Special Sub-Topic: "The Apology" Click Here To Play: "The Apology"

Which character's brother is the subject of the actual apology that this episode is named after?

Dan. Dan's brother was killed in a car accident when he was driving under the influence of alcohol and marijuana. Dan is convinced that it was his fault because he was a drug user when he was young and he believes that his brother was emulating his behavior.

Casey is more concerned with his own level of "coolness" than he is about the trouble that Dan is going to get into when the network executives read the interview that Dan did with "Esquire" magazine that has just hit the newsstands.

t. Casey: "Look, don't get me wrong, Dan's my closest friend and I like to think of our relationship as selfless, but at the moment I'm not as concerned about him as I am about... how shall I say?" Elliott: "You?" Casey: "Me, yes. I'm concerned about this sense, this sense that in everything that's written about the two of us that Dan is cool and I am... what is the word?" Kim: "Not." Casey: "Yes, that Dan is cool and I am not. There is this sense, there is this perception..." Dana: "Hey, I need to talk to you. Casey: "There is a perception in the press, never more clear than in this article, that I'm not cool. Now, where do you think this perception comes from?" Dana: "I think it comes from reality." Casey: "Really?"

Who is cutting his first highlight package in this episode?

Jeremy. The highlight tape from the Cubs/Marlins game is later referred to as "an epic miniseries" by Casey.

According to Natalie, Casey needs which of the following things in addition to a woman?

spoons, forks. Natalie: "He's a single man living his life in an empty apartment." Dana: "He got divorced two weeks ago." Natalie: "He needs spoons. He needs forks. He needs a woman."

Casey has what musical CD in his car?

Time-Life's compilation "Sounds of the '70s". This is a tough question because the song mentioned in this episode is "Afternoon Delight" by The Starland Vocal Band. But, Casey clearly states in this episode: "I do not have the Starland Vocal Band, it's not like I went out and bought the single. It's on my Time-Life 'Sounds of the '70s.'" The other two groups mentioned are on the soundtrack to the series. "Eli's Coming" by Three Dog Night is played in the episode entitled "Eli's Coming" from the first season, and "It Hurts So Bad" by Susan Tedeschi is played at the end of the episode entitled "The Giants Win The Pennat" from the second season.

In this episode, there is a meeting between Dan, Isaac, Chase (a lawyer for the network), and a man who works for the network's department of standards and practices. What is the name of this character?

Stanley. Aaron Lustig plays Stanley. He was nominated for an Emmy in 1997 as Best Supporting Actor in the daytime TV drama "The Young And The Restless" for his role as Dr. Tim Reid. He attended Ithaca College, where he received a B.F.A. in acting and directing. Information from www.imdb.com

What is the name of the journalist from "Sports Night" who is on assignment in Chicago reporting on the Cubs?

Kelly Kirkpatrick. Amy Powell played Kelly Kirkpatrick four times over the course of the series. The actress in real life was a reporter for KARE 11 TV, the NBC affiliate in my hometown Minneapolis, MN. All the other names mentioned were also the names of other reporters on the show from other episodes. Information on Amy Powell from www.imdb.com

What are the names of the two characters who often fight throughout the course of the series, and who are in this case debating whether it is the gels or the monitors that are making the set appear beige?

Will and Chris. No matter which, the problem was giving the producer Dana a headache.

Who got himself on Isaac's bad side by comparing himself with Rosa Parks?

Dan. Isaac: "You know I love you, don't you?" Dan: "Yeah." Isaac: "And because I love you, I can say this: no rich, young white guy has ever gotten anywhere with me comparing himself to Rosa Parks. Got it?" Dan: "Yes, sir."

Why doesn't Natalie want to review the highlight tape that's featured in this episode?

She believes that she's starting to develop feelings for the author. Natalie has a crush on Jeremy. They end up going out a few episodes into the series, having a relationship, breaking up in the second season, and then getting back together before the end of the series.

To whom does Natalie pass on the job of reviewing the highlight tape?

Casey. It can't be Jeremy since he made the tape, Dan was busy with his own problems in this episode, and Isaac is way too important for such trivial work since he is the managing editor.

Who says "I know exactly what you mean" when the highlight tape's author complains that it was ruined when the person editing the tape made changes?

Isaac. The exact line that prompts this response is: "I only wish you could have seen the tape before the life was sucked out of it by forces entirely beyond my control."

How long was the highlight tape originally?

eight and a half minutes. Casey: "Usually we get thirty to forty seconds for each game. A little bit more if it's a game chock-full of spectacular plays and/or play-off consequences, and a little less if it goes the other way, but thirty to forty seconds is usually the rule of thumb."

In this episode, there is a reference to the movie "Dead Poets Society" in which Josh Charles (who plays Dan) plays a character named Knox Overstreet.

f. Though a great movie, "Dead Poets Society" is not referred to in this episode, nor is it in any episode. "Dead Poets Society" was Josh Charles' second movie. His first was "Hairspray." Information on Josh Charles from www.imdb.om

As the episode is ending, Casey is consulting Dan as to who is, and who is not cool. According to Dan, all of the following are cool EXCEPT for which of the following?

Marlon Brando. Casey: "Can I just say one more thing about the Starland Vocal Band?" Dan: "Sure." Casey: "1978, they win the Grammy for Best New Artist. You know who they beat? Elvis Costello. Now is it your belief that Elvis Costello isn't cool?" Dan: "No, it's my belief that the Grammy voters aren't cool." Casey: "Now they tell me." Dan: "Hey, I've been trying to tell you for..." Casey: "Who else isn't cool that I thought was cool? Is Nicholson cool?" Dan: "Oh yeah, Nicholson's cool." Casey: "J.D. Salinger?" Dan: "Yes." Casey: "The Muppets?" Dan: "Yes, but not Barney." Casey: "There's a subtle distinction." Dan: "You gotta feel it." Casey: "Zamfir, Master of the pan flute?" Dan: "Very, very cool." Casey: "Really?" Dan: "Yes."