One Wild Ride: The Saga of the Dake and Bates Show

Walter “Dake” Dockery and Billy Bates sense a unique chemistry on the day they first meet in the lobby of Global Sports Network’s headquarters. Pivotal career crossroads bring them to GSN’s door, ready to challenge the likes of ESPN by unconventional means—creating a talk show playing directly to sports fans in the 55-and-older audience segment.However, Barrett Simpson, the hotshot program manager assigned to oversee the fledgling Dake and Bates Show, finds little value in the neophyte co-hosts’ approach. Barrett firmly believes the only fans who matter are those who follow the latest trends and social media influencers. He throws blame directly on Dake and Billy when their initial shows go disastrously off the rails.Back in the control booth, veteran technician Wes Johnson sees through the clutter. His hand-crafted audience-engagement app shows that Dake and Billy have indeed connected with their target demographic. Wes makes his case to GSN executive Davis Gladstone, who eventually agrees to give the anchors control of their own content for a make-or-break series of broadcasts.With key contributions from whip-smart Wendy Weir, Davis’s recently promoted assistant, and two gifted and dedicated young interns, the Dake and Bates team sets off in its own direction. Not long after, the show begins to build a buzz based on throwback connections and startling proficiency at sports wagering.Dake and Billy can only shake their heads in amazement as they rub elbows with legendary sports heroes from yesteryear. Remote broadcasts at the NBA All-Star Game in Chicago and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas boost their credibility and bring all the action to a head in what could only be described as…ONE WILD RIDE.