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30 for 30
S1.E3
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  • User reviews
IMDbPro

Small Potatoes: Who Killed the USFL?

  • Episode aired Oct 20, 2009
  • TV-GTV-G
  • 51m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
Small Potatoes: Who Killed the USFL? (2009)
DocumentaryBiographyHistory
The story of the rise and fall of the United States Football League, focusing on two owners: John Bassett, who wanted the league to compete in the spring; and Donald Trump, who wanted to tak... Read allThe story of the rise and fall of the United States Football League, focusing on two owners: John Bassett, who wanted the league to compete in the spring; and Donald Trump, who wanted to take on the NFL and play in the fall.The story of the rise and fall of the United States Football League, focusing on two owners: John Bassett, who wanted the league to compete in the spring; and Donald Trump, who wanted to take on the NFL and play in the fall.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Michael Tollin
  • Writer
    • Michael Tollin
  • Stars
    • Michael Tollin
    • Donald Trump
    • Harry Usher
  • Director
    • Michael Tollin
  • Writer
    • Michael Tollin
  • Stars
    • Michael Tollin
    • Donald Trump
    • Harry Usher
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 6User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Burt Reynolds in 30 for 30 (2009)
    30 for 30 (2009)
    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael Tollin
    Michael Tollin
    • Self - Director
    Donald Trump
    Donald Trump
    • Self - Owner, New Jersey Generals
    Harry Usher
    • Self - USFL Executive
    Steve Ehrhart
    • Self - USFL Consultant
    Marv Albert
    Marv Albert
    • Self - Announcer
    • (archive footage)
    Howard Cosell
    Howard Cosell
    • Self - ABC Sports
    • (archive footage)
    Peter Spivak
    • Self - Acting Chairman, USFL
    Chet Simmons
    • Self - USFL Commissioner
    Herschel Walker
    Herschel Walker
    • Self - Running Back, New Jersey Generals
    Dom Camera
    • Self - Marketing Director, USFL
    Charley Steiner
    Charley Steiner
    • Self - Broadcaster, New Jersey Generals
    J. Walter Duncan
    • Self - Owner, New Jersey Generals
    Vister Hayes
    • Self - Player
    • (archive footage)
    Lee Majors
    Lee Majors
    • Self - Actor, The Fall Guy
    • (archive footage)
    Jim Lampley
    • Self - ABC Sportscaster
    John F. Bassett
    • Self - Owner, Tampa Bay Bandits
    • (as John Bassett)
    Burt Reynolds
    Burt Reynolds
    • Self - General Partner, Bandits
    Jim McVay
    • Self - Marketing Director, Bandits
    • Director
      • Michael Tollin
    • Writer
      • Michael Tollin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Connections
      Features SportsCenter (1979)
    • Soundtracks
      Everybody Wants to Rule the World
      Written by Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley and Chris Hughes

      Performed by Tears for Fears

    User reviews6

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Not for the casual or uninformed viewer (which is not really the fault of the film)
    I came to this film off a throwaway comment on a satirical podcast; the comment was that if you wanted to see how Trump approaches business, then watch Small Potatoes. With this motivation it did not occur to me that it may have mattered that I had never heard of the USFL, and that really my only interest in American Football at all is to occasionally watch the highlights of the Super Bowl.

    In the end this did seem to make a massive difference, and I confess that part of the reason that I took very little from the film was that I was not target audience or even close; one could argue that a good documentary draws the viewer in, but I do not think that argument really applies here. As a result, I was mostly left cold – I had no knowledge of the characters, the situation, and the very limited involvement of Trump (in a truncated interview) meant that my only point of interest was not really key to the film. For sure people dislike him for what he did, and it certainly was a selfish act to benefit himself at the cost of others – but really is this all stuff we already know about him.

    For those who remember the USFL, there is probably a good slice of history here, presented at brisk pace with plenty of highlights; however, for those just coming with the very limited interest I had, there is not enough here for the casual viewer. Not really the fault of the film, but something worth keeping in mind if considering watching it.
    helpful•2
    2
    • bob the moo
    • Jan 29, 2017

    Details

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    • Release date
      • October 20, 2009 (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Production companies
      • ESPN Films
      • Triple Threat Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      51 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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