| The Bronx Is Burning | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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 10 (2007-07-10) – August 28, 2007 (2007-08-28) |
The Bronx Is Burning (stylized asThe Bronx is Burning) is an American drama television series that debuted onESPN on July 10, 2007, after the2007MLBHome Run Derby. It is an eight-episodemini-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 1977New York City and how theNew York Yankees came to embody the hopes and fears of an unforgettable summer withBilly Martin andReggie Jackson's warfare underGeorge Steinbrenner's leadership.
The show starsDaniel Sunjata,Oliver Platt, andJohn Turturro, while executive producersMike Tollin,Brian Robbins,Joe Davola, writer and executive producer James Solomon, and directorJeremiah Chechik work on the show. The series is produced byESPN Original Entertainment in conjunction withTollin/Robbins Productions. Filming began on September 18, 2006, inConnecticut andNew York. The 2007 debut of the series marked the 30th anniversary of the1977 World Series win for the Yankees, the first under Steinbrenner. After airing on ESPN, the episodes were placed onABCon Demand.[1]
The central theme of the adaptation is the1977 New York Yankees against the backdrop of New York City.[2] Yankee superstarReggie Jackson (Daniel Sunjata) and managerBilly Martin (John Turturro) are locked in a perpetual state of warfare. Jackson was a perfect foil for the scrappy Martin, a popular former Yankee player and reminder of the less complicated past of the team and the city. While ownerGeorge Steinbrenner (Oliver Platt) was an autocratic boss, he was also intent on keeping his promise to delivering a World Series title.[3]
The show also featuressubplots concerning theNew York City Police Department's pursuit of theSon of Samserial killer that year and theblackout and resultant widespreadlooting in July, all while the city suffered through financialbankruptcy and massive municipallayoffs.[4] Another subplot focused on the1977 New York City mayoral election featuringincumbentmayorAbraham Beame, formerU.S. RepresentativeBella Abzug, futureGovernorMario Cuomo, and CongressmanEd Koch, the eventual winner.[3]
The title refers to an off-the-cuff comment allegedly made by broadcasterHoward Cosell during theABC telecast of Game Two of the1977 World Series.[5]
Episodes were filmed inNew London,Waterford andNorwich in Connecticut as well as in New York City. New London stood in for New York City andDodd Stadium in Norwich stood in forYankee Stadium.[6] The series'soundtrack consisted of songs byThe Ramones.
| No. | # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "The Straw" | Jeremiah S. Chechik | Harley Peyton and Jonathan Mahler | July 10, 2007 (2007-07-10) | |
The year is 1977. The New York Yankees are coming off their embarrassing loss to theCincinnati Reds in the1976 World Series. TheSon of Sam has killed his first victim. Yankees' owner George Steinbrenner and manager Billy Martin discuss which free agent to sign, settling on Reggie Jackson. As spring training begins, Martin and Steinbrenner argue. | ||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Team in Turmoil" | Jeremiah S. Chechik | Gordon Greisman, Michael Lucas, and James D. Solomon | July 17, 2007 (2007-07-17) | |
The 1977 season has begun, but the Yankees struggle. Tensions rise between Thurman Munson and Reggie Jackson. Meanwhile, the NYPD creates the Omega Task Force to capture the ".44 caliber killer". Also, the election for mayor of New York is heating up. Incumbent mayor Abraham Beame is challenged by Representative Ed Koch, New York Secretary of State Mario Cuomo, and feminist activist Bella Abzug for the Democratic nomination. | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Time for a Change?" | Jeremiah S. Chechik | Kyle Harimoto, Michael Lucas, and James D. Solomon | July 24, 2007 (2007-07-24) | |
During a nationally televised game, Jackson fails to hustle after a ball, setting up a fight in the dugout with Martin. Steinbrenner decides to fire Martin, but is convinced by his players not to do so. The press continues to investigate the Son of Sam. Abzug takes the lead in the mayoral race. | ||||||
| 4 | 4 | "The Seven Commandments" | Jeremiah S. Chechik | Gordon Greisman and James D. Solomon | July 31, 2007 (2007-07-31) | |
Munson publicizes his discontent with the team in the press. Amajor blackout covers the city in darkness. Martin and Steinbrenner make a deal regarding Jackson, but he breaks the terms, leadingGabe Paul to askDick Howser if he would take over. The NYPD picks up the search as the anniversary of the Son of Sam's first murder approaches. | ||||||
| 5 | 5 | "Caught!" | Jeremiah S. Chechik | Gordon Greisman, James D. Solomon, and Jim Sterling | August 1, 2007 (2007-08-01) | |
With Jackson batting cleanup, the Yankees go on a hot streak. Following a new lead, the Omega Task Force closes in on the Son of Sam, making the arrest. | ||||||
| 6 | 6 | "The Game's Not as Easy as It Looks, Fellas" | Jeremiah S. Chechik | Nick Davis and Gordon Greisman | August 8, 2007 (2007-08-08) | |
Ed Koch wins the Democratic primary in the mayoral election, and the Yankees win the division. This emboldens Martin to ask for a contract extension, a request Steinbrenner declines. The Yankees face theKansas City Royals in theALCS. Jackson's struggles lead Martin to bench him. | ||||||
| 7 | 7 | "Past Combatants" | Jeremiah S. Chechik | Gordon Greisman, James D. Solomon, and Jonathan Mahler | August 15, 2007 (2007-08-15) | |
The Yankees andLos Angeles Dodgers face off in theWorld Series. Steinbrenner makes a decision about Martin's future. | ||||||
| 8 | 8 | "Mr. October" | Jeremiah S. Chechik | Michael Lucas and James D. Solomon | August 22, 2007 (2007-08-22) | |
Jackson makes history in Game 6 of the World Series. | ||||||