X
- 2015
- TV-MA
- HBO
- 2015
- TV-MA
- HBO
Summary The sports dramedy explores the lives and families of former and current football players, including retired football star Spencer Strasmore (Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson), who is struggling to adjust to life as a financial advisor.
Created By: Stephen Levinson
- 2015
- TV-MA
- HBO
- 2015
- TV-MA
- HBO
Ballers (2015)
5 Seasons
Season 1 Premiere: Jun 21, 2015
65
7.2
Where to Watch
Summary The sports dramedy explores the lives and families of former and current football players, including retired football star Spencer Strasmore (Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson), who is struggling to adjust to life as a financial advisor.
Created By: Stephen Levinson
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 35 Critic Reviews
65
57% Positive
20 Reviews
20 Reviews
43% Mixed
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 35 Critic Reviews
65
57% Positive
20 Reviews
20 Reviews
43% Mixed
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Plenty of automotive and beachside real estate escapism, but underneath lurks a funny, fast-moving skewering of the same types of headline-grabbing controversies Roger Goodell would like you to forget. [19 Jun 2015, p.58]
Having watched three episodes, I’m hooked on its mix of laughs and seriousness.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 182 User Ratings
7.2
75% Positive
136 Ratings
136 Ratings
14% Mixed
25 Ratings
25 Ratings
12% Negative
21 Ratings
21 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 182 User Ratings
7.2
75% Positive
136 Ratings
136 Ratings
14% Mixed
25 Ratings
25 Ratings
12% Negative
21 Ratings
21 Ratings
This show was better when it was about American football players. As the show progressed into the later seasons, and it become more about basically anything else, my enjoyment of watching it became less and less. The season where they tried to move a club to a different city basically came out of nowhere and started the downfall. They went from being strugling agents of players, to big money world shakers within seconds.
Especially weird as Spencer made such a big deal about a previous bad money deal which also affected some of his friends, and that he wouldn't put other's finances at risk again (as an agent). He does exactly that when trying to move the club to Vegas a season later....
The show gets worse in the last 2 seasons when the Sports X venture comes onto the scene, and the show becomes less and less about "Ballers".
The first 2 seasons are worth the watch, I'd almost advise to stop watching after the 2nd season end. But you will probably want to see more of some of the characters portrayed in the show, that you will keep on watching anyway despite the quality drop. The later seasons bring the overall score down though.
Report
The pace is steady. The characters feel authentic. And The Rock carries the rest with an addictive swagger and occasional intimacy.
Like Entourage, it boasts an affable cast. Johnson is the real draw, able to flex dramatic muscles he's not often given the opportunity to use.
The show males good use of Johnson's winning smile.... Overall, though, its view of life after football is more sad than funny.
The fact that even [The Rock] cannot liven things up should indicate just how rote Ballers feels.
You can tell by the uninspired writing that it came from the same minds as Entourage. Follow a celebrity in a world without consequence, having fans throw themselves at your feet and everyone and everything is flat, one-dimensional. It's pretty to look at and can hold your attention for 2-3 seasons, until you realize it lacked any cohesion or charm. Take a drink every time the Rock changes suits or laughs smugly, that way you'll likely black out and forget this weak excuse for entertainment before you realize how bland it is.
Report
Production Company:
- Closest to the Hole Productions
- Film 44
- Leverage Management
- Seven Bucks Productions
Initial Release Date: Jun 21, 2015
Number of seasons: 5 Seasons
Rating: TV-MA
Awards
Image Awards (NAACP)
• 10 Nominations
Black Reel Awards for Television
• 7 Nominations
Primetime Emmy Awards
• 5 Nominations
