Sports Action Team (NBC)

Following the old adage that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, SPORTS ACTION TEAM parodies the wonderful world of sports and the reporters who cover it. The Sports Action Team reporters (who are played by an ensemble of improvisational actors and comedians) interact with real-life athletes, coaches, and other sports figures, chatting about sports and other things that might come up during the interview. Segments of these interviews are broadcast during the Action Team's muddled weekly television broadcast. The "sporting team of reporting" is headed by career-driven and somewhat neurotic Nicole Cheng (Niki Lindgren) and features arrogant Kevin Fleming (Kevin Kelly), clueless Anthony Mak (Antoine McKay), pleasant-but-oblivious Al Click (Al Samuels), and earthy, philosophical Katie Hernandez (Katie Nahnsen). They're joined by the less-than-talented Steve Kelley (Steven Fleming), a college student who plans to jump-start his career in sports journalism by working with the hapless group. Clearly targeted at sports fans, the show combines interview clips with Three Stooges-type humor. It also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a weekly sports show.

Some bits hit their mark and offer real laughs (an interview with Conan O'Brien, for example). But others fall painfully flat, stretching on far too long as the actors push to find a funny moment. Because Sports Action Team's dialogue is only partially scripted, some of the interviews incorporate inappropriate remarks, sexist jokes, and profanity (which is loudly bleeped out for comic effect, making the swearing more obvious than it needs to be). The show also contains some footage of dangerous stunts that shouldn't be tried at home.