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Ballers (2015)

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Critic Reviews

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65

USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 12 Ratings

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5.1

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5.1	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 12 Ratings

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Ballers: Get Ready For The Revolution

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Ballers (2015)

Series Details & Credits

HBO | Release Date: June 21, 2015

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.

Creator: Stephen Levinson

Genre(s): Comedy, Drama, Sports

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Recent Episodes

tbd
S5:E8. Players Only
Air Date: October 13, 2019
tbd
S5:E7. Who Wants a Lollipop
Air Date: October 6, 2019
tbd
S5:E6. Edutainment
Air Date: September 29, 2019

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

65

Positive:

20

Mixed:

15

Negative:

0

Critic Reviews

91

Entertainment Weekly

Kyle Anderson

Jun 15, 2015

Season 1 Review: 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] Read full review

80

Boston Globe

Matthew Gilbert

Jun 19, 2015

Season 1 Review: Here, a strong cast and sharp writing prove to be a winning combination. Read full review

75

San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times

Chuck Barney

Jul 12, 2016

Season 2 Review: [Ricky Jerret, played by John David Washington (Denzel Washington's son) is] the show's secret weapon--a handsome, energetic live-wire who expertly conveys the brash ego and subtle insecurities of a player whose career may be fading into the sunset at the age of 30. But make no mistake, this is Johnson's baby. With that all-glowing smile, he brings his A-game to Ballers while always managing to look good in a suit. Read full review

70

Philadelphia Inquirer

Molly Eichel

Jun 22, 2015

Season 1 Review: 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. Read full review

60

Time

James Poniewozik

Jun 19, 2015

Season 1 Review: 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. Read full review

50

Los Angeles Daily News

Rob Lowman

Jul 25, 2016

Season 2 Review: The show suffers when it’s away from Johnson, lacking any real focus. Individual moments can be fine, but they seem strung together rather than part of a cohesive vision. Read full review

40

The New York Times

Neil Genzlinger

Jun 19, 2015

Season 1 Review: What’s frustrating about Ballers is that no one seems capable of learning from mistakes, either his own or someone else’s.... That makes for unrewarding, predictable drama, though the writers occasionally try for better. Read full review

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5.1

User Reviews

6

OscarTheGrouch

Jan 28, 2020

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 cameThis 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

2

Judge_Redd

Feb 17, 2020

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 forYou 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

0

max1c

Oct 5, 2021

Was good at first, but last 2 seasons are complete trash. Typical racist propaganda. And calling Obama a dumbass was uncalled for.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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Seasons & Episodes

65

Series Overview
Season 5

tbd
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: August 25, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E8. Players Only
  Air Date: October 13, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E7. Who Wants a Lollipop
  Air Date: October 6, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E6. Edutainment
  Air Date: September 29, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E5. Crumbs
  Air Date: September 22, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E4. Municipal
  Air Date: September 15, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E3. Copernicursed
  Air Date: September 8, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E2. Must Be the Shoes
  Air Date: September 1, 2019
- tbd
  S5:E1. Protocol Is for Losers
  Air Date: August 25, 2019
Season 4

tbd
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: August 12, 2018
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: July 23, 2017
Season 2

63
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: July 17, 2016
Season 1

tbd
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: June 21, 2015
Season 1

65
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: June 21, 2015