Synopsis
Sports Challenge was a sports-centered game show that aired in weekly syndication from 1971 to 1979, with a separate version that aired briefly on CBS weekends from May 20 to September 9, 1973. Dick Enberg was host. Johnny Gilbert, Art James, and John Harlan announced. The show was taped at the KTLA/Golden West studios in Los Angeles, with the exception of some shows taped at Metromedia Square. The show's theme throughout its run was an instrumental version of The Beatles' "Get Back" by Pat Williams, from his Verve Records album "Heavy Vibrations"; a different theme was briefly used for the 1977–1978 season, but the original theme replaced it for the show's final season.
Episodes
1E1Brooklyn Dodgers vs. New York YankeesThe Yankees were notorious for belittling the Brooklyn Dodgers in October. This debut episode of Sports Challenge was no different. Brooklyn alumnus Don Drysdale brought the defeat crashing down when he blew a question about the Rams' defensive end Deacon Jones.30m2E2New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles LakersThe Lakers had yet to win an NBA Championship at this time. But on Sports Challenge, they began a dynasty. In only the series' second show, the Purple and Gold began their streak of seven straight wins, which would be the Sports Challenge record until Joe McCarthy's Yankees came along in 1972.30m3E3Los Angeles Lakers vs. Champions of Boxing30m4E4Los Angeles Lakers vs. NFL's Greatest Runners30m5E5Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Francisco 49ers30m6E6Los Angeles Lakers vs. Cincinnati Reds30m7E7All-Time Great Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland IndiansInstead of Rose, Bench and Tolan, the birthplace of professional baseball sends three Cincinnati legends to defend the Reds' Sports Challenge crown. They walk all over the Cleveland Indians. No surprise there: Cleveland was in the midst of its four-decade-long misfortune.30m8E8All-Time Great Cincinnati Reds vs. NFL Quarterbacks30m9E9NFL Quarterbacks vs. Chicago Cubs30m10E10NFL Quarterbacks vs. California AngelsThe California Angels make their first of many appearances on Sports Challenge. Immediately, the likes of Jim Fregosi and Andy Messerschmidt display the form that their successors would continue in later seasons.30m11E11California Angels vs. Boston CelticsOne of the other all-time Sports Challenge favorites, the Boston Celtics, appears for the first time. And yes, Red Auerbach is going to light his cigar. There would be more to come.30m12
Boston Celtics vs. Washington SenatorsDuring their dismal last season of existence, the Washington Senators (A.L.) baseball team makes its only Sports Challenge appearance. Most of the time, manager Ted Williams speaks for the team. That doesn't matter at all to the Celtics, who win their second straight.30m13E13Boston Celtics vs. Green Bay Packers30m14E14Boston Celtics vs. Washington Redskins30m15E15Boston Celtics vs. 1951 New York Baseball Giants30m16E16Boston Celtics vs. NFL Hall of Famers30m17E17NFL Hall of Famers vs. Baltimore Orioles30m18E18Detroit Tigers' Pitchers vs. NBA Hall of Famers30m19E19NBA Hall of Famers vs. N.Y. Yankees' World Series Heroes30m20E20NBA Hall of Famers vs. N.Y. Football Giants30m21E21N.Y. Football Giants vs. Chicago Blackhawks30m22E22N.Y. Football Giants vs. Los Angeles Rams30m
Boston Celtics vs. Washington SenatorsDuring their dismal last season of existence, the Washington Senators (A.L.) baseball team makes its only Sports Challenge appearance. Most of the time, manager Ted Williams speaks for the team. That doesn't matter at all to the Celtics, who win their second straight.30m13E13Boston Celtics vs. Green Bay Packers30m14E14Boston Celtics vs. Washington Redskins30m15E15Boston Celtics vs. 1951 New York Baseball Giants30m16E16Boston Celtics vs. NFL Hall of Famers30m17E17NFL Hall of Famers vs. Baltimore Orioles30m18E18Detroit Tigers' Pitchers vs. NBA Hall of Famers30m19E19NBA Hall of Famers vs. N.Y. Yankees' World Series Heroes30m20E20NBA Hall of Famers vs. N.Y. Football Giants30m21E21N.Y. Football Giants vs. Chicago Blackhawks30m22E22N.Y. Football Giants vs. Los Angeles Rams30mCast
