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ZereauxSum 
LSU Fan
Atlanta, GA
Member since Nov 2008
5781 posts
| re: Top 3 30 for 30 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 1:25 pm to 6nmylifetime)
quote:
"Pony Excess" was a total fluff piece. ESPN had Craig James on the payroll and completely let him off the hook. They never once forced him to answer any tough questions in regards to the issues at SMU.
In fairness, it was a documentary not an episode of 60 Minutes. I don't think the point was to indict anyone, but to get the story told from all parties involved.
Besides, there is an argument to be made that you can't hold a bunch of 17 and 18 year olds responsible for taking money, so ESPN could have been seen as slanted in that respect if they "went after" James, Dickerson and Richards.
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WarSlamEagle 
Washington Fan
Golden State Warriors Fan
Member since Sep 2011
12552 posts
 Online
| re: Top 3 30 for 30 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 1:26 pm to tigerforever7)
Pony Excess
The Two Escobars
You Don't Know Bo
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wiltznucs 
South Florida Fan
Apollo Beach, FL
Member since Sep 2005
4391 posts
Online
| re: Top 3 30 for 30 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 1:29 pm to tigerforever7)
1. Pony Excess
2. Two Escobars
3. Broke
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okietiger
LSU Fan
Oklahoma City Area
Member since Oct 2005
15153 posts
| re: Top 3 30 for 30 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 1:39 pm to Sheep)
quote:
June 17th, 1994
Yeah can't believe this one was only mentioned a couple of times. One of the most captivating documentaries I've ever seen. I didn't want it to end. All without a single interview too.
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Me4Heisman 
USA Fan
Landmass
Member since Aug 2004
4437 posts
| re: Top 3 30 for 30 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 1:44 pm to okietiger)
The one that came on the other night about the life and times of Pat Dye was amazing.
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6nmylifetime 
Alabama Fan
668 Neighbor to the Beast
Member since Nov 2012
275 posts
| re: Top 3 30 for 30 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 1:57 pm to ZereauxSum)
quote:
"Pony Excess" was a total fluff piece. ESPN had Craig James on the payroll and completely let him off the hook. They never once forced him to answer any tough questions in regards to the issues at SMU. In fairness, it was a documentary not an episode of 60 Minutes. I don't think the point was to indict anyone, but to get the story told from all parties involved. Besides, there is an argument to be made that you can't hold a bunch of 17 and 18 year olds responsible for taking money, so ESPN could have been seen as slanted in that respect if they "went after" James, Dickerson and Richards.
You dont have to indict anyone just tell the truth. Especially when you have one of the key figures as an employee. If James wasnt going to tell the truth then dont give him a vehicle to gloss over the reality.
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Sheep
USA Fan
Straight Outta Acy
Member since Jun 2007
12996 posts
Online
| re: Top 3 30 for 30 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 2:08 pm to ZereauxSum)
quote:
I liked Benji, but it didn't grab me. It was a Great story but if it doesn't keep you engaged is it still a great documentary?
I wanted to put Len Bias in there but it was more of a story about death and drug use than a sports story IMO.
I do look at these a little differently than most. I read a lot. I only read non-fiction, and sports non-fiction makes up 90+% of that.
That said, I think you answered your own question. A great work of non-fiction is one that tells the story by pulling in the things *around* the main story to make it compelling.
Benji was more about the inner city of Chicago than basketball, just as without Bias was more about drug abuse than about the player.
It's the tertiary things that made Once Brothers and The Two Escobars so great.
The U and Broke really seemed to lack that depth.
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duggieblue 
Auburn Fan
GA
Member since Feb 2010
824 posts
| re: Top 3 30 for 30 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 2:10 pm to Sheep)
Pony Excess
The Two Escobars
The Marinovich Project
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TXGunslinger10
LSU Fan
Houston, TX
Member since Jun 2011
6813 posts
| re: Top 3 30 for 30 (Posted on 12/11/12 at 2:34 pm to duggieblue)
Pony Excess is my all time favorite.
Another good one that nobody has mentioned yet, is "The Real Rocky" about Chuck Wepner.
Stallone straight hijacked this guy's life and made millions using his life story as the basis for the Rocky character.
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