
The new hockey documentary series is surprisingly similar to the 1986 musical Chess, which features songs by ABBA and lyrics by Tim Rice – currently revived on Broadway. Like Heated Rivalry isn’t really about hockey, Chess isn’t really about chess. Both use the sport as a backdrop to explore deeper themes. Chess uses chess as a metaphor for love, masculinity, and the Cold War, while Heated Rivalry uses hockey to amp up the already intense sexual tension and rivalry. Both shows pit male characters against each other, burdened by national expectations and struggling with personal relationships. The East versus West dynamic fuels the competition in both stories. Interestingly, the social media team for the Broadway production of Chess is actively highlighting these parallels.