The Peacock six-episode series showcases the lighter side of the greatest shooter on the planet
I spent a great deal of my summer indoors watching TV and avoiding the Texas heat (don’t get me started…again). This summer I had an excuse as the Olympics were on. My wife signed us up for Peacock so we could watch specific events whenever we wanted. This included sports less popular in America. (I am obsessed with Team Handball but I will not bore you about it here.)
Once the Olympics were over, I was scanning through Peacock and found Mr. Throwback, a six-episode comedy starring two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry.
Curry plays a fictional version of himself. What the viewer discovers in this documentary-style show is that as a child, Curry was a back-up point guard with limited potential and a ceiling aimed at high school basketball. He stood in the shadow of Danny Grossman, a supposed child basketball prodigy who was scandalized when it was discovered he was two years older than his teammates and opponents because his father had changed his birth certificate to elevate his own status as a coach.
Grossman, played by Happy Endings alum Adam Pally, now runs a memorabilia shop in Chicago. Divorced, down on his luck, and in debt to a loan shark, he seeks out his childhood buddy Steph Curry when the Golden State Warriors come to town to play the Bulls.
Initially seeking a Curry jersey to sell, he reconnects with the sharpshooter briefly, but the moment takes a quick turn when Grossman explains that he needs the jersey to make money to support his terminally ill daughter.
Curry immediately pushes to do anything he can for his old pal, only to be questioned by his business partner and manager Kimberly, played by SNL member Ego Nwodim.
Kimberly, who also grew up with Danny and Steph, is suspect of Danny intentions, played in stark contrast to Curry who gives Danny his while-hearted support. The dynamic allows Curry to be blindly optimistic while Nwodim’s doubtfulness serves as protector of Curry’s empire, creating much of the humor.
“I was excited to step into the world of scripted comedy with Mr. Throwback, a story with love for family and friends at its center,” said Curry, who also executive produces, in a statement. “I’m looking forward to viewers getting to see me play a version of myself no one has ever seen before and hope they feel connected to the characters and the dilemmas they face throughout the series.”
Curry exposes a natural ability to poke fun at himself and holds his own alongside seasoned comedians Pally and Nwodim. The documentary style filming gives the show an unpolished feel aligning with improved comedy.
The show, created by Pally, Happy Endings creator David Caspe, and writing duo Matthew Libman and Daniel Libman, premiered August 8 on Peacock.
If you’re looking for something to binge-watch over the Labor Day weekend, Mr. Throwback does not disappoint and helps bridge that summer gap between the NBA Finals and the season tip off.