"ABC's Wide World of Sports" (1961) TV series

Director:

Alan Pultz

Seasons:

16 | unknown

Release Date:

29 April 1961 (USA)

Genre:

Sport

Plot Keywords:

Famous Opening Theme | Acronym In Title | Non Fiction

Awards:

Won 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 6 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Paul Newman	...	Himself - Driver (2 episodes, 1976-1979)
David Pearson	...	Himself - Driver / ... (2 episodes, 1976-1978)
Darrell Waltrip	...	Himself - Driver / ... (2 episodes, 1976-1978)

Runtime:

90 min (1961-1997)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color | Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

American Broadcasting Company (ABC) Sports

Trivia:

Slovenian ski jumper Vinko Bogataj is the athlete who personified "The Agony of Defeat" by competing in the 1970 International Ski Flying Championship in Oberstdorf, West Germany. The faulty ski jump he had that day would be seen each week in the series' opening sequence. Jim McKay called Bogataj's accident "A performance that, in time, would mean he would appear more often on 'Wide World of Sports' than anyone else."

Quotes:

[opening spiel]
Jim McKay: Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sports... the thrill of victory... and the agony of defeat... the human drama of athletic competition... This is "ABC's Wide World of Sports!"

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Archie's Fun House: All Tied Up/Tennis Court (#1.15)" (????)

I Missed This Show

I used to watch this sports show with great keenness. It is hosted by the one of the pioneers of sportscasting, Jim McKay. Although McKay is often recognized as Olympics commentator, this is perhaps his finest work for ABC Sports.

I remember McKay's words, "Travelling the world to bring you a variety of sports, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat - this is ABC's Wide World Sports". It gives you fascinated peek into all kinds of athletes and sports events and it was well done.