Really liked this. Lot of potential here. Juggling a lot of characters but they all were likable and interesting in their own ways. Interested to see how the show works out.
Previews made it look as contrived and generic as that show "Empire" with Terrence Howard. Was this the case?
No, it's not awful yet. It's just not compelling yet either. I'm going to give it a few shows to see if it hits its stride.
would have been a lot better if this was the agent... Spoiler The first episode wasn't great, but pilots rarely aren't anything more then an introduction. Will help fill my summer football fix, and will be a good decompressor after True Detective (if it turns out to be any good) so I'll probably keep watching for the time being.
Really wanted to like the first episode more than I did, it was hot garbage but it wasn't great either. Like everybody else, I was really surprised the NFL is partnered up to be a part of the show.
The NFL didn't partner up. HBO decided to use what they wanted to use and let the NFL come at them (bro) if they wanted to. HBO realized they're not ESPN and they don't have to cower before the NFL I guess. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ses-nfl-team-names-logos-without-nfl-consent/ http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ed-will-nfl-or-dolphins-have-anything-to-say/
I was disappointed with that first episode. I remember liking Playmakers a lot more. I also remember it being a lot edgier without the need for boobs.
Empire is a fun show, though. Henson really makes the show. Exactly. If I remember, True Detective (s1) started off as a slow burn, but it got really good. There were a ton of characters introduced in the pilot of Ballers - if you're on the fence, I'd give it at least 2 more episodes. Historically, has a show been canceled on HBO its first season, because of low ratings?
When I saw Mark Wahlberg on the producer list I said.... sh#$.... here we go again. Another Entourage but in a different setting. I have to admit that while most people never watched How to Make it in America, I actually kind of liked it even though it fell into the Entourage plot as well I liked some of the characters better, and found the industry they were in much more difficult and exhausting which is probably closer to reality. Then Ballers was announced months ago, and I saw the trailer which showed promise even though I knew they'd at least have the Entourage format to fall back on. Look, I get that the success of Entourage means that you can totally put out a show like Ballers, and it will do just fine. The NFL and sports mgmt culture is so popular that you have to really try to fail in order to not succeed. But damn they are doing a good job with this pilot of trying to fall flat on their faces. You have a goldmine idea for a show. You even had an intriguing character in an ex football star played by someone that used to actually play football, and knows the business side of sports. How in the world can you make this character this freaking boring and void of nuance??? Dwayne Johnson has a big opportunity here to take his acting to another level and all I saw last night was a guy playing a character that had about as much complexity as the Scorpion King. However, the one thing I will say is that it is just the pilot. I've seen some truly awful pilot's for great shows. However, the biggest issue this show has going for it is the reason why its going to at the very least be a show that lasts a little while... the lure of the NFL life to the general public and the Entourage show plot format (get a big break, party, girl, bro's, and then crap.. I'm broke... episode over till next time, rinse repeat). You guys can do better than this. Please.
Anyone watch episode 2 I thought it was just ......BORING I expected Entourage with sports I guess. I though it would be an over the top show I loved to hate. But literally nothing happens in this, just bleh....
Definitely slow moving…I think I liked it better than the first episode, but that's not saying much. There was a little bit more comedy sprinkled into this one, despite not much happening. Good soundtrack though…similar to Entourage…just hoping it starts entertaining me like Entourage.
I kind of like the show, but I do definitely see flaws in it. First off, The Rock's boss/friend who is supposed to be the comedy relief, is just annoying to me. Charles Green is just awkward. The Rock's character pretty much gets what he wants with no real resistance. They are trying to give an illusion that there is resistance with this Reggie guy, but seriously, he's a clown. I mean why would anybody that has run through $12 million and is now broke let a clown that throws cash around make financial decisions for him? I don't believe it. I do like the Ricky Jerret character, though. And I disagree with people on The Rock, I think he is good. I'll keep watching because it's just 30 minutes, but I do hope it finds its stride.
I watched an episode of it... it was... OK. Nothing to get excited about, but not too horrible either. I want to see the Rock in some action sequences. At least have him play backup QB role or something, like a late comeback, like MJ.
As a sports/football fan, I do like that they're trying to stick with "real world scenarios" as much as possible (a player's family/entourage spending all his money, players selling jersey numbers, former players not knowing what to do when they retire, teams cutting players over conduct issues, player/team contract issues...) However, I don't feel the general public finds a lot of that stuff "show-worthy".
It has the same Music supervisor. He's officially part of Wahlberg's crew so any show with Marky Mark involved, he's the guy choosing the music. He does a great job.
I'm tapping out. It is looking mega boring and just not that entertaining. There is not enough comedy in it for the half hour and not enough time to build any drama. Just kind of BLAH and a waste of time... If you want to see this done correctly Watch LeBron's Show - SURVIVOR'S REMORSE A better version - behind the scenes of the athlete's life but not from the AGENT perspective Rocket River
