ESPN’s acclaimed sports documentary series “30 For 30” returns tonight with an all-new documentary about how athletes go broke (it’s titled “Broke”).  A preview:

 

 

In addition, this year they’ve started producing short documentaries.  Here’s one about Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Anyway, let’s look at your reasons for not watching and I will tell you why you are wrong.

 

“I don’t watch sports.”  On it’s face, this is a perfectly valid reason to not watch these documentaries.  After all, you don’t watch sports regularly in your life.  Why would you want to spend some of your precious free time on a sports documentary about someone you never heard of?

Of course, it’s that kind of thinking that led people to miss out on “Friday Night Lights”, only one of the greatest shows in television history. And just like FNL, the films of 30 For 30 are fundamentally human stories, not sports stories.

 

“I don’t like documentaries.”  This argument I have very little patience for.  A well-crafted documentary can transport you into a different time or place; it can provide insight into an experience that you may never have the opportunity to have yourself.  Sure, there are lots of bad documentaries out there, just as there are lots of bad movies and television shows and books and music.  But the good ones are worth the time.

 

“I don’t own a television.”  Okay, hipster, but you’re still devouring television by buying the episodes on iTunes or binge-watching your Netflix account.  Guess what?  30 For 30 exists in new media, as well.

 

“I don’t watch movies.”  What are you, communist?  Even the Ayatollah of Iran loves movies.  What are you doing with your free time?

 

“Kids… go to sleep…”  Oh.  Yeah, you get a pass.