SportsCenter TV Series (1979)

About SportsCenter

SportsCenter is an American daily sports news television program that was first launched on September 7, 1979. This program, currently aired on ESPN, is the culmination of the day in sports. The show consists not only of sports news coverage and highlights, it also includes discussion and analysis of current issues, both on and off the field.

Making / Production

SportsCenter is produced by ESPN. The show has expanded exponentially since its debut. As of 2008, there have been over 50,000 unique episodes of SportsCenter, far more than any other television program. It airs live each Sunday through Thursday from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Eastern Time, and re-airs on a loop throughout each weekday.

Actors

• Chris Berman: Known as "Boomer," Berman is one of the original anchors of SportsCenter since its debut in 1979. He is known for his distinctive voice and his catchphrases.
• Scott Van Pelt: Scott is popular among viewers for his humorous and insightful commentary and often hosts the late-night editions of SportsCenter.
• Linda Cohn: One of the longest-serving anchors for SportsCenter, Cohn started her journey in 1992. Her in-depth sports knowledge teamed with her casual on-screen demeanor won fan hearts.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• "SportsCenter" is the longest-running sports-news program in the U.S.
• The show's main theme music since 1989 is punctuated by the ringing of a bell, a nod to the news bulletin origins of the show.
• The famous catchphrase "Da-da-da, da-da-da," associated with the show, is from its theme music.

Awards

This program has not won specific awards itself. However, its anchors and contributors have won numerous broadcasting awards for their work on SportsCenter and other ESPN programs.

Quotes

• "Welcome to SportsCenter. I'm Chris Berman. Buckle up, sports fans."
• "That's gonna leave a mark!" - Scott Van Pelt’s often-used phrase when showing mishaps during games.
• "From coast to coast and around the globe, this is SportsCenter."

Music, Soundtrack

• The Main Theme: The famous theme for SportsCenter was written by John Colby, ESPN’s director of music from 1984-1992. It’s a jazzy tune featuring saxophone and brass punctuated by the ringing of a bell.
• The "Da-Da-Da" jingle: Arguably the most recognized sound associated with SportsCenter, this jingle usually follows the latest sports highlights.