If you combined the family business shenanigans of Arrested Development with the behind-the-scenes league drama of Ted Lasso, then you’d have Running Point, which is less funny than those two sitcoms, but just as watchable and full of heart. The half-hour comedy series is co-created by Mindy Kaling (The Office, The Sex Lives of College Girls) so you can expect the same feminist-streaked brand of humor here, which amusingly tempers with the athletes’ (initial) machoness. Along with being funny, it’s often informational, like when it takes us into the gritty business of trading and dealing within the league, or when it reveals the pressure—financial, societal, or otherwise—athletes have to go through. Its satire of rich people isn’t as sharp as it could be, but it’s still an enjoyable series nonetheless. Hudson and Chet Hanks, who plays the hardheaded star player Travis Bugg, are charming standouts.
"Season 2 should be able to dial up “Running Point’s” strongest attributes while cutting the stuff that’s not working. It’s a functional franchise right now, but there’s a lot of work to do before it reaches championship levels."
— Ben Travers
"For a show hellbent on whitewashing the clearly sociopathic behaviors of sports team owners, “Running Point” is frequently funny."
— Nandini Balial
A reformed party girl must prove herself as a businesswoman when she's unexpectedly put in charge of her family's pro basketball team.
Loosely based on Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss, Running Point follows Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson) as she manages one of the NBA’s top teams, the LA Waves, with the help of her siblings, friends, and fiancé.
The show is shot and edited in a slightly off-putting way. One review called it “plasticky,” which I think perfectly describes the feel of this and plenty of other Netflix shows.
It’s not the best thing out there, but it’s funny and charming enough to binge in one sitting.
