Let me just start by saying this: I LOVE LOVE LOVE Kate Hudson. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is one of my all-time favorite movies. It’s basically a cinematic comfort food that I rewatch whenever I need to feel like everything’s going to be okay. (Also, it might be a little too on-the-nose when it comes to my own dating life—but we’re not here to unpack that!) So when I heard Kate was starring in a new comedy series, I was already sold. And Running Point does not disappoint.
This show had me at hello. Well, technically, it had me at “former party girl gets put in charge of her family’s professional basketball team while her brother goes to rehab.” I mean, come on—that’s a premise with so much juicy potential. Add Mindy Kaling behind the scenes as one of the creators (alongside Ike Barinholtz, David Stassen, and Elaine Ko), and I knew we were going to get something smart, funny, and totally binge-worthy. Spoiler alert: We did.
Kate Hudson plays Isla Gordon, the newly minted president of the Waves, a family-owned basketball team that’s been… struggling, to put it nicely. Isla’s thrown into the deep end and spends much of the first episode (and honestly, most of the season) flailing around trying to keep her head above water. Between managing foul-mouthed players, navigating high-stakes sponsorship deals, and trying to keep her scheming brothers from staging a hostile takeover, Isla’s got a lot on her plate. And watching her juggle it all is pure comedy gold.
And let me just take a minute to give a standing ovation to whoever styled Isla for this show. Every outfit is impeccable—power suits, designer kicks, you name it. I found myself pausing just to take notes (and maybe search for dupes online). It’s peak boss lady, but make it fashion energy, and I’m obsessed.
As someone who doesn’t exactly consider herself sporty (unless you count my brief junior high basketball career), I wasn’t sure how deep I’d get into the basketball side of things. But growing up in Seattle, going to Sonics games with my dad was a huge part of my childhood—and yes, I even had a moment where Gary Payton bought me a drink at a club once. (That’s a story for another time.) So, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at the business of pro sports. It’s less about the game and more about the drama off the court, and that’s exactly my lane.
One of my favorite storylines involves Travis, played by Chet Hanks (yes, Tom Hanks’ son, who also happens to be sober). Travis is a talented player who’s also struggling with addiction, and Isla has to make some tough calls about his future. There’s a moment where Isla says, “And I don’t mean bullshit California sober. I mean no-fooling, Robert Downey Jr. sober!” and I swear, I almost fell off my couch laughing. But what really got me is how the show manages to handle serious topics like addiction with both heart and humor. It doesn’t minimize the struggle, but it also doesn’t get preachy. As someone deeply connected to recovery spaces, I really appreciated how they walked that line. This is Sober Pop Culture at its finest.
And speaking of falling off my couch—every time Isla walks into that clear glass door? Relatable. I have absolutely been that person, thinking I’ve got it all under control, only to smack right into something I didn’t see coming. It’s those little moments that made Isla so endearing to me. She’s messy, she screws up, but she owns her mistakes and keeps showing up. That’s the kind of boss energy I can get behind.
By the time the season wrapped up, I was all in on Isla’s journey—and the Waves’ Cinderella story. Sure, it’s a comedy about a dysfunctional family running a basketball team, but it’s also about second chances, believing in yourself, and figuring it out as you go. And honestly, aren’t we all just trying to do the same?
I binged the entire season in a weekend (duh), and I’m already crossing my fingers for season two. – which HAS been confirmed BTW. If you’re looking for something light, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt—especially if you love messy families and comeback stories—Running Point deserves a spot on your watchlist. It’s the kind of show that makes you laugh, makes you think (just a little), and leaves you feeling like maybe, just maybe, you’ve got this too.
Final score: 5 out of 5 Waves. Oh wait, I mean Sobees…
The Mindful Binge Sobees Score: 5 out of 5
And speaking of comeback stories and boss energy… The Sober Curator is about to launch a brand new podcast! Think reality show vibes, but sober. Our contributors (aka my favorite lovable misfits) are pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like to live and lead in recovery—unfiltered, unedited, and a little bit unhinged. If you’re loving Running Point for its messy family dynamics and second-chance storylines, you’re gonna want in on this.
So, stream Running Point now… and get ready to tune into The Sober Curator Podcast on March 26th, when it drops five episodes that you can binge like Running Point. Suit up, press play, and let’s run this game together.
Click HERE to watch it on Netflix.
Running Point Trailer – Netflix
Enjoy this curated collection of basketballs you can’t live without!
#ADDTOCART Designer Basketballs
Mindy Kaling and Kate Hudson On Writing, Fashion, and Netflix’s Running Point
The Sober Curator Podcast – Trailer
THE MINDFUL BINGE: Where we binge-watch & chill and The Sobees rule the TV Hive! At The Mindful Binge TV Series Review section, we don’t simply binge-watch shows; we embark on mindful journeys and absorb the narratives. Our digital shelves are neatly categorized into Drama, Dramedy, and Reality.
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