up light heavyweight.

[Sticksboi05]

This documentary on Reggie Miller is very entertaining. Amazing how much more physical the NBA was back then. Nowadays you get thrown out for what they did all the time in the 90's. Don't know why.

Best is 80's...the Kurt Rambis incident.

As for Reggie, Spike Lee STFU.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Yeah that's what I always say. I mean Larry Holmes was washed up and Michael Spinks was a blown up light heavyweight.

Exactly.

That said, I'm really liking this 30 for 30 with him and Tupac. Great insight by a lot of people from different backgrounds and industries.

[WALEOVECHKIN]

Does anyone realize that Mike Tyson didn't fight anyone tough during his prime (pre-prison)?

It's not really his fault since the era he fought in was weak for heavyweights. He destroyed everyone in his path. Here are the ring magazine rankings from the end of 1986 (right after he beat Berbick win the strap) and when he was considered his most dominant:


1986

Michael Spinks, Champion- Tyson wins in 91 seconds

1. Mike Tyson
2. James (Bonecrusher) Smith- Tyson won a wide UD
3. Pinklon Thomas- Tyson stops in 6 rounds
4. Tim Witherspoon- never fought
5. Tony Tubbs- Tyson stops in 2 rounds
6. Trevor Berbick- Tyson already stopped in 2 rounds
7. James (Buster) Douglas- Tyson lost
8. Tony Tucker- Tyson wins a UD
9. Frank Bruno- Tyson stops in 5
10. Tyrell Biggs- Tyson stops in 7

[bishtw]

Tonights was on Nascar diver Tim Richmond, I knew about him a little bit, since I didn't get into Nascar until Joe Gibbs became a owner and I didn't follow it back then I didn't know the whole story. What I tragedy. Always sad to see somebody die in there prime. Another thing I got from this was remembering the absolute overwhelming fear that AIDS and the HIV virus had put over the entire country back then. The film even referenced Brian White, the boy how was kicked out of school out of fear that other children would get the virus from just being near White. Living with the virus and knowing that if anyone found out he had it, the certainty of being ostracize must have been equally hard to live with.

[ixcuincle]

I have no clue who Tim Richmond is. Sounds like an intriguing story though. Sad

Last week's was pretty good too, on Vlade Divac and Petrovic. It showed how politics tore a country and friendship apart.

Politics and manipulation played a huge role in escalating Serb-Croat tensions, and Divac's treatment of the Croat flag (which some still consider insult to this very day) was overhyped by media and manipulated for propoganda by both Croats and Serbs. It was ridiculous to see how a guy who really had no allegiance, who just wanted to see a team unified without political strife, suddenly became a political symbol without his consent.

Even today, Divac is still a hated figure in Croatia. The movie showed his return to Zagreb where Petrovic is from. He did not get a very welcome reception. I always thought that, if Petrovic's mother and brother could forgive Divac (they live in Zagreb, Croatia), why can't the rest of Croatia? Why must man continue to hate on his fellow man for political reasons, to kill other people because of disagreements about politics? The movie really made you think about how polarizing civil war is, how politics destroys friendships, how media manipulates events to their own advantage.

I strongly recommend this movie, some have even called it the best 30 for 30 movie so far, it was so well-done and so moving. It is on Youtube at least for the time being, if you are interested in watching it.

[MonkFan8]

Anyone who considers themselves a sports fan should do themselves a favor and watch these. I have no real interest in NASCAR, but the Tim Richmond episode was fantastic. He was truly in between a rock and a hard place in that day and age, especially given his profession.

[ixcuincle]

Anyone who considers themselves a sports fan should do themselves a favor and watch these. I have no real interest in NASCAR, but the Tim Richmond episode was fantastic. He was truly in between a rock and a hard place in that day and age, especially given his profession.

Yeah, as I said, I was ignorant before, and when the previews came up for the movie I was like "Forget that, not interested"

Now that others have pretty much debunked my prejudiced opinion I am willing to give the movie a shot when it's put up online later.

[Mr. Sinister]

I honestly hope that ESPN keeps doing this for as long as possible. This, E:60, and OTL are my top 3 shows, and since most of sports journalism has gone the MTV route, I'm more appreciative when I see masterpieces like 30/30.

[thebluefood]

Yeah, those three shows are great. It's the only places on ESPN where you seem to get real, hard hitting journalism.
E:60 is like ESPN'S "60 Minutes" and OTL is hosted by Bob Ley, so you know it's going to be good.

These movies on 30 for 30 are just incredible, too.

[Dan T.]

I've watched one of these all the way through so far (Barry Levinson's one on the Baltimore Colts Marching Band - excellent), I caught most of the one on the marketing of the Oakland Raiders in their heyday, and I've seen snippets of others. Everything I've seen has been excellent. Does ESPN have a schedule of when they are to be aired, or Is there a place to see them online? I haven't made them "Appointment TV", so the only time I'll watch is if I happen to stumble on them while channel surfing.

[ixcuincle]

Some of the best 30 for 30 ones have found their way on Youtube, so if you are interested you can go there before they are taken down.

If you prefer a more sanctioned way, ITunes has them all up for sale for an unknown price.

[desioreo87]

these programs really are stunning. My favorite ones so far are the Reggie Miller one, the U, The Red Sox. But all of them have been exceptional.

[Popeman38]

I have no clue who Tim Richmond is. Sounds like an intriguing story though. SadTim Richmond was Jeff Gordon with personality. He could have been a top 5 driver all-time. Him and Earnhardt had a good little rivalry going early, before Dale became the Man in Black and was driving the Wrangler car. 30 for 30 did a fantastic job of illustrating how talented he was, how much of a playboy he was, and how much of a non-good ole boy he was. People didn't like him at first (Jeff Gordon) because he was an outsider (Jeff Gordon). But Rick Hendrick put him with a great crew chief (Jeff Gordon) and he started winning races (Jeff Gordon). Eventually he became a crowd favorite based on his talent (Jeff Gordon) and earned respect in the garage (Jeff Gordon). Minus getting HIV/AIDS, it is eerie how similar Tim Richmond's and Jeff Gordon's early career went. Sad too....

[thebluefood]

Yeah, I watched the movie. Very sad story. I'm not really a NASCAR fan, but it looked like he was very talented. I wouldn't wish AIDS on my worst enemy.

[desioreo87]

the 30-4-30 with vlade divac was really a very good documentary. It moved me, thats for sure. terribly sad how those guys fell out with each other and even sadder that divac was never able to reconcile with drazen before his very unfortunate passing. I never heard anything about petrovic when i was growing up and it was really very interesting how talented he was. He seems lke he could have been a star for years.

[bishtw]

Just Watched "Catching Hell" about the Steve Bartman incident in game 6 of the NCLS. I have been waiting for this one for a long time. It was pretty freaking good. One of the best ones they did, you just feel so bad for the guy and how Cubs nation turned on him just a easy as can be. They also said he has been offered hundreds of thousands of dollars to speak and never took a dime. Seems like a good dude.

[thebluefood]

Missed it. :(

Anyone know when they're reshowing it?

[hail2skins]

Just Watched "Catching Hell" about the Steve Bartman incident in game 6 of the NCLS. I have been waiting for this one for a long time. It was pretty freaking good. One of the best ones they did, you just feel so bad for the guy and how Cubs nation turned on him just a easy as can be. They also said he has been offered hundreds of thousands of dollars to speak and never took a dime. Seems like a good dude.

Yes, and it was especially therapeutic to watch a night after seeing the Skins lose a tough game versus Dallas.

Don't want to give much away about the show, but I thought it was cool how they weaved in the Buckner incident.

[Fight4RGIII]

All I caught was the last 10 min and I was amazed.

[Heisenberg]

Really heartbreaking what happened to that guy. I will say that I'm not sure if I could have dealt with an entire city hating my guts like that. He handled it very well, all things considered.

[Bibby]

Anybody know when they will be showing an encore?

[rictus58]

Catching Hell was a fantasic piece. I couldn't stop watching. In the end, you just feel so horribly bad for the guy for doing what 99% of most people would do at a ball game. I'd never seen a lot of that footage before.

[DCranon21]

I DVR'ed it, so I'll check it out tonight. Heard it was good too.

[I_Bleed_B&G]

I saw it and it was very good piece. Loving the 30 for 30 shows. Pretty sad that his life went crashing down for doing something pretty much anyone would do at a baseball game if the ball was hit in their direction. Pretty insane story

[rictus58]

I saw it and it was very good piece. Loving the 30 for 30 shows. Pretty sad that his life went crashing down for doing something pretty much anyone would do at a baseball game if the ball was hit in their direction. Pretty insane story

The whole incident is a pretty sad state of affairs when it comes to sports fandom.
It's a game! That's all it is. In the grand scheme of things, it means nothing. From people throwing beers and pizza at Bartman, to fans fighting in the stands, to people beaten in a coma in the parking lot of a stadium. Why? It's a goddamned game.

[Spaceman Spiff]

They're coming back. IMO, the only reason to watch anything on espn outside of sportscenter.

http://www.indiewire.com/article/television/espn-announces-fall-30-for-30-schedule-adds-ghosts-of-ole-miss-theres-no-place-like-home-and-9-79#

Here's a link to the 10 minute short "Arnold's Blueprint" http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8424161/the-first-short-new-30-30-documentary-series

[big#44]

Watched Arnolds Blueprint the other day. For all the hate the guy gets (and some of it is deserved, specifically the womanizing aspect of his image) you really cant deny that he made himself out of nothing and got to where he is off of sheer ambition and determination.

[Rocky21]

It's worth the watch IMO. Although I have found myself laughing at Ahnold lately I do remember how much of a true bad ass my friends and I thought the early bodybuilders like Arnold, Franco Columbu, Lou Ferrigno were.

[artmonkforHOF]

looks like some interesting stories, I know I am interested in the 9.79* one to see if they soley villify Ben Johnson, or point out how other men in that race either later tested positive or "missed" the post race drug test. Every sprinter, from 1988 to 1996 and probably beyond, was dirty in one way shape or form, and I wonder how they will address that or if they will at all.

The Pete Rose, Bo Jackson & Broke ones look pretty interesting as well, hope TSN up here puts them on soon, we had to wait a while for some of the original ones. I can't swing a dead cat without TSN replaying the Wayne Gretzky 30 for 30 (Kings Ransom?) hopefully they will show some of these new ones instead of the Wayne one over and over again.

[Duckus]

Turn it on right now if you can. "Ghost Of Ole Miss."

Powerful stuff about civil rights and football at Ole Miss in 1960s.

[Redskins Diehard]

Turn it on right now if you can. "Ghost Of Ole Miss."

Powerful stuff about civil rights and football at Ole Miss in 1960s.
x2

[thebluefood]

This is very powerful stuff, indeed. I felt my blood boiling watching that pep rally thing earlier in the movie. I have a lot of feelings about the old south and the Civil War. Many of them would get me banned if I shared them on this board, many of them I'm not proud of.

I can tell this is going to be an intense experience for me.

[Duckus]

This is very powerful stuff, indeed. I felt my blood boiling watching that pep rally thing earlier in the movie. I have a lot of feelings about the old south and the Civil War. Many of them would get me banned if I shared them on this board, many of them I'm not proud of.

I can tell this is going to be an intense experience for me.

Yea, some of the images are unreal. How easy we all forget.

[thebluefood]

Words cannot describe just how much I loathe the song Dixie, as a Washingtonian, as an American and as a black person.

But, if that's what Mississippians like, then let them go for it.

[AsiaticSkinsFan]

didnt watch tonight's, but Benji's last week is top 3 for me in this series. I actually cried for this one. I didnt cry for Without Bias.

It was a brilliant doc, great story telling. It didnt do the obvious thing, which I liked a lot.

[argentina_redskins]

Great movie. Man, it seems like a different country down there. What a freaking shame.

[Duckus]

Overall, thought it was pretty good. Not the best in the series, but very good. The images of the entire white stadium screaming and waving Confederate flags was stunning.


didnt watch tonight's, but Benji's last week is top 3 for me in this series. I actually cried for this one. I didnt cry for Without Bias.

It was a brilliant doc, great story telling. It didnt do the obvious thing, which I liked a lot.

Benji was good. That law that forced gun shot victims to go the the closest hospital, instead of the local trauma hospital, was infuriating. I had no idea about that part of the story.

[AsiaticSkinsFan]

Benji was good. That law that forced gun shot victims to go the the closest hospital, instead of the local trauma hospital, was infuriating. I had no idea about that part of the story.

the City of Chicago did not care about black kids dying. That will probably upset people, but its the only reason. There is no other reason.


If he was taken to a real hospital, he probably still lives.


I liked how they let the killer tell his side of the story too. Its very believable as well. Glad dude turned his life around, and im sad that his friend went back.

[Warhead36]

The one about athletes and their money problems was amazing. Probably my favorite one to date.

Wonder if there will ever be any Washington related ones in the future?

[Popeman38]

The Ole Miss 30for30 last night was good. I think the director did a good job framing the issues while acknowledging that he has emotional attachments to certain parts of Ole Miss' history that have nothing to do with those issues -- but he completely understands why those traditions stir the fears of racism in minorities.

I remember growing up and identifying with those supporting keeping the Stars and Bars and Colonel Rebel. Then I joined the Army and was exposed to the other side of the argument. Ole Miss is still Ole Miss, and having a Rebel Black Bear and a red M with white stars as the new logo hold onto enough of the heritage to satisfy the traditionalists while also changing enough.

[renaissance]

The Ole Miss 30for30 last night was good. I think the director did a good job framing the issues while acknowledging that he has emotional attachments to certain parts of Ole Miss' history that have nothing to do with those issues -- but he completely understands why those traditions stir the fears of racism in minorities.

I remember growing up and identifying with those supporting keeping the Stars and Bars and Colonel Rebel. Then I joined the Army and was exposed to the other side of the argument. Ole Miss is still Ole Miss, and having a Rebel Black Bear and a red M with white stars as the new logo hold onto enough of the heritage to satisfy the traditionalists while also changing enough.

This was the first 30 for 30 that I didn't really like. I feel like they made the football team out to be some kind of heroes for making it through their season despite everything else that was going on, however I never felt as though the team was really victimized in any way or that they really did anything heroic. If they had told the story differently, I might have enjoyed it more.

[Hooper]

I thought the 9.79 one was great.

The rest have paled in comparison to the first crop of 30 for 30s.

[WALEOVECHKIN]

9.79 and Benji were both really good. I wasn't a big fan of how Broke was shot but the info in it was great. The last one is still on my DVR, gonna watch it soon

[Popeman38]

This was the first 30 for 30 that I didn't really like. I feel like they made the football team out to be some kind of heroes for making it through their season despite everything else that was going on, however I never felt as though the team was really victimized in any way or that they really did anything heroic. If they had told the story differently, I might have enjoyed it more.If Ole Miss had gone undefeated in any other season, they likely would have been crowned National Champions. But since it happened in 1962, and the riots were national news, and the Governor was refusing to integrate Ole Miss, enough voters refused to vote Ole Miss as #1 that the finished ranked #3. USC was voted #1 at 11-0-0. Wisconsin was voted #2 at 8-2-0. Ole Miss was voted #3 at 10-0-0, getting jumped in the final poll by #2Wisconsin despite the fact that Wisconsin had a loss.

USC
#8Duke
@SMU
@Iowa
Cal
@Illinois
#9Washington
@Stanford
Navy
@UCLA
Notre Dame
#2Wisconsin (Rose Bowl)

Wisconsin
NMSU
Indiana
Notre Dame
@Iowa
@Ohio St (Lost)
@Michigan
@#1Northwestern
@Illinois
#5Minnesota
#1USC (Lost in Rose Bowl)

Ole Miss
@Memphis
Kentucky
Houston
Tulane
@Vanderbuilt
@#4LSU
Tennessee-Chattanooga
@Tennessee
Mississippi St
#6Arkansas (Sugar Bowl)

Voting for National Champions took place after the final regular season game, and before bowl games. So an undefeated team from the SEC was bypassed for a 1 loss Big 10 team, and finished 3rd in the polls. Meanwhile, in 1961 Ole Miss finished #5 (9-1), in 1960 Ole Miss finished #2 (10-0-1 - with Minnesota crowned National Champions with 2 losses). Ole Miss lost out on being crowned National Champion because of what was happening in Oxford. So One could make the argument they were victimized by what was going on.

[renaissance]

Voting for National Champions took place after the final regular season game, and before bowl games. So an undefeated team from the SEC was bypassed for a 1 loss Big 10 team, and finished 3rd in the polls. Meanwhile, in 1961 Ole Miss finished #5 (9-1), in 1960 Ole Miss finished #2 (10-0-1 - with Minnesota crowned National Champions with 2 losses). Ole Miss lost out on being crowned National Champion because of what was happening in Oxford. So One could make the argument they were victimized by what was going on.

I guess I just don't think the story was told from the right perspective, then. There was a lot of time spent telling the story about the riots, which some of the players and a large number of the students participated in. Then they'd jump to a game and talk about how it was something positive to bring students together, but given that the students and some of the players were the ones perpetuating the riots, it just seemed weird to act like they needed to be brought together among themselves. The students and players weren't some innocent bystanders to the riots, they were the ones participating. Even if the team were just bystanders, the story didn't portray the team or the program as victims of anything, it seemed to try to portray them as some kind of saviors which they were not.

I get being a great team but being passed up because of circumstances off the field, I just don't think the story was told very well to get that perspective across. The film itself didn't leave me feeling much empathy at all for the team, program, or school.

[ixcuincle]

That was a great movie on Mississippi. Just finished watching it. Very powerful