en.wikipedia.org

Ballers - Wikipedia

  • ️Sun Jun 21 2015

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other uses, see Baller.

Ballers
Genre
Created byStephen Levinson
Starring
Opening theme"Right Above It" by Lil Wayne featuring Drake
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes47
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Bret Slater
  • Peter Sussman
  • David Levinson
  • Lori Jo Nemhauser
  • Karyn McKarthy
  • Neena Beber
  • Janace Tashjian
Production locations
Cinematography
Editors
Camera setupSingle
Running time27 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkHBO
ReleaseJune 21, 2015 –
October 13, 2019

Ballers is an American sports comedy-drama series created by Stephen Levinson that aired for five seasons on HBO from June 21, 2015, to October 13, 2019.[1] It stars Dwayne Johnson as a retired NFL player who must navigate his new career as the financial manager of other NFL players.[2]

  • Dwayne Johnson as Spencer Strasmore, an NFL player who is forced into retirement due to injury and embarks upon a new career as the financial manager of other NFL players[3]
  • Rob Corddry as Joe Krutel, a financial advisor at Anderson Financial who helps Spencer navigate his new life at the company[3]
  • John David Washington as Ricky Jerret, a highly competitive and spiritual NFL player[3]
  • Omar Miller as Charles Greane, an affable former NFL player who is searching for his next career[3]
  • Donovan W. Carter as Vernon Littlefield, a deeply family-oriented defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys[3]
  • Troy Garity as Jason Antolotti, a top-tier sports agent[3]
  • London Brown as Reggie, Vernon's childhood friend who handles his money
  • Jazmyn Simon as Julie Greane, Charles' wife[3]
  • Arielle Kebbel as Tracy Legette, a sportscaster for a local TV station who is intimately involved with Spencer[4]
  • Brittany S. Hall as Amber, Ricky's past fling who later becomes his girlfriend and mother of his child
  • Carl McDowell as TTD, Ricky's friend, confidant, and assistant
  • Dulé Hill as Larry Siefert, the GM for the Miami Dolphins
  • Christopher McDonald as "Boss Man", an owner of the Dallas Cowboys
  • Anabelle Acosta as Annabella Ruiz, Ricky's girlfriend[3]
  • Taylor Cole as Stephanie Michaels, an ESPN sideline reporter who is romantically involved with Spencer[3]
  • LeToya Luckett as Tina, the widow of one of Spencer's closest friends[3]
  • Ella Thomas as Kara Cooley, Alonzo's mother and an interior decorator who is also involved with Ricky[3]
  • Emayatzy Corinealdi as Candace Brewer, a high-powered sports executive who goes toe to toe with Spencer
  • Antoine Harris as Alonzo Cooley, Ricky's passive-aggressive teammate
  • Taylour Paige as Theresa, Julie's sister
  • Sanai L. Johnson as Bey, Theresa's daughter
  • Richard Schiff as Brett Anderson, the owner of Anderson Financial Management
  • Clifton Collins, Jr. as Maximo Gomez, Angela's lawyer
  • Angelina Assereto as Angela Lee, Maximo's client who was briefly involved with Spencer
  • Robert Wisdom as Dennis Jerret, Ricky's estranged father who was a tight end during the 1985 Chicago Bears season
  • Michael Cudlitz as Dan Balsamo, owner of Dan's Auto Collision and former Buffalo Bills running back who was injured by Spencer during a game
  • Christine Allocca as Kerri Balsamo, Dan's wife
  • Carmelo "Q" Oquendo as an NFL prospect
  • Stephanie Sandri as herself
  • Robert Crayton as Nick Kovack, a player cut from the team
  • Terrell Suggs as himself
  • Larry Csonka as himself
  • Jay Glazer as himself
  • Mark Schlereth as himself
  • Serinda Swan as Chloe Day, a smart hotel management executive[5]
  • Andy García as Andre Allen, a high-ranking money manager who has a feud with Spencer
  • Steve Guttenberg as Wayne Hastings Jr.
  • Lisa Arturo as Nancy[6]
  • Peter Berg as a fictional version of himself
  • Kristopher Lofton as Kisan Teague, a talented NFL running back whose off-field antics and entourage keep getting him in trouble
  • Russell Brand as Lance Klians, the CEO of SportsX
  • Catherine Haena Kim as Kate, the creative director of SportsX and Joe's love interest
  • Amanda Rea as Donna, Jason's love interest and later fiancee

Athlete guest stars

[edit]

Several of the athletes in the series are fictional. However, multiple real life athletes make appearances as themselves. Additionally, actor John Amos played a retired fictional player. Amos had a brief stint with the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1960s. Athletes who made appearances include:

Ballers : U.S. viewers per episode (millions)

SeasonEpisode numberAverage
12345678910
12.161.851.701.591.641.811.561.711.571.401.70
21.591.281.271.141.211.321.010.871.001.101.18
32.482.582.282.482.362.850.990.930.930.991.89
41.050.910.990.870.730.870.720.770.60–0.84
50.590.540.530.410.450.460.460.50–0.49

Audience measurement performed by Nielsen Media Research[54]

The series premiered in the U.S. on HBO on June 21, 2015,[7] in Canada on June 21, 2015 on HBO Canada, in India on June 22, 2015 on HBO Defined,[55] in the United Kingdom on September 8, 2015 on Sky Atlantic,[56] and in Australia on September 15, 2015 on Showcase.[57]

The second season premiered on July 17, 2016 and a third on July 23, 2017.[58][59] On August 8, 2017, HBO picked up Ballers for a fourth season, which premiered on August 12, 2018.[60] On September 6, 2018, HBO renewed the series for a fifth season.[61]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has an approval rating of 81% based on 47 reviews, with an average rating of 6.43/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Ballers may not be a game-changer, but it scores points with Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, who brings charm and depth to the NFL version of Entourage."[62] On Metacritic, the season has a score of 65 out of 100, based on 35 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[63]

On Rotten Tomatoes season 2 has a rating of 70% based on 10 reviews, with an average rating of 6.65/10.[64] On Metacritic, the season has a score of 63 out of 100, based on 4 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[65]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the third season has a rating of 67%, based on 6 reviews, with an average rating of 5/10.[66]

The series has been released on Blu-ray and DVD; season 1 on June 14, 2016, Season 2 on January 31, 2017, Season 3 on April 3, 2018, and Season 4 on January 29, 2019.[67] Season 5's DVD and manufacture on demand Blu-ray was released on January 28, 2020 by Warner Home Entertainment and Warner Archive Collection respectively.[68][69] In addition, the complete series box set was released on DVD the same day.[70] In the United States, the series was added on August 15, 2023 on Netflix.[71][72]

  1. ^ Coulston, John Connor (July 28, 2019). "'Ballers' Season 5: Teaser Trailer, Premiere Date Revealed for Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's HBO Show". populture.com. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  2. ^ "About - Ballers". Starz. Archived from the original on September 23, 2017. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Andreeva, Nellie (February 13, 2014). "Dwayne Johnson's HBO Half-Hour Pilot 'Ballers' Picked Up To Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  4. ^ "Woman Crush Wednesday: Arielle Kebbel Plays A Badass Sportscaster On 'Ballers'". Decider - Where To Stream Movies & Shows on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Instant, HBO Go. 24 June 2015. Archived from the original on 26 October 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
  5. ^ Petski, Denise (30 January 2017). "'Ballers': Serinda Swan Set To Recur On Dwayne Johnson HBO Comedy". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  6. ^ "Lisa Arturo". IMDb. Archived from the original on 2020-11-15. Retrieved 2019-01-27.
  7. ^ a b Bibel, Sara (June 23, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'True Detective' Wins Night, 'Ballers', 'Naked and Afraid', 'The Last Ship' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 23, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  8. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (June 30, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: BET Awards Tops Night + 'True Detective', 'Ballers', 'Naked and Afraid' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  9. ^ Bibel, Sara (July 8, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: Shark Week Wins Night, 'True Detective', ' Ballers', 'The Last Ship', 'Botched', 'Falling Skies' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
  10. ^ Bibel, Sara (July 14, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Naked and Afraid XL' Wins Night, 'True Detective', 'Basketball Wives', 'Ballers', 'The Strain' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on July 14, 2015. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  11. ^ Bibel, Sara (July 21, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Naked and Afraid XL' Wins Night, 'True Detective', 'Ballers', 'The Strain', 'The Last Ship', 'Tut' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on July 24, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  12. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (July 28, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'I am Cait' Tops Night + 'Naked & Afraid XL', 'Rick & Morty', 'True Detective', NASCAR, 'Ballers' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on July 31, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  13. ^ Bibel, Sara (August 4, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Rick and Morty' & 'Naked and Afraid XL', Win Night, 'True Detective', 'The Last Ship', 'Ballers', 'The Strain', 'Ray Donovan' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 6, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  14. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (August 11, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'True Detective' Tops Night + 'Naked and Afraid XL', 'Rick & Morty', 'Ballers', & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 13, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  15. ^ Bibel, Sara (August 18, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Naked and Afraid XL' Wins Night, 'Rick & Morty', 'Ballers', 'The Last Ship', 'The Strain', 'Ray Donovan' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 20, 2015. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  16. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (August 25, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Fear the Walking Dead' Tops Night + 'Talking Dead', 'Naked & Afraid', 'Rick & Morty', & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 28, 2015. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  17. ^ Porter, Rick (July 19, 2016). "Sunday cable ratings: 'Power' Season 3 premiere sets a record for Starz". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on July 20, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  18. ^ "Sunday cable ratings: NASCAR races to No. 1, 'Power' stays strong". July 25, 2016. Archived from the original on July 27, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  19. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.31.2016 - Showbuzz Daily". Showbuzzdaily.com. Archived from the original on 2016-08-05.
  20. ^ Porter, Rick (August 9, 2016). "Sunday cable ratings: 'Power' and NASCAR share the top spot". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  21. ^ Porter, Rick (August 16, 2016). "Sunday cable ratings: 'Power' improves and stays at No. 1". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  22. ^ Porter, Rick (August 23, 2016). "Sunday cable ratings: 'Fear the Walking Dead' returns to series low". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 24, 2016. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  23. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (August 30, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.28.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Archived from the original on September 1, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  24. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 13, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.11.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  25. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 20, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.18.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  26. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 27, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.25.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Archived from the original on September 28, 2016. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  27. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (July 25, 2017). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.23.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 6, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  28. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (August 1, 2017). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.30.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on August 1, 2017. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  29. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (August 8, 2017). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.6.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  30. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (August 15, 2017). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.13.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on August 15, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  31. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (August 22, 2017). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.20.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on August 30, 2017. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
  32. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (August 29, 2017). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.27.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 19, 2018. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  33. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 6, 2017). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.3.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 11, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  34. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 13, 2017). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.10.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 14, 2017. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  35. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 19, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.17.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 19, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  36. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 26, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.24.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 27, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  37. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (August 14, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.12.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on August 15, 2018. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  38. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (August 21, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.19.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on August 21, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  39. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (August 28, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.26.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on August 28, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  40. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 5, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.2.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 5, 2018. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  41. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 11, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.9.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 11, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  42. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 18, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.16.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 18, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  43. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 25, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.23.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 25, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  44. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 2, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.30.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 2, 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  45. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 9, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.7.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 9, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  46. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (August 27, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.25.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on August 27, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  47. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 4, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.1.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  48. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 10, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.8.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  49. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 17, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.15.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
  50. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (September 24, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.22.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 24, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  51. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 1, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.29.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  52. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 8, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.6.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  53. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 15, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.13.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  54. ^ For the first season, see "Ballers: Season One Ratings". TV Series Finale. October 29, 2019. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2015.

    For the second season, see "Ballers: Season Two Ratings". TV Series Finale. October 29, 2019. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 27, 2016.

    For the third season, see "Ballers: Season Three Ratings". TV Series Finale. October 29, 2019. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2017.

    For the fourth season, see "Ballers: Season Four Ratings". TV Series Finale. October 29, 2019. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2018.

    For the fifth season, see "Ballers: Season Five Ratings". TV Series Finale. October 29, 2019. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2019.

  55. ^ "HBO Defined brings two new comedy series". Indian Television Dot Com. 18 June 2015. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  56. ^ "About Ballers". Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  57. ^ Knox, David (27 August 2015). "Airdate: Ballers". TV Tonight. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  58. ^ Fowler, Matt (July 10, 2015). "Ballers Renewed for Season 2". IGN. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  59. ^ Roots, Kimberly (July 28, 2016). "Ballers Renewed for Season 3 at HBO". TVLine. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
  60. ^ Petski, Denise (August 8, 2017). "'Insecure' & 'Ballers' Renewed By HBO". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  61. ^ Schwartz, Ryan (September 6, 2018). "Insecure Renewed for Season 4 at HBO". TVLine. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  62. ^ "Ballers (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  63. ^ "Ballers: Season 1 reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  64. ^ "Ballers (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  65. ^ "Ballers: Season 2 reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  66. ^ Ballers: Season 3 - Rotten Tomatoes, archived from the original on 2020-11-15, retrieved 2023-09-22
  67. ^ "Ballers DVD Release Date". DVDs Release Dates. Archived from the original on 2020-11-15. Retrieved 2018-11-28.
  68. ^ DeepDiscount.com. "Ballers: The Complete Fifth Season". Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  69. ^ "Warner Archive Announces January Releases". Blu-ray.com. December 17, 2019. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  70. ^ DeepDiscount.com. "Ballers: The Complete Series (DVD)". Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  71. ^ Lewis, Hilary (August 14, 2023). "Netflix's New Releases Coming in August 2023". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  72. ^ Rivera, Joshua (August 17, 2023). "Ballers is on Netflix, it is time for you to become one with Ballers". Polygon. Retrieved October 1, 2023.