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HBO continues to complete its line-up to tell the story of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s in a miniseries. The last signing, not easy, was the actor in charge of giving life to the charismatic basketball player Larry Bird, winner of three NBA rings with the Boston Celtics. Although not part of the Lakers, the star is one of the arch enemies of the team led by Magic Johnson. Bo Burnham, a 30-year-old American comedian, singer-songwriter and director, is the chosen one, according to informa Variety.
The series, still untitled, was approved by HBO in December 2019 and aims to narrate the personal and professional lives of the members of the great dominator of the NBA in the 80s, with Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as main stars, and Pat Riley as coach.
Bo Burnham has become famous mainly thanks to his satirical songs, which have surpassed 50 million views on YouTube. His great height, 1.97, has been decisive when it comes to being chosen to play a basketball player. The content of the lyrics of his songs is a risky decision by HBOHowever, in these times of political ultra-correction. As an actor, Burnham has participated in comedies such as “The great disease of love”, “A night out of control” and “A promising young woman”, nominated for five Oscars.
Another confirmed cast member is Adrien Brody in the role of Pat Riley. Winner of an Oscar for ‘The Pianist’ and also quite tall (1.85), he bears a certain resemblance to the coach and it sure does not cost him to adapt to his style, quite characteristic.
Sally FieldFor her part, she will play the role of Jessie Buss, mother of basketball team owner Jerry Buss, played by John C. Reilly. The double Oscar winner (for ‘Norma Rae’ and ‘In a place of the heart’) will adequately embody the strength of spirit and character that Jessie had, a single mother who inspired her son to become a prosperous man of business.
In the cast it also stands out Michael Chiklis (‘The shield’) as Red Auerbach, coach and later president of the Boston Celtics. Another well known actor, Jason Segel (‘How I Met Your Mother’), will play Paul Westhead, a coach who won a league with the Lakers just before the arrival of Pat Riley to the bench.
Among the players, Solomon Hughes will make Abdul-Jabbar, Quincy Isaiah will be Magic Johnson, Jason Clarke he’ll put on the jerry west shirt, Rob Morgan will do the same with Earving Johnson and Brett Cullen it will be Bill Sharman.
Salli Richardson-Whitfield Y Adam McKay are the directors of the series, inspired by the book of Jeff Pearlman, who will also work as a screenwriter, alongside Max Borenstein Y Jim Hecht. It is expected to have two episodes, which will premiere in 2022.
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