From HBO’s “Ballers†first previews comparisons rang out to another HBO comedy, “Entourage.†A series that gives normal folk a dramatized look behind the curtain of celebrity and excess – and this comparison is well founded; however it is shares a much more problematic similarity with “Entourage†– its inability to ever delve deep into issues that haunt celebrities outside of acknowledging the fact that they exist.
Starring Dwayne “The Rock†Johnson as Spencer Strasmore, a retired Miami Dolphins legend who has traded laying out players for laying out financial plans for them. The retiree and his partner Joe (Rob Corddry) work for Anderson Financial, a firm specializing in working with big clients with Strasmore being the new guy and connective tissue that brings in big sports clients – the series would like you to think that between a new gig and juggling the media, egos, terrible handles, Strasmore will have a hard time cutting it – this is not the case.
Back to “Entourage,†if you watched that show you’d know that every single problem in that series was solved one of two ways – one, a friends conveniently appeared to wipe the slate clean – or two, Vince charmed his way out of the issue. “Ballers†takes this same approach to critical problem solving.
Concussion scare? No, don’t worry, Mr. Stramore. Its just nightmares. Those nightmares come from ending a player’s career with a hit? Ahhh, no biggie. According to your victim it was a mercy kill of his career, just take him to a Marlins game and all is forgiven. A girl you wronged is trying to extort one of your clients? Just say you’re sorry and put that million-dollar smile to work.
Seriously, this is how all of the freshman season’s conflicts are resolved. Even in the end where it seems things are getting a little gloomy, the show turns on the lights everyone gets paid and that is the end of that.
Now, “Ballers†is not a bad show – it actually is quite good. Johnson commands the screen like he once commanded the ring — it almost makes it believable that every problem can be solved with his charm because in the series he is just that charismatic. The inter-play between Johnson and Corddry gives the show some of its brightest moments.
John David Washington who plays hothead wide receiver Ricky Jarret is a standout; his role walks the line of being a celebration and parody of the modern self-centered athlete.
As pure entertainment, “Ballers†succeeds – if you’re a sports fan, it excels. The laughs and fun are not enough to expunge the issues of a show that from the opening tip appears to want explore the dark side of professional sports – but changes course as soon as the trip gets a little bumpy.
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