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Dysfunctional NBA Family Battles for Control in Netflix’s Hilarious New Comedy

BBG News

The Gordons never back down – this is the mantra of the troubled family featured in the new Netflix comedy, ‘Running Point’. The Gordons are the proprietors of a legendary Los Angeles NBA team, portrayed as the Waves yet modeled after the Lakers and their owner, Jeanie Buss. For decades, the team was steered by a merciless patriarch. With his passing, his four grown children, all employed within the organization, are left to ponder whether the traditional methods of managing the business should be softened with a more empathetic approach. This question becomes increasingly pressing when eldest son and team president, Cam (Justin Theroux), gets involved in a car accident under the influence of drugs and transfers his position to his often overlooked and undervalued sister, Isla, played by the captivating Kate Hudson.

In essence, “Running Point” is similar to “Succession” but set in professional sports, although it’s not trying to replicate it. The characters in “Running Point,” like the Roys in “Succession,” have been affected by affluence and competition to an extreme degree, missing out on the paternal affection that is crucial. Unlike many recent family dramas, “Running Point” isn’t aiming to be “Succession.” Instead, it’s a genuine comedy, produced by a team including Mindy Kaling, her “Mindy Project” co-star Ike Barinholtz, and Buss. The show also shares similarities with “Ted Lasso,” if that sports sitcom had focused on Hannah Waddingham’s character as the AFC Richmond owner rather than Jason Sudeikis’ character as the folksy coach. The combination of flawed characters and a lighthearted tone works effectively, preventing the show from veering into self-importance or overly sweet scenarios—and resulting in Kaling’s first consistently good series for adults.

The series “Running Point” kicks off boasting one of the strongest comedy ensembles from the streaming era. Hudson shines as a woman who has always cherished and grasped basketball, but whose passion for the Waves was disregarded by her chauvinistic father. Following a high-profile setback that included her short-lived marriage to “Beverly Hills, 90210” star Brian Austin Green, Cam sought assistance from Isla in managing the team’s community outreach. This position served as a lifeline for Isla, helping her avoid a negative trajectory, but also confined her to the background while her brothers enjoyed the limelight from their spacious, top-floor offices. The peculiar athlete among the siblings is Ness (Scott MacArthur from “The Righteous Gemstones”), who serves as the Waves’ team manager. Providing a balanced counterpoint (who happens to be gay) to this quirky character is the youngest half-brother Sandy (Drew Tarver from “The Other Two”), who handles the team’s finances with strict professionalism.

In Kaling & Co’s creation, the universe of Gordons is populated by a harmonious ensemble of supporting characters. Brenda Song portrays Isla’s capable and energetic assistant, although she could benefit from her own storylines to avoid being stereotyped as an underdeveloped sidekick should the series continue. Uche Agada plays a nervous newcomer, Chet Hanks adds humor with his unpredictable character, and Toby Sandeman brings charm to his role that resembles Brett Goldstein’s Ted Lasso character, albeit slightly older and less engaged. Max Greenfield makes an appearance as Isla’s down-to-earth pediatrician fiancé, although he is mostly in the background, allowing Kaling to gradually build up the chemistry between him and Jay Ellis, known for his role as the recently divorced, spiritual coach of the Waves team on Insecure.

In contrast to shows like Succession and Ted Lasso, Running Point doesn’t rely on a specific philosophy or theme such as wealth, masculinity, or human nature. Instead, it presents a realistic portrayal of a character named Isla, who has risen through the ranks in sports and business without being overly didactic or dwelling on dark-comic angst. Unlike the girlboss moment that was once popular, the show doesn’t make a big deal about Isla occupying a position typically held by men, such as sitting at the president’s desk. Instead, it highlights Isla’s individual skills, experiences, and determination, rather than making broad generalizations about women leaders as a whole. This approach is indeed refreshing.

In the series Running Point, much like popular comedies, it presents characters that are based on familiar archetypes yet feel genuine and complex. It subtly evolves these characters by placing them in diverse circumstances and allowing them to impact each other. For instance, Sandy’s antagonistic feelings towards his siblings become clearer when he confides in a coworker halfway through the season: “Isla and Ness had to flunk as human beings before they got their jobs. I had to get my MBA.” Since these characters aren’t merely tools for delivering messages, the Gordon family and their acquaintances often catch us off guard. This unique quality is not common on television nowadays: a show that is entertaining, engaging, and appealing to various age groups without being simplistic or offensive.

Amongst all shows created by Mindy Kaling, “Running Point” appears to be her most successful work focusing on adults. While “The Mindy Project,” a workplace romantic comedy that starred Kaling as a single ob-gyn, had its moments, its inconsistency made it seem somewhat hastily written, much like its placeholder title suggests. Her adaptation of “Four Weddings and a Funeral” in 2019 was met with disappointing results. However, Kaling seemed to find her stride with the release of two hilarious, sensual, and spirited teen comedies, “Never Have I Ever” and “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” in the 2020s. Despite her voice not inherently being immature, she required a story that resonated with her affection for subtle pop-cultural references, gradual romances, and vibrant characters. A basketball franchise, as opposed to “Mindy’s” incredibly zany medical practice, seems more fitting for the larger-than-life personalities Kaling enjoys writing about. In essence, “Running Point” is that story, so let’s hope Netflix provides Kaling with the opportunity to truly capitalize on this promising concept.

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2025-02-27 12:07

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