Running Point stars Kate Hudson in a comedy about basketball. She gets a chance to run the family basketball franchise, the LA Waves. Will she do a great job because she’s a woman, or will she run it into the ground because she’s a woman?
Running Point was created by Ike Barinholtz, Mindy Kaling, Elaine Ko, and David Stassen. These comedy greats bring satire, one liners, feminism, slapstick visual humor, funny pop culture connections, terrific scarves, boob jokes, crazy bit characters, and fast action to the series.
The Connor family owns the Waves. Big brother Cam (Justin Theroux) has a wreck while high and gets sent to rehab. He appoints his basketball loving but long ignored little sister Isla (Kate Hudson) to run the team in his absence. The other two brothers – Ness (Scott MacArthur) the idiot and Sandy (Drew Tarver) the finance guy – don’t like this idea at all. They spend the season trying to wrest control of the team from Isla.
That’s about the same time that the will of Jackie Moreno’s (Fabrizio Guido) mother gets read. It reveals that Jackie’s a secret Connor. The old man had an affair with his mother, the housekeeper, and Jackie is the result.
Jackie’s been selling peanuts at the basketball games. When the news of who he is gets out, Isla impulsively makes him her assistant because the optics are better. He doesn’t know how to use the phone or turn on his computer. He does like the advantages of being a Connor where women are concerned.
Isla has a long time boyfriend (Max Greenfield). She regularly blows him off for the needs of the team. Her most important relationship is her friend and co-worker Ali (Brenda Song).
Ness has a wife but she throws him out because, as I mentioned, he’s an idiot. Sandy has a long time boyfriend who has never been introduced to the family. That’s a sore point.
The team brings their own comedy and issues. There’s some basketball action in the series, but not a lot. The team’s issues and personalities are explored in the locker room more than on the court. Jay (Jay Ellis) is the very Zen coach. Dyson (Uche Agada), Marcus (Toby Sandeman), and Travis (Chet Hanks) are among the players.
All the things you would expect in the male dominated world of sports happen to Isla. The podcasters have a great time talking about her. The other team owners sabotage her. The team’s governing board doesn’t support her. The players need hand-holding. But, as I’m sure you can guess, she does a great job and the team starts winning again.
The writers managed to do a lot in 10 episodes. The pacing never flagged, the sub plots were interesting and the overall effect was fun with a big dose of heart.
There are 10 episodes of about 30 minutes in season 1. Season 2 is already approved. The only woman director in season 1 was Thembi Banks, who directed two episodes. This is a Netflix series.
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