What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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T2 WHATS UP! May 8 - 14, 2022 TV FEATURE BY DANA SIMPSON TV Media T he phrase "through the magic of televi- sion" is one that many would have heard throughout the course of their lives. First used as a comparison between budding TV technology and wizard- like acts of conjury, HBO has created yet another meaning for the phrase. The network's new series "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty" takes a more literal approach to magic as it follows one man's worth- while investment in a man nicknamed "Magic" and his then-uninspired basketball team: the Los Angeles Lakers. From their humble beginnings as a small-time competitor, the Lakers soared to new heights in the NBA during the 1980s thanks to the guidance of busi- nessman Jerry Buss (portrayed by John C. Reilly, "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story," 2007) and the talent of the team's biggest star, No. 32, Earvin "Magic" Johnson (played by rising star Quincy Isaiah, "Cor- porate Coffee," 2018). Tune in to catch the end of the saga's first season when "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty" airs its fi- nal episode Sunday, May 8, on HBO and its streamer, HBO Max. Officially renewed for a sec- ond season as of HBO's an- nouncement following the show's April 3 episode (the highest episode for viewer- ship so far with 1.2 million viewers registered across all platforms on premiere night, a 37% increase from the pilot's premiere), "Winning Time" has seen success on all audi- ence fronts — not just from those interested in sports. This can no doubt be attribut- ed to the series' engaging con- tent, as well as the astounding talent behind the scenes and, of course, the amount of star power driving the action. In addition to comedy star Reilly in his leading (largely dramatic) role, other major names attached to the series include Jason Clarke ("Zero Dark Thirty," 2012) as Lakers guard Jerry West (No. 44), Adrien Brody ("The Pianist," 2002) as NBA announcer- turned-Lakers-coach Pat Ri- ley, Sally Field ("Forrest Gump," 1994) in the role of Jer- ry Buss's mother, Jessie, Tracy Letts ("The Post," 2017) as then-head coach Jack McKin- ney, and DeVaughn Nixon ("Snowfall") playing his own father, Lakers point guard Norm Nixon (No. 10). The Nixon family connec- tion is particularly interesting as it adds a bit of realism and personal attachment to the se- ries. That said, the similarities appear to end there for some of the real-life NBA players portrayed in the series. "You can't duplicate Show- time," Magic Johnson told En- tertainment Tonight while at- tending the Apple TV+ pre- miere of another series, "The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey." "I'm not gonna watch. Now, if the Lakers or myself ... have something to do with it, then I would, but ... you can't copy that. It's just too much." Bentonville Acupuncture 5 x 5 continued on page T10 Solomon Hughes and Quincy Isaiah in "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty" Magic on the court Did you know those images are available for purchase? IT'S EASY! Just go to nwaonline.com, click on "Photos" in the top menu bar and use the search to fi nd the photo you want. Then just click "Purchase" for sizing options. You can also have the image put on a coff ee mug, mouse pad, key tag, holiday ornament and more! Did you see a photo in our newspaper or on our website that you would love a copy of? Check it out!