3.5/5
A Second Shot.
10 Episodes. Starring: John Stamos, Jessalyn Gilsig, Sophia Mitri Schloss, Nell Verlaque, Tiana Le, Tisha Eve Custodio, Cricket Wampler, Sara Echeagaray & Yvette Nicole Brown. Created By: David E. Kelley, Dean Lorey & Brad Garrett.
Hey, Mr. 'Big Shot'! How about another season? 80's sitcom All-star John Stamos took his biggest and best shot yet when he saved his new Disney + basketball show from the elimination rounds of streaming service cancellation. So says his interview with the LA Times. And now, betting the full house on it, 'Big Shot' is back in what feels like a shorter off-season than the NBA's return to regular programming after the Bubble. Built for this position of a coach climbing out of controversy like Pacino was born to play worn out cops, Stamos' Coach Korn (no relation to the band, but definitely playing with heavy metal when he throws chairs at referees like errant passes) has seemingly been on the floor more than King LeBron James, taking his courtside throne. But here, he's playing with a different Westbrook in California, as this second half of Disney's basketball team is good enough for a big season 3.
Ring the sirens, Mickey. Because this is another great Hollywood take on a tale of hoops hoopla in a year of 'Hustle' and more documentaries that show Netflix's 'Last Dance' was anything but. Disney + getting in on the throwbacks 'Like Mike' (and 'Like Mike 2'), all whilst bringing their own original content that like the steps of NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers 'Rise' to the NBA, from being young God's in Greece, to champions in their own coliseum. This, though, is inspiring like their classic, true story of the 'Glory Road' to the first all-black college starting-five taking on and beating the legendary University of Kentucky, with Pat Riley. Stamos, promising another year like the legacy of Riles at a Showtime victory parade, is bound to rile up the sexist haters, but it's winning time for those who run the world now. She got game and in a battle of the sexes with the boys to see who will become Billie Jean King, like the WNBA, it's here to play and stay.
DNP-CD, even with Disney + 'Prom Pact' star Monique Green missing in action off the roster and many more graduating before this season is out, this team is still deeper than the Pacific Ocean that surrounds it like Palisades. Especially with rookie of the year and actual real YouTube star Sara Echeagaray as a volleyball prodigy set to spike the team like it was prom punch. How's the great game of Nell Verlaque going to deal with this now her Shaq has a Kobe and love interests spark more potential feuds than Madonna did the Mavericks, Kidd? The family drama continues with standout Sophia Mitri Schloss, who reveals even more talent in her school bag and Girl Dad dynamics. But it's the assistance of the great Jessalyn Gilsig moving from the shadows of the sidelines to a prime position which seasons this second series getting series like clutching at crunch time in the fourth.
The 'Community' of David E. Kelley, Dean Lorey and Brad Garrett's show headed in principal by the legendary Yvette Nicole Brown and her classic comebacks is 1 through 15. From Tisha Eve Custodio's mighty mouse to Cricket Wampler's wonderful sweet soul. But the heart of this show like an unsung hero of an x-factor has always been Tiana Le. Last year she took us to the hill of her one family tree. This adds even more branches as the team of sisters makes their way through the brackets like the madness of the third month of the calendar. Parent traps and episodes dubbed '17 Candles' keep the flame lit on a season, Stamos says this takes inspiration from the great Bob Saget. Think of this like a love play-book to him like a 'Fuller House' that reminds you of the golden age of inoffensive, but inspiring great American sitcoms. But it's the tackling of the wildfires and that constant crisis in California that will steal your heart and tears before the last drawn up play. Saved by the buzzer, this shot is the biggest score yet. Count it. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'Rise', 'Hustle', 'Hang Time'.
