TV Review: ‘Running Point’

in Movie

Reading Time: 8 mins read

‘Running Point’ receives 6.5 out of 10 stars.

Arriving on Netflix on February 27th, ‘Running Point’ is a sprightly new comedy created by David Stassen, Ike Barinholtz and Mindy Kaling, with Stassen serving as showrunner.

Inspired by Jeannie Buss, who took over running the L.A. Lakers basketball organization following her father’s death (the fact that Buss is an executive producer here should be a clue –- though that’s more of a contractual title than a creative one), it sees Kate Hudson as Isla Gordon, who is thrust into the tough job of taking over running the fictional LA Waves team.

Does ‘Running Point’ score?

Chet Hanks as Travis Bugg in 'Running Point'. Photo: Kat Marcinowski/Netflix © 2024.

‘Running Point,’ despite its sports milieu will feel familiar to anyone who has seen a workplace comedy before, and particularly the comedic stylings of Mindy Kaling, who following her work on ‘The Office’ went on to create and star in her own show (‘The Mindy Project’) and shepherd others, including previous Netflix effort ‘Never Have I Ever.’

David Stassen, who has worked extensively with Kaling in the past, on both TV and movies, seems to be –– there’s no way to escape it –– running point here, as he’s the main showrunner. Yet their shared tone shines through; this is another mix of wacky, funny shenanigans and some emotional core elements. The question is, does that blend work?

Script and Direction

(L to R) Scott MacArthur as Ness Gordon, Kate Hudson as Isla Gordon and Drew Carver as Sandy Gordon in 'Running Point'. Photo: Katrina Marcinowski/Netflix © 2024.

As mentioned above, Stassen and Kaling have professional history, so too does Ike Barinholtz, who worked and appeared on ‘The Mindy Project’ and has also collaborated on other jobs with them. That helps ‘Running Point’ feel like a smoothly orchestrated comedy from a scripting point of view, instead of a creative team fighting each other over choices.

And the laughs are clear from the start –– Hudson’s Isla is a compelling comic creation, a woman fighting for her place in a male-dominated world and while that’s not the newest idea, she works well as a character. Around her, much of the supporting roles are archetypes, but each is given enough layers that they don’t feel like they show up, say silly things and step off screen again. From Gordon’s PR maven and sidekick Ali Lee (Brenda Song), who has cultural concerns as well as quippy one-liners to her brother Sandy’s (Drew Tarver) relationship crises with his boyfriend, the storylines weave around each other and work.

If there’s an issue with the scripting, at least in the early going, it’s that the show falls into a particular sitcom trap of repeating the first episode’s idea at least a couple of times, with Sandy and brothers Ness (Scott MacArthur) and Cam (Justin Theroux) conspiring to oust her, which becomes annoying. It’s one thing to restate the premise for shows that run weekly, where producers need to catch those dipping in up on the basic concept, it’s another for it to be a recurring motif in a streaming series dropping all at once.

James Ponsoldt, a movie director more known for the likes of ‘The Spectacular Now’ and ‘The Circle’ (but who has been taking more TV work including ‘Daisy Jones and the Six’ and ‘Shrinking’), handles all 10 episodes here, and keeps the tone light. The show might not be winning awards for its visual style, but that’s rarely the point in comedies, especially sitcoms.

Cast and Performances

(L to R) Max Greenfield as Lev Levinson and Kate Hudson as Isla Gordon in 'Running Point'. Photo: Kat Marcinowski/Netflix © 2024.

Hudson makes for a likeable (usually –– though she’s not afraid to go to darker corners when the script calls for it), scrappy main character that you’ll root for as she deals with the various madcap issues of her co-workers and the players.

She has able support from Song, who can deliver an acid-tipped put-down with aplomb, and all three actors playing her brothers. Tarver is a nervy, entertaining watch as Sandy, while MacArthur gets the goofier side of the show as Ness, whose name rhymes with “mess” for a reason.

Theroux has less of a presence by design, since Cam’s addictions and initial car accident are the reason Isla ascends to her business throne in the first place. But what material he is given he spins perfectly, with the right level of imperiousness and stupidity.

Then there is Jackie Moreno, a loyal waves fan who works at the stadium and has more to him than first appears. He’s played with enjoyable charm by Fabrizio Guido, whose storyline also includes his lawyer cousin Ana, played by Keyla Monterroso Mejia, who has been stealing scenes in movies including ‘One of Them Days’ and ‘You’re Cordially Invited’ similarly makes an impact here.

The players, meanwhile, are smaller characters, but it’s amusing to see Chet Hanks as a tattooed weirdo superstar whose career Isla holds in the balance.

Final Thoughts

(L to R) Brenda Song as Ali and Kate Hudson as Isla Gordon in 'Running Point'. Photo: Katrina Marcinowski/Netflix © 2024.

‘Running Point’ seems unlikely to charge up the charts of Greatest Sitcoms anytime soon, but it’s certainly amusing enough. Hudson is a fun central figure, and the jokes mostly come out of character –– and they’re well drawn enough that the heartfelt moments hit home without feeling cheesy.

“From long shot to big shot.”

TV-MA1 SeasonsFebruary 27th, 2025

What’s the plot of ‘Running Point’?

When a scandal forces her brother to resign, Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson) is appointed president of the Los Angeles Waves, one of the most storied professional basketball franchises, and her family business.

Ambitious and often overlooked, Isla will have to prove to her skeptical brothers, the board, and the larger sports community that she was the right choice for the job.