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. Learn m...

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 behi...

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.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

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...

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. See omnystudio...

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. Se...

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...

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 aft...

For episode 10 of the Winning Time Podcast, host Rodney Barnes talks with actress Tamera Tomakili about playing Cookie Johnson, and bonding with her on-screen love interest, Quincy Isaiah. Hadley Robinson, who plays Jeannie Buss shares her views on navigating the male dominated NBA and the complex relationship between Jeannie and Jerry Buss. Then, in the final interview of the season, Rodney sits...

For episode nine of the Winning Time Podcast, host Rodney Barnes talks with three people whose contributions to the show are on full display in episode nine of the series. Director Salli Richardson-Whitfield reveals how she developed a relationship with the cast and how that enables her to get the best from each actor in their performance. Then the show’s director of photography Todd Banhazl opens...

Host Rodney Barnes talks with Adrien Brody about portraying the character of Pat Riley, specifically a version of Riley that differs from the person many NBA fans know and love. Brody shares his thoughts on Riley’s transformation over the course of the series and how he personally relates to the character's journey. Later in the episode, associate producer and Winning Time writer Rebecca Bertuch d...

For episode seven of the Winning Time Podcast, host Rodney Barnes welcomes the extraordinary Rob Morgan to the podcast. Rob Morgan tells us about his approach to acting and how he is able to add more nuance to his role as Earvin Johnson Sr. It's a beautiful conversation as Rob describes how his father showed him the value of hard work, compassion, and his connection with breakout star Quincy Isaia...

For episode six of the Winning Time Podcast, host Rodney Barnes welcomes superstar Snoop Dogg to the podcast. He opens up about his love of the Lakers past and present, his relationship with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, his respect for Jeanie and Jerry Buss, and his wild times in The Forum Club.  Snoop and Rodney are good friends so their rapport, and their shared love of the Lakers Showtime era, is a pur...

For episode five of the Winning Time Podcast, host Rodney Barnes welcomes Solomon Hughes, Phd who is making his screen acting debut as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in “Winning Time” and episode five director Tanya Hamilton. Rodney and Solomon reflect on the importance of Kareem Abdul Jabar’s legacy, and how they channeled their own experiences being tall black men into the character. With Hamilton, Rodney...

Host Rodney Barnes talks with intimacy coordinator Sarah Scott about working with the cast to shoot the sex and nudity scenes, making sure that everyone feels safe and respected on set. Then, Rodney sits down with actor DeVaughn Nixon, who opens up about playing his father, Laker legend Norm Nixon. The official Winning Time podcast is produced by HBO in conjunction with Hyperobject Industries and...

Host Rodney Barnes welcomes showrunner Max Borenstein and executive producer Jim Hecht to the studio for The Official Winning Time Podcast episode 3. Rodney and Max talk about their behind-the-scenes writing dynamic and how “giving audiences what they don’t know” about the Showtime Lakers has guided their process. Then Rodney and Max are joined by Jim Hecht, who shares how he was at a personal and...

For episode two of the Winning Time Podcast, host Rodney Barnes welcomes actor Quincy Isaiah and author Jeff Pearlman to the studio.  First, Rodney discusses Quincy’s physical transformation to play Magic Johnson and both men take a moment to praise actors Rob Morgan and Lisa Gay Hamilton for their roles in portraying a healthy black family in 1970s Detroit. Then, Jeff Pearlman, author of  Showtim...

In the first episode of the Winning Time podcast, host Rodney Barnes talks to executive producer, director, and “Hoop Head” Adam McKay. They discuss the origin of the series and how the showtime Lakers  transformed sports entertainment in the late 70s. The official Winning Time podcast is produced by HBO in conjunction with Hyperobject Industries and Pineapple Street Studios. See omnystudio.com/li...

The official companion podcast for the HBO Original series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, is hosted by writer and executive producer Rodney Barnes. He’ll dive into the history of the Lakers, the organization's unsung heroes, and speak to the actors who play the basketball icons on screen. Other guests include writers, directors and executive producers, and some special guests along...