About Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (HBO)

"Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" is an American television show on HBO that premiered in 1995. The show is a monthly sports news magazine on HBO, hosted by Bryant Gumbel. The show delves into the issues, controversies, and personalities that surround the world of professional sports, through in-depth profiles, investigative reports, and extended interviews.

Making / Production

The show was conceived and is produced by HBO Sports. Bryant Gumbel has been with the series since its inception in 1995 and serves not only as the host but as the show's Editorial Director. Each episode typically features four stories, including profiles of sports stars, investigative pieces, and features on the culture of sports.

Actors

• Bryant Gumbel: The longtime host of the show, who presents the features and moderates discussions.
• Frank Deford: A correspondent who is known for his in-depth reporting and interviews.
• Bernard Goldberg: A correspondent who has carried out a number of investigative reports.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The show was the first to expose the serious issue of young players in the Dominican Republic being exploited by Major League Baseball teams.
• Real Sports has covered a wide range of topics, from traditional sports such as baseball and football, to more unusual sports such as dwarf tossing and chess boxing.
• The show has been known to cover controversial topics including racism, drug use, and violence in sports.

Awards

"Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" has received numerous awards, including 33 Sports Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award in 2012 for its “series of investigative reports on concussions, a hidden sports epidemic driven by the ‘profit machine’ that is organized sports.”

Quotes

• "We're here to tell the stories that might otherwise get overlooked." - Bryant Gumbel
• "Real Sports is TV's most honored sports news magazine." - Bernard Goldberg

Music, Soundtrack

• The show often features theme music and incidental music composed specifically for the series. However, the selection of music varies based on the nature of the sport or the theme of the segment being shown.