[PLAIN TEXT = from ABC-TV http://http://abc.go.com/primetime/sports_night/sn_home.html

[from Yahoo! TV]
After they share a passionate kiss, Dana decides Casey should date other women.

(NOTE: William H. Macy is married to the actress who plays Dana.)

Tuesday, October 19
[2-03]
Cliff Gardner

Rather than betray Isaac, ratings consultant Sam Donovan tells the network "suits" to take a hike.

It's showdown time at the "Sports Night" corral when the network brass demand that the staff meet to hear "notes" on the show, and threaten to fire Isaac. But Sam's the new sheriff in town, and he proves to be an unlikely hero.

Everyone's on edge when the network decides to send its top brass to the studio to give the show some helpful "notes." Tempers flare between Dan and Dana. Isaac squares off with J.J., who conspires to replace him. Jeremy decides to face his fear -- Sam Donovan. And Sam reveals where his true loyalties lie.

[from TV Guide Online]
Staff-wide scorn for Sam (William H. Macy) leads to a lifeless show, bringing unwelcome attention from a team of job-killing network bigwigs. But as the higher-ups begin to chop the dead wood, Sam steps up to save some hides.

[from Yahoo! TV]
Sam intervenes when the network heads threaten to fire Isaac.

Tuesday, October 26
[2-04]
Louise Revisited

Jeremy accuses Natalie of crossing sacred territory when she strikes up a correspondence with his sister.

Jeremy is rattled when Natalie decides to write a letter to his sister. Casey is rattled when he finds out that Dana is having dinner with an old high school friend. Dan is rattled when Casey takes the lead in a "Who's cooler?" internet poll. And Dana is rattled by Sam, who seems to know everything.

[from TV Guide Online]
In a letter to Jeremy's sister, Natalie recounts Dana's clothing-optional dinner date and how Casey rigged the CSC Internet poll in his favor. Meanwhile, Isaac asks Sam to drop the facade and join the team.

Tuesday, November 2
[2-05]
Kafelnikov

Dan isn't sure whether a psychologist's interest in him is personal or professional.

After discovering that the woman he met in a bar is a psychologist, Dan drives himself crazy over whether their upcoming date is personal or professional. When Jeremy reprograms the computer to prevent any Y2K problems, he thinks he's brilliant. But when the entire system crashes during a dress rehearsal for the new millennium, everyone is left in the dark.

Tuesday, December 7
[2-06]
Shane

Casey is forced to put his friendship with Shane McArnold to the test when the baseball star blasts the Big Apple.

Casey tries to protect Shane McArnold -- star baseball player, old friend, and new Yankee -- when he slams Manhattan in an interview, but Dana refuses to edit the tape; Dan's crush, Abby, proves herself a worthy therapist when he has a small diction problem; and Natalie reacts to the Vatican's news that there is no physical Hell.

After his buddy, new Yankee star Shane McArnold, criticizes the city in an interview, Casey's journalistic integrity - and friendship -- is on the line when Dana insists that he include the comments in the edited piece. Dan shares an unsettling secret with Abby, then develops a speech problem. Natalie is completely fixated by the Vatican's statement that hell isn't a place but a state of being.

[from TV Guide Online]
Casey battles Dana for editorial control after his favorite baseball player (Richard Steinmetz) rails against New York during their taped interview. Meanwhile, Abby (Jayne Brook) gets in Danny's face about his need to confront a personal demon that's throwing off his performance on the show.

[from Yahoo TV]
Casey tries to protect a friend who slams Manhattan in an interview, but Dana refuses to edit the tape.

Tuesday, December 14
[2-07]
Kyle Whitaker's Got Two Sacks

Dana is devastated when she learns that her brother, a pro football player, may be facing drug charges.

A breaking story about a group of professional football players using illegal steroids hits close to home; Natalie thinks Jeremy is intimidated by an arrogant intern just because he's the nephew of a CSC executive; and as part of his therapy, Dan tries to take flirting out of his daily behavior.

A breaking story about football stars taking illegal steroids blows up in Dana's face when one of the guilty pros turns out to be her kid brother. Natalie accuses Jeremy of kissing network butt when he hesitates to fire an intern - who just happens to be J.J.'s cousin. Dan tries to stop flirting after Abby confronts him about his need to be liked by every woman he meets.

[from TV Guide Online]
Dan's therapist (Jayne Brook) tries to get to the bottom of his obsessive flirting. Meanwhile, Natalie pressures a reluctant Jeremy to fire an incompetent staff member (Charlie Finn), while Casey investigates a drug scandal involving a professional football team.

[from Yahoo TV]
A story breaks about professional football players using steroids.

Tuesday, December 21
[2-08]
The Reunion

After screening her audition tape, Dan breaks the news to Natalie that she's not ready to be an anchor - yet.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and to get in the holiday spirit, Dana tries to forgive her football player brother's steroid use; Casey tries to find the perfect "secret Santa" gift for Isaac; Dan, a lifelong Jew, considers going to midnight mass; and the whole gang tries to name the "Athlete of the Century."

An edgy Dana anticipates the arrival of her kid brother, whose use of illegal steroids may have destroyed his football career. Dan considers attending Midnight Mass and contemplates how to give Natalie constructive criticism about her career. The entire staff is embroiled in a debate over who should be named Athlete of the Century. And Secret Santa is anything but!

"What do you want for Christmas?" Natalie confronted Casey. Casey interrogated Isaac. Isn't Secret Santa supposed to be...well, secret?"

[from TV Guide Online]
As Secret Santa woes plague the staff, Dana awaits the arrival of her linebacker brother (Eric Bruskotter) after he's busted for steroids. Meanwhile, Dan feeds Natalie a line after screening her audition tape for an anchor slot.

[from Yahoo TV]
With Christmas approaching, the crew tries to get into the holiday spirit.

Tuesday, December 28
[2-09]
A Girl Named Pixley

It's an extremely slow news day, and Dana is -- perhaps -- a little concerned that Casey is out on one of the dates she demanded he take. Meanwhile, Jeremy is optimistic about his nomination for an industry award until he learns that Natalie has long known the name of the winner.

Jeremy seeks Isaac's advice about accepting an award everyone knows he's lost.

Casey reluctantly decides to implement Dana's "dating plan," which might blow up in her face. Jeremy frets about writing an acceptance speech for a journalism award everyone knows he's not going to win. Everyone but Jeremy, that is! Dana squeezes story ideas out of the staff when she realizes that the next night's show is running short - by 42 minutes!

Jeremy's in seventh heaven about winning an award - an award everyone else knows he doesn't have a prayer of winning. Should the unknowing nominee be kept in the dark? Or enlightened?

[from TV Guide Online]
As per Dana's “plan,” Casey agrees to a date with another woman (Megan Ward), who takes issue with his reason for asking her out. Back at CSC, the staff scrambles to fill an hour on a very light news day; and Jeremy plans his acceptance speech for an award he hasn't won.

[from Yahoo TV]
Dana worries that Casey is out on one of the dates she demanded he take.

Tuesday, January 11
[2-10]
The Giants Win the Pennant, the Giants Win the Pennant

Dan wants to prepare a feature on the historic 1951 Giants vs. Dodgers game, but Isaac proves to be a reluctant witness. Meanwhile, Dana gets her own shocking "shot heard 'round the world" when Casey shows genuine interest in one of his required dates.

Dan sets Dana straight about her dating plan.

When Dana discovers that things may be getting serious between Casey and Pixley, she finally comes to the realization that her dating plan, in her words, "sucks." Dan is eager to do a story about the 1951 playoffs pitting the Brooklyn Dodgers against their rivals, the New York Giants but Isaac, who was actually there, refuses to do an on-camera interview - and not because of his stroke! Before she'll go out with him, Dana insists that Casey date other women. Is her dating plan brilliant - or dim-witted?

[from TV Guide Online]
Isaac refuses to help Dan report on a classic baseball game which he attended, while Casey (Peter Krause) takes a swing at another date with Pixley (Megan Ward). Jack: Darren Foreman. Mike: James Edson. Howard: Tom Cavanagh.

[from Yahoo TV]
Dan wants Isaac to relate his experience of the 1951 Giants vs. Dodgers game.

Tuesday, January 11
[2-11]
The Cut Man Cometh

Isaac is stunned when he learns that the light heavyweight championship fight on CSC lasted seven seconds.

The pressure's on as the production team prepares to broadcast a major boxing championship that could reap big ratings. But when the fight is over in seven seconds, Dan and Casey are forced to do some fancy footwork to fill airtime, with color commentary from a braindead colleague at ringside. Dan's father arrives for a visit and pummels his son's confidence. And Dana takes it on the chin when Casey gives her the brush off.

Talk about a nightmare! That's exactly what Dan and Casey are expected to do when the boxing bout they thought would go twelve rounds lasts less than twelve seconds! Should they spend the next hour and a half playing it straight? Or yukking it up?

[from TV Guide Online]
While prepping to cover a major fight, Dana and Casey duke it out over their stalled fling, and Dan's dad (Peter Reigert) hits town for a tense visit. But after the match goes south, the CSC staff bands together to knock out a killer show. Cut Man: Allen Garfield. Mike: James Edson.

[from Yahoo!TV]
The team broadcasts a boxing match live.

Tuesday, January 25
[2-12]
The Sweet Smell of Air

When an exclusive interview with Michael Jordan is offered to "Sports Night," the gang is thrilled, until they feel the pull of the attached strings. Meanwhile, the tension between Dana and Sam begins to fade; and the infamous Sally makes a return appearance.

Everyone's psyched when a Michael Jordon interview lands in the show's lap. But the exclusive could compromise the show's journalistic integrity. Stressed out over giving a presentation in front of Charlie's class, Casey ultimately decides to do what he does best. Isaac marvels at the future of space exploration. Sally spills her guts to Sam, whose powerful affect on Dana concerns Casey.

Dana, Isaac and Sam pass on the chance for a Michael Jordon exclusive. Why? Because the superstar's handlers want editorial approval. Is this any way to run a cable sports show?

Sam learns more than he ever cared to know when Sally introduces herself.

[from TV Guide Online]
Sam (William H. Macy) steps in when the guys get stuck interviewing a hoops star who only wants to pitch his new cologne on their show. Meanwhile, Sally spills her torrid past to the wizened ratings expert, who has no idea---or interest in---what she's talking about. Sally: Brenda Strong.

[from Yahoo TV]
The gang gets the opportunity to interview Michael Jordan.

Tuesday, February 1
[2-13]
Dana Get Your Gun

[ABC-TV summary]
After a conversation about a vintage musket, Sam tells Dana that he is absolutely not flirting with her, opening the possibility that he absolutely is flirting with her. Meanwhile, a brokenhearted substitute anchor makes Casey really miss Dan.

Desperate to have the night off so he can attend a Tom Waits concert, Dan winds up owing favors to just about everyone. Casey is forced to carry the show alone after substitute anchor Steve Sarris tries to woo his girlfriend back - on the air. Dana isn't sure whether Sam has his eye on her uncle's antique musket - or her. And Natalie is hot to go clubbing, an idea that leaves Jeremy cold.

When Dana, a card-carrying member of the Anti-Handgun Coalition, inherits a Revolutionary War musket, she's determined to smelt it. We all know she's crazy...but is she crazy?

Natalie and Jeremy's spat over their social life could spell the end of their relationship.

[from Yahoo TV]
After a conversation about a vintage musket, Sam tries to convince Dana that he is not flirting with her.

[from TV Guide Online]
Dan scores a night off, leaving Casey saddled with a morbid co-anchor; Sam (William H. Macy) gives Dana a lesson in gun care; and Natalie tries to talk Jeremy into hitting the New York club scene. Steve: Cress Williams. Dave: Jeff Mooring. Will: Ron Ostrow.

Tuesday, February 8
[2-14]
And the Crowd Goes Wild

[ABC-TV summary]
It's Sam's (William H. Macy) last day and Dana offers him a romantic send off; Casey's had his eyes checked and, much to Dan's delight, the resulting dilated pupils are causing temporary blindness; and Natalie tries to convince everyone that her heart's not broken.

Dilated pupils render Casey helpless to write, and even more helpless against Dan’s gleeful pranks. Dana over-explains why she didn’t get Sam a cake for his last day on the job. But she more than makes up for slight – non-verbally! Natalie tries to keep it together at work, but she’s broken up over her breakup with Jeremy.

Jeremy wants his stuff! Should Natalie let him inside her apartment to get it?

It's Sam's (William H. Macy) last day and Dana offers him a romantic send-off.

[from TV Guide Online]
While Casey tries to write the show with blurred vision, Dana sets her sights on finding out what caused an office breakup. In the meantime, Sam's days at CSC come to a close; and the show is roped into the investigation of a riot at the Garden. Dana: Felicity Huffman. Sam: William H. Macy. Peter Sadler: Spencer Garrett.

[from Yahoo TV]
Dana offers Sam (William H. Macy) a romantic send-off on his last day.

Tuesday, February 29
[2-15]
Celebrities

[ABC-TV summary]
Natalie gathers the gang for a post-show match of the guessing game, Celebrities, but since he's no longer her boyfriend, Jeremy sits alone at a neighborhood bar . . . until an adult film actress strikes up a conversation.

When the Sports Report’s list of 100 Most Influential People comes out, Casey comes in at number 92 – but Dan, whose ego is already bruised, doesn’t even make the cut. Excluded from the gang’s after-hour trivia game, Jeremy gets an unexpected invitation.

If Casey’s one of the top 100 Most Influential People in sports, shouldn’t Dan have made the grade, too?

[from Yahoo TV]
Jeremy meets an adult-film actress at a bar.

[from TV Guide Online]
While the staff plays a celebrity-name game at the studio, Jeremy meets a stranger (Paula Marshall) with some star power of her own. Meanwhile, one of the anchors makes a magazine's list of sports authorities and must break it to his cohort. Will: Dave Ostrow. Dave: Jeff Mooring. Casey: Peter Krause. Dana: Felicity Huffman.

Tuesday, March 7
[2-16]
The Local Weather

[ABC-TV summary]
A rainstorm hits New York with full force as Jeremy admits that he genuinely likes Jenny, his new adult film actress friend; Dana steps inside a church; and Casey gathers the troops to watch a track meet in New Zealand; and Dan spends an hour with Abby canceling his therapy appointment.

Dan decides to skip therapy and spends an hour in Abby's office telling her so. Jeremy e-mails the porn star he blew off, then decides to tell her in person why he's not going to see her again. Casey decides to bribe the gang with international cuisine to get them to watch a track and field event in the wee hours. Dana decides to seek shelter from a rainstorm in church.

The Sports Night staff isn't supposed to reveal the results of tape-delayed sports broadcasts. But they do!

Isaac 's innocent question about church gets Dana fired up.

[from TV Guide Online]
During a session with his therapist (Jayne Brook), Dan recounts the victory---and defeat---of an aging track star, and Jeremy's porn-star crush. Meanwhile, Dana has a religious experience while sitting out a rain storm. Jenny: Paula Marshall. Oscar: Derek Webster. Jack: Darren Foreman.

[from Yahoo TV]
Jeremy concludes that he genuinely likes Jenny; Dana enters a church.

[from the New York Daily News]
Last week, Paula Marshall made a powerful impression in a guest role as a woman Jeremy meets in a bar -- a woman who happens to be a porn actress. Happily, the show isn't through with her yet: She returns tonight, reprising a role that already is better than her co-starring role in ABC's "Snoops."

Tuesday, March 14
[2-17]
Draft Day: Part I - It Can't Rain at Indian Wells

[ABC-TV summary]
It's NFL Draft Day, and Dana and Casey bet each other on the outcome; Jeremy tells Natalie about Jenny -- well, not all about Jenny; and the rock solid friendship of Dan and Casey shows some signs of erosion.

Casey and Dana try to psyche each other out as they prepare to make their NFL draft day predictions. Dan gets glum when his golf date with PGA star David Duval is jeopardized - by his job. Jeremy tells Natalie about Jenny - except for the part about her being a porn star. Casey questions Dan's attitude and Dan questions their relationship.

Jeremy's dating an adult film actress. But he tells Natalie she's a choreo-animator - whatever that is.

Dan's date to hit the links with David Duval hits the skids.

[from TV Guide Online]
Amid CSC's football-draft coverage, Jeremy scrambles to hide Jenny's day job from Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd), who goes out of her way to let the staff know that she is now available. Meanwhile, the anchors face off over Casey's recent rise in popularity. Will: Ron Ostrow. Dana: Felicity Huffman. Karen: Susan Leslie. Jack: Darren Foreman.

[from Yahoo TV]
Dana and Casey bet on the outcome of NFL draft day.

Tuesday, March 21
[2-18]
Draft Day: Part II - The Fall of Ryan O'Brian

[ABC-TV summary]
As NFL draft day unfolds, relationships unravel. Jeremy anguishes over Jenny's visit to the studio, where she and Natalie discover common ground and she and Jeremy come apart. After giving him a talking-to behind closed doors, Casey is stunned when Dan humiliates him in front of millions.

Casey makes more money than Dan. Considerably more. Is he worth it?

Natalie finally meets Jenny -- and the two discover they have something in common besides Jeremy!

[ABC-TV Press Release]
Jenny pays a visit to "Sports Night" and Jeremy struggles with his shame. Meanwhile, the growing rift between Dan and Casey moves from the studio and onto the airwaves.

[from TV Guide Online]
Conclusion. Deep into CSC's football draft show, Casey (Peter Krause) spills the beans about his role in Dan's career at the network, causing an on-air situation that could leave an empty seat at the Sports Night desk. Meanwhile, Jeremy loses his cool when Dana and Nat meet his porn-star girlfriend. Jenny: Paula Marshall. Kelly: Amy Powell. Aaron: John Kidd. Elliot: Greg Baker.

[from Yahoo TV]
Jeremy struggles with shame when Jenny visits the office; the tension between Dan and Casey moves to the airwaves.

Tuesday, March 28
[2-19]
April Is the Cruelest Month

[ABC-TV summary]
The CSC brass break the bad news to Isaac and Dana that due to budget cuts, their Olympic coverage is going to be less than Olympian and Natalie's job may be in jeopardy. Dan and Jeremy try to fight the doom and gloom by hosting a Passover Seder, which a still-cranky Casey may or may not attend.

The network deals a financial blow to "Sports Night" that has Isaac and Dana reeling - the show's Olympic coverage is going to be cut to the quick and Natalie's job may be cut entirely! Depressed about his disgraceful on-air behavior toward Casey, Dan decides to hold a Passover Seder, which Jeremy turns into a theatrical event that has a healing effect on everyone. Natalie may lose her job! Would you hire her?

Confronted with major budget cuts, Isaac and Dana speculate over the future of SPORTS NIGHT.

[from TV Guide Online]
Dana and Isaac learn that the network is cutting back funding for the show and that Natalie's job may be lost. Meanwhile, Jeremy and Dan plan a mid-day seder at the station. Mitchel: Tim Dekay. Stans: John de Lancie.

[from Yahoo TV]
Budget cuts crimp Isaac and Dana's Olympic coverage and threaten Natalie's job .

Tuesday, April 4
[2-20]
Bells and a Siren

[ABC-TV summary]
Feeling the absence of job security at "Sports Night," Natalie agrees to a job interview at "Saturday Night Live" and Dan reluctantly hires a publicist. Meanwhile, Casey and Jeremy keep their eyes on the stock market and get some shocking news about parent corp. CSC.

Upset when Natalie gets a job interview with SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, Dana encourages everyone to undermine her confidence. Dan's publicist wants him on the PR fast track - starting with an appearance in New Jersey! Casey and Jeremy roll up their sleeves and try to get to the bottom of CSC's financial woes. Isaac stresses over his stroke's effect on his grandson.

Dan could use an image overhaul. But does he really need a publicist?

Dan hires -- then fires -- a publicist.

[from TV Guide Online]
Amid rumblings of internal layoffs, Jeremy and Casey look into the network's stock---and find a shocking truth about their job security. Meanwhile, Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd) eyes another job on a late-night sketch show. Catherine: Alanna Ubech.

[from Yahoo TV]
Natalie agrees to a job interview at ``Saturday Night Live''; Dan reluctantly hires a publicist.

Tuesday, May 9
[2-21]
La Forza del Destino <season 2 finale, part 1>

[ABC-TV press release, 4/26/00]
DANA MEETS A MYSTERIOUS STRANGER WHO MAY HOLD THE KEY TO THE FUTURE OF "SPORTS NIGHT," RETURNING TO ABC ON TUESDAY, MAY 9

"La Forza del Destino" -- While at Anthony's trying to drown their fears about the future of "Sports Night," Dana meets a mysterious stranger who seems to know a great deal about the bidding for Continental Corp.; and Dan tries to convince Casey that a move to LA might not be a bad thing, when "Sports Night" returns to ABC's primetime schedule, TUESDAY, MAY 9 (9:30-10:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Editors please note: The episode of "Talk to Me" previously announced to air in this time period will not be seen.

[ABC-TV summary]
As Continental Corp. goes on the auction block, leaving the future of "Sports Night" uncertain, Dana encounters an enigmatic guy with the inside scoop on the bidding; Natalie grapples with her unresolved feelings toward Jeremy; and Dan attempts to persuade Casey that the two of them should take a job in Los Angeles.

With CSC up for grabs, "Sports Night" may be history. Will the show survive a corporate buy?

As she and her colleagues contemplate their fates, Dana meets a stranger whose prediction about the CSC bidding war proves strangely accurate.

[from TV Guide Online]
The gang gathers at Anthony's to mull over the future of the show, where a stranger piques Dana's interest with inside information about the bidding for Continental Corp. Stranger: Clark Gregg.

[from Yahoo TV]
Dana meets a mysterious stranger who seems to know a great deal about the bidding for Continental Corp.

Tuesday, May 16
[2-22]
Quo Vadimus <season 2 finale, part 2>

[ABC-TV summary]
Fears for their professional futures rise to panic for the "Sports Night" team as bidders drop out of the auction for Continental Corp. Adding to the confusion are the sudden return of Rebecca, looking to reconnect with Dan, and Dana's mysterious stranger, who may prove to be a real hero.

With "Sports Night" on the brink of oblivion, the staff takes stock of their futures. Jeremy makes good on past transgressions; Natalie makes a move on Jeremy; Casey makes up his mind about LA; Dan makes a decision regarding Rebecca; and Dana makes a connection between the mystery man and CSC's new owner.

Rebecca's back. Should Dan forgive and forget? Or give her the heave ho?

Sure that "Sports Night" is history, Jeremy decides to settle his affairs.

[from TV Guide Online]

[from Yahoo TV]
Fears increase as bidders drop out of the auction for Continental Corp.

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Last updated: 2000-05-23
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