Sports Night
Sports Night

Episode Report Card
Daniel: B+ | 624 USERS: C+
YOU GRADE IT
Cliff Gardner

Sam walks in and asks how things are going. J.J. says they're going fine. "I'm sorry, is it Jim Bob?" says Sam. Ha ha! "J.J.," says J.J., not impressed. "Oh. I thought it was Jim Bob. Take a walk with me, will ya?" Sam gestures, and The Suits get up and the four of them stroll through the various Sports Night sets. Sam says where they're going is a surprise. Then he starts telling a story about Philo Farnsworth, the man who invented television. The Suits look confused. Sam calls Farnsworth a visionary. "The guy I really like, though, was his brother-in-law, Cliff Gardner," says Sam. Gardner didn't know anything about science, but wanted to be a part of what Farnsworth was doing, so he taught himself to be a glass-blower so he could make the glass tubes Farnsworth would need for his television sets. By now The Suits seem more interested than perplexed. They've come to rest on the on-air set. "I've looked over the notes you've been giving over the last year or so," says Sam, "and I have to say they exhibit an almost total lack of understanding of how to get the best from talented people." "Excuse me, but --" says Billie. Sam interrupts her and reminds them that they said he seems able to exert some authority. "I assure you, it's not 'cause they like me. It's 'cause they knew, two minutes after I walked in the door, I'm someone who knows how to do something. I can help. I can make glass tubes. That's what they need," he says, as we finally get the payoff for his six-hour story about the glass-blower. He starts to walk away and says, "One last thing. The first and last decision-making authority on this show will rest with Isaac Jaffe until Isaac Jaffe says otherwise. And if you disrespect him in my presence again, I will re-dedicate the rest of my life to ruining the rest of yours." J.J. clearly has never been spoken to like this before; he's watching Sam with a mixture of anger, fear and confusion. Sam continues, "And if you think I'm just mouthing at ya, you should ask around about me. I have absolutely no conscience about these things." J.J. finally speaks: "Sam, why did you bring us out here?" "'Cause," says Sam, gesturing behind them. "There's the exit. That's it, the meeting's over." And Sam walks off, having vanquished The Suits.

Sports Night

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