Winning Time Canceled

HBO''s Winning Time starring John C. Reilly, Jason Clarke, Jason Segel, Gaby Hoffmann, Rob Morgan, and Adrien Brody has been cancel after just 2 seasons. Andrew May of Lonely Guy Loves Movies discusses the ramifcations.
For the full Vulture Article, click here... www.vulture.co...
#winningtime #johncreilly #adrienbrody #lalakers #magicjohnson #hbomax #hbo #canceled #cancelled
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[@ConsiderationFarm]

The best show ever canceled. So sad. This show captured nostalgia so perfectly. This felt like an HBO show. From the intro song until the end, I was hooked. HBO fucked up.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah they did. I loved the intro song as well! Yeah, the show made me want to go back and learn more about the real story that the show is based off of. I think ROME is up there with best HBO shows to be canceled. We do bailouts for rich millionaires. Can we not get a bailout for this amazing show?

[@REALINCARNATE]

Na the best show ever canceled is Constantine.

[@arvidverbraeken6111]

it was a bad show .... i loved watching it caus of the 80 lakers (and we could go on beyond shaq kobe era , getting lebron etc .....) but they need a new director better dialogues less woke / feminism back to the real things. i hope somene picks it up and continue perhaps starz

[@ConsiderationFarm]

@@arvidverbraeken6111 On a planet full of sleepwalking humanoids, woke is fine with me. If only you all would rise and be human, we might build a future on the planet of humans instead of burning it down to turn it into the planet of machines (cause that's what the old people told us to do). Let's SHARE the POV of our beloved women. Out mothers. Our sisters. Our daughters. Our friends. After all, at this point (not to be in the future) are we not all children of women?

[@Srt3D01-db-01]

@@ConsiderationFarm you are just saying nonesense

[@bfizzlebjh]

This is disgraceful! Two seasons into a great show and story and they pull the plug. Left way to many questions and ended with the lakers losing which defies the title winning time. Honestly the cast was excellent and they should feel robbed!

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, Losing Time just doesn’t have the same ring, but that’s how things felt in the end. With us all losing out on the potential of future storylines. With the cast, crew, writers and directors being robbed of their ability to create some truly amazing cinema 🎥 🏀.

[@TheSands83]

No the show sucks and the guy who plays magic Johnson is awful

[@sallythompson1685]

Oh, so sorry to hear this! They didn't get to Magic and Bird doing the Converse commercial and finding out they had a lot in common. 2 guys from small towns and such. Larry's mom telling Magic he is her favorite player. Magic loves to tell that story. And that both Magic and Larry become good friends. When Magic is diagnosed with HIV, many players refused to play with him, but Larry come right out and said he would play with Magic anytime. When Magic decided to retire, the first he called to tell was Larry. When Larry retired Magic was there and says that Larry had told him there would be another Bird someday and Magic said, "You are wrong. There will never be another Larry Bird." These 2 men respected each other and still do to this day. It is a shame this series didn't get that far.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

I love that you laid out all of the many possibilities of things we will miss moving forward. Many of the things you mentioned would have created a great redemption arc and something audiences would have loved. There’s a great documentary on HBO about Bird and Magic that delves into some of these things, but I would have loved seeing the dramatized version on the show. Cheers Sally.

[@luddite4change449]

@@LonelyGuyLovesMovies You could tell that was the way they would have gone in a third season as they took the time to introduce Larry's mom in the final episode.

[@TMthe33rd]

True that... Hell... We didn't even get Michael Jordan on this show And they have shown Bulls multiple times despite how bad the team was before MJ It was definitely the writers intention to plant the seeds for MJ

[@moringaottawa]

The actor playing Bird made the character larger than life - kind of impressive especially given how rare that kind of character steals the limelight like that sartorial snarky server / coder on silicon valley.

[@RealDaveTalk]

What suck that if they did a season 3 it will be focused on a 1984-85 season with the Lakers and Celtics rematch, Magic, dealing with the criticism, Kareem decline and the arrival of Michael Jordan.

[@GeneticFreak49]

HBO did it me again! Rome and Deadwood, now this.

[@guiltyrich005dj]

Same. I love Rome, and I still watch it now.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, Rome was so good and only 2 seasons of it. Loved Titus Pullo. RIP Ray Stevenson.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

No doubt. I throw it in every few years. Still have it on Blu ray. Cheers.

[@zackamania6534]

Deadwood. What a damned shame. The best western show of all time.

[@jlobiafra]

I liked a series called Vinyl that they canceled after one year also

[@editsbymarcin]

That's awful. It was the best show on HBO by far...

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah. I’m truly sad about it. Cheers.

[@ScottParisi]

What a bummer. Really enjoyed the show. Maybe Netflix will pick it up if the demand is there.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

I would love for another streamer to pick it up. It’s obviously well loved, I’m just not sure how large the audience was for it. Cheers Scott.

[@ihateallthethings2683]

Netflix would turn magic trans and it would be a woke pile of shit. Keep it off Netflix

[@ScottParisi]

That would be a disappointment.

[@DreDaDon16]

​@@ihateallthethings2683Netflox be canceling Dope shows too look at Mindhunters smh

[@YourBoyJohnny94]

Netflix ruins everything it touches.

[@mikegambino3362]

Despite some historical inaccuracies the show was very entertaining. HBO has a habit of canceling good shows too early and not giving them a fair enough chance.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, I’m sure they took some creative liberties, but I did love scenes where they would say, yes, this really happened, like Larry playing in jeans 👖.

[@petermpicard]

Great show, so disappointing! Not many shows I looked forward to, I looked forward to this show!! I hope awards are won, people eventually see its brilliance and it’s forced to come back!!! PLEASE,PLEASE

[@greysengarrard6497]

This show was really good and I hope they start it up again

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Soooo good. Yeah, once something gets canceled, it’s hard to bring it back from the dead 💀.

[@chilljay126]

This made me so upset. Im not even a laker fan but this show was 🔥

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Sums up my feelings exactly.

[@levelperfecto]

It is also unfortunate how it got canceled on a season where their arch-rival Celtics winning championship.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, not great timing.

[@lakebay972]

I guess they wanted to go the Rocky-Apollo route from "Rocky 1" where Apollo wins on a decision or "The Bad News Bears" where the Bears win 2nd place to The Yankees, the film's antagonists.

[@antonymartins8310]

director a Celtics fans

[@GABRIELA-ACEVEDO.]

They could've done at least just one more season with Lakers finally beating Celtics in the finals, even if final season was only 5 episodes long. Anything to at least have had it ended with Lakers finally beating Celtics. Don't get me wrong, I would've loved to have seen more seasons showing Ralph Sampson shot to eliminate them, their rivalry with Bad boy Pistons, introduce Jordan in his early years. Then would've been cool to see a spinoff about The Bulls, or even a spinoff that focused on Celtics side of things. Too bad, though.

[@drmontano9414]

I cried. I love Pat Riley

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Aww. And I felt like he was played so well by Adrien Brody.

[@IknowMoreThanYou]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂you cried? What a b---- -Larry Legend

[@TheSands83]

U cried? Grow up

[@drmontano9414]

@@TheSands83 yes daddy

[@S1LVAW0LF]

Fuck pat riley but this show is awesome 🎉

[@DarkKing009]

What a bummer!

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

No doubt. The show had so much charisma.

[@Ash-uh2ot]

I was shocked that was the final episode…such a bummer

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

I felt the exact same way. And then I realized there was nothing I could do about it, but make a video and find other sad fans as well.

[@mauhi7721]

I was about to suscribe to HBO because I wanted to watch all the episodes of Winning time . Thank you very much for this piece of information.👍🙂🏀

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

You’re welcome. You can now go in in with tempered expectations. Enjoy, it’s a great series.

[@06alwilliams]

This some bullsh*t 😤

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

I know. Sad day.

[@JM-ef6oo]

Such a great watch. Sad to see it cancelled. It has so much potential from the actors and story lines.

[@REALINCARNATE]

I don’t think it’s a coincidence HBO cancels winning time while also making a deal with the NBA to stream games. 🤔 I know magic didn’t like the show for sure.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Ahh, a good old conspiracy theory. I saw that Magic didn’t like it which struck me as odd, but I guess he felt like it wasn’t an accurate representation. I felt like Quincy Isaiah played Magic to perfection.

[@TheSands83]

Why would he like the show? The guy who plays him is fucking terrible 😂

[@killgoretrout9000]

That the show went from 10 to 7 episodes should've been a warning, the 3 fewer episodes also hurt season 2 glossing over things like the Lakers getting Worthy and Byron Scott and that the 76ers team that trounced them in the 83 finals was kinda the first NBA super team having added Moses Malone who was the best center in the NBA at the time Kareem was 2nd. It does suck though and David Zaslav seems bound and determined to ruin the goodwill and trust HBO has built with audiences over decades.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Well said. I agree, the season felt rushed with the 7 episodes as opposed to 10. Zaslav seems hell bent on driving HBO into the ground. I mean, even getting rid of the name HBO and just calling the streamer Max is one of the dumbest branding decisions ever.

[@ConsiderationFarm]

@@LonelyGuyLovesMovies Rushed indeed.

[@luzvargas9033]

My GOT post traumatic stress disorder came back ...thank you MAX...

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, I think even if they finished out another 2 seasons and they were terrible (GOT), I would still take that over the show just getting canned.

[@elitealice]

Ending a show about the SHOWTIME lakers on a Celtics win just doesn’t sit right with me at all. Idc. They knew there was a possibility of the show ending in January so they should’ve tried to end on the 85 championship. Also a show about showtime lakers not having 60 percent of the showtime lakers in it is a joke. Rambis has like 2 lines, Scott never talks, worthy gets a few lines but that’s it. No thompson or green either. Zaslav is a war criminal for this and batgirl. Hbo max doesn’t have enough content to do stuff like this.

[@JAWrightonline]

After Kareem's house burned down and Kareem arrives in the dressing room, Byron Scott says, "Sorry about the crib, dude." Oh, well...

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

I can’t really disagree on any of your points. It would have been better if they had been given a 10 episode season, like season 1. The 3 extra episodes could have covered the 85 championship and a bit of redemption. Yeah, not sure if Zaslav was the one who axed it or not, but if he is, then you’re right, shit’s criminal.

[@jerryzheng7114]

you're spot on. ending on a Celtic win is quite unfitting.

[@elitealice]

@@LonelyGuyLovesMovies he calls the shots so I’m sure it ran thru him.

[@dallaslove8344]

My favorite show they really down bad for this b.s 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yup, it’s pretty shitty.

[@JutiMayranen]

I guess they got pressured to canceling the series cause of the backlash from the actual Lakers Legends who didn't like their portrayals in the series.. Winning Time was one of the best series to air on TV after a long time.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Definitely one of the better and more interesting series for sure. As far as legends go, I don’t think they have any legal ground to stop the show from being made. They are public figures and the show is a work of art that is being dramatized. It’s not defamatory and they even have a disclaimer at the beginning that d each episode. I think that it was simple and not enough people were watching it to justify renewing the show.

[@diazhermelo]

HBO is not any more the high quality artistic power house it was in the past. The end sucks, its is just a brutal cut.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

With shows like House of the Dragon and The Last of Us, I do still feel like HBO is that high quality powerhouse, but certain executives are quick to cut a show off at the knees if it’s not performing like the next Game of Thrones. The ending was brutal though. Cheers.

[@fredr3247]

it might have something to do with Jerry west and magic Johnson not approving the show. jerry west was thinking about a lawsuit and magic Johnson said they didn't get their blessing. or it could of been Adam silver and the nba cuz they were revealing a lot but its a FU and slap in the face to los Angeles and lakers fans.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, I think it had more to do with money and ratings than anything. The NBA, West, Magic don’t have any legal grounds to sue a show that is dramatization of real events. They even have a disclaimer at the beginning of each episode. I could be wrong.

[@ryanlow54]

In my opinion, the show was intended to end with the scene it started with (Magic walking to the podium to announce his retirement). There were so many cool moments left to be had in this show, especially given they started dropping hints of Isaiah Thomas’ emergence throughout season 2

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, the ending you described is a bittersweet way to end the series, and would have shown such an interesting journey for Magic individually and everything he contributed to the Lakers Dynasty. I was even looking forward to him and Bird’s relationship to one another softening over time. It would have made for some great television.

[@markstanich64]

I SAT DOWN AND WATCHED THE FIRST SEASON 5 EPISODES IN A ROW IT BLEW ME AWAY INCREDIBLY AWESOME AND REALESTIC LOVED IT IMMENSLY HBO MADE A BIG MISTAKE

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

They sure did. I’m glad you are enjoying the series.

[@TheKingJayden]

Well never seen the scene of Magic leaving the doctor's office in an episode...

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

That’s the very first thing we see in season 1 episode 1, but you are right, we will never come back full circle to that or get to see the fallout from it. Pretty Sad.

[@cookbeats8730]

The only show now that needs to be cancel is HBO

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, cancel your membership. Speak with your wallet.

[@justiceforjuicy6765]

As a big time hoops fan this show really did it for me. Super bummed they cancelled it. Could of and should have gone on, maybe if they’d actually marketed it

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, that was a big part of the problem, I don’t think certain higher ups believed in the project. They marketed the shit out of Succession.

[@justiceforjuicy6765]

@@LonelyGuyLovesMovies I definitely agree. Sadly the series most likely did have a niche audience

[@alanfox691]

In the U.K it was on Sky & honestly Sky did do not to bad a job of marketing. But H.B.O often bring things to an abrupt ending Boardwalk Empire comes to mind the final season of that show was only 5 episodes long & felt rushed & that they where trying to fit far to much in in to short a Farm of time & it's the same with Winning time Rise of The Lakers also. H.B.O & also Netflix are terrible for this in particular but Amazon did the same with Man in The High Castle & to a lesser extent Vikings but at lest Vikings got a proper ending unlike H.B.O's Winning Time Rise of The Lakers being born in 81 the show had a lot of 80's nostalgia for me & that could of been built on. H.B.O you messd up big time.

[@justgeeek]

Show was amazing. It not being promoted definitely killed it

[@drmontano9414]

East bound and down, Hello Ladies and now this?!!!

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, not a great track record. This one definitely bums me out.

[@roboninja3194]

HBO is really stupid sometimes.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, the decision has definitely pissed a lot of people off 😤

[@mozisgrimm140]

They'll cancel this gem of a show but they'll continue to bastardize existing IPs

[@ja8914]

This was a really good show. I’m disappointed that it was canceled

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

I feel you.

[@RoChede]

COME ON, NETFLIX ! SOME RICH GUY ! I DON'T KNOW ! KEEP THIS SHOW GOING !!!!!

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Haha, throw some of that Bezos money at it Amazon. Come on!

[@isuriadireja91]

Yeah... Apple. Hope they'll pick it up, as soon as the strike's over.

[@moringaottawa]

Oh dang! I don't think they were using John C Reilly's talent well. There's a writing strike and if this show were to continue the writer's would really have an uphill battle. I wish they would have done a long season 1 and some casting changes sadly. 1:31

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

I thought JCR was great. Really tortured in season one and I loved when him and Red would have their pissing matches. He seemed broken, selfish, at times aloof, at others have a real clear vision. I can’t imagine anyone playing Dr. Buss better. Just my take. Cheers.

[@markreneau1399]

JCR did a terrific job portraying Dr. Jerry Buss, Mustache & all, LOL. No Homo but Dr. Buss was a handsome guy & I feel Reilly did him Justice. Quincy Isaiah had the “Magic Man’s” smile & DeVaughn Nixon played his Dad to a tee although his Dad disagreed with some of the plots presented such as being invited to Dr. Buss’s Mansion to eat & Talk only to be ambushed by Magic Johnson being there also. I truly enjoyed the 2 seasons & Oh by the way, Oscar Winner, Adrien Brody did a decent job as Pat Riley…

[@danpierce8862]

Why not just finish it for historical drama purposes.

[@johnfabian1355]

HBO probably thought this series was about the Clippers.

[@ZA-MunZeStyle]

U R not the only one 😢 Im from Serbia ,Europe.And my heart is broken 😢 But like 4 real 😢 We Serbs love the game ❤🏀🎖🏆 And the show was GREAT

[@TheTerminator-n3j]

I think it was cancelled is because California is not cool anymore. There a reason there is a max exedus in California.

[@GalacticAstroparticles]

I would not be surprised if the Lakers' management (i.e. Jeanie Buss) and Magic Johnson themselves lobbied to cancel the show, since they were very vocal on how they thought the show was disrespectful to a few Lakers (like Jerry West, Kareem, Jeanie and the Buss family) + they didn't want more of their historic "dirty laundry" being dramatized in the show... Such a shame, as it was the best basketball series and one of the best sports series ever.

[@GHOST91141]

That sucks 😡

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Most definitely.

[@isaiahdavis5957]

the only reason i have HBO Max

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

You may not be the only one. There may be a slew of cancellations after this.

[@isaiahdavis5957]

@@LonelyGuyLovesMovies damn I was expecting the series to end with Magics Fina Playoff run against Michael

[@MAGA_COWBOYS__WorkinDRUMMER]

I was so looking forward to 1985

[@UNKLP66]

Wow⁉️never even made it to the budding of Zeke or MJ ..

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Nope. And this won’t encourage other studios to green light projects like it in the future, which is too bad.

[@UNKLP66]

@@LonelyGuyLovesMovies agreed indeed

[@UNKLP66]

Also a debut of Coach Phil Jackson

[@NO-cz8rw]

How did he not know it was the series finale, though? The writer talked about it early on…his fear and that it was ended…it was not a surprise at all by the last episode. Shitty decision. Terrible decision. Yes, Max advertised it like Apple did, Apple killed Physical, and it sickens me.

[@stitchgrimly6167]

If only they could have learned from things like what happened with Family Guy (twice) and just waited for it to catch on. Now everyone's watching it but it's cancelled. HBO of all folks shouldn't be so short sighted - just another sign of late capitalism I guess.

[@wedabestradi096]

I pray they finish this show as this does feel like a w for Celtics fans ngl the show was too good to end there its like the ending to Oz tho so it wouldn't surprise me of hbo did this to another one of there classic shows have an incredible beginning and . middle just to end it terribly

[@WilbertoAlegria]

Noooooo

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Haha, my sentiments exactly!

[@danlove12k]

Yeah too much dirt is coming out 😅

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Haha, that’s one theory.

[@DangleFront]

Season 2 was a gloss over of a lot of concepts (thrown together). Also, it was less about the behind the scenes like season 1. Season 1 was how Showtime came about.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Season one had the goodwill and creative freedom to explore the early days of the Lakers Dynasty. It was able to focus more on its characters and it rush things. From the Vulture article I was quoting, it sounds like the show creators were warned that the series might not be renewed unless viewership picked up. It might be why they only greenlit 7 episodes as opposed to 10 which I think contributed to season 2 feeling rushed. In hindsight it’s easy to understand why.

[@LastNiteInVegas]

FIRST ENTOURAGE, THEN BOARDWALK EMPIRE, NOW THIS....🤬

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Rome only got 2 Seasons, Westworld ended at 4 and you can’t even watch it on HBO anymore. Ugh 😣

[@rafehiqbal]

one of the really great shows of HBO just got cancelled :/

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yup. It’s a total bummer.

[@MAGA_COWBOYS__WorkinDRUMMER]

That's lame.so bummed

[@cristinogonzalez9149]

Is it time to unsuscribe HBO? ....I LOVED THIS SHOW!!!!

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, speak with your wallet.

[@MaxMariscal-ym9qt]

Yeah ... that's not good..

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

I hear that. Booooooo.

[@aiden79797]

Winning Time cancelled, while and just like that got a 3 season. Yeah, I just cancelled my HBO subscription.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, do what you gotta do. Speak with your wallet. And Just Like That is likely way less expensive to produce and the cast doesn’t have nearly as many A Listers. That’s likely part of the story there.

[@UnaVainaCriolla]

I'm so fucking passed right now!!! 😡😡😡😡😡 I'm upset I feel deceived and let down 😭😭😭 I watched every episode like 6 times

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

I’m sorry. It is very frustrating.

[@TheDeRaye]

This really sucked, because I loved this show.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Same. I’m super bummed.

[@reyglc1425]

I’m sure it’s because HBO wanted to cover the Kobe and Shaq dynasty and they was getting push back from Shaq and the Bryant Estate

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Possibly, but that would have been way down the line. They had at least 2-3 more solid seasons worth of telling the 80’s Lakers story.

[@tfred4126]

I haven’t been this disappointed in HBO since Game of Thrones season 8.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

😂 Haha, Same. For how brilliant the programming can be, they sure do make some epically dumb decisions.

[@ExploreCanadaWalking]

Maybe it got cancelled because it wasn’t woke enough.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Not likely

[@j0rdan172]

“Rise of the Lakers dynasty” how you gonna end off a series losing the championship💀

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Well said. Even a final shorter 6 episode season 3 would have been able to at least show LA beating Boston in the finals. Damn!

[@PurpleElephantMusic]

HBO is a joke anymore... they do not want to use original show ideas.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

I do think they green light cool interesting and original ideas, the problem is they don’t stick behind them. Most HBO shows have super high budgets because the quality of the writing, visual effects, actors, and everything is on par with many films. The problem is that it’s hard to get a solid return on your investment for things like that. See Rome and Westworld as examples. I would take any of the current top tier shows at HBO over something like Rings of Power which is equally or even more expensive, but absolutely terrible. But at least Amazon is committing to 5 seasons. I wish HBO would do that. Commit to 3.

[@sperez202]

Great show. Hope some other streaming service picks it up 🤞

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

No doubt. It will be missed. If I was loaded I would just hit them up and say, make a final 10 episode season on me. Hopefully another streaming service will see the potential, but I don’t think it’s likely. Cheers.

[@GuilhermeRodrigues-iq8ix]

HBO picks up the worst way to end one of the best shows produced last year. There's ways to do things properly, this was not one of them... Great show, great cast, great music. Poor ending

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

All very true points. This was definitely not the showrunners intended ending. The higher ups told them they were done, so they did the best they could tacking on the final scene. It would have been super depressing to just end on Magic crying in the shower.

[@mikegendron6090]

I believe Jerry West got the show canceled he hate the way he was Is portrayed in the show

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Could be. I thought Jason Clarke as Jerry West was the funniest aspect of the show. Any time he would say anything, it was pure gold.

[@FonzChannel]

Yea, I was looking forward to episode 8. Needless to say that episode 7 ruined my night

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, I went to bed super bummed 🫤.

[@MaffdrumsofBODofNYC]

Loved this show….sucks…..but Calling it “Winning Time” was a huge mistake….needed to be called “Showtime” the HBO vs Showtime competition aside!!!

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

I think they legally couldn’t call it Showtime, not to mention brand confusion, but I hear you. They definitely discussed it.

[@donice88]

This show was sooooo good, and well-directed...what a shame!!!

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Truly.

[@jacobjones5269]

I waited for 2 seasons to see Cap’s shining moment… Winning Finals MVP at age 38 in 1985?.. And they didn’t even show it?.. Smh.. What a gyp..

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, that’s think it would have stung less if we had at least had that moment.

[@niksterkai4303]

Yes but let's keep the show where Zendaya does drugs, sex and crimes we love that fucking shit

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

It’s about ratings and way more people watch Euphoria. 16.3 mil on average per episode whereas Winning Time barely pulled in a million on their season opener. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but more people are into watching teens addicted to drugs than the historic rise of the LA lakers dynasty and the impact it had on the sport.

[@r.fuentez1482]

Sucks. Not even a Laker fan, but that was the best HBO show since GoT Season 4 or 5.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

I agree it is top shelf. Did you not like House of The Dragon? 🐉 I thought it was pretty incredible.

[@X9523-z3v]

And so is my subscription. Shit endings are their MO at this point

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, speak with your wallet. If they see a major dip, they may pay attention.

[@ericwicker7514]

HBO should have did a quick fast forward to the 1985 NBA Finals. Where the Lakers finally beat the Celtics. Behind Kareem Abdul Jabbar great performance. After the Memorial Day Massacre in Game 1.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

I agree they should have done a lot of things differently, but the sad part is they didn’t know it was getting canceled until everything had already been filmed. They didn’t find out until midway into the season when the ratings numbers came in. So they couldn’t exactly change course. But it’s still a bummer.

[@Slyfox1775]

Sad great show ! Just watched last Ep . What a disappointment. Hbo sucks as there are no other showes worth a crap

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Idk, it is a great show and a major bummer. I do think House of the Dragon is pretty incredible. The Last of Us was amazing as well. HBO puts out some bangers, but they also kill some real beauties as well.

[@losworkin]

Nobody watches HBO. If they got their heads out their asses, they would see Netflix or Hulu would be the best way to go

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

It would be nice if another streamer picked the show up, but it is highly unlikely.

[@raytrevino3184]

Good now make a show about a small market team. It’s not all about the lakers

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

I think the whole dynasty was what the big draw was for people.

[@mattyg4186]

Very unfortunate i really liked this show season 2 was very good but it sped things up but it ended before the 1980’s dynasty & rivalry ended.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, we robbed straight up. There’s a really good documentary on HBO called Magic and Bird detailing everything from their perspectives. It’s pretty solid.

[@chriscabcabin557]

I hope someone picks thos show up….HBO messed up

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah they did. I know it’s a business, but they likely could have waited until the strikes are over to air it and would have had better results.

[@rudyando]

The problem with the ending is it was so herky-jerky. It wasnt a smooth landing. When the title cards showed up at the end i knew it was over.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Same. I got that bad feeling when the first title card showed up, and then they just kept “spoiling” the rest of the history throughout the 80’s. I was like, “well, I guess it’s done then.”

[@officespace7777]

I didn't want it cancelled. Now it feels like a bunch of untold stories just sitting lost. Hopefully some other streaming service can pick it up, so the series can continue.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

I feel the exact same way. Here’s to hoping.

[@jaiza_one]

They should have let them play out the season, they forced them to butcher. Pace of last 2 episodes were bad

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

They were a bit rushed. This season definitely would have benefited from 10 episodes.

[@markstanich64]

THEY NEED TO RECONSIDER AFTER THE WRITERS STRIKE IS OVER

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, that would be nice, but I think it’s a done deal.

[@davidgarza7227]

Big mistake! Bring it back! All actors did an excellnt job! I know Jerry West didn't like the show but I thought his character was the most intesting of them all.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Same. I found Jerry West's dialogue to be the most impassioned, angry, and hilarious all at the same time. And Jason Clarke played the character so well.

[@traceypalmer5526]

This was the best show on TV period. I looked forward to every episode. I'm hoping for the impossible that HBO gets so many letters and e-mails that they will reconsider and bring the show back.

[@TheSands83]

That’s not saying much😂

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, that’s a tough one. Historically they have never done that. Once they’ve canceled it, it’s done. I appreciate your optimism though.

[@traceypalmer5526]

Excuse Me. YOU ARE RUDE.!!!@@TheSands83

[@traceypalmer5526]

Thank you very much. You are kind.@@LonelyGuyLovesMovies

[@kfitz2711]

This bums me out. It’s such a great story.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, incredible cast and such a well made show.

[@spikes20]

Sad...this was a great show, loved the character portrayals and some of the best basketball game scenes in a show/movie. Had me watching Showtime highlights from the 80s! Think it just ended up getting lost after The Last Dance and Air....guess MJ is still the GOAT lol.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

I do wonder if casual viewers or people who watch stuff like GOT, Succession, and Euphoria just didn’t give this show a chance. “Oh, I don’t care about sports, I’m not watching that.” “I don’t like the Lakers. Why would I watch that?” Perhaps it just didn’t have more mass appeal which is crazy to me.

[@IAMASAVAGECREATORREACTS]

I like that show damn

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Double Damn 🦫

[@Sjavik]

So disappointing. Loved this show. The marketing of this terrific series was poor, and I think it went under the radar for many. HBO should at least allow us a 3. season for the great 1985 settlement between Lakers and Celtics…. Bad discision!!!

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah. I agree on all points. There is no going back now. You done fucked up HBO.

[@BrazilRonaldinhoFreekick-zm2hv]

This was a great show. But I have a feeling they could run into legal troubles with the potrayal of Jerry West amongst others. A real same, Lakers Celtics in the 1980s was the pinnicle of sports rivalry. Bird Magic are the best contrast in Sports Stars, in any sport.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah for sure. That decade was insane. I was born in 85 so I only have a passing recollection of things and then caught up later in life. Most films are protected when using someone’s likeness, and the show had a disclaimer before every episode, so I don’t think the Jerry West stuff was a factor. He wouldn’t have any real legal ground to sue. It’s artistic expression rather than defamation.

[@TheSands83]

The guy who plays magic is god awful… how many times can he say “cook”. Not to mention he acts nothing like magic Johnson. He acts n talks like a young kid from 2023 not 1983

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

I disagree. I felt like Quincy Isaiah did a solid job of capturing the optimistic personality of Magic. As far as him saying “cook” so much, it’s likely more of a script issue. He’s just delivering the lines. I’m not the arbiter of good acting vs bad, but I thought all the cast including Isaiah were super solid. Cheers.

[@pascal83]

HBO didnt do much to hype the show, atleast here in Europe. No ads, commercials etc. If you compare it with that new John Wick show from Amazon. I have seen more ads from that show today (!!) than i have seen ads for any HBO show ever (besides House of the Dragon). Zero promotion for the Lakers.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, it was the same here in the States. Literally, no promotion.

[@Novacification]

This is bullshit! Didn't know it was coming out. Watched all episodes in two nights and then it ends like this? It was one of the few things that was keeping me on HBO Max. I really hope someone picks it up but I very much doubt we're that lucky!

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, it’s a total bummer and everyone will likely move on to other projects. It’s sad for everyone involved and the fans as well.

[@sirgengeneral]

This show was suppose to end when magic made his hiv announcement!! That’s how the show started! I really hate HBO at this point… no more boxing. Canceling great shows. Deadwood, how to make it in America and now this?? Bullsh*t

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Great points, I love that the show started with the HIV diagnosis and it was the perfect thing narratively to come full circle to. I still think HBO has the best content hands down, but I don’t love the people who are in the decision making positions. Zaslav, I’m talking to you.

[@1highvelocity1]

Had potential to go on for like 8 seasons they could've had it go from 1984-2020 with a revolving door of cast LeBron just passed Kareem that could've been a small story line in like the final season they could've done two seasons built off of Shaq and Kobe's rivalry Paul Pierce and Kobe LeBron HBO really killed a cash cow

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, and the drama really writes itself because it’s all history. Sports have so much built in drama it’s crazy.

[@plainbagel9192]

Yes this show took some liberties that are considered fiction , but for someone like me who doesn't robustly follow basketball, its a good explanation piece and the fledgling NBA and LA lakers that made it what it is today.

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, I think it was great for people who both follow basketball closely and those who don’t. It was just a really solid show, period. I think it was mainly a few players including Magic who were outspoken about the show. I mean it is their lives, but Magic seemed to say it was entirely inaccurate while also claiming he’d never watched the show. IDK, I thought it was pretty faithful to the historical events as we know them with some interpersonal relationship details being exaggerated for television. Cheers.

[@BenDover90313]

That ending was just as terrible as Sopranos 🤦🏾‍♂️ Thank youuuu HBO

[@LonelyGuyLovesMovies]

Yeah, it’s not a terrible season finale, but it’s an awful series finale because their is no real ending or resolution.

[@TheSands83]

Sopranos ending was incredible wtf u talking about? It fit the entire narrative of the show. The show was ambiguous.