As a passionate viewer who has seen my fair share of sports-themed comedies, I must say that Mr. Throwback left me feeling somewhat underwhelmed and slightly bewildered, much like a rookie trying to navigate the complexities of an NBA locker room.
As a longtime fan recalling Kobe Bryant’s emotional return to Philadelphia for his last game, I can’t help but reminisce about the unforgettable moment when Evan Monsky, my old high school basketball teammate from Lower Merion, had the honor of questioning him at the press conference. When asked to single out the finest point guard he ever teamed up with, Kobe, without missing a beat, paid tribute to “Evan Monsky” for his exceptional passing skills. Before reeling off an impressive list of Hall of Famers and All-Stars from his various NBA teams, Kobe acknowledged Evan’s talent and skill on the court.
A particularly memorable occasion occurred due to its poignant representation of a common sports experience: Each NBA elite player, as well as any athlete from any sport, at some stage in their career played alongside someone who ultimately didn’t achieve superstardom. This person might not have participated in college or even high school sports. Instead, they led an ordinary life with its ups and downs, and likely more than once a year, they would be reminded of the superstar and feel compelled to boast, “Hey, when we were 12, I was better than them!”
“Storytelling can thrive on ‘fame,’ but being in the vicinity of fame, or ‘fame adjacency,’ might even be more advantageous as it encompasses both achieved and unrealized aspirations.”
As a passionate gamer, I’ve got to admit that the electrifying Bryant/Monsky moment feels strikingly similar to what I’ve seen in the trailer for Peacock’s latest comedy, Mr. Throwback. Now, I can’t guarantee it was a direct inspiration, but the vibe sure seems familiar! The series, starring Steph Curry as the superstar and Adam Pally as the struggling has-been, delivers the same pulsating energy and relatable qualities that make it a must-watch. However, spread across six half-hour episodes, those qualities can feel a bit stretched at times.
The mockumentary, while initially commendable for its ambitious goal to delve into deeper emotional themes beyond mere humor, unfortunately leans too heavily on being overly serious. The creators Pally, David Caspe, Matthew Libman and Daniel Libman aimed to create a show that tackles generational cycles of addiction and trauma. This is not a bad intention, but “Mr. Throwback” tends to take itself too seriously in the process.
The improved show could either be less somber (approximately 25%), providing room to develop a humor that’s currently weak due to overuse of unfunny references, or else more somber (also about 25%) allowing it to truly explore its melancholic aspects instead of constantly competing with flippant jokes for attention.
I found some aspects of “Mr. Throwback” appealing, and let’s face it, Steph Curry is quite talented. However, the pieces don’t coalesce to form a strong television production.
Danny Grossman, portrayed by Pally, is a basketball prodigy hailing from the Charlotte region who was once compared to Michael Jordan due to his Jewish heritage, overshadowing Tamir Goodman. However, when it emerged that his success was based on playing against kids who were two years younger, he became a national laughing stock. Consequently, Danny distanced himself from his father and coach Mitch (Tracy Letts), lost the support of his former backup Steph Curry, and was shunned by their mutual friend Kimberly (Ego Nwodim).
25 years down the line, Steph Curry remains the NBA legend and affectionately known as “Hall of Fame sweetie boy,” while Kim serves as CEO for Steph’s thriving brand/production company, Curry Up and Wait (a name distinct from Steph’s real media venture, Unanimous Media).
As a gamer, I’d say:
As a devoted fan, I find myself devising a get-together between Steph and Kim, all while setting up an intricate charade. In this deception, Steph is tricked into thinking that Charlie is terminally ill, while I somehow manage to worm my way into the orbit of Stephen Curry’s celebrity circle.
As a gamer, let me tell you that the inconsistency in Mr. Throwback’s tone stems from the same place as that debt. If you ask me to swallow the idea that a kid aged just 12 managed to land on a Wheaties box and grab the spotlight for his basketball skills in the national media, I can go along with the overarching and fleeting nature of that joke without needing any additional explanation.
If a show is intended to explore the repercussions of addiction, it’s inconsistent and misleading to establish a main character in deep debt to organized crime within the first few minutes, only to neglect addressing or resolving this significant issue thereafter. By presenting such high stakes initially yet ignoring them later on, the show implies a desire for tension but not the specific kind associated with the character’s predicament, which raises questions about the purpose of including it in the first place.
Pally finds it challenging to balance the complex nature of Danny’s character throughout the series. Danny is often portrayed in such an exaggerated manner that making him appear convincingly tragic requires exceptional acting skill, and Pally struggles to achieve this balance. Conversely, Letts excels at portraying a character who exhibits both comedic and dramatic aspects convincingly, making his performance feel genuine. Sadly, Danny lacks the depth and realism that Letts’ character possesses.
It could be that Pally finds enjoyment in the tough tasks, given his recent role in the “Knuckles” spinoff of Sonic the Hedgehog, which shares some similarities and offers a quirkier humor. Notably, Pally played a character with a backstory of an ex-athlete dealing with father issues, even interacting with an inanimate object in the series.
As a gamer, I can’t help but notice the unfair comparison between Knuckles (the fiery CG character) and Steph Curry, a pro basketball player who’s polished as a mirrorball. He’s quick to joke about his privileged background, yet he owns it without apologies. The show highlights some of his biggest flaws – overworking himself, being too generous with friends – which lead to comical situations. But let’s be clear, this isn’t your typical job interview.
As an ardent fan, I’ve always admired Nwodim, who, despite being one of the most underestimated cast members on Saturday Night Live, truly shines when it comes to her rapport with Curry. When the writing for her character is strong – like her monologue explaining “Stephenomics”, which remains my favorite part of the series – she’s simply brilliant. Unfortunately, there are times when the writing falls short, such as in a sketch about Michael B. Jordan that felt a bit weak. However, these instances seem to be common across the entire show.
The show often relies too heavily on forgettable humor based on its mockumentary style, superficial basketball references that made me chuckle whenever Steve Kerr delivered his recurring jokes, and desperate attempts to stay relevant. For instance, it’s impressive that Mr. Throwback included a reference to Hawk Tuah Girl in a scripted series, but this kind of content is a fast track towards becoming outdated.
In a somewhat favorable light, Mr. Throwback might be criticized for dishing out rapidly dated humor, yet he manages to keep the aging appearances by NBA stars authentic to the studio show setting. On the other hand, the quirky, offbeat guest appearances such as Evan Funk, the pasta entrepreneur, are more intriguing. Longer stints featuring Letts and Rich Sommer as Dr. Josh, who claims to have been a prominent thought leader in preventative wellness for over half a year, are generally better received.
The show tends to lose its momentum as it tries to wrap up the main joke – one character after another discovers the truth, which removes any remaining suspense or amusement. Moreover, the ending seems contrived for a potential second season that feels unnecessary. Perhaps if the first season had been consistently excellent rather than just occasionally excellent adjacent.
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2024-08-08 10:25