Arliss (TV series)
A dark comedy about a sports agent who cannot say no.
Arliss (stylized as Arli$$) is an American dark comedy television series that aired on HBO from 1996 to 2002, created by and starring Robert Wuhl as the titular sports agent. The show explores the hype, greed, and hypocrisy behind professional sports, often tackling controversial topics. Its entire catalog became available on Max in 2022.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Comedy; Sports
- Creator
- Robert Wuhl
- Starring
- Robert Wuhl
- Sandra Oh
- Jim Turner
- Michael Boatman
- Composer
- Ed Smart
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Seasons
- 7
- Episodes
- 80
Facts from the source article.
Cast
Robert Wuhl plays Arliss Michaels, the president of a sports agency who caters to clients' needs while managing a lucrative career and often becoming involved in their personal lives. Sandra Oh portrays Rita Wu, Arliss's personal assistant, who is gutsy, devoted, and whip-smart. Jim Turner appears as Kirby Carlisle, a middle-aged ex-football star turned sports agent with a gambling addiction. Michael Boatman plays Stanley Babson, a conservative financial advisor and the voice of reason in the office.
Critical reception
Arliss holds a 74/100 rating on Metacritic and 69% on Rotten Tomatoes. The show has been cited as a blueprint for later HBO series such as Ballers and Entourage. Entertainment Weekly repeatedly called it one of the worst shows on television, while sportswriter Bill Simmons used it as an example of a lack of good fictional sports shows.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes of Arliss (TV series) are there?
Arliss has 80 episodes across 7 seasons.
When did Arliss (TV series) first air?
Arliss first aired on 10 August 1996.
When did Arliss (TV series) end?
Arliss last aired on 8 September 2002.
More in American Sports Comedy Television Series
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