Original subtitles

Arliss: For most of us,

the dream of becoming a champion

remains a fantasy.

But for a special few,

it is very much a reality.

We cheer them,

We live through them.

Athletes are our last warriors.

My job is to make their dreams come true.

My name is Arliss Michaels.

I represent athletes.

These are my stories.

♪ Don't know what it is that makes me love you so ♪

♪ I only know I never wanna let you go ♪

♪ 'Cause you started something, oh, can't you see ♪

♪ That ever since we met you had a hold on me ♪

♪ It happens to be true ♪

♪ I only wanna be with you ♪

♪ I just wanna be beside you everywhere ♪

♪ As long as we're together, honey, I don't care ♪

♪ 'Cause you started something, oh, can't you see ♪

♪ That ever since we met you had a hold on me ♪

♪ No matter what you do ♪

♪ I only wanna be with you ♪

(laughs) Marshall Faulk, up the middle,

gain of 13.

Yeah, that Faulk guy

can run almost as good as you, huh, Jordan?

Uncle Kirby, you smell smoke?

Smoke, where?

In the vicinity of my ass.

Marshall Faulk?

I mean, I'm good, I am good,

But I'm not that good.

Not yet.

(phone ringing)

(clears throat) Stanley Babson.

Mr. Babson, Coach Babe Paley from Cal Berkeley,

How are you, sir?

(clears throat) One second, Coach.

It's your alma mater, as if you didn't know.

You know, Cal is a great place to play football.

I know.

What can I do for you, coach?

Well, I was wondering if that nephew of yours

is still considering Cal?

Jordan, are you still considering Cal?

Oh, God, yes.

Yes!

Yeah.

Coach, I can safely say that Cal

is receiving due consideration.

Listen, you please tell him to call me

if he has any questions, all right?

I'll tell him.

Good luck.

(phone beeps)

(phone rings)

Stanley Babson.

Mr. Babson... Cecil Picket, San Diego State.

Ah, hello, Coach Cecil Picket from San Diego State.

No.

Coach Picket: Listen, I was wondering if, um...

Uh, Coach, to be honest with you,

I'm not sure what Jordan's thinking.

Listen, I was very impressed with your nephew.

You've done a first rate job looking after him.

I appreciate that. (clears throat) Good luck.

Jordan...

Seems like the whole world wants to know

where you're going to school. Do you know?

Everybody will find out what it is

when I do the radio show.

Remember, you sign that letter of intent, you're committed.

You wanna transfer after that, you lose a year of eligibility.

It's Cal. It's Cal!

Hey, Uncle Stanley, look what I found

cleaning out my desk the other day.

You and Mom, right?

Oh, my God, I remember that.

(chuckling) Now, who's she supposed to be?

Diana Ross.

She looks like Michael Jackson.

(phone ringing)

Ughh!

Stanley Babson.

UCLA!

Oh, you know, let's just switch back to the game.

I'm here at halftime with Coach Jim Mora.

Coach, your team came out with...

Who ate all the fuckin' Three Musketeer bars?

How much longer to break?

Coach, do you think talk about your job

being on the line has affected your team?

I don't listen to talk.

We gotta play better, and if we don't,

they won't have to fire me.

Thanks, Coach.

Although Coach may not listen to talk,

word has it his job is in jeopardy.

Dale, who's better than Brenda at asking the tough questions?

Wider.

Jesus, did she get any sleep last night?

Some crow's missin' his feet.

Grab me a cheerleader, run her to the bumper.

Four fox, find me some pom-poms.

It's no secret that management...

No... not her.

- Moo! - Dale, we need to talk about renewing Brenda's deal.

C... call me tomorrow.

Bingo!

I'm Brenda Stassen, back to you guys.

Boy, Jim Mora was pissed.

How do you get a losing coach to talk at halftime?

The get is easy, it's in their contract.

The trick is knowing where to stand,

so my hair doesn't blow in my face.

Oh, Dick Vitale never has that problem.

(both laugh)

What's the toughest thing about being a stock car driver?

Well, for me it's, uh, trying to keep the weight on.

See, I... I tend to lose a lot of weight.

Follow that up. Ask him about stimulants.

Losing weight?

We should all have that problem.

I'm Mickey Morgan...

And I'm disappointed.

Mickey, you need to do your homework.

Ugh, I'm pooped.

How many more miles are you gonna do?

That all depends if we're having Haagen Dazs afterwards.

Oh, yes, the trials and tribulations

Of a network personality.

I prefer on-air sports journalist.

God knows after 20 years I've earned it.

So you're not just another pretty face.

Speaking of which...

Ugh.

She gets pulled up anymore, she'll have a beard.

(laughs)

Dale, why are you dickin' around?

Renewing Brenda's contract should be a rubber stamp,

people love her.

Well, we're re-evaluating the show.

It's gettin' a little stale.

Then schedule better games, give the show a new wrinkle.

No, no, no... show has too many wrinkles already.

Ohhhh, so that's what's goin' on.

I beg your pardon?

You're re-evaluating the best damn sideline reporter

in the business because she's over 40.

No, I didn't say that.

'Cause if I did, you could sue my ass,

so I didn't say that.

You guys are brutal.

No, we're in business,

a business where image equals ratings, equals profits.

The show needs a fresh new look,

and we're exploring new options.

Arliss, you there?

Arliss...

Dale... what if I can give you that fresh new look?

Edric, I've just finished reallocating

your real estate investments.

So, you'll be here by one?

No. I got a lesson at one.

I'm working on my short game.

I'll be there by 2:30 though.

Oh, uh... all right. But please don't be late.

My nephew's gonna be on the radio,

- and I need to be there. - (hitting ball)

Fore!

No! 2:30.

Goodbye.

Excuse me, do you have a moment?

May I help you?

Cecil Picket, we spoke last night.

Of course.

I saw you play with the Niners.

- Ahh. - Great team.

Great personnel.

You win with great personnel.

Coach... I'm sorry, but, uh,

frankly, I don't think Jordan's gonna attend San Diego State.

And might I say frankly, why I think he should?

Well, with all due respect,

I've heard from about 50 coaches why he should.

Hmph... well, how many of them were black?

I beg your pardon?

How many head coaches that pitched to you were black?

Now, given that only five

of 115 Division one coaches are black...

my guess is, probably none.

Am I right?

I don't see how that's relevant.

Five out of 115 isn't relevant?

Of course it is.

But you're here about Jordan,

not, uh, NCAA minority hiring practices.

Which will continue to be abysmal,

until we can get athletic directors

to feel that they can win national championships

with black coaches.

Now, for coaches to win national championships...

they have to have horses.

And right now you're holding the reigns

on a number one thoroughbred.

You're suggesting I steer Jordan

toward a school With a black coach.

I'm suggesting that you take care of your own.

No, I need... to take care of my nephew.

You're his legal guardian.

He has to have your approval.

Yes, he does.

And he'll get it.

I was hoping that you would.

Hey, Stanley, you drivin' with me to the radio station?

Oh, sorry.

Uh, Kirby Carlisle,

uh, Coach Cecil Picket from San Diego State.

Sure, sure, yeah, nice to, uh, meet you.

Yeah, listen, I... I should go, um, thanks for taking the time.

It's my pleasure.

And by the way, uh...

whatever school Jordan decides to go to...

they're gettin' a helluva player.

I'm sure our nephew will make the right decision.

What was that about?

Nothing.

"Inspiring," "inspiring"?

Hmm.

Dale... Dale, would you rather spend 10 grand

to renovate a proven asset,

or a half a million on an unknown?

Arliss, what's a nine-letter word for "inspiring"?

Smart move, okay, I'll get back to you.

Rita, I have an assignment for you.

Who is it and how much is bail?

Why are you always so negative?

As a matter of fact, this assignment

could be described as uplifting.

"Uplifting," that's it. Oh, thanks.

Great, then you'll do it.

Do what?

Tell Brenda she needs a facelift.

A what?

Not the whole face. Just around the eyes,

maybe the mouth, a little tuck under the chin.

Brenda doesn't need a facelift, she looks great.

For her age, absolutely,

but for prime time TV...

Oh, I can't believe the network came up

with such a stupid, asinine, insulting idea!

They didn't, I did!

You?

Hell, yeah.

You think the network's that creative?

Huh... look at the shit that they put on the air.

They were ready to trade her in for a younger chicky babe,

but I suggested she get surgery, and they agreed.

She's gonna tell you both to go fuck yourselves.

Well, then she's gonna lose her job.

What... oh, Brenda's not sexy enough for America's

beer guzzling, farting, belching, couch potatoes?

Not when they can guzzle, belch and fart

to a younger blond.

Rita... explain it to her.

It'll sound sexist coming from me.

Well, it won't sound like anything coming from me,

because I won't do it!

- Rita... - Oh, and while you're at it,

Tell John Madden to get his stomach stapled!

Edric, if we can hurry it along,

I have to be somewhere in 40 minutes.

Uh, as you can see, I've diversified

your real estate holdings.

Forty percent Brentwood...

Uh-huh.

Thirty percent Beverly Hills adjacent.

Oh, yeah, oh, yeah.

Thirty percent Compton.

Ho... (laughs) hold up.

Compton, that's a joke, right?

No, it's no joke.

Sure, it's a low-income neighborhood,

but it's ripe for development.

Hmm, Compton, let me think about that.

Nope, sorry. Don't feel like visiting my properties

in an armored car.

Uh, there are significant tax benefits.

It's a sound investment.

Not for my money it ain't.

Look, put it all in the other areas.

You mean all in the white areas, right?

Stanley, this isn't about black or white.

This is about green. My! Green.

Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock, knock...

Arliss, c'mon in.

Uh, look, I don't wanna interrupt the magic,

but, um... I brought you a gift.

What's this about?

Why does it have to be about anything,

Can't I just bring you a gift?

How sweet.

Cameo, when I saw it, it reminded me of you.

Your eyes... your lips... your forehead.

Arliss, are you hitting on me?

No, no, of course not.

I mean, not that you're not attractive.

You're very attractive, both inside and out.

And when you come to think of it,

isn't inside what really counts?

Where is this going, Arliss?

I got less cryptic answers from Nixon.

(sighs) The network's thinking of reassigning you.

Unless...

Unless what?

Unless you change your image.

My image, who am I, Mike Tyson?

Well... I mean your...

image?

Oh.

(quietly) You mean my image.

Or my image. Or my image.

Look, I'll get the network to pay for it.

Uh, they'll debut it in time for the Superbowl. You'll get a lotta press.

I am the fucking press, Arliss, and no, I'm not doing it!

I... I knew that'd be your initial reaction.

Which one of those jerks came up with this idea,

was it Dale?

Yes, yes, it was Dale.

This is because they're all male executives up there. If there were women...

It'd be the same goddamn thing.

We're talking network mentality.

I won't do it! This has nothing to do with my job.

You're wrong.

You're on television. It's a visual medium.

It's like... Hyman Roth said to Michael Corleone,

"This... is the business... we've chosen."

Look, you can say no,

and the press will hail your integrity for about an hour,

and then do 20 pieces on your replacement.

Personally... I'd like to see

the best sideline reporter in the business keep her job.

You can't blame Mora. He doesn't block, he doesn't tackle.

Mora's also not winning right now.

Trust me. He's gone and soon.

- We'll be back... - Okay, Jordan, practice saying it with me now,

"Cal. Cal." That's what you're going to announce.

Oh, Cal, I... I thought you wanted me to go to Stanford.

(laughs) Funny.

Where is Uncle Stanley?

Oh, probably trying to parallel park.

- Jordan? - Okay.

Jordan, it's time.

Hey, where have you been?

Jordan? We need to talk.

You can do it in the studio, it's a talk show.

Let's go.

- Jordan. - Hi.

I have a thing I wanna talk to you about...

- Hi. - Stanley, right?

Yes, yes, yes.

Jordan, there's one thing you need to consider.

And five, four, three...

And we're back and joining us is Jordan Babson,

and his uncle and legal guardian, Stanley Babson.

Welcome to the program, guys.

Glad to have you.

All right, Jordan, let's cut to the chase.

Letter of intent day right around the corner.

Which school will it be?

Well, it was a hard decision, but...

And one you need to think about a little more.

Oh, but I have found a school for me.

They have a great football program,

and a great architecture department.

Oh, sounds like UCLA to me.

Fuck, UCLA.

Okay, which lucky program is gonna wind up

with the top high school running back in the nation?

Cal.

Oh, the Cal Bears.

That'll have 'em dancin' in the streets in Berkeley.

Yeah, they had everything that I was lookin' for.

So, let's call Coach Paley.

No!

What?

Jordan?

We need to discuss this privately.

What?

I think your decision was premature.

Sounds like there's a disagreement between Jordan and Uncle Stanley.

Uncle Stanley, are you a UCLA man?

(coughs) I... I don't wish to discuss this here.

Does this mean as his legal guardian,

you're not willing to certify his letter of intent?

No.

What?

For now, I won't.

You son of a bitch, you...!

Would somebody please get this clown in the control room

to stop bangin' on the window?

Okay, uh, gentlemen, we've gotta go, now.

Jordan has homework to do.

Wait a second. We had an exclusive interview,

Where the hell are you goin'?

What the hell was that about?

I think Jordan was hasty in making his decision.

What is wrong with Cal? Cal's a good school.

It's an excellent school.

But I want Jordan to play for a black head coach.

A black head coach, wh...?

How many black head coaches are there, two?

Five! That's exactly the point.

What? This comin' from a guy who campaigned for Reagan?

What did coach Picket promise you?

Picket never promised me anything.

I'm trying to teach Jordan...

something about the bigger picture.

Yeah, well, teach me, 'cause I'm missin' somethin'.

Helping out your own is not a bad thing.

It is if you're fucking up your own nephew.

This is bullshit!

What, so if I go to San Diego State,

other schools are gonna say,

"Hmm, I gotta get me a black coach for the brothers."

This sucks!

I already drew up some plays for Coach Paley.

I mean, why do I have to carry the torch?

Can you talk to him?

Talk to Stanley?

He's the most stubborn guy I've ever met.

I guess it runs in the family,

'Cause I'm not changin' my mind either.

Unless he signs that letter of intent,

there's not much you can do.

Yeah, there is. I'll go to court.

To court?

Yeah, you've got to know some good lawyers

We'll beat him at his own game.

Look... no, y... you don't wanna do that.

Look, this is my life, fuck him!

Whoa, whoa, whoa!

You're talkin' about your uncle here, show a little respect.

Who's side are you on?

Look, I'm pissed, too.

But let's not forget who paid for your fancy schools.

Who put your clothes on your back?

In fact, who... who... who do you think got you this far?

Who asked him to?

Your mom did.

And you know what, Jordan? He didn't have to.

It's not that easy for a 28-year-old single guy

to take a six-year-old kid into his life.

But he did it.

He loves you.

Okay, Brenda agrees to the procedure,

but only under the following points:

No doctor who worked on Joan Rivers, Wayne Newton,

or any of the Jacksons.

Fine, but I'm not flyin' in some fancy surgeon from Europe.

I just don't want her winding up with that Joker look,

that makes you always look... surprised!

You mind if we table this?

I got a game in a couple of hours.

Sure. Okay, let's talk hospitals. She gets a private suite,

nurses 'round the clock.

Where do you wanna do the pre-game?

East side of the field.

Okay, we're goin' on the east side of the field.

What, when?

What?

Brenda, you're not gonna believe what just happened.

What?

Welcome aboard.

Thanks, Coach.

You open with Cal. There's your first loss.

Not with me at running back.

Thanks.

I really appreciate this.

I'll take good care of him.

I know you will.

(phone rings)

Excuse me.

Picket.

You know I've always been proud of you,

but never more so than at this moment.

Oh, I wish your mother could be here to see you now.

Uncle Stanley, I am still not sure about this.

But I am sure about you.

Come here.

Uh, sorry, fellas.

I got another appointment, I gotta run.

Jordan, hit those weights.

All right.

Hey, Coach, wait, before you go,

I've drawn up some plays with, uh, Jordan in mind.

I want you to take a look at these.

And at halftime, it's Rams 37, 49ers six.

Okay, she gets five week's hiatus for her face to settle in,

and full pay during recovery.

Mm, mm, get camera two to zoom in on the blonde with the balloons.

Two balloons, zoom.

Also, facial maintenance for five years or 50 broadcast,

whichever comes first.

Oh, God, deal!

Now, will you please just shut up?

Four, ready in three, two, take.

Brenda Stassen here with this breaking story.

We now have explanation for Coach Jim Mora's absence

from the sidelines during the first half of this game.

This afternoon he tendered his resignation,

when he found out the front office

was talking with other coaches.

He's not my client.

Joining me now as his replacement

is former San Francisco 49ers star

and San Diego State head coach, Cecil Picket.

What?

- Congratulations, Coach. - Thank you.

Were you surprised when the 49ers offered you the job?

Yes, very.

A few hours ago, when I got the official offer, I was thrilled.

What about your San Diego State players,

and the new kids you've recruited?

They committed to your program, and now they're stuck.

Well, that was the toughest part about accepting this job,

leaving those kids.

Jordan, I'm sorry.

No, it's not your fault.

This also makes you only

the sixth black head coach in NFL history.

Is that added pressure for you?

The only pressure I feel is to win.

Winning is color blind.

I guess, uh, ambition is colorblind, too.

I know you're very busy and you've got a lot to do...

One last point, I want an option

for a procedure to be named later.

What are you talking about?

A procedure to be named later.

What procedure?

Well, in case medical science

comes up with a cosmetic procedure

that makes her look even better,

you pay for it.

(laughs) So you're telling me when she's 60,

you can make her look like she's 30,

I'm still gonna pay for her.

- If she's on the network, yes! - (laughs)

You're un... you're unbelievable!

Jim Mora out, Cecil Picket in.

You heard it here, first.

And here's another first.

The people that make the decisions at this network

have decided the show needs a new look.

To achieve that, they've asked me to get plastic surgery.

After thinking about it, I decided against it.

I like my face.

But if they want something new, how's this?

Holy shit.

Get off her, quick!

No, no, stay right there, don't move!

I think the three of us look pretty damn good.

We're Brenda Stassen, back to you, boys.

You know, I don't think her face looked that bad.

She's fired.

Arliss: Sometimes the breaks just don't go your way.

But the true champion learns to make the adjustment.

Man's voice: C'mon baby, in the hole, in the hole!

He'll be fine here.

It's a good school.

Yeah.

He's already learned one important lesson.

I'm just not exactly sure what it is.

(whistle blowing)

Now, you keep that up,

and you're gonna be the life force of this team.

Okay? Good job, son.

- Thanks, Coach. - Thank you.

We're back with Brenda Stassen.

Since the incident on the sidelines,

your life has changed a lot, right?

Within two days of being fired from the network,

I received offers from CBS, ESPN and TNT,

thanks to my agent.

Is it true that Playboy offered you

a half million dollars to pose nude?

Yes, but I'm gonna pass.

Quite a woman, quite a story.

Thanks for joining us, Brenda.

Good night.

Now, that's my kinda woman.

Smart, sexy, and she knows football.

But can you believe the Basset Hound she's with?

Check out those eyes.

How'd he get those bags pass security?

(both laugh)

My name is Arliss Michaels.

I represent athletes.

These are my stories.

♪ Put your good face on ♪

♪ You should be gettin' ready for your night on the town ♪

♪ Put your good face on ♪

♪ 'Cause don't you ever let 'em tell you that you're wrong ♪

♪ Now put your good face on ♪

♪ Put your good face on Baby put your good face on ♪

♪ Put your good face on ♪

♪ Oh ohhh ♪

♪ Put your good face on ♪

♪ Baby, put your good face on ♪

♪ Put your good face on ♪

♪ I hope somebody got a room ♪

♪ 'Cause afterwards there's no telling ♪

♪ What I'm gonna wanna do to you ♪

♪ You got us in the mood ♪

♪ Go ahead, put on your sexy shoes ♪

♪ And I'll just dance up on you ♪

♪ Until I give you a bruise ♪

♪ It's a good night I saw the moon and sky ♪

♪ It's now or never ♪

♪ I wish we could stay till the end of time ♪

♪ Don't worry about anyone else but yourself ♪

♪ And you'll feel better ♪

♪ 'Cause you love the good life ♪

♪ You better ♪

♪ Put your good face on ♪

♪ Oh you should be ♪

♪ Gettin' ready for your night ♪

♪ On the town ♪

♪ Oh ohh Put your good face on ♪

♪ Oh don't you ever ♪

♪ Let 'em tell you ♪

♪ You're doin' wrong ♪

♪ Now put your good face on ♪

♪ Put your good face on ♪

♪♪

♪ Put your good face on ♪

♪♪