Search results
- After the unexpected demise of a friend and former teammate, retired football superstar Spencer ramps up his efforts to build a post-football career in Miami, and feels pressure from Joe, his boss at a financial firm, to monetize his friendships. Meanwhile, recently retired player, Charles, copes with the realities of finding a new job.
www.imdb.com › title › tt3681368
Season 1 Episode 1: Pilot. Aired: June 21st, 2015. After the unexpected demise of a friend and former teammate, retired football superstar Spencer ramps up his efforts to build a post-football career in Miami, and feels pressure from Joe, his boss at a financial firm, to “monetize his friendships.”
Jun 21, 2015 · Pilot: Directed by Peter Berg. With Dwayne Johnson, John David Washington, Omar Benson Miller, Donovan W. Carter. Spencer ramps up his efforts to build a post football career in Miami. Charles copes with the realities of finding a new job, while Ricky must find a new home.
- (1.9K)
- Comedy, Drama, Sport
- Peter Berg
- 2015-06-21
- Rock 'n' Jock Connection
- Verdict
By Matt Fowler
Posted: Jun 19, 2015 5:15 pm
Debuting Sunday on HBO, the new "fast cars, loose women" dramedy from Entourage executive producer Steve Levinson comes with a notable twist and a sizable asset. The twist being that Ballers focuses on the lives of current and former professional football players and the asset being Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson - a magnanimous multi-tasking crossover star with muscles and charisma to spare.
Ballers takes advantage of one of Johnson's strongest qualities. One that TNT shows like The Hero and Wake Up Call tried to time capsule. Johnson has the ability to motivate in a very personal, genuine way. And Ballers revolves around his character, ex Dolphins linebacker Spenser Strasmore, taking on the role of surrogate father/adviser to a cluster of younger, irresponsible athletes who are acting like fools and blowing through their money. I believe $250,000 for an elephant is brought up at one point.
Spencer's endeavor also taps into the popularized idea that The Rock would make an awesome dad. Or best friend. He just exudes loyalty and responsibility, and in a way that feels legitimate and non-overbearing. Even back when The Rock was the hottest ticket in the pro-wrestling scene, his character was so cool that if The Rock liked you, or even didn't insult you, you were gold. So Ballers rests easily on Johnson's shoulders and uses his charm to wrangle a bunch of would-be Entouragers.
I'm not sure, based off the one episode, exactly how much Ballers will lean into the drama portion of its "dramedy" label. There are some hints that Spencer comes with a haunted past and the ending suggests that his new venture as a financial/lifestyle advisor might come at a great cost to him, but we're still traveling through the grand world of the NFL. And these guys on their worst days, still have it pretty good. The pilot kicks things off with a death in the circle. A star player who gets into a head-on collision while arguing with his mistress. But it's played more as a comedy beat.
Ballers may never fully veer over into crunchy, investible drama, but it nicely places all its moving parts in orbit around The Rock's Spencer and his quest to prevent others from making grave life mistakes. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Ballers premieres Sunday, June 21st on HBO. Matt Fowler is a writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter at @TheMat...
Jun 21, 2015 · Summary. Former all-pro football player Spencer Strasmore wakes up haunted by memories of his playing days. He chews down pain meds to start his day. Along with his friends Ricky Jerret and Charles Greane, Spencer attends the funeral of their former teammate Rodney, who died in a car accident with his crazy girlfriend.
Jun 22, 2015 · While Ricky is appearing to learn from his mistakes, Spencer might’ve made a big one by giving $300,000 of his own loot to rising player Vernon (Donovan Carter), who needs it because, basically ...
- Contributor
The series premiered on the American cable television network HBO on June 21, 2015, with a pilot episode written by Stephen Levinson and directed by Peter Berg. The fifth and final season premiered on August 25, 2019, and concluded on October 13, 2019.
Summaries. Spencer ramps up his efforts to build a post football career in Miami. Charles copes with the realities of finding a new job, while Ricky must find a new home.
