A 90%-Rated Dramedy From The Social Network Screenwriter Was Axed by ABC After Two Seasons

Even if you don’t recognize the name of Aaron Sorkin, his works certainly speak for him. We all know such cinema masterpieces as Tom Cruise’s A Few Good Men (1992), Jesse Eisenberg’s The Social Network (2010) and Brad Pitt’s Moneyball (2011).

It is Sorkin who is the author of these movies’ screenplays and who is known as a master of dialogue. However, few people know he was also very much of a TV showrunner, and his first dramedy series is still hailed by fans, almost 25 years later.

Its plot focuses on two employees of a fictional TV channel who start a sports news show aired at night and face the network’s constant pressure. However, the talent of its anchors is the main key for making it through the challenges of the TV.

The duo are also best friends in real life, and their friendship, romantic exploits, and behind-the-scenes scandals add to the show’s relatability and overall wholesomeness.

This synopsis may remind you of other shows, created by Sorkin, that also follow TV network employees and their complicated paths towards the strongest viewerships. These include NBC’s Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (2007) and HBO’s The Newsroom (2012 - 2014).

Indeed, these themes were of much interest to the screenwriter, but in 1998’s show we’re talking about he managed to keep the right balance between humor and drama moments, making it a solid must-watch regardless of your cinema tastes.

Besides, Sorkin’s series assembled a perfect cast, as it starred Peter Krause (Six Feet Under) and Josh Charles (Dead Poets Society) as the leads, Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives ), Joshua Malina (The Big Bang Theory ) and William H. Macy (Shameless).

Titled Sports Night, this show aired as ABC’s prime time comedy drama before it was canceled in 2000 after just two seasons of 45 episodes. While it’s not clear why the network axed it too soon, it’s the very case when the series left us right at its peak.

“One of my all time favorite shows. <...> Introduced me to Sorkin and so many great actors. I’ve always wished it had a longer run,” concludes Redditor @Bossk4Life.

Check out this early Sorkin show, as Sports Night is available on Prime and Apple TV+ .