‘Running Point’ Review: Kate Hudson Anchors a Netflix Basketball Comedy Only Kind of Worth Rooting For

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Netflix has assembled an impressive crew for their upcoming comedy series titled “Running Point“, which takes place in the management team of a basketball club that isn’t the Los Angeles Lakers, yet it’s also not explicitly the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kate Hudson is the star of an impressive cast in this new show, which includes actors you might recognize from other projects such as Drew Tarver (The Other Two), Max Greenfield (New Girl), Jay Ellis (Insecure), among others. Mindy Kaling, who has a proven track record for successful productions, is also involved behind the scenes, along with Elaine Ko, who has worked on shows like Modern Family and Only Murders in the Building. The first two episodes are directed by James Ponsoldt, known for his work on Shrinking. If this isn’t the scripted-TV equivalent of the legendary 1996 Dream Team, it’s certainly a highly talented ensemble! As for basketball analogies, I’m not too familiar with them, so feel free to insert your own favorite team here.

However, just like the basketball-crazed characters in the show would explain, not even the most illustrious team can ensure a win. While Running Point isn’t a loser, it also doesn’t quite deliver the knockout performance one might expect from such a talented lineup.

The comedy’s idea appears intriguing, albeit somewhat complex. In this production, Hudson portrays Isla, a character reminiscent of Jeanie Buss, who is the sole daughter of a wealthy family that owns the Los Angeles Waves basketball team. Despite being a lifelong enthusiast of basketball, Isla has been largely excluded from the Gordon family business due to her father’s late traditional and somewhat chauvinistic nature. As she explains in one of her occasional voiceovers, he was “old-fashioned and rather sexist.” However, when her eldest brother, Cam (Justin Theroux), is embroiled in a highly publicized drug scandal, Isla is appointed to take over as the organization’s president – a role that surprises not only her brothers but also the team, the general public, and Isla herself.

As a dedicated fan, I’m excited about how creators Kaling, Ko, Barinholtz, and Stassen skillfully weave the narrative in various directions. The main thread follows Kate as she navigates her professional life, determined to revive a once-prominent franchise amid what can only be politely referred to as a rebuilding year. The series delves deep into the organization, from the high-stakes board room discussions to the camaraderie in the locker room and even a fleeting glimpse at the concession stand, embodied by the charming popcorn-and-peanuts vendor Jackie (Fabrizio Guido), who surprisingly gets promoted to Isla’s assistant, despite his lack of qualifications.

In this narrative, there’s a hint of power struggles reminiscent of the TV show “Succession,” but lighter in intensity. Additionally, there’s a sprinkle, and then some, of empowering fantasy where the character Isla proves to her skeptical male counterparts that she not only matches their achievements, but exceeds them with her unique approach.

The storyline features a touch of political machinations similar to “Succession,” though not as complex, and a generous helping of female empowerment where Isla demonstrates her ability to equal and surpass the accomplishments of her male predecessors through her individual methods.

The story also revolves around the Gordon siblings – consisting of the less intelligent GM Ness (Scott MacArthur), the meticulous Sandy (Tarver), and others – who, despite a tumultuous upbringing that often involved bullying rather than joyful memories, learn to appreciate each other. Their lives are further complicated by at least one dramatic plot twist, and they experience some turbulence in their romantic relationships. For instance, Isla might be engaged to Lev, a kind pediatrician, but she seems drawn to others, while Ellis’ coach Jay has an impressive physique.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to say, juggling all these plotlines at once in “Running Point” is quite the challenge, but it manages to stay steady for the most part. The pace is quick and snappy – each episode barely exceeds half an hour, and the majority of story arcs are wrapped up within a couple of chapters. The atmosphere is consistently light-hearted, steering clear from overly emotional or pompous undertones. Early on in the premiere, when Isla expresses her excitement about the promotion as someone who’s always felt overlooked, Cam swiftly interrupts her before she can build up to a dramatic speech: “Hold it right there, ’cause honestly, I couldn’t care less about all that.

Additionally, the smooth and charismatic cast plays a significant role in driving the story forward. Hudson’s portrayal of Isla radiates intelligence and sparkle, making us wholeheartedly trust her even before she does herself. Standout performances among the group come from MacArthur, whose character Ness openly wears his emotions on his sleeve and his fast-food residue on his chest; and surprisingly, Chet Hanks, who excels in playing a confident sportsman and rapper prone to landing himself in public relations dilemmas. The cynical nature of the Gordon family is offset by Guido’s portrayal of Jackie, who infuses her character with an endearing innocence that even transforms her chlamydia-afflicted player phase into something adorable rather than off-putting.

As a gamer, if Running Point doesn’t overload me with excitement or tension, it also fails to deliver a satisfying amount. Although I chuckled my way through its 10 episodes, I seldom burst out laughing or scribbled down a side-splitting joke. Moreover, I didn’t feel deeply moved because the relentless plot twists rarely allowed us to linger in one place, making it hard to develop a strong emotional connection.

Although I found all characters pleasant enough, none stood out as uniquely charming to fall in love with. The show often leans heavily on the actors’ charisma to create distinct personalities that the script may lack for characters like Ellis’ Jay and Brenda Song’s chief of staff Ali.

Running Point doesn’t demand any familiarity with or passion for basketball. The sports jargon is kept minimal, and there are only a few game sequences – even these primarily concentrate on the Gordon family’s reactions from the sidelines, rather than the impressive moves being made by players such as team captain Marcus (Toby Sandeman) on the court. In essence, this construction should make the narrative more accessible (although the popularity of series like Friday Night Lights and Ted Lasso proves that one doesn’t necessarily need to love a sport to appreciate a scripted show centered around it).

However, the show’s hesitance to delve deeply into specifics makes it seem more ordinary. Despite repeated mentions that Isla is a devoted Waves basketball fan, we don’t get a feel for what captivates her about this sport, or what unique insights she possesses, or how she interprets its culture. Besides the occasional court-side scene, many episodes of this series could easily be about any sport, or even any major enterprise.

I’ve made it clear that I’m not a professional basketball analyst. However, any team member would agree that raw talent, stardom, and potential only carry you so far. The positive aspect about Running Point is that it possesses these qualities in abundance. But to truly shine next season, it needs to do more than just ride on these traits; it must leverage them effectively and identify what sets it apart, making it distinct, focused, and exceptional.

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2025-02-27 11:25