Kate Hudson's Hilarious Journey from Lakers Shadow to Netflix Star in 'Running Point'

⚠️ Caution: The following narrative delves into key plot points from the Netflix show “Running Point,” currently available for viewing.

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Kate Hudson has consistently been an enthusiast for sports, and having lived between California and Colorado, she was often found rooting for the Denver Broncos, the Los Angeles Kings, and unquestionably, the L.A. Lakers. As a youngster, Hudson would attend Kings games with her parents, who acquainted her to Jeanie Buss, a 30-something executive at that time, responsible for managing the Forum, where the hockey team played their matches.

According to Buss, Kate often followed him around, learning the ropes. He would show her the layout of the building, explain the functions of the Forum Club, and demonstrate how we manage the ticketing and box office operations.

Hudson, seated beside her, chimed in enthusiastically: “I too had a mischievous streak, so I fancied slipping into hidden spots. Jeanie, though, would always keep tabs on me, saying something like, ‘You need to stay put here.’

As they all burst into laughter recalling an old memory of a 14-year-old Hudson attempting a trick on her guardian sister, another voice joins in. “What were those mischievous spots?” Mindy Kaling queries, eager to join the amusement. Kaling wasn’t present for that part of the tale, but it has been revisited in the latest Netflix series “Running Point,” where Hudson plays a fictionalized character based on Buss, who is currently the president and major stakeholder of the Lakers.

Hudson seldom directly addresses the question, but it’s clear that Buss didn’t want Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell to perceive her as having a negative impact, whether it was in the locker room or tending bar. “I felt accountable!” Buss declares, causing Hudson and Kaling to laugh even more. “But I knew she would grasp the chaos that comes with managing a team [for the show],” Buss adds.

Indeed, Buss is prepared to assume accountability for “Running Point,” an initiative she and her long-time friend Linda Rambis, the Lakers’ Executive Director of Special Projects, proposed to Kaling five years ago. This concept has grown into a comedy series that revolves around managing a family business while also running a renowned professional sports team.

Mindy Kaling shares that both Jeanie and Linda are fans of ‘The Office.’ This fact surprised me since I wasn’t familiar with Jeanie, but as time went on, it became clear to me that despite holding a significant position as president of the Lakers and managing a high-pressure job, she appreciates humor and doesn’t take herself too seriously. I admire her for that quality.

Not only has she been fortunate to work alongside remarkable talents such as Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, but the prospect of collaborating with Mindy fills her with similar gratitude.

Kaling breathes excitedly at Buss’ compliment, wondering aloud in jest, “Am I on par with Luka Dončić? Are we even roughly equal?” She quickly adds that it’s premature to compare since it’s only been a few games, leaving the final judgment for later, stating, “We’ll find out. To be determined.

If you’re curious about the approach Buss used in high-profile trades such as the Dončić deal, this series doesn’t contradict that. However, it’s important to note that it’s not specifically centered around the Lakers. As the concept evolved, Mindy Kaling and co-creators Ike Barinholtz and David Stassen (previously of “The Mindy Project”) shifted their focus from a Lakers-centric narrative and instead created a fictional team (the L.A. Waves).

Subsequently, Hudson joined the team following her review of the script. It centers around Isla Gordon, the sole child of the team’s proprietor, who is often disregarded by her father and undervalued by her brothers. In this role, she finds herself in a position where she must revitalize a struggling team to reach the playoffs, all while dealing with the massive egos and contentious personalities of the players, the broader sports world’s skepticism about her suitability for the job, and a new discovery: she has another sibling whose existence was previously hidden—until now.

Kaling stated, “The course of events unfolded like this: it began with an incredibly powerful, fantastic blonde woman, and it concluded with yet another powerful, fantastic blonde woman,” she added, indicating towards Hudson by her side.

There was no certainty that Hudson would agree, as she is a renowned movie actress – having been nominated for an Oscar following her debut role in “Almost Famous” and starring in popular romantic comedies such as “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” She isn’t typically associated with TV roles.

Hudson has shared that she’s long harbored a desire to create a comedic series, but has felt apprehensive. She finds comedy difficult to execute flawlessly, likening a perfect script to masterful choreography. To make it work, Hudson emphasizes the importance of focusing on the character’s objective and basing humor in that authentic context. In Isla, her family history served as a connection point for Hudson.

She expresses, “Your parents have put in so much effort to establish something meaningful. How can you safeguard this? How can you pass it on? How can you foster it?” She goes on to say, “Although Jeanie’s journey differs from mine – as the arts differ from a business franchise – I get what it means to always strive to preserve what one has.

Continue following the conversation between Buss, Hudson, and Kaling as they delve into the creation of a comedy that combines household relationships with sporting events. Hudson shares his knack for imitating Keanu Reeves, while expressing their potential show could mirror the style of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.

The initial premise was focused on the Lakers. What did turning the focus onto a fictional team – the Waves – allow you to do?

MINDY KALING: From a creative standpoint, it was crucial for us not to base anything on real individuals since our protagonist, Jeanie, has genuine connections with people in the real world. We wanted to preserve those authentic ties by ensuring that the show isn’t based on anyone specifically. However, there are certain embellishments that are drawn from reality. For instance, we found some of her relationships intriguing and decided to incorporate them into the narrative. Yet, our primary goal is to maintain confidentiality regarding Jeanie’s real-life connections.

Additionally, we aim to prevent people from questioning whether a piece of significant news, such as this major trade, concerns the Lakers, leading them to wonder about our show’s take on it. This concern posed a practical issue that we felt could potentially hinder our creative flow. By maintaining a fictionalized approach, we can present stories like Justin Theroux crashing his car on PCH due to drug issues without causing any backlash. This allows us to make the show even more audacious by incorporating fictitious elements.

Jeanie, what was this collaboration like? You have the real-world experience — what do people tend to get wrong, or right, about the way that the front office operates?

Having a good sense of humor and the ability to laugh at oneself is crucial because you often find yourself in tough, embarrassing predicaments. Comedy can help alleviate stressful situations, enabling progress. I believe this mindset is essential for any workplace: people should learn to relax, see the absurdity in certain things like arguing over parking spots or titles, and where one sits on a bench.

The series primarily focuses on a family dynamic, which is significant since many businesses in our nation are family-run. Despite its glamorous portrayal of sports and success, at its core, it’s about the family dynamics that govern their interactions.

Kate, what sensibilities did you want to bring to Isla as you developed the character? There’s so much physical comedy woven in as well.

KATE HUDSON: Everyone has a role to play for comedy, and once you find that rhythm, it’s like well-coordinated dance moves. There’s the straight man and there’s the more exaggerated character, and when everyone knows their part, we can really make it work.

KALING: Not only can Kate perform stern reprimands to her team, but she can also lose her footing when Chet Hanks attempts to kiss her, causing her to collapse in a chair. She’s capable of delivering captivating speeches, yet she’s equally adept at walking into glass doors unawares.

HUDSON: Striking the right equilibrium is crucial for it to seem authentic and amusing. Every minor detail matters, but none of it would work without our incredibly talented cast and the brilliant writing behind the scenes.

Since you mentioned the riveting speech – what was the inspiration behind Isla hyping up the team by comparing them to “John Wick”?

KALING: One of my favorite moments is Kate’s unexpected Keanu Reeves impersonation. As a writer, it’s fantastic because, being an ex-actor myself, I could casually suggest, “Let’s try if she can mimic John Wick,” and then we’d hand her the script.

HUDSON: Doing that was very intimidating. I tried my best.

KALING: That was quite amusing! She’s incredibly agile in her performances. In the blink of an eye, she transitioned from a scene that touched me deeply, to a spot-on Keanu Reeves imitation within just a few short minutes.

The performance was hilarious, she’s quick on her feet and switched from a moving scene to a dead-on Keanu Reeves impersonation in no time at all.)

The type of shows I most enjoy are the ones I favor. While some comedies exist primarily for amusement, what truly captivated me and inspired my own creative endeavors were productions that embodied depth and emotion. Specifically, I was drawn to pieces that combined a profound essence with witty, challenging humor – a combination only possible with a talent like Kate.

Kate, what made you trepidatious about previous series? And what makes you, now, so excited about the prospect of more? How far down the road are you talking?

HUDSON: I grasp the time commitment these series require. I have three children – Ryder (21), Bingham (12), and Rani (6) – one of whom is grown up now, but it’s still a significant undertaking and involves extended hours. In fact, it’s even longer than a movie, so you really need to be passionate about it. What makes this series special is the abundance of love. The hope is that you genuinely enjoy the people you’re collaborating with, adore the character you’re portraying, and are captivated by the universe you’re immersed in.

As luck would have it, I’ll be filming in the stunning city of Los Angeles, which means I’m back in my beloved hometown. It’s a place that’s weathered many storms, and now, it’s time to rejoice!

KALING: I’m hoping it’s similar to “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” where she keeps wanting to repeat this experience. Sometimes she might want to take a few years break, but then she says, “I want to do it again.

In a different take, this production was brimming with happiness, and that’s largely due to the fact that it was Kate who endured the long workdays, not myself. Consequently, I didn’t have to be present for the early morning calls every day for 27 weeks in a row.

HUDSON: I get better at hour 14. That’s when I start to get weird.

KALING: The first season often feels a certain way, and considering future seasons, the cast is impressive. We’ve got some fantastic characters that we’ve grown attached to this season, so we’re hoping they can carry on the narrative in the next season and delve deeper into their stories.

It’s quite entertaining to hint at potential trades on this show. You never know what the next season holds, but one thing is certain – trades are always a possibility. So, if you don’t behave nicely…

It is a performance-based sport. Jeanie, what was it like to see your memories inform this story?

BUSS: I’m genuinely impressed by your knack for understanding the heart of a situation, Mindy. While I’m currently focused on getting through each moment and strategizing, you have this incredible ability to weave compelling narratives from it all. Your eloquence in expressing these stories is truly commendable.

KALING: The quality of this material is exceptional, it’s almost too good to be true. We could run with this show as long as Kate stays… As I mentioned earlier, Larry David managed to keep his series going for 25 years. This book is phenomenal; there’s an abundance of fascinating content.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

2025-03-01 03:48

Kate Hudson’s Hilarious Journey from Lakers Shadow to Netflix Star in ‘Running Point’