ESPN has really done a great job with their 30 for 30 series of documentaries. The U, Pony Excess, Once Brothers etc, they were fantastic. So it's great to hear that they'll continue producing new docs inspired by the series to air this fall.
After the jump, check out the subjects of the movies and some of our thoughts on each.
- "Catching Hell" which follows the story of Steve Bartman and the reaction around Chicago.
This is a story that's been told a few times already, so I'm not expecting to learn a lot, but it still is an interesting tale and I don't think I'm bored of it yet.
- "Renee," about transgender tennis player Renee Richards' efforts to enter the 1977 U.S. Open and her life today. Airs Oct. 4.
Meh, could be interesting. Can't say the subject is all that compelling.
- "The Dotted Line," directed by Morgan Spurlock, which profiles two sports agents, Peter Greenberg and Eugene Lee. Airs Oct. 11.
Very interested. Will be curious to see how much access Spurlock had.
- "Unguarded," about former high-school star and NBA player Chris Herren's struggles with addiction and his road to recovery. Airs Oct. 18.
There's been about 8 million documentaries with this exact description... The thing is, they are always 100% dependent on how interesting the person featured is. It's just another tale of sports and drugs, which isn't interesting on it's face, but if Herren is a character it would be.
- "The Real Rocky," a profile of former heavyweight boxer Chuck "The Bayonne Bleeder" Wepner, whose 1975 fight with Muhammad Ali helped inspire Sylvester Stallone to write "Rocky." Airs Oct. 25.
Are you kidding? Of course this is a must watch.
- "Charismatic," about the horse that nearly won the Triple Crown in 1999 but sustained a career-ending injury in the Belmont Stakes. Airs Nov. 1.
Meh.
- "Roll Tide/War Eagle," about the deep roots of the rivalry between the University of Alabama and Auburn University. Airs Nov. 8.
All over this one. College rivalries are great and docs about fans are always fun. Plus, all of the college focused docs in the 30 for 30 series were phenomenal.