The Official Winning Time Podcast

Director Salli Richardson-Whitfield breaks down key scenes in the season finale. Jeff and Rodney discuss all the social, interpersonal, and racial elements that made the real-life Lakers/Celtics rivalry so intense. For the buzzer beater, from the Jeanie Buss makeover to Magic, Bird and Kareem’s custom clothes, costume designer Emma Potter takes us into the Winning Time wardrobe department.

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Jeanie Buss, owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers, joins Rodney in a pre-finale bonus episode. She shares eye-opening stories about her father Dr. Jerry Buss, reflects on moments she’s enjoyed in Winning Time, and shares easter eggs she’s spotted in the series.

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Retired NBA all-star Baron Davis offers his take on the “heightened” world of Winning Time, the singular talents of the real-life Magic and Kareem, how it feels to be traded, and how the league has changed since the showtime era. Jeff and Rodney talk through the buildup to the 1983 finals, and Kareem’s relationship with his fans. For the buzzer beater, production designer Richard Toyon shares behind the scenes stories on designing Winning Time’s iconic sets.

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Director Tanya Hamilton joins host Rodney Barnes to unpack the shifting power dynamics within the Laker organization, and her actor-driven approach to directing. Jeff and Rodney talk about how the Magic/Westhead story changed sports forever. For the buzzer beater, actor Jason Clarke (Jerry West) talks about the energy and humor he brings to the role.

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Composer Robert Glasper breaks down the improvisational process of writing the Winning Time score, which includes playing nerf basketball in the studio. Jeff and Rodney discuss Magic’s $25 million contract and Paul Westhead’s catastrophic Sports Illustrated photoshoot. For the Buzzer Beater, Rodney chats with Sanna Seppanen, the head of Winning Time’s hair department, about replicating the styles of the ‘70s and ‘80s.

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Director Todd Banhazl joins host Rodney Barnes to talk about telling the story of Larry Bird like a spaghetti western. Jeff and Rodney dive into some of the real world story of Larry Bird that inspired the episode. For the buzzer beater, Assistant Director Sal Sutera gives behind-the-scenes insight into working with background actors to pull off some of the crowd scenes in the show.

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Jeff and Rodney talk about Magic coming back to the team after his injury and how the team felt about Paul Westhead at the time. After that, Rodney dives into the show’s portrayal of Stormin’ Norman Nixon by talking to DeVaughn Nixon about what it’s like to play his father. For the buzzer beater, body double and basketball player Anthony Henderson talks about portraying Norm Nixon on the court.

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Sportswriter Jeff Pearlman (“Showtime”) joins host Rodney Barnes to discuss the real events depicted in the supersized first episode. Then, in an interview that was recorded earlier, Rodney discusses the dual crises Magic finds himself in with actors Quincy Isaiah (Magic Johnson) and Rob Morgan (Earvin Johnson, Sr). Finally,  Music Supervisor Gabe Hilfer talks about the use of needle drops in the show and Winning Time’s iconic soundtrack.

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Sportswriter Jeff Pearlman (“Showtime”) joins host Rodney Barnes to discuss the real events depicted in the supersized first episode. Then, in an interview that was recorded earlier, Rodney discusses the dual crises Magic finds himself in with actors Quincy Isaiah (Magic Johnson) and Rob Morgan (Earvin Johnson, Sr). Finally,  Music Supervisor Gabe Hilfer talks about the use of needle drops in the show and Winning Time’s iconic soundtrack.

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Join host Rodney Barnes, executive producer on HBO’s Winning Time, for a deep dive into season two. On each episode of the podcast, he’ll discuss the true events that inspired the show with sportswriter Jeff Pearlman. He’ll also go behind the scenes on the series with actors, directors and other key collaborators. Listen to HBO’s Official Winning Time podcast starting Sunday, August 6th, right after the premiere of season 2 on Max. 

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