Once a basketball prodigy in junior high, Danny Grossman now runs a struggling sports memorabilia store in Chicago. Down on his luck and in desperate need of money, Danny hatches a plan to contact his former teammate and childhood friend, NBA star Stephen Curry. Curry has gone on to massive success in the league, while Danny’s life has taken a different path.
When the Golden State Warriors come to town to play the Bulls, Danny manages to get an audience with Curry post-game. Curry is just as friendly and good-natured as ever, but Danny isn’t here for a simple reunion. He’s scheming ways to get a cash windfall from his famous friend. Things become more complicated when Danny starts telling a few little white lies about his current situation.
This unexpected reunion leads Curry to film a mockumentary of his everyday activities. The project unexpectedly shifts its focus to Danny and his deteriorating circumstances. Now Danny must scramble to keep the lies rolling as cameras document his every move. With old wounds also resurfacing through reunions with his ex-wife and estranged father, Danny’s problems threaten to spiral further out of control.
Starring Adam Pally as Danny and with Stephen Curry playing himself, Mr. Throwback promises laughs as well as insight into how life’s crossroads can permanently divert two former friends down separate paths. The creative minds behind the comedy include Pally, David Caspe, and the writing duo of Daniel and Matthew Libman. Stream all six half-hour episodes now exclusively on Peacock.
The Intertwined Lives of Danny and Steph
At the center of Mr. Throwback are Danny Grossman and Stephen Curry, two one-time basketball prodigies who took very different paths in life. Danny now runs a struggling sports memorabilia shop in Chicago, estranged from his father, Mitch, who used to coach their youth team. Living separately from his ex-wife, Samantha, Danny struggles to support their daughter Charlie on his own.
When the story begins, Danny is deep in debt to some dangerous people. So he hatches a plan to reconnect with his old teammate Steph Curry, now a global superstar after leading the Golden State Warriors to championship heights. Curry remains as affable and good-natured as Danny remembers from their childhood days. Their friendship also included a girl from the neighborhood, the ambitious Kimberly.
Danny hits Curry up just as the Warriors come to Chicago for a game. Thinking on his feet, Danny spins an elaborate lie about Charlie facing a grave illness. To help raise funds for purported medical treatments, Danny convinces Curry to back a charity basketball game. This falsehood draws Curry and Kimberly back into Danny’s chaotic world, now chronicled by documentary filmmakers following Curry’s every move.
As Danny’s deception grows increasingly complex, it also reignites his affection for estranged loved ones like Samantha and Mitch. Everyone must now deal with the fallout from Danny’s flawed actions. In particular, the once-naive Curry begins to see past Danny’s scheming ways to the complex man beneath. Despite setbacks, Danny never loses hope that Curry’s presence could spark positive change in his unlucky life.
Only time will tell where these intertwining lives are headed next. With humor and heart, Mr. Throwback explores the irrevocable bonds between old teammates and the capacity for both dreams and mistakes to persist across decades.
Flawed Characters We Can’t Help But Root For
At the center of Mr. Throwback is Danny Grossman, played brilliantly by Adam Pally. Danny represents the everyman—mischievous, imperfect, but with good intentions buried deep down. As a former basketball star whose dreams were dashed, Danny never quit chasing what might have been. Now divorced with a daughter to support, he’s always just one bad decision away from falling apart.
Pally breathes a vibrant, chaotic life into Danny. We see his boundless heart on display, whether he is scheming to help those he loves or spiraling from his own mistakes. Though frustrating at times, Danny stays endearing because of Pally’s ability to find traces of hope even in his darkest moments. Whether bargaining with gangsters or reconciling with family, Pally ensures we can’t look away from Danny’s train wreck of a life.
Playing against type is NBA superstar Stephen Curry. While not a natural actor, Curry fully commits to portraying a slightly skewed version of himself. He’s still a lovable good guy, but he turned up to an almost absurd degree. Curry leans into jokes about his image-conscious lifestyle and thirst for creative fulfillment off the court. Despite some stiffness, Curry plays well off Pally and fits the show’s zany tone.
Then there’s Ego Nwodim’s powerhouse turn as Kimberly. Assertive and no-nonsense, Kimberly keeps Steph’s empire running while still making time to get under Danny’s skin. Nwodim breathes vibrancy into every scene, matching the fast pace with perfect comedic timing and expressive features. Whether sparring with Danny or holding her own against Steph’s entourage, Nwodim emerges as a standout.
Tracy Letts also shines as Danny’s estranged father, Mitch, a mess of a man haunted by past mistakes. Letts infuses Mitch with layers of pathos and regret, ensuring we understand what drove him to become so damaged. Some of the series’ most poignant moments emerge from Mitch and Danny’s intricately drawn father-son dynamic.
Together, this gifted ensemble breathes life into an entertainingly messy assortment of characters. None are perfect, but all feel genuinely human. We root for their happiness because of the care put into developing them beyond just plot devices. These flawed individuals become impossible not to care about, thanks to standout performances across the board.
When humor gets personal
Mr. Throwback experiments with its tone, veering from slapstick to sincerity. At first glance, the wacky hijinks and outlandish lies may seem at odds with the show’s more emotional beats. But a closer look reveals deft tonal shifts that give moments of levity more impact.
Comedy thrives through conflict, and Danny’s dilemmas mine both laughs and pathos. His schemes are absurdist farces that capture the havoc of poor decisions. We cringe at each escalation, whether courting the mob or faking illness. Pally sells every improbable stunt with a sense of panic.
Yet in private, Danny shows the vulnerabilities his bravado hides. Interactions with daughter Charlie soften his impulsive nature, while scenes with ex-wife Sam convey regret for severed trust. Mayeri and Scalisi play off Pally perfectly, finding truth within the absurd. Their grounded performances center on the whirlwind surrounding Danny.
Curry, too, toes an inventive line as a fictionalized celebrity. His boyish charms mask his ambition, and the script doesn’t spare his flaws. Curry leans into subversions of his polite persona, gleefully embracing each joke at his expense. This self-awareness adds authenticity to outlandish plotlines involving baby sharks or homemade sports drinks.
While hijinks dominate, callbacks to past traumas deepen comedy with complexity. Tracy Letts shines as troubled father Mitch, infusing pathos into regrets over lost potential. Flashbacks hint at abuses shaping Danny, imbuing brash actions with poignancy. These somber notes give weight to the show’s feel-good spirit.
Tonal agility lets Mr. Throwback have his cake and eat it too. Grounding absurd antics in relatable relationships, it finds humor in humanity’s messy imperfection. The blend of wacky and sincere resonates through this creative balancing act.
On Location with Mr. Throwback
David Wain’s direction for Mr. Throwback has a classic mockumentary style. Shot with shaky handheld cameras like a film crew shadowing its subjects, each scene feels vibrantly authentic. Location shoots around Chicago immerse viewers in this world.
Scenes at Danny’s sports store or his daughter’s school capture real environments. Familiar backdrops like the United Center lend legitimacy to outlandish antics. Wain finds artistry within limitations, crafting ambitious moments like a climactic basketball game. Though modest budgets can’t match Hollywood spectacles, creativity triumphs.
Performances also thrive on this realism. Without polished sets, cast and crew inhabit natural spaces together. Characters interact casually before “interviews,” retaining an organic flow. Spontaneous line readings feel genuine, not rehearsed. We laugh with these people, not just at their hijinks.
Visual gags also match the tone. Shots zoom or jerk at comedic beats. Editing cuts sharply for punchlines. Behind-the-scenes bloopers play during the end credits, deepening our connection. Through a camera lens, we peek inside real lives and flaws.
Despite constraints, Wain elevates Mr. Throwback above rote sitcoms. Authentic settings and interactions give levity and a and a sincere heart. Laughs arise from truth over trickery. Through sheer creative spirit, its production supersedes greater budgets with true artistic vision.
Family and fulfillment in Mr. Throwback
Reviews offer mixed takes on David Wain’s new comedy. Critics praise the cast and location shots while focusing on plot mechanics. But certain themes consistently emerge.
Father-son bonds form a bedrock. Danny struggles with the legacy of his demanding dad, Mitch, a former coach addicted to various vices. Tracy Letts brings nuance to Mitch, remorseful yet gruff. Their evolving trust moves many scenes.
Danny also aims to reconnect with his daughter Charlie after their divorce. Layla Scalisi plays her as wise beyond years, adoring despite Daddy’s flaws. His love, though clumsily shown, drives the pursuit of “fast cash.” Redemption and responsibility as a parent stir beneath antics.
Stephen Curry himself brings levity to exploring celebrity trappings. He gleefully mocks ubiquity but cares deeply for friends. Their dynamic, like Danny doubting past talent, probes what might have been versus reality.
A wish for fulfillment, in careers or relationships, underscores zany plots. Danny yearns for past sports glory or fixing marriages. Even perfectionist Stephanie tires of her stardom schedule. Their dreams, and how close or far they veer, elicit empathy.
While mockumentary tropes frustrate some, others find humor in Danny’s downward spiral. Natural performances from Pally, Nwodim, and Mayeri buoyed exaggerated shenanigans. Heartening resolutions suggest troubled souls can evolve with second chances.
So beneath absurdity, more earnest reflections on family bonds, regrets, and human longing for purpose emerge. Messy people striving to better past mistakes or find meaning prove we all battle similar demons.
Final Assessment of Mr. Throwback
So in the end, does Mr. Throwback live up to its promising cast and premise? The show delivers moments of true laughter but falls short of greatness.
Conceptually, the mockumentary framing device works well enough. We root for schlubby Danny despite questionable choices. His love for his daughter Charlie remains genuine. Yet stretching a single-episode plot across six installments dilutes steam. The big reveal draws gasps initially, yet it wears thin on repeat viewings.
Where the program excels most is in its talented performers. Pally and Nwodim mine comedy gold from even the most absurd situations. Their witty repartee drives the most amusing scenes. Meanwhile, Tracy Letts breathes nuanced life into the complex Mitch. All show immense skill for wringing wit from wit.
Yet somewhere, talent gets lost in convoluted storytelling. Predictable developments leave little suspense. Resolutions feel hastily tacked on to end each episode, lacking fulfillment. Some find this off-putting rather than amusing.
In the end, Mr. Throwback provides some solid laughs and likeable stars. But its potential exceeds the actual results. As a one-off special, the format would suit better. As a series, strengthening character development and simplifying the plot could boost rewatch value. With refinement, future seasons might achieve great comedy heights just out of reach in this initial presentation. Despite flaws, enough spark exists to warrant more.
The Review
Mr. Throwback
Mr. Throwback possesses promising comic elements but falls short of consistent greatness. Stretched thinly across six episodes, the compelling cast and humor faded amid convoluted storylines. However, flashes of laughter and nuanced performances show glimpses of untapped potential that could shine brighter with refinement.
PROS
- Talented comedic cast, especially Pally, Nwodim, and Letts
- Interesting premise mixing sports and family dynamics
- Witty dialogue and humor are featured when character interactions are featured
- Authentic mockumentary-style filming keeps the story engaging
CONS
- A predictable and convoluted overarching plot loses steam
- Stretching one episode's premise over six episodes dilutes laughter
- Underdeveloped characters and resolutions feel rushed
- Fails to consistently deliver on humor potential
- Intricate storyline makes rewatch value diminish
