Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Certainly, the staff at Channel 2 Action News will deem sportscaster Zach Klein viral video man of the year thanks to his Monday night broadcast where he paid tribute to Robin Williams by weaving 23 references to the legendary actor via 21 movie titles, a TV show and a quote from "Dead Poet's Society" over two and a half minutes.
The video was acknowledged by USA Today, the New York Post, the Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post and Deadspin, to name a few.
Klein said he was hooked by Williams from "Mork & Mindy" on and wanted to pay homage in a way that wasn't heavy handed, though being human, he admitted a couple of his movie references sounded more forced than others. Using imdb.com as a cheat sheet, he wrote out his script before the 11 p.m. news.
He said he wanted to include Williams' Oscar-winning "Good Will Hunting" into the final cut but couldn't find a natural place for it. He also couldn't find a place for "Dead Poet's Society." Instead, he inserted a classic quote from the film.
Klein would never be defined as one of the crazy ones. But he said when he worked in Orlando, he did entire sportscasts on Christmas Eve in rhyme using "Twas the Night Before Christmas."
Here's the script. See how many Williams references you can catch:
Noel, Julio Teheran has flexed his muscles at home like Popeye, going 4 and 1 at Turner Field. He struggled tonight and eventually got the hook. Adrian Gonzalez, who has become everyone's hero in L.A. with an RBI single right here. 6-2, your final. The Braves will go home and try to cheer up while watching "Mrs. Doubtfire."
One way to earn the title world's greatest dad is to team up with Freddie Freeman and participate in his fantasy football league. It could be an early Father's Day present and this gift is a lot better than toys. Freeman and a few of his Braves teammates hope you seize the day on Friday and join them at the 755 Club for a live fantasy draft. So whether your name is Patch Adams, Hamlet, Jack, Mork or Mindy, everyone is welcome to join the team, snap some selfies and take them to one hour photo. Freddie wants you to have the best of times and raise some money for charity.
Only one more practice for the Falcons at Flowery Branch. As tomorrow they hit the road, no they're not going to Moscow on the Hudson but to Houston to get in some work with the Texans. Rookie running back Devonta Freeman will definitely make the final cut but there is always something to prove.
Seize the days boys and make your life extraordinary.
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