On Screen: “Running Point”
Running Point
You don’t have to be a basketball fan to enjoy the new Netflix series “Running Point” — but knowing some of the background helps.
Loosely inspired by the real life of Los Angeles Lakers President Jeanie Buss, who is one of the executive producers, Kate Hudson plays blonde, beautiful, hoops-obsessed Isla Gordon, only daughter of the callous, now-deceased, billionaire owner of pro basketball’s (fictional) L.A. Waves.
Despite her obvious passion and knowledge of the game, frivolous former party girl and Playboy model Isla has been almost completely shut out of the family’s franchise by her chauvinistic brothers: cocky Cam (Justin Theroux), dopey Ness (Scott MacArthur) and nerdy-gay Alexander — a.k.a. Sandy (Drew Tarver).
That all changes when Cam is ousted from his top position after a cocaine-fueled car wreck that lands him in rehab. In his absence, Cam appoints Isla as his interim successor, running the business which is now in the midst of a humiliating Western Conference losing streak.
Adding to the turmoil, the dysfunctional Gordon family is stunned to learn that young Jackie (Fabrizio Guido), a sweet-natured Waves’ popcorn and peanuts vendor, is actually their half-brother, courtesy of their father’s secret affair with the housekeeper.
Created by Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, Elaine Ko and David Stassen, this clever workplace sitcom is endowed with engaging supporting characters — like tattoo-covered, unpredictable point guard-rapper Travis Bugg (Chet Hanks); aging, diva-like Marcus Winfield (Toby Sandeman); hunky, empathetic Coach Jay (Jay Ellis); and Isla’s snappy bestie and chief-of-staff Ali Lee (Brenda Song).
A feel-good sports comedy — think “Succession” meets “Ted Lasso” — each of the 10 episodes runs a taut 30 minutes, as Isla faces a potential setback which leads to a successful resolution, followed by an unintended negative consequence.
And it’s fun to watch ‘nepo’ adults Kate Hudson (Goldie Hawn’s daughter) chew the scenery with Chet Hanks (Tom Hanks’s son).
On the Granger Gauge of 1 to 10, “Running Point” is an amusing, slam-dunk 7 — with all episodes streaming on Netflix — and it’s been renewed for another season.
Susan Granger is a product of Hollywood. Her natural father, S. Sylvan Simon, was a director and producer at M.G.M. and Columbia Pictures. Her adoptive father, Armand Deutsch, produced movies at M.G.M.
As a child, Susan appeared in movies with Abbott & Costello, Red Skelton, Lucille Ball, Margaret O’Brien, and Lassie. She attended Mills College in California, studying journalism with Pierre Salinger, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with highest honors in journalism.