King James

“King” LeBron James’s years playing in Cleveland bring promise, prosperity, and renewal to a city in desperate need of all three.  His tenure also unites Shawn and Matt in an unlikely bond forged by fandom.  Over twelve years, from LeBron’s rookie season to an NBA Championship, the men navigate their turbulent friendship through their shared love of basketball—and the endless amiable arguments that erupt from that love.  A clever comedy, King James is an intimate exploration of the place that sports occupy in our lives and relationships.

Why See This Show: One of the best plays about male friendship we’ve ever read.  It’s contemporary, it’s funny, it’s real, it’s a delight.  Using basketball as the backdrop, we see how friendships can start, get splintered, and grow apart.  At the core is a desire for connection.  Over 15 years of complication we see the highs and the lows of a friendship, a highlight reel of these two men figuring out their lives.  It’s a captivating character study along with being a smart commentary on class. Rajiv writes with a light hand, going deep when he needs to and writing from a strong sense of personalization (he is from Cleveland and a diehard Cavs fan).  You don’t have to know or like anything about basketball to love this show!

Who Should See This Show: Similar in scope to STRANGE SNOW or 4,000 MILES, this show slides through warm moments, funny moments, and serious themes with ease.