You don’t need the Zen of Phil Jackson to work out that the central character in Mindy Kaling’s ‘Running Point’ basketball comedy on Netflix (the new house of hoops) is based on Jeanie Buss.
The owner of the NBA’s fictional Los Angeles Waves even makes some of her own by posing for Playboy, wearing nothing but two basketballs.
Recently renewed for a second season, like another 82 games, ‘Running Point’ is a refreshing take on Hollywood court culture, especially for the saturated streaming service, upping the content to go along with your monthly payment plan.
Like Luka Dončić, everybody is in LA (save AD) for superstar actor/director Mindy Kaling’s latest project. But it’s the ‘Almost Famous’ and ‘How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days’ star Kate Hudson who really takes the spotlight and shines. The daughter of Goldie Hawn owns this perfect, both-sides-of-the-floor mix of comedy and drama.
Co-created by Elaine Ko, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen, these ten episodes run point with quite the team of supporting actors in reserve.
Hudson’s party girl turned charge taker has a reservoir of talent to work with, and they’re all making a splash. Drew Tarver and Scott MacArthur are hilarious, and at times heartfelt, as the respective franchise financial officer and general manager. Reminding you of the Buss boys, too, with all their brass balls.
Meanwhile, the heart of this show, Fabrizio Guido, has more to hawk to you than what he’s selling in the concession stands
Recurring guest stars like ‘New Girl’s’ Max Greenfield and the biggest name next to Hudson, Justin Theroux, bolster the bench. But the real scene-stealing goes to Brenda Song and Tom’s son, Chet Hanks. The ‘Empire’ star and rapper, who recently starred in a ‘Forrest Gump’-inspired music video with his pops, has all the best lines—especially when he isn’t rocking with the team’s new sponsor.
Even Song’s husband, ‘Home Alone’ legend Macaulay Culkin, makes a cameo appearance as a heckler after visiting his wife on set.
All these family matters, and legal ones too. Pepperdine university wants to sue the Los Angeles Waves for having the same team orange and blue colours. They do know this is a fictional franchise, right?
And how about the dreams of Jeanie? Surely she has something to say about this Los Angeles Lakers-themed comedy?
Well, she sure does—she executive produced it.
Now, that’s how you run point.
