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ABC SPORTS SPECIAL: TENNIS BATTLE OF THE SEXES: BILLIE JEAN KING VS. BOBBY RIGGS (TV)

Summary

This ABC Sports special, broadcast live from the Houston Astrodome, features a unique inter-gender tennis match between female rising star Billie Jean King and self-described "male chauvinist pig" Bobby Riggs. In addition, interviews with celebrities from the worlds of sports and entertainment are featured, as well as a whimsical musical number that makes reference to the nickname given to the match: "The libber versus the lobber." The program opens with the song-and-dance number, followed by several testimonials from the two opponents' sharply-divided fans. Riggs is endorsed by Pancho Gonzales, John Newcombe, Dennis Ralston, Oleg Cassini, Chris Evert, and George Plimpton. Billie Jean King is cheered on by Cliff Robertson, Roosevelt Grier, and George Foreman. After the series of brief interviews, commentator Howard Cosell introduces himself and announces that ABC has asked him to play a pair of short clips regarding the coverage of the match. The first clip features Larry King, Billie Jean's husband, explaining that his wife has asked ABC to replace scheduled commentator Jack Kramer. Kramer, King explains, is biased against women athletes (and Billie Jean King, specifically).

The second clip features a response from Kramer, who confirms that he disapproves of King's efforts to advance the status of women in professional sports. Kramer then voluntarily steps down from the job. Cosell introduces Kramer's replacements: professional tennis players Eugene Scott and Rosemary Casals. Cosell also announces that Frank Gifford will be reporting from the floor of the Astrodome, conducting interviews with the fans sitting courtside. The match begins when King and Riggs exchange gifts. Riggs gives King a large lollipop, claiming that it's "a big sucker for a big sucker," and King gives him a pet pig. Once play begins, King takes an early lead and wins the first set six games to four. In between sets, Gifford interviews actress Claudine Longet about the feminist angle to the match. When Longet tries to show off the back of her t-shirt, which reads: "I'm a Billie Jean Fan," Gifford makes a joke about only caring about looking at her front. King then handily defeats Riggs in the second set, winning six games to three. By the end of the tape, Cosell and Scott note that the audience has started to cheer for Riggs, who has suddenly turned into the underdog.

Continued from T:43470. The second part of this ABC Sports special, broadcast live from the Houston Astrodome, features the conclusion of a unique inter-gender tennis match between female rising star Billie Jean King and self-described "male chauvinist pig" Bobby Riggs. At the beginning of this tape, King has already defeated Riggs in two sets, and she has taken an early lead in the first few games of the third set. Commentator Cosell remarks on how tired Riggs appears; meanwhile, King is in peak form. After the first two games, Riggs requests a break so that he can work out a cramp in his hand. Commentator Casals suggests that Riggs' request is more likely a strategic move; she figures that he simply wants to interrupt King's momentum. While Riggs sits on the sidelines, commentator Gifford interviews artist LeRoy Nieman, who shows off a series of watercolors that he has painted throughout the match. He points out that his favorite canvas is the one that features a low-angle view up the skirt of one of the match's lineswomen. He also tells Gifford, "As you can see, I've been distracted." The set gets underway again, and King defeats him six games to three to win the entire match in straight sets (6-4, 6-3, 6-3), and the crowd can barely contain its enthusiasm. At the end of the match, a suddenly humbled Riggs shakes King's hand and Cosell announces that ABC will now switch over to "The Streets of San Francisco."

(This program contains minor technical problems. This represents the best copy of this program currently available to the Museum.)

Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation.

Details

  • NETWORK: ABC
  • DATE: September 20, 1973 8:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 2:31:15
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T:43470
  • GENRE: Sports
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Sports; Tennis; Women in sports; Women's rights; Women's Collection - Sports
  • SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 1973
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • TV - Commercials - Aetna insurance
    • TV - Commercials - American Express credit cards
    • TV - Commercials - Cadillac automobiles
    • TV - Commercials - Equitable insurance
    • TV - Commercials - Erik cigars
    • TV - Commercials - Farah slacks
    • TV - Commercials - Monroe shock absorbers
    • TV - Commercials - Rockwell International industrial and consumer products
    • TV - Commercials - Savings and Loan Savings Accounts
    • TV - Commercials - Sunbeam electric razors
    • TV - Commercials - Sunbeam hair care products
    • TV - Commercials - Sunbeam irons
    • TV - Commercials - Wilson tennis rackets
    • TV - Promos - "Funny Girl"
    • TV - Promos - "Kung Fu"
    • TV - Promos - "Rosemary's Baby"

CREDITS

  • Howard Cosell … Commentator
  • Frank Gifford … Commentator
  • Rosemary Casals … Commentator
  • Eugene Scott … Commentator
  • Oleg Cassini
  • Chris Evert
  • George Foreman
  • Pancho Gonzales
  • Roosevelt Grier
  • Billie Jean King
  • Larry King
  • Jack Kramer
  • Claudine Longet
  • John Newcombe
  • George Plimpton
  • Dennis Ralston
  • Bobby Riggs
  • Cliff Robertson