HBO's new series, "Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty" debuts tonight at 9:00pm ET. Author Jeff Pearlman's 2014 book "Showtime" inspired the series, but Pearlman, who attended the premiere for the show Wednesday in downtown L.A., "emphasizes" that this is a "drama based on his book -- not a documentary." He said that he "wasn’t involved much in its production beyond serving as a glorified verifier of 'certain information' and an extra for a scene." The series is "shot with a distinct 1980s feel and occasionally knocks down the fourth wall" (L.A. TIMES, 3/6).
SBJ on Friday offered a roundup of themes and reviews, and Early Access stories for this week's issue highlight two aspects of the behind-the-scenes making of the series: how director Adam McKay sold HBO on the project based on Pearlman's book and steered it to completion; as well as a look back at the real-life characters who inspired the stories, particularly the late Jerry Buss.
