"30 For 30" Series Drawing Kudos From Critics

ESPN often can serve as a polarizing entity among sports fans, but its “30 for 30” documentary series is garnering almost universal praise. Pundits have met ESPN's first four films with applause, crediting the net for handing the reins to notable filmmakers and taking a step back. NPR's Linda Holmes calls the documentaries "excellent, insightful television," whether you "care about sports or not." The most recent episode detailing the infamous Larry Holmes-Muhammad Ali fight in October ’80 is being deemed "easily the best of the first four because the documentary is largely left to stand alone without any sort of personal bias from the filmmaker." The fall run of the series, which coincides with ESPN’s 30th anniversary, concludes with features on Len Bias and Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder before returning next year with efforts by such luminary filmmakers as Ron Shelton and Steve James.

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