How Kate Hudson’s Longtime Relationship With Lakers President Jeanie Buss Shaped ‘Running Point’

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In “Running Point,” I find myself embracing the role of Isla Gordon, once a free-spirited partygoer, now thrust into managing the family affairs – and that includes the Los Angeles Waves, a professional basketball team! What a twist of fate!

If the narrative seems somewhat reminiscent, it could be due to its resemblance to the life of Jeanie Buss, a controlling owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers who’s also an executive producer on the Netflix series. Interestingly, Hudson portrays a character similar to Buss in the show, and their connection stretches back over several decades.

She’s someone I’ve known since her teenage years, as her parents often brought her to L.A. Kings hockey games when I was in charge at the Forum. So, I used to show her around,” Buss explained to The Hollywood Reporter during the show’s Los Angeles premiere. “I believed she would grasp the behind-the-scenes aspects and the workings of a sports team because she appreciates sports.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that Hudson played the role of Jay Mohr’s love interest in the 1999 comedy “200 Cigarettes.” The film’s producer referred to this as a complete loop or coming full circle.

Hudson expressed gratitude for getting the role, stating, “I was thrilled that she allowed me to portray a comically-inspired version of her life. The executive showed exceptional humor and gave us the creative freedom to enjoy ourselves immensely.

Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen had a meeting with Buss, where she shared personal anecdotes from her four decades in the sports industry to inspire their TV show’s narrative.

Working with Kaling, Hudson finds them as an excellent pairing, as she’s adept at executing tasks. “I’ve never been part of a half-hour comedy that’s nothing but joke after joke, and she’s such a gifted comedic writer,” Hudson said about their collaboration. “Our partnership was particularly strong because I prefer to delve into the emotional depths a bit and let certain moments linger, and since we collaborated so seamlessly, it resulted in a truly harmonious blend.

While the series does contain some romantic elements, Hudson views it more as a family-centric comedy rather than a revival of rom-coms. She admires its portrayal of a woman with a significant career, stating that it’s more encompassing than just a typical romance plotline.

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Although the series does have some romantic elements, Hudson doesn’t consider it as a comeback to rom-coms but rather as a family comedy. What she appreciates about it is its depiction of a woman with a major job, making it more than just a conventional romance storyline.

Speaking as a fan, there’s something undeniably captivating about Hudson that made her the perfect fit for the lead role. Eric Barinholtz humorously put it, “She embodies Southern California – she seems like she’s been freshly unearthed from the ocean one day.” As an actor, we’ve watched her excel in a myriad of roles, displaying a unique blend of humor, emotion, sex appeal, and even a touch of grossness. In this show, she truly outshone everyone else with her exceptional performance.

Stassen remarked, “Growing up in a family with a dynasty, she was acquainted with Jeanie from an early age. She understands the realm of influential individuals shaping significant decisions, and she effortlessly seized the role.

Running Point is now streaming on Netflix.

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2025-02-27 22:54