Kate Hudson has been shooting the lights out for the first quarter of 2026.
First, the ‘Almost Famous’ and ‘How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days’ (who remembers that Knicks scene with Matthew McConaughey?) actress garnered a ‘Best Supporting Actress’ Oscar and Golden Globe nomination for her powerful performance as Claire Sardina, one half of a husband and wife Neil Diamond tribute act (Lightning & Thunder) alongside Hugh Jackman’s Mike, in ‘Song Sung Blue’.
And now, the daughter of Bill Hudson and Goldie Hawn is celebrating the winning time of her basketball sitcom ‘Running Point’ and its second season on Netflix. The Elaine Ko, Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz and David Stassen sports comedy creation, executive produced by the likes of Jeanie Buss and Linda Rambis, scored a third-season renewal on the world’s most famous streaming service after barely getting out of its warm ups.
This at a time when the straight off the bench top ten episodes had to play against the likes of the latest course of ‘Beef’, the new ‘Man On Fire’ adaptation, and the ‘Stranger Things: Tales From ’85’ animation. All released around the same May day…and that was just on Netflix. We haven’t accounted for Disney Plus, Amazon’s Prime Video, and all the other streaming services available (more options than Nike NBA jerseys). Let alone their individual basketball content.
The red N certainly seems to be leading the way, mind you. Especially above the rim, like the ‘UNTOLD‘ stories they keep telling. Yet if this Hudson stream gets to run point for another season, and deservedly so, why can’t we get a third-team for their NBA all-access definitive documentary ‘Starting 5’? Maybe those are big basketball bucks.
Meanwhile, in Hollywood, all those Laker fans insulted and injured by the latest King dethroning can bank, like a shot off the glass, on some epic, escapism entertainment with the latest season of this series “loosely” based on the hierarchy of the Buss family tree.
The Los Angeles Waves, with a rival in Boston (hmm), must overcome player problems and more upstairs in the front office (double hmm) if they want to be just the ticket in Tinseltown when it comes to big basketball. The jokes land in better hands than Deandre Ayton (play at you best, because that’s better than a lot of the rest) and the action on the floor will sweep you away, like dare I say, my beloved Lake Show!?
Kate Hudson owns this yet again with a commanding performance courtside that even ventures to the centre circle for some classic cheerleading. She’s had the comedy chops for years (‘You, Me and Dupree’), not to mention the dramatic ones (‘Marshall’), coupled with the ability to be a franchise face that lights up big pictures (‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’). And alongside her band of brothers in arms (a hilarious Scott MacArthur, Drew Tarver and Fabrizio Guido) she shines even brighter. But it’s her biggest one, and fellow famous face, Justin Theroux, who may cause rifts you could drive a bus with an extra ‘S’ through.
It’s a good job some new signings are brought in alongside valuable veterans like Tom Hank’s rapping son Chet, Great Britain 200-meter athlete Toby Sanderman and ‘New Girl’ and ‘A Man On The Inside’ actor Max Greenfield. ‘Hidden Figures’, ‘The Help’ and ‘The Shape Of Water’ star Octavia Spencer and fashion designer and actress Nicole Richie (daughter of Lionel, hello!) make for better guest features than verse from your favourite rapper. Yet it’s ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ legend Ray Romano that you will just love seeing courtside as coach.
All this teamwork, highlighted by the dynamic duo of Kate Hudson and ‘The Social Network’ and ‘Like Mike’ actress Brenda Song (not to mention the Hollywood cameo she brings with her every season) who run like Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. You could even see the pair courtside at a Lakers playoff game, mic’d up, cheering on the purple and gold. And, Canada, you may get to see the Carmichael, Californian actress up north this season.
“Go to bed!” The Kaling International production logo says at the end of every episode to the kid under the covers with the flashlight reading. Much like the Gracie Films I.D. at the end of ‘The Simpsons’ that shushes you. And you might want to put the kids to bed before watching the sex, drugs and basketball of this N comedy that is not R-rated, but rolls around the rim of that certification.
Nevertheless, from the family feuds to the real game on show, those graduated enough to be drafted will love it. Complete with a cliff-hanger straight out of the ‘Winning Time’ playbook, we’ll run with this point next season, too.
