This is an important new series with compelling dialogue centering around a few pro athletes and their POV regarding living as a person of color in America.
38 Reviews
Best of 2018
jsimon-194-54219029 August 2018
Surprised!
Yolmajames17 December 2019
It's Uncut Realty
aj-7948125 December 2018
This is a great idea for top names to meet, be themselves in a non competitive setting; fans get to a civilized side of some of the most well known stars in the entertainment and sports industry. I love this 30 minute show, great time, not lengthy and not boring at all.
Don't understand what is up with the bad reviews
tracey-882-7704585 September 2018
I certainly hope that the bad reviews will not stop HBO from airing more episodes. My husband and I watched it in Canada. Might I add we are as white as white can be and loved the show.
We liked the insight into what it is like to be black in America. How growing up poor and black and then becoming a superstar athlete made them question why people in their college liked them. How Snoop Dogg said that living as a black in America you don't realize that in other countries they don't treat people of colour the same way. Things you don't realize until you travel.
Also, I love Jon Stewart and always will. I liked how it was a group of men discussing feelings, so rarely seen in person and something I think young men growing up should be exposed to.
Hoping for more episodes
We liked the insight into what it is like to be black in America. How growing up poor and black and then becoming a superstar athlete made them question why people in their college liked them. How Snoop Dogg said that living as a black in America you don't realize that in other countries they don't treat people of colour the same way. Things you don't realize until you travel.
Also, I love Jon Stewart and always will. I liked how it was a group of men discussing feelings, so rarely seen in person and something I think young men growing up should be exposed to.
Hoping for more episodes
About as good as you can get with just some people talking unscripted.
antneon28 December 2018
First of all, if you're not interested in the people then you're not going to be interested in the show.
It's mainly basketball stars, but there's musicians comedians and others who stop by "the (barber)shop" to hang. They're all successful and big names. They're in an environment where they can say *almost* anything they want.
This is, I believe, completely unscripted. Your morning talk shows or shows on certain news networks still have talking points and a narrative to follow. This one is open ended (or so it seems).
I find the dialog interesting and enjoyable. I hope the show continues with the format they have, and I hope it's successful.
One last thing: One reviewer said that he has a PhD in history and this show strays far from the facts. I have a graduate degree (not a PhD, but...) and am trying to think of where this show went into details about world history. They talk about life and sports mainly. I feel like that reviewer didn't watch the show and made up a bad review. The basis the reviewer used is doesn't apply to this show.
It's mainly basketball stars, but there's musicians comedians and others who stop by "the (barber)shop" to hang. They're all successful and big names. They're in an environment where they can say *almost* anything they want.
This is, I believe, completely unscripted. Your morning talk shows or shows on certain news networks still have talking points and a narrative to follow. This one is open ended (or so it seems).
I find the dialog interesting and enjoyable. I hope the show continues with the format they have, and I hope it's successful.
One last thing: One reviewer said that he has a PhD in history and this show strays far from the facts. I have a graduate degree (not a PhD, but...) and am trying to think of where this show went into details about world history. They talk about life and sports mainly. I feel like that reviewer didn't watch the show and made up a bad review. The basis the reviewer used is doesn't apply to this show.
Amazing and Intellectual Commentary
camdb-330261 September 2018
I loved hearing about their first hand experiences; you have to watch this with an open mind to fully grasp the topics. Great to see these men and women talk about the things that impact them the most, and show that they're more than the field that they're in.
Only one bad thing
alexmihalev20 October 2018
Far from reality
josh1anderson30 August 2018
Athletic privilege is officially a real thing. This show is nothing but a bunch of multi-millionaire (and billionaire) level celebrities sitting around, drinking goblets of red wine and complaining. That's it.
They complain about how hard their life is in America, how it's comparable to being in a zoo wherein they feel like a caged animal. Most of the guys on the show are worth more than $100M. It's frustrating as they make millions for being entertainers. It's not just on the field either, the brands that are paying them tens and hundreds of millions are doing so because of their social media following just as much as their in-game performance. These guys expect millions and millions of people to follow them and praise them and support them, but then when one of them sees someone in the streets they don't think fans should approach them and try for a quick, fun, memorable experience with the athlete they support, defend, follow on social platforms, and pay to see play, and purchase their gear?? That fan might be experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.. If you're known for dancing around and being goofy, some people might ask to see you do a quick dance! The athlete doesn't have to participate by any means, but most people hate hearing athletes stand on a pulpit like this and complain about anything, let alone something this petty. For all they know that fan and his son who were just trying to create a memorable experience when they saw you might be out of work, might have a sick family member, you never know, but to make $100M+ and complain like this is unbelievable.
Also, unlike every barbershop I've ever been to (I've been to more than a few) 75 times someone cursed and 11 times the "n" word was said.
In the middle of the show John Steward compared LeBron to Mohammad Ali. I don't think any could ever imagine Mohammad Ali doing something like this.. Kobe would never do anything like this.. MJ would never do anything like this.. I can't even wrap my head around the reasons why they would create a premium network show just to go talk about the same things they tweet about all day long. No doubt about it, athletic privilege has become a very real and dangerous thing. Kids follow their example more so than their own parents. Stuff like this is just throwing gas on the fire of our social media "influencer" driven society that we've created.
Refreshing
doctordeath942 September 2018
Very ironic that those who like it think they know history
jclemons18231 October 2018
I am a historian. I have a PHD in middle eastern History and taught American history for 22 years. The comments here stating those who do not like this show are ignorant of history. It's a truly astounding claim after watching 2 episodes of this show. Don't think you know about History because you are not discerning enough to realize the media controls your thoughts. Its for Dunning Kruger Effect.
Raw and Deep
shequita-7400630 August 2018
This is a open and honest dipiction of how African American men interact with each other in a barbershop. I admire their willingness to let America take a look inside their hearts and minds while they passionately open their eyes to what it means to be a black man in America.
An interesting take on behind the scenes "locker room" talk
HansenKid13 October 2018
The premise is pretty basic. Get a bunch of entertainers together with some sports professionals and let them talk about the things they wanna talk about. It ends up being a very personal, introspective conversation about all parts of their lives. Whether it is family, the game, the business, or something a lot less poignant, every discussion feels real and important. They also feel fresh. Most of the people who speak we are used to hearing talk in a very limited space. Here we get a lot more of themselves in their conversation. There is detail and emotion and an openness that made me want to really listen to what they had to say. This is a show with players of many games involved, but it isn't a games show by any means. This is a show of humanity.
IM: new show atmosphere/ dynamic
markielarsen29 August 2018
I don't know the more detailed technical aspects of what I am watching. That being said I thought the show itself looked very nice. Clean and crisp, nice cuts.
In my mind this show is a hybrid between a journalistic documentary (an element of jon stewart's contributional presence), a reality-esque theme and an excellent example of what an honest, personal, insightful discord looks like. Together, in my eyes, these facets spawn a new type of format for a series. One featuring the very tribalism they discuss in the show. Maybe I'm wrong on that. Idk. Wait now I am realizing that that's probably what happens in a black barber shop anyway and why it's called the shop in the first place goddamnit.
Call me bold or over enthusiastic or whatever but I truly believe it's hard not to be empathic and more mindful to the reality of the black expirence in America, no matter how educated on the subject you may be.
A nice compliment to Hard Knocks on a spots-centric Tuesday night.
Am high.
In my mind this show is a hybrid between a journalistic documentary (an element of jon stewart's contributional presence), a reality-esque theme and an excellent example of what an honest, personal, insightful discord looks like. Together, in my eyes, these facets spawn a new type of format for a series. One featuring the very tribalism they discuss in the show. Maybe I'm wrong on that. Idk. Wait now I am realizing that that's probably what happens in a black barber shop anyway and why it's called the shop in the first place goddamnit.
Call me bold or over enthusiastic or whatever but I truly believe it's hard not to be empathic and more mindful to the reality of the black expirence in America, no matter how educated on the subject you may be.
A nice compliment to Hard Knocks on a spots-centric Tuesday night.
Am high.
Worst show on television.
LauraLuv199518 October 2018
Amazing n Enlightening
obedoa-8446430 August 2018
Take a knee to protest this ridiculous series!
rsvp32130 August 2018
Only one episode, but in fairness I stayed to the end for a fair review, despite a strong desire to end the misery.
The pretentiousness, the self-victimizing of the guests made me want to barf. A lot of fans will be disillusioned by their selfishness, I think.
The pretentiousness, the self-victimizing of the guests made me want to barf. A lot of fans will be disillusioned by their selfishness, I think.
Dumb show
awsomeman0729 August 2018
Nobody cares what these guys have to say. Totally out of touch with reality and I am not looking to these guys for any advice. They barely have any higher level of education than high school. So this show is pointless and a waste of time and money. Who wants to watch a bunch of millionaires whine about being bugged in public for a photo boo hoo.
All these people giving 1 star are rediculous.
cole-4905013 September 2018
This show was a message about how these athletes are trying to us there respective platforms to better the communities they come and promote social issues our country is going through. All these thick headed ignorant reviewers who gave one star because it's rich people complaining are the type of people that are the reason these people even need to use a platform at all. Odell talks about Goethe feels like a "zoo animal for about 90 seconds of this 27 minute show and these reviewers are acting like that's all it was about. Great show. Positive message
Interesting
afgab147 August 2021
Compelling and informative
michelledischer18 September 2018
Smart, witty, poignant, and forward-thinking discussion. Not clear why there are so many curmudgeons here dissing the show. Ignorance is annoying. Anyone with any knowledge of history knows that athletes have ALWAYS been in the vanguard of social change.
True things
dacalimer2 March 2019
Wish I could give it 0 stars
jocktrane29 August 2018
Please don't waste your time, this show is so terrible. If you like listening to a bunch of people who get paid millions of dollars for playing a game for 3 hours on Sunday or a couple times a week complain about how people got upset with them that they didn't want to take a photo and how they are somehow oppressed then this show is absolutely for you.
Simple concept, outstanding content and production!
mariamx-531945 March 2019
Really look forward to this show. Brings together a collection of ridiculous talent from the entertainment and sports field. Maverick's raspy voice delivers most of the best questions asked on the show organically and it's edited in a way so the flow isn't interrupted.
Also, allows you to get to know the mind of the greatest of all time and most influential sportsmen of our lifetimes. I've rewatched episode 1 and 4 multiple times.(themes and guests were spot on) Additionally, I like how they've lent people under attack in the mainstream their platform to express themselves both in sports and music.
Every episode the questions Randy (I suspect) comes up with are discussed on blogs and my friends group chat. Love it. Fav guest has be the OBJ (had no idea who he was before hand) and 2 chainz.
Also, allows you to get to know the mind of the greatest of all time and most influential sportsmen of our lifetimes. I've rewatched episode 1 and 4 multiple times.(themes and guests were spot on) Additionally, I like how they've lent people under attack in the mainstream their platform to express themselves both in sports and music.
Every episode the questions Randy (I suspect) comes up with are discussed on blogs and my friends group chat. Love it. Fav guest has be the OBJ (had no idea who he was before hand) and 2 chainz.
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