Mr. Throwback, a basketball comedy starring Stephen Curry and Adam Pally, will air on Peacock August 8.
The show follows Danny, played by Pally, a sports memorabilia dealer who is down on his luck—divorced, with a failing business, and mob thugs following him down for money he owes.
Danny was a standout basketball player and Curry’s childhood teammate. He rose to prominence as a young player on the court, but it was short-lived when it was discovered that he was not the age he claimed to be. Danny, an adult experiencing major issues, turns to Curry for help. He devises an elaborate deception for Curry, and Curry agrees to assist.
Executive producer David Caspe explained that the project began when he, Daniel and Matthew Libman, who had previously worked on Happy Endings with Pally, learned Curry wanted to do a program. The producers used Zoom to brainstorm ideas.
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“All three of us are ardent Chicago Bulls fans. We grew up during the Bulls’ heyday and are enthralled with The Last Dance,” Caspe told B+C. “We wondered if there was a comic version of The Last Dance, and what it might be. We settled on this notion.”
Curry, who is now in Paris with the United States men’s basketball team (the team will face Serbia in a semifinal on August 8), appreciated the idea and wanted to be a part of it. (Curry is both a cast member and the executive producer.)
“We couldn’t believe he wanted to be involved in something we were doing,” Matthew Libman said. “We were delighted and thrilled.”
Curry hasn’t done much acting, but according to Daniel Libman, he’s a popular commercial pitchman. “He was so natural and took to it so easily-it was pretty remarkable,” he told me. “He said he’s been coached his entire life and wanted to be coached and directed.”
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Curry had to leave the shoot one day to go for a workout because the Olympics were approaching. He, Matthew, and Adam went to an old Golden State Warriors facility in downtown Oakland, where the team was hosting a kids basketball camp, and the couple hundred attendees were told a surprise was on the way.
Then Steph Curry walked in.
“I watched 200 kids in Warriors jerseys absolutely lose their minds,” Matthew told me. “I saw him go around and chat with kids, high-five everyone, take pictures with everyone, and give a little clinic.”
Ego Nwodim portrays Curry’s helper Kimberly.
According to the filmmakers, Pally also possesses a solid basketball game, if not quite Curry-esque. He can also bring challenging characters to life on television. “In this role in particular, he excels at bringing likeability and humanity to an otherwise, not despicable character, but a character doing despicable things,” according to Caspe. “You’re moved by the fact that you cheer for and care about Adam’s character, despite the fact that he’s doing such terrible things. “And the fact that he is hilarious.”
Mr. Throwback uses a mockumentary format. August 8 marks the release of all six episodes.
When asked about the show’s highlights, Daniel recalled Adam and Tracy Letts, who play Danny’s father and youth team coach, in a car in Episode 3. “That was a product of the actors really digging in, wanting to find out what the scene was and how to play it,” Daniel told me. “It’s a master class of comedy and emotion.”
Caspe mentioned that Letts has a Pulitzer and a Tony.
“We have no business even knowing him,” Daniel added.
Aside from Happy Endings, Caspe and the Libmans collaborated on Black Monday and Kenan.
When asked about their influences for Mr. Throwback, Daniel highlighted This Is Spinal Tap, The Office (UK), and the original White Men Can’t Jump. Matthew mentioned The Simpsons, Airplane, and The Naked Gun.
David mentioned Bruce Springsteen. “I like art about dads, and this is art about dads,” he told me.
The producers really enjoyed working with Steph Curry on the show. “The impact he has on people,” Matthew stated. “He makes people’s dreams come true every single day.”
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