Crazy! On the same night “Furious 6” helmer Justin Lin takes over the direction of “True Detective”? Bona fide movie star Dwayne Johnson (currently reaping zillions via “San Andreas”) launches the highly watchable new TV-MA HBO sitcom “Ballers.”
It’s about a celebrity former Dolphin linebacker turned financial manager trying to prevent current NFL greats from making the same squanderly mistakes he did.
“Ballers” was created by Stephen Levinson, a producer of HBO’s not dissimilar “Entourage.” And The Rock, I’ve decided, is awesome in any context. How does anyone not love the smell of what Dwayne Johnson is cooking?
Not to damn it with faint praise, but “Ballers” is much, much more entertaining than “First and Ten” and “Arli$$.”
Because I am wildly (but not proudly) racist and generally bored by non-Longhorn sport, I imagined I might be indifferent to “Ballers.” But I love it.
… Ballers is hardly a must-watch yet, and the early episodes rely on a lot of familiar problems-of-fame stories. But it has potential, and its timing just might be right. Ballers shares some of Entourage‘s wish-fulfillment, it’s-all-good ethos. But Ballers is also constantly aware that it could go all bad on any given Sunday.
... The guys all party, but Spencer is so frequently lecturing them about not burning through their fortunes that it doesn't even function on the same fantasy level as "Entourage" — nor, frankly, does anyone's behavior seem so excessive or financially reckless for it to work as a cautionary tale, either. …
... a plodding football series …
... seeks to end the losing streak, counting on the current sports frenzy, sharp writing and the massive appeal of former wrestling star turned leading man Dwayne Johnson …
... Anticipating its audience’s desires, “Ballers” mainly fixates on cars, yachts, houses, topless women and raunchy sex — and a nominal amount of football. It’s hard to tell whether “Ballers” means to make the high life seem as rote and empty as it does (my hunch is that the producers and writers are given more to bouts of envy than sermonizing), but the show and its actors are so much better when zooming in on serious matters, such as the possibility that the Vicodin-popping Spencer suffers from neurological damage from his years on the field. …
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says:
... doesn’t try to provoke belly laughs, but the bad behavior and character interactions are amusing enough, and Mr. Johnson makes for a terrific TV lead. … …
The San Francisco Chronicle says:
... The show is nicely packaged and every performance is a knockout, including Troy Garity as Jason, Spencer’s former agent who still makes dreams real for current NFL players. In another context, he’d be named Mephistopheles. “Ballers” got game. …
... “Ballers” is a sunny, beachfront comedy long on R-rated language and nightclub escapades, with all the sex, drugs, and golddiggers that implies. Here, a strong cast and sharp writing prove to be a winning combination. …
... You could say Ballers is Entourage with African-American football players in place of white would-be actors, and you wouldn't be far off. But considering how few TV series there are about black men, and how vastly different their milieus, you'd also be stressing what unites the two shows when what matters more are the differences. What's worse, you'd be seriously undervaluing Johnson, whose imposing physicality, outsized masculine charm and easy way with a line gracefully pull us into Ballers' world. …
... “Ballers” is a logical patch to add, especially if the goal is to hang onto some of the men who watch the new season of “True Detective.” It’s just too bad that those responsible for this sports comedy forgot to bring their “A” game. …
... [Johnson’s] multifaceted work here thankfully keeps Ballers, at least for the moment, from becoming Entourage for athletes. Here’s hoping there are no fumbles on the horizon. …
10 p.m. Sunday. HBO.
