The Fall and Rise Transcends Reggie Dinkins

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Spoilers follow for the season-one finale of The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins. 

The season finale of The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, titled “A Real Cinderello Story,” shows retired football players and roommates Reggie Dinkins (Tracy Morgan) and Rusty Boyd (Bobby Moynihan) watching a surprising announcement. Reggie’s old rival, Jerry Basmati (Craig Robinson), publicly declares he’s voting for Rusty to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Jerry hopes this will cause trouble between Reggie – who never received proper recognition after leaving football due to a gambling scandal – and Rusty, who wasn’t a very successful player, having only attempted a few field goals (and accidentally hitting children with two of them). However, Reggie and Rusty are too preoccupied arguing over the TV remote to even care about Jerry’s attempt to stir up drama.

It’s revealed that both Reggie and Rusty were sitting on TV remotes – Reggie unknowingly on five, and Rusty on four. Because Reggie had more under him, he wins this recurring game they play. The reactions of Morgan and Moynihan – genuinely happy for each other’s silliness and completely trusting – perfectly embody what makes The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins such a fun show to watch. Created by Robert Carlock and Sam Means, who also worked on 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Girls5eva, the series has a quick, witty, and satirical style reminiscent of Tina Fey’s other work (she’s an executive producer). Like those shows, Dinkins really shines because of its strong cast and how the characters’ relationships move the story forward, even more than the individual storylines. Over the course of ten episodes, the show, which started with a man trying to repair his reputation, expanded into a broader, ensemble-driven story, happily prioritizing lighthearted moments – like Reggie and Rusty’s remote-hiding game – over more serious plots.

When the NBC comedy first aired in January, it didn’t start with the lighthearted tone it has now. The first episode opens with a montage of embarrassing news reports about how Reggie lost his job with the Jets and his reputation in the NFL after it was discovered he was betting on his own games. (Importantly, he didn’t try to lose games, he just bet on his team to win.) Years later, he’s become a recluse, afraid to leave his house because of angry fans. This leads him to hire filmmaker Arthur Tobin (Daniel Radcliffe, clearly enjoying his role) to make a documentary about his life. However, they quickly clash over the film’s direction. Arthur’s initial cut, which focuses on the scandal, is deemed “awful” by Reggie, who is visibly frustrated. So, Reggie decides to take control of the project, literally putting on a producer’s hat to guide Arthur. He insists the documentary should highlight “how amazing I am,” and that his fiancée, the bubbly influencer Brina (Precious Way), should sing the theme song. And, true to form, she does – performing a song directly to the camera praising Reggie, which then becomes the show’s opening theme.

As the series progresses, it’s heartwarming to see Arthur and Reggie develop a genuine fondness and respect for each other, even though their friendship complicates Arthur’s professional distance. It’s not surprising to find Arthur embracing his own quirks and becoming just as eccentric as Reggie – he takes up parkour, has a complicated past relationship, and is self-conscious about his image. Similarly, Reggie’s playful nature helps Arthur become more comfortable with himself. While predictable, this feel-good dynamic works because of the fantastic chemistry between the actors and the show’s careful attention to detail in building relationships. Every character has a unique connection to everyone else, like the mutual respect between Reggie’s ex-wife and agent, Brina and Monica, who both understand the hustle. Small moments, like Rusty admitting he likes Arthur while eating breakfast, or Reggie playfully annoying Arthur by having his son practice a cappella in Arthur’s workspace, reveal the growing affection between them. Daniel Radcliffe perfectly supports Morgan’s comedic energy – he proudly shares how Reggie cares for him when he falls asleep, while Reggie playfully acknowledges it. Ultimately, the show excels at creating believable connections between characters, allowing those bonds to be tested and strengthened throughout the series.

Okay, so in “A Real Cinderello Story,” things really start to unravel for Reggie and Rusty when Jerry, who Reggie totally humiliated years ago, starts publicly backing Rusty. I’m used to Jerry being annoying, but this was different. Then, it just kept piling on – the owner of our favorite deli gives Rusty free food, and even Kendrick Lamar is shouting out Rusty’s Hall of Fame chances! It pushed Reggie way over the edge. Honestly, Morgan’s face when he confesses his feelings to Rusty – saying he hates himself for feeling that way – was heartbreaking. And then Moynihan’s delivery of “I’ll pack my food and go” just killed me. But the real shocker? Morgan perfectly mimicking Daniel Day-Lewis’s pained screams! It was intense. Seeing Reggie finally admit he messed up and run into Rusty’s arms was such a beautiful moment. It really hit home how deep their bond is. This season started seeming like it was about being ‘canceled,’ but it ended up being about something much bigger: choosing to be a good person and a good friend, even when everyone misunderstands you. It was a really powerful ending.

Carlock and Means excel at playfully acknowledging the show itself – breaking the fourth wall with knowing dialogue and clever references. They skillfully balance the show’s silly tangents with a genuinely touching central story, making each episode easy to enjoy. A viral video of Arthur having a meltdown on a Marvel set, which led to him being ostracized, hilariously satirizes both demanding directors and the increasingly unbelievable nature of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Reggie’s desperate plea to the documentary crew about an “Epstein island” connection sets up a clever joke about an optometrist’s practice. Way’s innocent personality is perfect for a running gag about Brina’s ex, Dr. Freak, a relentlessly energetic influencer who convinced her she was pregnant with a Chucky doll. And whenever the show returns to its main characters and their lives, it reminds us how well-developed and engaging they are, providing plenty of room for more comedic moments. As Reggie rebuilds his reputation, he’s surrounded by a unique and unpredictable group of friends, a dynamic that suggests the show has the potential to continue long after its initial premise is resolved.

The first season wraps up with several interesting developments: Reggie receives four Hall of Fame votes, much to Jerry’s dismay (especially since his daughter is secretly dating Carmelo); Arthur rediscovers his confidence as a director and embraces his close connection with the Dinkins family; and Monica’s career gets a boost thanks to a rising football star who’s been her client all along. These storylines offer plenty of potential for future episodes – perhaps Arthur will take on more directing gigs, or Rusty will grapple with whether to reveal Carmelo’s relationship to Reggie, or Monica and Brina will face complications while creating sponsored content. As long as the show keeps the focus on the characters’ friendships and gets renewed, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins has a bright future. NBC, please bring it back!

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2026-04-14 21:55