Arli$$

Arliss Michaels can do it all bring the laughter, humor, and serious moments all at the same time make the sports deal of the century. Robert Wuhl is a perfect fit for this character he is really doing a great job, plus this series always receives strong supporting performances from Sandra Oh and Michael Boatman. So give this sports comedy series a watch for the funny Robert Wuhl.

I watched HBO only on business trips back in the 90's so I saw only a dozen or so 'Arli$$' episodes over its run but I recall always liking them. That's why I'm surprised that it became almost a fad in the media to bash the show in its final seasons. 'Entertainment Weekly' included 'Arli$$' on its worst series lists a few years in a row, ESPN commentators randomly criticized it, and 'Saturday Night Live' for unknown reasons mocked it a few times. Honestly the circa 2000 'SNL' daring to call another program unfunny is like the pot with so much baked on burnt rancid gunk that it smells like decaying feet calling the slightly tarnished kettle black. Anyway I recently watched an 'Arli$$' best of season 1 and 2 DVD collection and I think it's still a good show with well-drawn characters, talented cast, and satirical writing. The only things I didn't like were the distinctly amateur performances from the actual athletes and other celebrities. One episode that wasn't in the collection but still sticks in my memory after 20 years is "The Real Thing" from season two. It had a great convoluted plot, brilliant characters like a tech billionaire whose collection of Disney memorabilia includes a frozen Walt Disney, and some sharp satire of sports. Some of the details might be wrong because I saw this once in 1997 but my favorite scene involved an assistant MLB coach who had possession of the 500th home run ball that the team's star player just hit. He asks for what sounds like an outrageous sum for it and everyone looks scandalized. Then the coach reminds them that the player gets more than that for every single game he plays. That was cutting and it's truer now than ever.

Robert Wuhl created and starred in this HBO TV show about a sports agent who was cutthroat but, at the same time, had the important values everyone seems to have.

Robert Wuhl portrayed Arliss Michaels, who represents several athletes (most of which are real and even made cameo appearances on the show). Sandra Oh played Rita, Arliss's sarcastic secretary who was never afraid to speak her mind and even helped Arliss as well as her co-workers at times. Then there was Jim Turner, who played Kirby, another sports agent who had those important values which made up for his unruly ways of doing business and other activities outside the office (you have to see the show). Finally, there was Michael Boatman, who played Stanley, the agency's financial adviser who was ultimately an arrogant jerk who was somewhat likable and even funny.

The show itself was funny, but sometimes even touching and truthful. It pointed out that even the biggest people in a business like this has the kind of heart a lot of people look for in everyone. That is what made these characters (Arliss, Rita, Kirby, and yes, even Stanley) likable -- they all had hearts.

Robert Wuhl also served as executive producer and even directed some episodes.

I give "Arliss" 3 1/2 stars out of 4.

I love this show. It is absolutely brilliant, in my opinion. Despite the opinions of some prior reviewers, the cast has a strong chemistry with one another, and all the characters show both ambition and ruthlessness in the pursuit of their goals, as well as a human side, with real feelings and even a conscience. The actors fit their parts extremely well, so well in fact that I find myself despising Kirby just as much as I despised the idiot jocks I've known who were so hung up on themselves they couldn't see two feet past their nose. And I find that the comedic moments are excellent as well, some of the funniest have been provided by Sandra Oh as Rita Wu. This show, along with Dennis Miller Live, may be one of the two best items among the many that fill up HBO's time slots.

This show is, on the whole, not as bad as everyone says. But those who tout its unimpeachable brilliance are a bit off, too -- there's some real stinkers in this series, especially in the later seasons.

As a sports comedy it's usually pretty fun, with plenty of cameos from real athletes and personalities. There's also plenty of made-up characters -- agents, coaches, managers, players, and more, all zipping around a cutthroat, cynical world that's clearly meant as a dig at the profession's sickening sunshine-y portrayal in "Jerry Maguire."

The show is at its weakest when it's focusing on its amoral characters' disgusting sex lives. Arliss himself, played by Robert Wuhl, also might be off-putting to some: he's an obsessive optimist, willing to do whatever he can for his clients. And the show too often undermines any genuine sympathy you might have for the characters by immediately jump cutting to over-the-top punchlines.

But when it's funny, it's pretty darn funny. Focus on the first couple seasons; season 1 highlights include "Athletes Are Role Models," featuring a goody two-shoes Christian footballer who takes a bite of the serpent's fruit, played by Rick Johnson; "The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of" with Ken Howard as a washed up baseball icon; and "Negotiating: It's Never Personal," which has an all-around great cast including George Wallace and Michael Fairman, with a great storyline to boot.

The show is readily available on HBO's on-demand and streaming platforms. Worth a watch, if only to seek out the really good episodes.