The Name's The Same (ABC, Ep. 3, sports edition)

[dougmorrisontheair]

Greetings, all.  Time for the third installment (fourth if you count the time I hosted this in the net game group I managed for a few years on Y!) of The Name's The Same.

Three NGC hosts will attempt to identify the names of our mystery challengers.  Each mystery challenger I know personally and, for this episode, each one happens to share his first and last name with a famous athlete.

So, if you're a host and want to play, please respond to this thread.

[billmcdee]

Hot diggity!  You bet!

Bill McDee, current host of Gambit P.M. and Now You See It.

[palmer7]

I think I'll have to sit this one out as I'm not too good with athletes.

[jmdarrall]

I've wanted to give this a go for quite some time. Although I don't know too many athletes, I try to keep up on the latest in sports, as well as some classics. I'll try it. Jonathan Darrall of "The Challengers."

[Deleted]

I do love sports and I'm in as the star of Cash Tornado.

[Deleted]

Do you have any spots left? I can do it

[dougmorrisontheair]

Sorry, Jman8606, we've found our three.

Bill, John and Jay, I need some time to make podium graphics. We'll probably start tomorrow morning. Thanks.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(Note from Doug: Due to a lucky moment, most graphics were ready to go. So -- let's do this!)

---

(ESPN/ABC postseason NBA theme plays)

Doug: The NBA is down to its final two. While my Spurs aren't representing the Western Conference, ABC is proud to bring you the NBA Finals. And we're also proud to bring you an all-sports version of "The Name's The Same". Tonight's challengers share their first and last names with those who've played on sports' biggest stages -- including previous NBA championship series.

So -- what are we waiting for? Game on!

(audience cheers)

(much updated version of "Shooting Star" by Sidney Torch plays)

Glenn Bowman: Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to play "The Name's The Same". (audience cheers) Then as now, "The Name's The Same" is brought to you by the makers of Clorets, the delicious chlorophyll chewing gum that makes your breath kissably sweet in seconds.  And now -- here's our host and all-around good sport -- Doug Morris!

(audience cheers)

Doug: Thank you, Glenn Bowman. Hellooooo, everybody, and welcome to our all sports special of "The Name's The Same". Tonight's challengers share their first and last names with famous athletes. And it's up to our panel to figure out their names.

You'll meet our first challenger shortly. But first, let's welcome our all-star lineup of panelists.

("Sirius" plays)

Doug: Ahhh -- well played in the control room. Leading off, from Gambit P.M. and Now You See It, we now see Bill McDee.

(audience cheers)

Doug: The man in the middle. The ref from "The Challengers", Jonathan Darrall.

(audience cheers)

Doug: And rounding out our big three, ready to bring on the storm, it's "Cash Tornado" host Jay Jianoran.

(audience cheers)

("Sirius" fades)

Doug: Now our panelists are playing for charity tonight. Let's take a moment and go around the horn, to borrow a line from some ESPN show, and find out about the charities -- starting with Bill.

[billmcdee]

Hello Doug, it's very nice to see you and to be back here once again, and I am already anticipating your December special as well!


My charity this evening is the American Heart Association.

If anyone watching cares to make a donation, you can visit their website at www.heart.org for details on how to go about doing that.

Last month I had some wicked chest twinges.  It had me hospitalized overnight.  Thankfully all tests came back negative, EKG, blood, etc.  I had a nuclear stress test done too and according to the cardiologist's office, my ticker was just fine, which was sensational news.

My father died at age 43 from a massive MI, or myocardial infarction, "heart attack".  His unhealthy eating habits, coupled with his cigarette smoking and very physical demands of his job all contributed to his very untimely death.

My mother died at age 65 from cardiogenic shock.   She too was a heavy smoker from the time she was 13 years old back in 1949.

My mother's mother, also a smoker, died at age 73 from congestive heart failure.

So my advice to you all, if you smoke, quit.  If you're thinking about smoking, don't. 

[dougmorrisontheair]

(audience respectfully applauds)

Thanks for sharing your stories, Bill. Hope you raise a lot of money tonight. We wish the same for Jonathan and Jay.

Jonathan, what organization are you playing for?

[jmdarrall]

Thanks for having me, Doug, and I'm going to be playing for a very worthwhile cause: The Make-a-Wish Foundation.

This organization ensures that every child has the chance to have their dreams come true without letting life-threatening diseases get in the way.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(audience respectfully applauds)

One of my favorite co-workers was a faithful volunteer of Make-A-Wish. Know their work well. Nice having you with us. And Jay, please tell us about your charity.

[Deleted]

I'm playing for Victory Junction Gang Camp of Randleman, NC which is founded in honor of the late Adam Petty because I love NASCAR.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(audience respectfully applauds)

Doug: I covered NASCAR on the radio for the better part of four seasons. So I know their work well.

Now that we know who they're playing for, here's how they earn money for those fine causes.

Before the show, we gave each panelist a check. It looks like this...

...and it's in the amount of $5000. But at the end of the game, only one panelist will hang on to that five-grand and take the others' checks in the process -- *or* -- all three panelists will surrender their checks to our challenger. Monies won by the panelists will be donated to their favorite charities.

And let's go ahead and welcome our first challenger of the night. A warm welcome please to Mr. X.

(audience cheers)

Doug: Welcome to our show, sir.

Mr. X: Thanks, Doug. Looking forward to this.

Doug: Panel, we'll tell you a little more about our guest's identity in a bit. When a game starts, we allow each panelist seven questions to ask.

(ding)

Panelists, when it's your turn, you may ask a question or pass your turn to the next player in line. Keep in mind your question must lead to the answer of "yes" or "no" -- *and* you must ask your question as if the famous person is the challenger.

For example, let's say Mr. X's name is Tommy Lasorda. You may ask questions such as, "Were you a baseball manager?", "Did you lead a team to at least one World Series championship?" and "Are you Tommy Lasorda?"

The moment your question leads to the actual first and last name of our challenger, you keep *your* $5000 -- and the others lose their checks to you -- meaning your charity becomes at least $15,000 richer by the end of the night. If your seventh and final question doesn't correctly identify our challenger, you'll be forfeiting your check to someone else.

Now, a head start hint about this guest's name. Mr. X shares his first and last name with a former NBA coach.

Bill, you're up first. Ask away.

[billmcdee]

Well if nothing else, we know you're not Tommy Lasorda



A "Former" NBA coach, did you win any NBA championships?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Mr. X: Oh yes!

[billmcdee]

Did you win multiple NBA Championships?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Mr. X: Oh yes!

[billmcdee]

Did you win NBA championships with more than just one team as a head coach?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Mr. X: (nods head) Oh yes!

Doug: Three affirmative answers, so far. Keep playing or pass, Bill?

[billmcdee]

I've got to think that you are Phil Jackson.  Are you Phil Jackson?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Mr. X: Well, when the show started, we did hear the Chicago Bulls' theme song.






























































Mr. X: But that wasn't a tell, as they'd say in Poker. I'm not Phil Jackson.

(scattered groans)

Doug: All right. That only costs Bill a question. Still got great information. Ask again or pass?

[billmcdee]

Wow I thought for SURE I had it...






In that case, I'll gamble and ask, are you Pat Riley?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Mr. X: Going for a rebound, I see.































































Mr. X: Bill, it's showtime! I am Pat Riley!

(audience cheers)

Doug: Second chance pays off for Bill. Jon, Jay, please pass the checks over to Bill. Jonathan, you'll start our second game of the night and Jay starts Game 3.

Bill, sounds like you follow a lot of basketball.

[billmcdee]

Well not a whole lot, but I figured when it was a very successful NBA coach with multiple titles it had to be either Phil Jackson, Pat Riley or Red Auerbach, and it seemed highly unlikely that there'd be another guy in this world named Red Auerbach

[dougmorrisontheair]

Doug: Well, you never know. Red's actual first name was Arnold. So there may be an Arnold Auerbach around.

As for *this* Pat Riley, he's insurance operations director at a hospital in Mississippi. Pat, I've got to ask -- how often do people bring up that other Pat Riley?

Pat: Well -- back in the 1980s and the days of the showtime Lakers, people would frequently ask "How's Kareem?" and "How's Magic?" and all that. It tapered off quite a bit until Pat coached the Miami Heat to a championship. It's tapered off again -- even now that, I think, he's become an executive.

Doug: Indeed, between stints as a player, coach and executive, he is the first person in North America to win championships in those roles. Pat Riley -- one of the great success stories in all of sports.

As for you, no money unfortunately -- but we do have some fine gifts for you and our thanks for playing The Name's The Same.

Pat: Thanks, Doug, this was fun.

(much updated version of "Shooting Star" by Sidney Torch plays)

Doug: You got it. The fun's just begun. We'll play our second game of the night after this.

(audience cheers)

[dougmorrisontheair]

(much updated version of "Shooting Star" by Sidney Torch plays)

Glenn: Each guest who does not stump the panel will receive the following.

Resentel's Escapade luggage collection. The fun and inexpensive escape from traditional luggage. Single-shell molding and contemporary design from Resentel.

From Sportcraft, a unique tabletop soccer game. The action is fast and furious. Realistic-looking players and fields add to the fun. Sportcraft, the games people play.

Dessert of the Month. Every month, a scrumptiously different dessert will arrive at your home. Each dessert is made to serve 12 and will be delivered in a reusable, designer tin. Furnished by Dessert of the Month.

And a $500 gift card toward the purchase of any item listed in the world famous Spiegel catalog. Spiegel -- with over 50,000 quality items offering value, selection and savings. Spiegel, Chicago, 60609.

"The Name's The Same"
c/o ABC
4151 Prospect Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Glenn: And if you know someone with a famous name -- and would like for that person to be a Mr., Ms., Miss or Mrs. X on a future show -- just drop us a line at The Name's The Same, care of ABC, 4151 Prospect Avenue, Los Angeles, California, 90027. Now, back to Doug Morris and our all sports edition of The Name's The Same.

(audience cheers) (music fades)

Doug: Thanks, Glenn. Time for Game 2 and a warm welcome to our second Mr. X.

(audience cheers)

(Mr. X and Doug shake hands)

Mr. X: Thank you, Doug. Great to be here.

Doug: Now, don't think we forgot to show the name to you folks at home. We're trying something different and letting you play at home. Besides, our character generator's taking a borderline vacation. (scattered laughter from the crowd) So, with that, panel, here's your head start hint.

We're still talking roundball.  Our second challenger of the night shares his first and last name with a member of the basketball hall of fame. Our guest's namesake's accomplishments in the college and pro games are why he's enshrined.

(ding)

We've replenished Bill's supply of questions to seven. But Jonathan starts Game 2. Remember, yes-or-no questions and ask your question as if the basketball hall-of-famer is here. Good luck everyone. Jonathan, the floor's yours.

[jmdarrall]

Hmmm...as a college player, did you ever win the NCAA Championship?

[dougmorrisontheair]

Mr. X: I did.

[dougmorrisontheair]

(Bump for Jonathan.)