The Bronx Is Burning
The Bronx Is Burning | |
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File:Bronxburning.jpg | |
Created by | Jonathan Mahler |
Directed by | Jeremiah Chechik |
Starring | John Turturro Oliver Platt Daniel Sunjata |
Country of origin | United States |
No. of episodes | 8 |
Production | |
Executive producers | Mike Tollin Brian Robbins Joe Davola |
Running time | 60 minutes |
Original release | |
Network | ESPN |
Release | July 9, 2007 – present |
The Bronx Is Burning is a television drama that debuted on ESPN on July 9, 2007 following the 2007 MLB Home Run Derby. It is an eight-episode mini-series adapted from Jonathan Mahler's best-selling book, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bronx Is Burning. The book focuses on baseball's triumph over the turmoil and hysteria of 1977 New York City, and how the New York Yankees came to embody all of the hopes and fears of an unforgettable summer with Billy Martin and Reggie Jackson's warfare under George Steinbrenner's leadership.
The show stars John Turturro, Oliver Platt, and Daniel Sunjata, while executive producers Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins, Joe Davola, writer/executive producer James Solomon, and director Jeremiah Chechik work on the show. The series is produced by ESPN Original Entertainment in conjunction with Tollin/Robbins Productions. Filming began on September 18, 2006 in Connecticut and New York.
The 2007 debut of the series marks the 30th anniversary of the 1977 World Series win for the Yankees, the first under Steinbrenner.
After airing on ESPN, episodes can be seen on ABC on Demand.
Summary
The central theme of the adaptation will be the 1977 New York Yankees against the backdrop of New York City. Yankee superstar Reggie Jackson (Daniel Sunjata) and manager Billy Martin (John Turturro) are locked in a perpetual state of warfare. Jackson was a perfect foil for the scrappy Martin, the hero of New York's fed-up working-class and a powerful reminder of the team's—and the city's—less complicated past. While owner George Steinbrenner (Oliver Platt) was providing General Patton-style leadership, he was intent on keeping his promise to the people of New York of delivering a World Series title. The show also features subplots concerning the NYPD's pursuit of the Son of Sam serial killer that summer and the devastating blackout and resultant widespread looting in July, all while the city suffered through financial bankruptcy and massive municipal layoffs.
The title refers to an off-the-cuff comment by broadcaster Howard Cosell during the ABC telecast of Game Two of the 1977 World Series:
As night descended, ABC, broadcasting the game, cut to a helicopter camera for an overhead view of Yankee Stadium and the surrounding neighborhood, where, bizarrely, a large fire raged out of control. Howard Cosell intoned, 'There it is, ladies and gentlemen, the Bronx is burning.'
(Williams Grimes, "A City Gripped by Crisis and Enraptured by the Yankees" (book review), New York Times, 30 Mar 2005.)
Episodes were filmed in New London, Waterford and Norwich in Connecticut as well as in New York City.
Episode List
- "The Straw", Debuted July 9, 2007
- "Team in Turmoil", Debuted July 17, 2007
- "Time for a Change?", Debuted July 24, 2007
- "The Seven Commandments", Debuted July 31, 2007
Cast
Actor | Role |
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John Turturro | Yankees manager Billy Martin |
Daniel Sunjata | Yankees outfielder Reggie Jackson |
Oliver Platt | Yankees owner George Steinbrenner |
Kevin Conway | Yankees president Gabe Paul |
Daryl Blonder | Yankees batboy Ray Negron |
Rob Lavin | Yankees pitcher Ken Holtzman |
Erik Jensen | Yankees catcher Thurman Munson |
Loren Dean | Yankees back-up catcher Fran Healy |
Seth Gilliam | Yankees outfielder Paul Blair |
Joe Grifasi | Yankees bench coach Yogi Berra |
Mather Zickel | Yankees outfielder Lou Piniella |
Alex Cranmer | Yankees third Baseman Graig Nettles |
Evan Hart | Yankees shortstop Bucky Dent |
Dock Pollard | Yankees second baseman Willie Randolph |
Lou Provenzano | Yankees pitcher Ron Guidry |
Darby Brown | Yankees designated hitter Cliff Johnson |
Max Casella | Yankees third base coach Dick Howser |
Leonard Robinson | Yankees outfielder Mickey Rivers |
Christopher McDonald | Yankees Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio |
Tom Wiggin | Yankees Hall of Famer Whitey Ford |
Robert Ward | Himself |
Alan Ruck | Reporter Steve Jacobson |
Josh Pais | Reporter Phil Pepe |
Dan Lauria | Captain Joseph Borelli |
Nestor Serrano | Detective Kavanaugh |
Stephen Lang | Deputy Inspector Timothy Dowd |
John Mahoney | News Reporter (Background Casting) |
Casey Siemaszko | Detective Welker |
Josiah Schlatter | Clubhouse attendant |
Michael Rispoli | Newspaper columnist Jimmy Breslin |
Jason Giambi | Taxi cab driver |
References
- Offical Website
- Press Release: ESPN Original Entertainment to Develop Limited Series: "The Bronx is Burning"
- Press Release: ESPN Miniseries "The Bronx is Burning" to Begin Shooting for 2007 Premiere
- Press Release: John Turturro, Oliver Platt, and Daniel Sunjata to Star in ESPN's Upcoming Miniseries "The Bronx is Burning"
- Press Release: ESPN Announces Award-Winning Editor and Additional Cast for "The Bronx is Burning"