Journalism Showcase: E60’s ‘Above the Tide’ marks Hurricane Katrina’s 20th anniversary
Producer, director Julian Gooden works with ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark to explore New Orleans' recovery with sports serving in the storytelling
In a new ESPN E60, ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark makes his debut as a reporter, returning to his native New Orleans to examine how the city and its people have remembered and recovered from Hurricane Katrina, which struck the Gulf Coast 20 years ago.
“Above the Tide – 20 Years After Katrina” debuts Monday, Aug. 11, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, streaming afterward on ESPN+.
In New Orleans, Clark talks with local musicians, cultural figures and longtime residents. Several members of the New Orleans Saints who were on the roster at the time of the tragedy are also interviewed.
Julian Gooden, the producer and director of “Above the Tide,” spoke with Front Row:
How did the idea for doing this come about, and how did you become involved in the project?
The idea of doing a Katrina special came up in our group, and it sparked my interest because my father is from New Orleans. I’ve always wanted to connect with the place where my family’s roots started, so this was the perfect project to do that.
This was Clark’s first time as a reporter. Did he jump right in?
Ryan was incredible in the chair. He is not only a reporter, but he’s also a character in the doc. His family also went through Katrina, so he’s giving us a little bit of everything in the film. It was a pleasure working with him on this.
What’s something you hope people come away with from watching this?
The takeaway I hope people leave with is that, as a community and a country, we’re not all that different. Tragedy sometimes reminds us of that, and sports do as well. When you cheer for the same team, for a moment, those divisions go away. This story is a perfect example of that.
