"Winning Time", HBO's Terrific Series About The 1980s Lakers, Is One Of The Best Shows On TV But Could Be On The Chopping Block After Just Two Seasons So Go Watch The Goddamn Thing

Araya Doheny. Getty Images.

Thanks largely to the internet-fueled Great American Streaming Wars of the Early 21st Century, the television landscape in the States has gone through more changes than a Kardashian face over the last several years. Fed up with obscene cable bills and bullshit-spewing Pravda-esque outlets whose presence on American TV sets was unthinkable a generation ago, U.S. viewers starting cutting cords like an obstetrician working overtime to get something resembling the forever-elusive à la carte TV line-up. Through all of the recent industry turmoil as well as the last half-century, one brand always stood proudly above the others: Home Box Office. 

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However, due to an industry-wide abundance of conglomerate fumble-fucking, chaos and upheaval--not comedy and drama--became the norm. Bought. Sold. Downsized. Phased out. Two in the hat for tax breaks. Whatever moves were made to whatever entities, they were done in service to the almighty share-holders, legacy and pedigree be damned. 

Which brings us to HBO's best current offering,"Winning Time", a wildly entertaining and creatively adventurous series about the iconic, Magic Johnson-led Los Angeles Lakers of the 1980s. Using Jeff Pearlman's deeply-researched and stellar tome "Showtime" as a jumping off point, "Winning Time" takes arguably the greatest NBA dynasty of all time and throws in a little salt & pepper for the occasional dramatizations and embellishments. But the heart of the story does not change: after some early coaching and chemistry issues, the Lakers--led by two of the best players in the game's history in Magic and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar--win five NBA titles and establish the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers as one of the all-time great franchises in any sport.

By any measure, "Winning Time" is a great television show. Though it has the occasional dash of camp and might get just a little too cute on occasion, it's probably the most entertaining series currently airing. Of course it has an amazing story to build off of but it's the performances that elevate "Winning Time" to something great.

Newcomers Quincy Isaiah and Solomon Hughes are simply incredible as Magic and Kareem, respectively. Isaiah effortlessly captures Magic's easy charisma and 1000-watt smile while Hughes masterfully portrays Kareem's sullen demeanor and complete lack of charisma (not to mention he absolutely nails his voice). As Lakers owner Jerry Buss, the always-excellent John C. Reilly turns in one of the best performances of his stellar career, melting into the role of the never-not-horny playboy businessman who also has to navigate tricky family politics as his ambitious daughter wishes to follow her dad's footsteps, creating tension with her brothers.

As the determined Jeannie Buss, Hadley Robinson turns in excellent work that pretty much guarantees you will be seeing plenty of her in the future. She's particularly good when conveying Jeannie's squeamishness at her old man's horndog habits; she's visibly skeeved out when he's putting the moves on girls that are most likely younger than her. Academy Award winner and NYC native Adrien Brody plays retired player/assistant coach Pat Riley who expertly reads the tea leaves and eventually goes on to become one of the NBA's most decorated coaches.

The funniest character in the show (played by the terrific Aussie Jason Clark) is the always-pissed-off and profane Hall of Famer Jerry West. He's a snap-show in pretty much every scene and even if West and his family don't care for the show's characterization, Clark does a fantastic job. Finally, Jason Segel does his best work in years as Paul Westhead, a coach who starts off wet-behind-the-ears but his ego makes the mistake of thinking he was the reason the Lakers won their first of five titles in the '80s and not two Hall of Famers and a few All-Stars.

But despite the performances, writing, directing, set design, and creative flourishes, "Winning Time" is in danger of not seeing a third season, which would be an absolutely brutal way to end this joy of a show. From "Showtime" author Jeff Pearlman…

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There used to be a time when the standard was this: if the show was good shit but the numbers weren't great, the show continued. BECAUSE IT WAS GOOD SHIT. This is why "Oz" lasted six seasons. And why "Six Feet Under" got five of them. But that was then and this is now and sentimentality about quality doesn't mean shit. So if you're not watching "Winning Time" yet, get on board so we get a third season. If you are watching it, keep it up and spread the word. Because it would be a goddamn shame if this epic show about an iconic team ends after the 1982 season. 

In the meantime, maybe the show can get a healthy PR push or a little more play on the app so people will find it easier. The actors, crew, writers, and everyone else working on the show certainly deserve it as well as another season.