'The 5th Quarter' Tells the 'Greatest Untold and Untrue Stories in Sports History' (Video)

Imagine if you combined ESPN’s game of the week with your favorite “Saturday Night Live” skit. That gives you an idea of what to expect from the second season of “The 5th Quarter,” premiering on Verizon Media’s go90 platform Thursday.

The comedy parody series chronicles “the greatest untold and untrue stories in sports history,” with emphasis on the word “untrue.”

Where else would you find top NBA stars such as Blake Griffin and DeMarcus Cousins joining forces with Hollywood stars like George Lopez and Bella Thorne, and having ESPN analysts Kenny Mayne and Michelle Beadle offering their commentary on the action? Season 2 opens with “Born to Walk,” the story of underdog Sheldon King’s climb to Olympic Gold and the development of the fiercest rivalry the sport of Men’s Race-Walking has ever seen. The episode stars Griffin as Sheldon King and Jimmy O. Yang (“Silicon Valley”) as his nemesis, Jimmy Kong.

“It’s obviously always been a dream to play a competitive race walker,” Griffin joked at the Season 2 premiere screening Wednesday night. At least we think he was joking …

Also Read: 'Black-ish' Creator and Blake Griffin to Remake 'White Men Can't Jump'

“As athletes, you kind of get pigeon-holed into playing yourself a lot — just doing a cameo or very serious commercials, so it was great to poke fun at the world of sports,” the L.A. Clippers power forward said. “I always jump at these opportunities, the crazier they are, the more I am down for it. Right now, my main job is basketball and that’s all I am focused on but this is something fun to do in the off-season.

While he is best known for dropping dunks at the Staples Center, “The 5th Quarter” wasn’t actually Griffin’s first foray into comedy. “I did improv three or four years with a couple of my friends in the scene, then decided to go to the Montreal Comedy Festival and do some stand up there,” he told TheWrap.

“It was far scarier than my first NBA game — I’ve done basketball all my life and it’s second nature but doing the comedy stuff on stage was terrifying,” the five-time NBA All-Star added.

Now he’s gotten his feet wet with sketch comedy, Griffin would love to follow in the footsteps of fellow athletes like Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and LeBron James by hosting “SNL.”

“I am a huge ‘Saturday Night Live’ fan, I’ve watched every episode over the last 20 or 30 years. I would absolutely love to host it,” he said. Did you hear that, Lorne Michaels?

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Griffin got recruited by “The 5th Quarter” after being cold-called by producer Michael D. Ratner to appear on the first season.

“All of these stories are rooted in reality,” Ratner told TheWrap. “The pilot episode of Season 1 is basically the Danny Almonte story — an older kid who comes over from the Dominican Republic and is told to play baseball with younger kids in the Little League World Series,” he explained.

“So then we were like, why don’t we have Blake Griffin play a 28-year-old man whose crooked uncle tells him to play in the Under-13 league? I think the really fun thing about this series is that there is probably a famous sports story out there that has a lot of the same blueprint, but we just take it off in a really different direction.”

Ratner’s OBB Pictures produced “The 5th Quarter” in partnership with 3 Arts Entertainment, and executive producers Jason Berger and Amy Laslett with Kids at Play. Season 2 premieres on go90 Thursday, with Season 3 rolling out in January 2018.

Watch the trailer for Season 2 above and read TheWrap’s interview with Ratner below.

Also Read: Rob Gronkowski Strips Off His Shirt, Flips Steaks on 'MVP' Season 2 (Video)

TheWrap: How did you come up with the concept for “The 5th Quarter”?
Michael D. Ratner: I got the inspiration when I was directing and producing a “30 for 30” film for ESPN on Hunter S. Thompson’s trip to the Kentucky Derby in 1970 called “Gonzo at the Derby,” which was narrated by Sean Penn.

It is the craziest story and is just wild. It was the start of Gonzo journalism and was a historical moment as was the first time Ralph Steadman and Thompson met. I thought that there was such a rich opportunity to merge sports and comedy if you were to take it a little bit lighter. While “30 for 30” is one of my favorite series, I was able to flip it on its head with a fictional comedy parody.

I had also executive produced Dwight Howard’s “In the Moment” for Epix, so had my hand in a bunch of serious sports docs and thought there was the opportunity to do something really unique by merging the world of sports and comedy together.

TheWrap: As outlandish as the series is, it also seems very grounded in reality, was that the intention?
Ratner: I think that having the Kenny Maynes and Michelle Beadles of the world commenting as strong voices in sports media adds to the credibility of the show. You have anchors who you usually hear talking about real news now commenting on these wild stories … then you have actors or comedians, and, of, course the real athletes themselves. It all lends itself to a really strong parody that walks the line of “am I watching something real or is this fake?”

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TheWrap: Was it difficult to get such A-list athletes to sign on to the show?
Ratner: Season 1 was hard to cast as we were pitching an idea and we had the straight to series order from go90, which was a new platform at the time. I just believed in this so much and had done some work with Vice and ESPN, so we were able to get a foot in the door to pitch these guys as to why it would be a good brand move for a lot of them to show their fans a different side of their personalities.

It was the domino effect, once we got Blake and Mark Cuban — who was also appearing in my Netflix movie, “One in a Billion” — we were able to get the rest. Then once Season 1 was successful, I was able to parlay that as a proven concept for Seasons 2 and 3.

TheWrap: We can’t all be Peyton Manning, and some actors are great on the court or field but can’t act — how did you tackle that?
You need to play to their strong suits — certain people have the personality to act and others do not, so you have to realize that you are’t working with traditional actors and to set them up for success.

Blake has unbelievable comedy chops and has done improv and stand up, so he was a natural and we were able to give him a character with more range. It was all physical comedy in Season 1, then he has a huge role in the Season 2 premiere as he is cut out for that. Other guys just play extensions of themselves … it is done on a case-by-case basis.

Also Read: ESPN '30 for 30': 'Morningside 5' Revisits LA High School Basketball Stars 25 Years Later

TheWrap: It seems that the crossover between sports and entertainment gets stronger every year, why is that?
The timing is great right now as there’s never been more places for projects to air, with live events and sporting events increasingly ending up at places like go90. Plus, the desire from the consumer to have original content and to see their favorite athletes in a different light has never been bigger. It’s an opportunity for athletes to connect with fans in a different way … it’s a big difference to hearing an athlete with a mic in his face in a post-game interview after a loss. This is a chance for these guys to try their hands at something new in the off-season that interests them and to show off their personality.

We see a lot of guys wanting to gravitate towards comedy, to executive produce, or like LeBron James, to star in Judd Apatow movies such as “Trainwreck.” So I think there are a lot of ways to create new content with athletes and we’re exploring all of those.

TheWrap: How did you juggle all the athletes’ team obligations during the season?
It’s a nightmare scheduling with athletes! We have an anthology series with a minimum of six different cast members per episode, so it becomes a crazy scheduling jigsaw puzzle. We had the basketball season dictate it as the show is NBA-heavy, but then we also had MLB, WNBA and NFL players on there as well. Hall of Fame players like Dr. J were a lot easier to book.

We figure out how we get these guys in and out. One of the cool things about the show is the ability to have someone in there for 45 minutes of work and do a talking head asking their opinion on a bunch of fictitious story lines, so we can have them do six episodes at once. It allows them to spend a day over the summer shooting and then stay super relevant throughout the season when the show rolls out, so it is a really good look for everyone.

One of the highlights this season is Marlon Wayans playing an overbearing father who starts recruiting his son at different schools at seven years old, and then we have LaVar and Lonzo Ball giving commentary on that storyline. Getting in on the joke and being part of it is one of the cool opportunities with the show and it makes for fun, confusing television.

Also Read: ESPN Names Connor Schell as Executive Vice President, Content

TheWrap: How has it been working with a relatively new platform such as go90?
We’ve done three seasons of TV with them and they have been great to work with, they really bought into the vision of the show. We thought it was a perfect fit given the live events and NBA games that they carry. They’ve allowed us to have a lot of fun and go wild this season. The first season was one of their best-received shows so we just wanted to go bigger and crazier. Being able to have that creative freedom is invaluable.

TheWrap: Do you have a wish list of who you’d like to go on the show?
What I really want to do is the “untold story” of Spike Lee and Reggie Miller, in which Reggie goes to all of Spike Lee’s movie premieres and heckles him. As a New Yorker, that is one that I have really wanted to make, but it is another scheduling challenge as they are both so busy — Spike with his movies and Reggie now as an analyst now. The goal is to highlight a rivalry in real life.

25 Most Memorable ESPYs Moments, From Stuart Scott to Justin Timberlake (Photos)

Since the first ESPYs Awards in 1993, the show has celebrated the best sports action from throughout the year while honoring trailblazers from all realms. It was originally held in March or April from New York City, but has since moved to its regular spot in July following the MLB All-Star game and migrated west to Los Angeles. Check out some of the best moments from the last quarter decade.
Debbie Emery
Jimmy V's historic speech begins it all (1993)
Long before the Jimmy V Award existed, its namesake Jim Valvano made what still stands as the most famous speech in ESPYs’ history – and possibly all of sports. “I'm going to speak longer than anyone else has spoken tonight," Valvano said, accepting the first ever Arthur Ashe Courage Award (and everyone was more than OK with that). "Time is very precious to me. I don't know how much I have left and I have some things I would like to say." The N. C. State basketball coach was battling terminal bone cancer and died less than two months later.
ESPN
Michael Sam accepts the Courage Award (2014):
After becoming the first openly gay football player to enter the NFL draft in 2014 (where he was picked by the St. Louis Rams), Michael Sam was then presented the Courage Award by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Sam quoted Arthur Ashe, telling the audience: "Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.” The University of Missouri alum went on to tell the audience: "Those were the words to live by, whether you're black or white, young or old, straight or gay ... Football raised me, football taught me about hard work."
Getty Images
Sidney Poitier honors Muhammad Ali (1997):
A Hollywood legend honored a boxing legend with an Oscar-worthy speech and the result was nothing short of magical. "In an age of discrimination, he stood up for racial pride. In an era of lost values, he had a spiritual rebirth. In a time of war, Muhammad Ali spoke of peace,” Poitier said when he took to the podium.
Stuart Scott's inspirational cancer speech (2014):
Longtime “SportsCenter” anchor Stuart Scott became a part of the show in 2015 when he accepted the Jimmy V Perseverance Award. Up until then, few knew the extent of Scott’s cancer battle as he never let the struggle show on-air, but the sports broadcaster took the entire room with him on a beautiful, tear-jerking journey. “You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and in the manner in which you live. So live. Live. Fight like hell and when you get too tired to fight then lay down and rest and let somebody else fight for you." Scott died in January 2015 at age 49 – but he never lost the fight.
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Devon Still accepts award for sick daughter Leah (2015):
Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Devon Still became a household name during his five-year-old daughter Leah’s cancer battle, as he put supporting her ahead of his NFL career. Too sick to attend the ESPYs herself, the brave little girl said via video: “Sorry I couldn’t be here, everybody. Thank you for supporting me while I beat out cancer,” before her dad sent the message “don’t give up.” Two years later, Leah is cancer-free and the face of the Still Strong Foundation.
Photo by Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images
Ben Affleck pays tribute to a Yankees great (2015)
A die-hard Boston Red Sox fan presenting a New York Yankees legend with the Icon Award, what could go wrong? Thankfully, “There was something about him [Jeter] that made the boos ring a little hollow. Maybe it was his inimitable class, maybe it was that he won with dignity and lost with grace. Maybe it was simply that we knew no matter what, he was a winner regardless,” Affleck said. "He broke my heart 100 times, if not more. And he broke it again when he retired.”
Photo by Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images
Jamie Foxx serenades Serena Williams (2003):
We all heard Jamie Foxx sing as Ray Charles in Oscar-winning “Ray,” but no one expected him to honor Serena Williams with a little ditty titled, “Can I Be Your Tennis Ball?” when he served as host in 2003 and 2004. "15-love, 30-40 love, advantage you, 'til you get to deuce," went the catchy lyrics. Not even a Grand Slam champion could resist that.
YouTube
Craig Sager’s colorful Jimmy V Award speech (2016)
Even though he spent the bulk of his career at Turner Sports, Craig Sager was beloved at ESPN. The “NBA on TNT” reporter lit up the stage in a rainbow bright jacket and yellow shirt before delivering a moving speech while accepting the Jimmy V Award. “I will continue to keep fighting -- sucking the marrow out of life, as the marrow sucks the life out of me,” Sager said. Sadly, he passed away from leukemia in December.
Lauren Hill's parents remember her (2015):
College basketball phenomena Lauren Hill succumbed to a brain tumor three months before the ESPYs but that didn’t deplete her presence on the big night. When her parents took to the stage to accept the Best Moment award on her behalf, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. "We are so thankful to everyone who helped make Lauren's moment possible," Lauren's mother, Lisa Hill, said.
Photo by Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images
Bill Murray sings the “SportsCenter” theme song (1994)
Diehard Chicago Cubs fan Bill Murray saw his dream come true last year with the World Series victory, but long before the Cubs’ curse was broken, Murray took to the stage to host the 1994 ESPYs, and put his sports knowledge and singing talent to the test by belting out the signature “SportsCenter” tune.
YouTube
Justin Timberlake sings “I Love Sports” (2008):
Timberlake really does love sports, and he wasn’t afraid to tell the world while hosting the 2008 awards. The former NSYNC singer put his obsession to music in the catchy song that reflected on the sports year, poked fun at celebrity couples Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo and Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen, and mocked his role in Janet Jackson’s Nipplegate Super Bowl scandal.
YouTube
Norm Macdonald tries to offend everyone (1998):
In comparison to Timberlake’s love of sports, Norm Macdonald ripped out the hearts of every sports fan watching with his ruthless opening monologue. From the Dallas Cowboys stripper scandal and O.J. Simpson, to rape allegations against Anthony Mason, no topic was too sensitive for the “Saturday Night Live” alum.
YouTube
Justin Timberlake vs. the Kansas Jayhawks (2008)
Forever the performer, Tennessee native Timberlake couldn’t hide his love of the Memphis Tigers when he hosted the 2008 ESPYs – which meant ripping into Kansas Jayhawks star Mario Chalmers for beating his beloved team in the NCAA final. Unfortunately for the host, that victory earned Kansas the Best Game award.
Getty Images
Caitlyn Jenner's tearful speech (2105)
The former Olympian captivated the audience when she accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. There was a hushed silence when she took to the stage in a sweeping white gown, but that soon broke into applause and standing ovations. “Trans people deserve something vital: They deserve your respect,” Jenner said.
ESPN
Robin Roberts is introduced by LeBron James (2013):
A legend in her own right, Robin Roberts got an introduction worthy of royalty from LeBron “King” James when she was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for her public handling of her battles with breast cancer in 2007 and myelodysplastic syndrome. The "Good Morning America" host got a standing ovation when she went on stage to receive the award from the NBA great.
Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN
LeBron James’ “LeBrogative” dance (2007)
The Cleveland Cavaliers star was also part of a far less serious memorable moment in 2007 when he wore a wig and baggy pants to dance to “My LeBrogative” during his 2007 hosting gig. MC Hammer, eat your heart out.

YouTube
Dewey Bozella following his wrongful imprisonment (2011)
Former amateur boxer Dewey Bozella's wrongful imprisonment for murder turned him into a national news story, and his appearance at the 2011 ESPYs to accept the Arthur Ashe Award following his release after serving a 26 year prison sentence turned him into a household name.
Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN
Drake performs two potential hits (2014)
Everything Drake touches turns to gold, and that includes spoof songs he performs while hosting the ESPYs. "Honorable Mention" and "Side Pieces" were both cool enough to be hit singles if the rapper ever released them -- even though they're meant to be cheeky jokes poking fun at sports stars and their other halves.
YouTube
Gronk hosts a dance party (2015):
What's better than one Gronkowski dancing at the ESPYs? Four, of course! Rob and his equally-as-hyped brothers Dan, Chris and Gordie Jr. did a joint shoulder-bumping, jumping celebration when the New England Patriots tight end won Comeback Player of the Year in 2015. Despite being a Seattle Seahawks fan, host Joel McHale even closed the show by thanking “everyone for coming, and Rob Gronkowski.”
ESPN
Will Ferrell accepts an award as Tiger Woods (2008):
Long before Tiger Woods began hitting the news for the wrong reasons, Will Ferrell played a caricature of the golf champion in a hilarious ESPYs skit. "People are always asking me, 'Tiger, how do you do it?' And my answer is, 'Shut up.' I ask the questions."
ESPN
NBA stars take a stand (2016):
Politics and sports often inevitably crossover, and in 2016 Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James opened the ESPYs by addressing the Black Lives Matter protests and recent police shootings. “We cannot ignore the realities of the current state of America,” Anthony said as the four NBA super stars stood on stage together.
YouTube
Destiny's Child twerk with Serena Williams (2005):
Beyonce and co. were twerking at the ESPYs long before Gronk made it cool again. Destiny's Child were joined on stage by Serena Williams and track star Allyson Felix for a special performance of "Lose My Breath." Williams went on to appear in Beyonce's video for "Lemonade" last year.
YouTube
Chance the Rapper's Muhammad Ali tribute (2016):
Tributes to the greatest of all time filled the 2016 ESPY Awards, with the event taking place just over a month after his death. But none was more tuneful than the Chance the Rapper's closing song, which left guests with a black and white image of the Ali as they left the show instead of the customary confetti.
ESPN
Pat Summitt defies the odds -- again (2012):
Despite battling Alzheimer's disease, University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt gave one of her signature inspiring speeches when she was presented with Arthur Ashe Award by fellow Tennessean Peyton Manning. "It is time to fight," the winningest D-1 coach in NCAA history said. "As I ask all of you to join me together so we will win."
ESPN Video
Stevie Wonder presents Best Team to the Lakers (2009):
Musical great Stevie Wonder got to celebrate the Lakers' glory years when he presented the Best Team award to Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher and their teammates. While that was pretty cool, but it will be Wonder's awesome introduction -- which included a promised that he planned to become "a quarterback for the Steelers or a point guard for the Cavaliers," before breaking into song that sticks in most people's memories.
YouTube

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TheWrap looks back at 25 years of hilarious and heartfelt highlights

Since the first ESPYs Awards in 1993, the show has celebrated the best sports action from throughout the year while honoring trailblazers from all realms. It was originally held in March or April from New York City, but has since moved to its regular spot in July following the MLB All-Star game and migrated west to Los Angeles. Check out some of the best moments from the last quarter decade.

View In Gallery

25 Most Memorable ESPYs Moments, From Stuart Scott to Justin Timberlake (Photos)

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