Release Date: June 14, 2016
Rating: TV-MA
Running Time: Approximately 358 minutes
Spencer Strasmore (Johnson) is a retired football superstar who is trying to reinvent himself as a financial manager for current players in sun-soaked Miami. His inner circle includes Ricky (John David Washington, former pro-football player), a talented but volatile wide receiver who seeks to balance his off-field antics with his passion for the game; Charles (Omar Miller), a reluctantly retired lineman who’s finding it hard to adjust to civilian life; and Vernon (Donovan Carter), a player with a rookie contract, whose promise never to forget “where he came from” brings scores of hangers-on into his life, and lands him in big financial trouble. Though they’re pros when it comes to playing the game, each one has a harder time navigating life off the field.
Other series regulars include Troy Garity, Rob Corddry, London Brown and Jazmyn Simon. Ballers was created by Stephen Levinson (Boardwalk Empire, Entourage); executive produced by Stephen Levinson, Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Peter Berg, Evan Reilly, Rob Weiss, Julian Farino, Denis Biggs; and co-executive produced by Hiram Garcia.
If the only reason you’re interested in checking out Ballers is Dwayne Johnson, you’re not alone. And he delivers. And he’s not the only eye candy. But I have even more good news for you. 1) The show is actually really good and 2) You don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy this. This, coming from someone who is not a sports person but is a huge TV addict.
It’s great to see not only Dwayne but a host of diversity in the cast, making this one of the most realistic mirrors of society on TV today along with many familiar faces like Arielle Kebbel (The Vampire Diaries), Anabelle Acosta (Quantico), and Michael Cudlitz (The Walking Dead) among others. The characters are all really engaging, even the ones that are straight up tropes.
My only issue with the show is it being created as a half hour comedy but it’s really not laugh out loud funny or even funny enough for me to take it seriously as a comedy. It’s more like a half hour dramedy and not even a typical dark comedy or thought provoking and compelling comedy like we’re used to for HBO. It just is.
Story wise, Ballers is strong. It’s fun watching Spencer, a retired football player navigate his city as a financial manager for his networking circle which isn’t as easy as you’d think it would be. Oh, the problems that arise!
Not only that, we get to follow Spencer’s financial partner, plus a number of the players on their own very colorful journeys. There’s so much explored here when it comes to pride and respect and validation, honor and loyalty, expectations, letting go, taking chances, taking responsibility and so much more. A lot is packed into each episode but the pacing is absolutely perfect. Whatever formula they’ve cooked up is working so hopefully it won’t change drastically in season two.
Whether or not you’re familiar with Stephen Levinson’s (Entourage) style, you’re in for a treat. Ballers is smart and sexy and while predictable, it’s also surprising and endearing and worth the watch. So go ahead and take the 5 hours to binge the first season before season two premieres in July.
Appearing in this Feature:
Executive Producer, Evan Reilly
Cast Members, Dwayne Johnson, Rob, Corddry, London Brown, John David Washington, Jazmyn Simon, Troy Garity, Omar Benson Miller
Own Ballers: The Complete First Season on Blu-ray and DVD today.
Watch the Season 2 premiere of Ballers on Sunday, July 17, 2016 only on HBO.