‘Mr. Throwback’ Co-Creator Talks Stephen Curry’s Viral Punch in the Finale, Hopes for Season 2 and Being the Fastest Show Ever Made

As a huge fan of both comedy and basketball, I must say that Nick Kroll’s latest venture into TV land with “Human Resources” has left me utterly thrilled! The swiftness at which this series was produced is nothing short of astounding, especially considering the usual snail-paced nature of television production.


WARNING: This piece contains information about the final episode of “Mr. Throwback,” which is currently available on Peacock.

Stephen Curry’s outstanding performance at the Paris Olympics during which he scored 36 points with an impressive 70% success rate from three-point shots, was not just a great basketball moment, but also fantastic public relations for his debut TV show, “Mr. Throwback.” Coincidentally, this high-profile game took place on the same day that “Mr. Throwback” premiered on Peacock, a streaming service providing non-stop coverage of the Olympics. As Team U.S.A.’s victory against all odds secured them a spot in the gold medal match against France, it also boosted the visibility of Stephen Curry’s new project.

David Caspe, the series executive producer and writer, playfully suggests that Stephen intentionally boosted our show’s ratings on its launch day. He explains, “He said, ‘I’m going to get 36 points just to draw extra attention to our TV show.’ That was essentially his grand strategy.”

The Olympics act as a continuation of sorts to “Mr. Throwback,” ending with Curry departing for Paris for the games. Accompanying him are his manager Kimberly (Ego Nwodim) and his old middle-school teammate Danny Grossman (Adam Pally), who has recently been pardoned for revealing a fabricated conspiracy about his daughter having a terminal disease. This revelation led to Curry confronting Grossman in the finale, which serves as a humorous climax to the series’ six episodes. Throughout the season, Curry demonstrated his willingness to participate in various comedic scenes.

‘Mr. Throwback’ Co-Creator Talks Stephen Curry’s Viral Punch in the Finale, Hopes for Season 2 and Being the Fastest Show Ever Made

In the series titled “Mr. Throwback,” Stephen Curry is depicted as a secretive boss while also sipping on a beverage made from horse placenta. Additionally, he’s experiencing a shooting slump that seems to negatively impact San Francisco’s economy. Caspe mentions that Curry emphasized the need for intensity when it came to producing those specific scenes, asking them to “step up their game.”

Caspe explains that they rarely receive such feedback. It’s common for celebrities to deviate from their usual image, like playing a nice guy but portraying a harsh character. They avoided this approach, Caspe says. When he told them to “go harder,” it wasn’t about making jokes more edgy, but rather increasing the overall comedy. He didn’t want to just be the supporting actor. Instead, they emphasized a more exaggerated version of his known persona. As illustrated in the show with the line, “a Hall of Fame sweetie boy.”

See Caspe’s full discussion about the finale below.

As a movie critic, I was taken aback during the climax when Steph’s viral punch on Danny felt strikingly similar to Draymond Green’s altercation with Jordan Poole from the Golden State Warriors practice tape leaked by TMZ two years ago. This association was further reinforced when I delved into a GQ set visit feature, which concluded with Nick Kroll hilariously exclaiming, “That’s some Jordan Poole stuff!” during filming. Interestingly, this joke didn’t make it to the final cut. I’m curious to hear your thoughts on why that line was omitted from the finished product.

To ensure we were considerate of Steph’s personal matters and to avoid any potential issues, we chose to improvise that line. Though it was amusing, our deep regard for Steph, Draymond, and the Golden State Warriors as a whole made us hesitant to delve further into that topic.

Did that comparison occur to you all when writing that scene?

As someone who has had my fair share of uncomfortable situations in the past, I understand the importance of respecting boundaries and avoiding potentially sensitive topics. That day, when that joke was made, it reminded me of a time when a similar comment was made to me that left me feeling uncomfortable. So, out of empathy and understanding for Steph’s potential feelings, I felt it best to steer clear of that topic. Who knows? Maybe it wouldn’t have been an issue for her, but better safe than sorry. Let’s keep our interactions positive and enjoyable for everyone involved.

‘Mr. Throwback’ Co-Creator Talks Stephen Curry’s Viral Punch in the Finale, Hopes for Season 2 and Being the Fastest Show Ever Made

Did they film the series only a few weeks back? Curry’s scenes were shot following the conclusion of the NBA playoffs in June. Was it a condition in the contract with Peacock that the release coincide with the Olympics?

As a movie critic, I’m blown away by the speed at which this show was produced. I haven’t verified this fact, but everyone involved in its creation seems to agree: it’s been made faster than any television show I’ve encountered before. While this rapid pace might not impress the average viewer, I can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment and wonder. However, I realize that such accolades don’t matter much to the general public. Yet, in my heart, I yearn for some recognition – a small token of appreciation for the incredible effort put into this project. But alas, I know that such desires are unimportant compared to the quality of the show itself.

In one of the scenes, I can’t help but chuckle at Adam Pally’s witty nod to “Hawk Tuah,” a term that hadn’t yet become part of our shared vernacular until the summer passed.

When Adam spontaneously did it on that particular day, I had no prior knowledge of it. Its impact was so swift. That video was published in June, and within a short period, it gained popularity and became widely known among people. Can you believe it’s already made it onto the show? We filmed that scene at the end of June, and now all episodes have been released. Considering the editing, mixing, and distribution process, it’s quite swift. The writing process was expedited as well, but not to the extent that the post-production process was accelerated.

How did Curry’s limited availability affect the way you wrote him into the series?

Given that we weren’t certain he would be available five days a week for six weeks, we aimed to use our time wisely when constructing the project. To be honest, we might have overestimated his availability compared to others’ expectations. Surprisingly, he appears in a significant portion of the series – more than many assumed possible. Initially, it was believed that he would make occasional appearances via FaceTime. However, he is undeniably one of the most dedicated individuals I’ve ever encountered. We maximized every second we had, and as a result, there are certain scenes in the show filmed during breaks between takes.

‘Mr. Throwback’ Co-Creator Talks Stephen Curry’s Viral Punch in the Finale, Hopes for Season 2 and Being the Fastest Show Ever Made

Did you happen to be a teenage fan of basketball in Chicago during the ’90s, watching Steve Kerr play for the Chicago Bulls alongside Michael Jordan as they dominated the league? If so, did it hold special significance for you when he made appearances as the head coach of the Golden State Warriors during the interview?

Approximately a decade ago, a group of my friends messaged me: “Check out ESPN’s front page immediately.” A photo was displayed of Steve Kerr leaving the court after scoring the championship winner in 1997. I dashed from my seats to the court’s edge and extended my hand. The image, captured by Getty, was so memorable that I had to purchase it for $800 – a mid-high-five with me and Steve Kerr as he walked off the court. I still have my long hair from that time, and he was carrying his son on his shoulders. It’s an almost flawless picture. Getting Steve Kerr onto this show was amazing. In fact, I managed to persuade him to reenact that moment with me. Now, I possess a photo of myself at this age, high-fiving Steve Kerr. That moment was truly a standout experience for me.

Did you think about giving Danny a harsher, more punitive conclusion instead of him confessing his deceit and ultimately finding favor with Steph by the end of the series?

In order to continue with another season, it seemed necessary to reintroduce Stephen into the storyline at the end of the previous one. Many individuals carry regrets from their past, which they believe shape their identity. However, I appreciated the message that such a past doesn’t always have to define them in this context. It may seem pompous to discuss a show known for its humor, which some might consider less than intelligent.

Do you feel like you left anything on the table with the fast production of Season 1?

Absolutely, we’re excited to move forward with Season 2! We’ve got plenty of creative ideas up our sleeves. Reflecting on potential changes if we had more time, honestly, not much comes to mind. The saying goes, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” With additional time, we would simply have expanded on what we already planned for a longer duration.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

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2024-08-10 19:47