Sports comedy sitcom will begin second year

ALESTLE STAFF REPORT

Image Television and Touchstone Television's "Sports Night" will return for its second season at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, on ABC.

The comedy depicts what goes on behind the scenes during a live, nightly sports show on cable television. Last season, "Sports Night" was chosen as the No. 1 new show of the fall season by Electronic Media's television poll.

The show also received three Emmy Award nominations and the Achievement in Comedy Award from the Television Critics Association.

Executive Producer Aaron Sorkin was nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. Sorkin is also the creator of the series "West Wing," which premieres this season. He received the Outer Circles Award as Outstanding American Playwright for "A Few Good Men."

Executive Producer/Director Thomas Schlamme was nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series and also received a Directors Guild Award.

Returning cast members include "Sports Night" co-anchors Josh Charles as Dan Rydell and Peter Krause as Casey McCall.

Dan and Casey portray avid sports fans who satisfy their lifelong dreams of being involved in sports occupations.

This year, Dana Whitaker (Felicity Huffman), who stars as the show's executive producer, and Casey will develop a relationship. The recently divorced Casey must date a certain number of "eligible ladies," according to Dana, before she will agree to date him.

Dana has as much interest in sports as any male on the show's staff. Her no-nonsense attitude plays a key role as she tries to produce the best evening show possible.

Also returning for the second season is the show's managing editor, Isaac Jaffee, played by Robert Guillaume. Guillaume suffered a mild stroke during the tapings of last season's episodes.

Sorkin uses the stroke this season in Isaac's character for dramatic reasons. The recovery of his stroke is the main reason Isaac struggles to meet the demands of his personal and professional life.

Sabrina Lloyd plays senior Associate Producer Natalie Hurley. Natalie has a knack for being the only one on the set to stay calm, while others are raising their voices.

Associate Producer Jeremy Goodwin, played by Joshua Malina, rounds out the cast for the new season. Jeremy portrays a lovable, yet nerdy guy who, with Natalie's help, can outsmart any technical inconveniences that go on before the show is on the air.

Jeremy and Natalie not only work in the same field but experience romance as well. The relationship is troubled, however, when Jeremy finds his ex-girlfriend to be more important than Natalie.

Josh Charles was raised in Baltimore and is a die-hard Orioles fan. He attended the Baltimore School of Performing Arts and currently lives in Los Angeles.

Charles made his feature debut in "Hairspray" by John Waters. Perhaps Charles' most famous role was when he starred opposite Robin Williams as Knox in Peter Weir's "Dead Poets Society."

Peter Krause was raised in Minnesota and is a Twins fan to this day. He suffered an injured back in a pole vaulting accident in high school, where he participated in track and gymnastics. The injury led him to audition for a school play, and that's when he began his acting career.

Krause began his television career on Carol Burnette's "Carol & Company." He has made appearances in films such as "The Truman Show" and has been a guest star on hit television programs such as "Seinfeld," 3rd Rock from the Sun," "The Drew Carey Show," "Caroline in the City," "Ellen" and "Party of Five."

Huffman has guest starred on "Law & Order," "Chicago Hope" and "The X-Files." She won the 1997 Obie Award for her performance in Broadway's "Speed the Plow."

Robert Guillaume was raised in St. Louis. He began his education, served in the U.S. Army, and then finished his studies as a business administration major at St. Louis University.

Guillaume is best known for his role as Benson DuBois, the irresponsible butler on the television comedy series "Soap." In 1979, he received an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for "Soap," and also won an Emmy in 1985 for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series for "Benson."

Guillaume starred in opera as well. He gained great reviews for his role as star of the Los Angeles production of "The Phantom of the Opera." His role as Nathan Detroit in "Guys and Dolls" was good for a Tony nomination.

Sabrina Lloyd began her acting career at the age of 12, when she played one of the orphans in her community's production of "Annie." She spent most of her childhood in Florida, where she earned her high school education.

Lloyd has made guest appearances on NBC's "Law and Order" and starred as Wade Welles in FOX's television series "Sliders."

Joshua Malina grew up in New York and graduated from Yale University in 1988 with a bachelor or arts degree in theater. He then moved to Manhattan and has appeared in many of Sorkin's films, including "A Few Good Men," "Malice" and "The American President."

Malina has starred as Kenny Mitchell on HBO's "The Larry Sanders Show." He also made appearances on Tom Hanks' HBO miniseries "From the Earth to the Moon" as Tim Messic, a data technician.