Champions (American TV series)

Last updated
Champions
ChampionsTitleScreen.png
Genre Sitcom
Created by
Starring
Composer Jesse Novak
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Anders Holm
  • Lorie Zerweck
Cinematography
  • Charles Papert
  • Brian Burgoyne
  • Marco Fargnoli
Editors
  • Rob Burnett
  • Mat Greenleaf
  • Jessica Sisk
Camera setup Single-camera
Running time21 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network NBC
ReleaseMarch 8 (2018-03-08) –
May 25, 2018 (2018-05-25)

Champions is an American television sitcom created by Charlie Grandy and Mindy Kaling that aired on NBC from March 8 to May 25, 2018. The series stars Anders Holm, Fortune Feimster, Andy Favreau, Josie Totah, [a] and Mouzam Makkar.

Contents

On June 29, 2018, NBC canceled the series after one season.

Premise

Vince, a charismatic gym owner, is living every bachelor's dream with his younger brother Matthew in Brooklyn, New York. He lives a simple life, dates an endless string of women, until his high school fling Priya drops off their 15-year-old son Michael.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Pilot" Michael Spiller Charlie Grandy & Mindy Kaling March 8, 2018 (2018-03-08)2.70 [1]
Vince, after a series of failures, is going to sell his gym secretly and move to Florida. But, on his way is his fifteen-year-old son Michael, who has to live with his father during audition to the Academy of Art. Vince goes with Michael to audition, where he sings Queen's song We Are the Champions .
2"I Think I'm Gonna Tolerate It Here"Michael SpillerCharlie Grandy & Mindy KalingMarch 15, 2018 (2018-03-15)3.02 [2]
Dana reports that Vince and Matthew need to collect $5,000 till Monday to pay a fine to the bank and regain the gym. At the same time, Vince tries to educate Michael, believing he's spoiled. But everything goes out of control when friends find out that Vince is selling the gym and he's keeping his son a secret.
3"Lumps" Alex Reid Chris SchleicherMarch 29, 2018 (2018-03-29)1.94 [3]
Champions begins to lose female members after a new female-friendly gym opens in the neighborhood. Vince and his employees struggle to figure out what the gym is doing wrong and how to fix it. Meanwhile, Michael struggles with Math and offers advice to Dana on her love life as she tutors him.
4"My Fair Uncle"Claire ScanlonMindy Kaling & Charlie GrandyApril 5, 2018 (2018-04-05)1.98 [4]
Priya's wealthy brother, Ro shows up at the gym looking to spend time with Michael, which Vince uses as an opportunity to break Matthew's new rules on dating. However, Vince has to choose between his romantic life and Michael when he discovers there is more to Ro than it seems.
5"Vincemas" Geeta V. Patel Matt Warburton April 12, 2018 (2018-04-12)1.68 [5]
Vince and Matthew invites Michael to their camping tradition for the first time but Michael is reluctant to go as he has no friends to go with. Meanwhile, the gym crew plans a party for Vince going away which they call "Vincemas." Vince encourages Michael to make friends at his school and be cool like him in high school but Michael realizes that the new clique he's made at school is not as they seem to be.
6"Grandma Dearest"Michael SpillerAaron Geary & Ben SteinerApril 19, 2018 (2018-04-19)1.64 [6]
When a school project makes Michael interested in meeting his grandmother, Vince has to come to terms with years of emotional neglect. Meanwhile, the Champions staff enlists Michael in updating their website, including adding a testimonial from a less than pleasant gym member.
7"Matt Bomer Poster" Maggie Carey Ali SchoutenApril 26, 2018 (2018-04-26)1.50 [7]
Vince tries to deal with Michael growing up when he finds a suggestive poster in his son's room. At the same time, Michael learns Matthew's long-kept secret of never having finished high school and decides to help his uncle. Dana is featured in an art show but fears no one will come.
8"Nepotism"Michael SpillerMatt WarburtonMay 3, 2018 (2018-05-03)1.53 [8]
A rift between Dana and Matthew leads to a debate of nepotism among the Champions staff and a discovery about Dana's boyfriend. Meanwhile, Michael loses his motivation when he fails to get the lead role in his musical, so Vince gives him a pep talk about not giving up.
9"Opening Night"Geeta V. PatelChris SchleicherMay 25, 2018 (2018-05-25)1.90 [9]
Priya shows up for the opening night of Michael's musical, wanting to take him back to Cleveland with her, but Michael doesn't want to leave his new life in New York. Matthew has trouble being the bad guy when he is asked to give the Champions staff performance reviews.
10"Deal or No Deal"Michael SpillerCharlie GrandyMay 25, 2018 (2018-05-25)1.34 [9]
An old friend of his offers Vince an opportunity to return to the world of baseball, but it would require leaving Brooklyn and his new family. Meanwhile, Michael finally lands a date with his crush and the lead of his musical, Gregg.

Production

Development

On October 5, 2016, it was announced that NBC had given a put pilot commitment to an untitled script by Mindy Kaling and Charlie Grandy. The project stemmed from a writing, producing, and acting deal that Kaling had signed with Universal Television during the previous summer. Universal Television was set to produce the pilot alongside Kaling International and 3 Arts Entertainment. Kaling and Grandy were expected to executive produce alongside Howard Klein. [10]

On January 26, 2017, it was announced that NBC had officially given the production a pilot order. The announcement was accompanied by the reveal of the series' premise. [11] [12] On May 13, 2017, it was announced that NBC had given the production a series order. Michael Alan Spiller was announced to be an executive producer for the series and it was reported that he was also expected to direct. Eyes Up Productions was also added to the list of production companies involved with the series. [13] [14] [15]

On June 29, 2018, it was announced that NBC had officially cancelled the series. Before the cancellation was announced, producers had reportedly been in talks with Netflix, which carries the series internationally, about potentially picking up the show but the discussions ultimately did not lead to a renewal. Producers were still said to be searching for a potential new home for the series. [16] On September 13, 2018, it was announced that the series had failed to find a new home. [17]

Casting

Alongside the announcement of the series' pilot order, it was announced that Mindy Kaling had been cast in the pilot in the potentially recurring role of Priya. [11] In February 2017, it was announced that Mouzam Makkar, Anders Holm, Andy Favreau, and Josie Totah had joined the pilot in potential series regular roles. [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] On March 6, 2017, it was announced that Nina Wadia had been cast in a series regular role. [23] On October 6, 2017, it was reported that Fortune Feimster had joined the main cast. [24] On December 13, 2017, it was announced that Ginger Gonzaga had been cast in a recurring role. [25]

Broadcast

The series is currently available through Netflix in the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, United States, Canada, México, India, Ireland, Argentina, France, Norway and Germany. [26]

Reception

Critical response

The series received positive reviews from critics upon its premiere. On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds a 63% approval rating with an average rating of 6.23 out of 10 based on 19 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Champions has a charming cast and good-natured approach to sensitive issues which make it a worthwhile watch." [27] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the series a score of 64 out of 100 based on 13 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews. [28]

In a positive review, the San Francisco Chronicle 's David Wiegand said, "Kaling and co-creator Grandy use plot as a display case for consistently funny writing and sweet and credible performances by the ensemble cast and, most of all, the exceptional skills of J.J. Totah, who plays Priya and Vince's proudly out son, Michael." [29] In a more mixed review, Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter said that Totah is "clearly talented in a variety of ways" and "gets the best punchlines in the early episodes", but that her "extremely focused myopia doesn't always track believably and the show has yet to figure out how to make Michael's schooling a part of the show in any real way. ... The show's workplace zaniness is definitely where Champions is most a work-in-progress." [30] Variety 's Sonia Saraiya offered the show restrained praise saying, "With a little adjustment, Champions could be fantastic. The exceptionally diverse cast brings a lot to the table, and the writing is smart and fresh. But right now it's a bit too disjointed to be a complete success." [31] Particular praise was received for Josie Totah's performance as Michael; The New York Times ' Margaret Lyons called Totah's performance "superb," saying that Totah's "comic energy is astoundingly well calibrated," and that Totah "allows just enough genuine humanity to show through Michael's haughty, campy fieriness." [32]

Ratings

Viewership and ratings per episode of Champions
No.TitleAir date Rating/share
(18–49)		Viewers
(millions)
1"Pilot"March 8, 20180.7/32.70 [1]
2"I Think I'm Gonna Tolerate it Here"March 15, 20180.7/23.02 [2]
3"Lumps"March 29, 20180.5/21.94 [3]
4"My Fair Uncle"April 5, 20180.5/21.98 [4]
5"Vincemas"April 12, 20180.4/21.68 [5]
6"Grandma Dearest"April 19, 20180.4/21.64 [6]
7"Matt Bomer Poster"April 26, 20180.4/21.50 [7]
8"Nepotism"May 3, 20180.4/21.53 [8]
9"Opening Night"May 25, 20180.4/21.90 [9]
10"Deal or No Deal"May 25, 20180.3/11.34 [9]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Credited as J. J. Totah; she presented as male during the production of the show but came out as a transgender woman after the show was canceled in late 2018.

Related Research Articles

<i>Man Seeking Woman</i> American comedy television series

Man Seeking Woman is an American romantic comedy television series created by Simon Rich for FXX. It originally aired for 3 seasons from January 14, 2015, to March 8, 2017. The series is set in Chicago, about a naïve and soft-spoken man in his 20s named Josh Greenberg, who finds himself in several surrealist and awkward circumstances while trying to find love.

<i>Baskets</i> (TV series) American television comedy series

Baskets is an American comedy drama television series that premiered on FX on January 21, 2016. The series was co-created by Louis C.K., Zach Galifianakis, and Jonathan Krisel; Krisel is also the showrunner and director. Galifianakis stars in the dual lead role as Chip Baskets, a failed professional clown in Paris, who instead becomes a local rodeo clown in Bakersfield, California, and his twin brother, Dale Baskets. Galifianakis, C.K., M. Blair Breard, Dave Becky, Marc Gurvitz and Andrea Pett-Joseph serve as executive producers, with FX Productions as the production company. In 2017, C.K.'s production company Pig Newton had all ties to the show and FX cut after C.K. admitted to sexual misconduct with five women. On May 24, 2018, FX renewed the show for a fourth and final season, which premiered on June 13, 2019. The series ended on August 22, 2019.

Josie Totah, formerly known as J. J. Totah, is an American actress. She is known for her recurring role on the Disney Channel series Jessie and a supporting role on the 2013 ABC comedy series Back in the Game. She received praise from critics for her role in the 2016 film Other People. In 2018, she starred in the short-lived NBC comedy series Champions. Totah starred as Lexi in the 2020 revival of Saved by the Bell, which ran for two seasons.

<i>Divorce</i> (TV series) American television series

Divorce is an American comedy-drama television series created by Sharon Horgan, set in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, and starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Thomas Haden Church as a middle-aged divorcing couple. The series premiered on HBO on October 9, 2016. The pilot episode was written by Horgan and directed by Jesse Peretz. On November 14, 2016, HBO renewed the show for a second season, which premiered on January 14, 2018. On November 2, 2018, HBO renewed the show for a third season, which was later announced on its premiere date to be the final season.

Beyond is an American fantasy drama television series created by Adam Nussdorf that premiered on Freeform on January 1, 2017. The series stars Burkely Duffield, Dilan Gwyn, Jeff Pierre, Jonathan Whitesell, Michael McGrady, and Romy Rosemont. On January 10, 2017, Freeform renewed the series for a 10-episode second season, which premiered on January 18, 2018, and finished on March 22, 2018. On March 29, 2018, Freeform announced they had cancelled the series after two seasons.

First Wives Club is an American comedy television series based on the 1996 film of the same name written by Robert Harling; it premiered on September 19, 2019 on BET+. The series was renewed for a second season on November 26, 2019, premiering on July 15, 2021. On September 8, 2021, the series was renewed for a third season. Unlike the original film, the series features an entirely African-American cast.

<i>Tacoma FD</i> American television sitcom (2019–2023)

Tacoma FD is an American television sitcom set in a firehouse in Tacoma, Washington. The series premiered on March 28, 2019, on truTV. In November 2021, the series was renewed for a fourth season, premiering on July 20, 2023. In February 2024, the series was canceled after four seasons.

<i>The Other Two</i> American sitcom

The Other Two is an American sitcom created by Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider. The story follows two floundering millennial siblings who must grapple with their 13-year-old brother's overnight fame. The series premiered on Comedy Central on January 24, 2019, and was renewed for a second season shortly after, on February 11, 2019. The second season premiered on August 26, 2021, on HBO Max. In September 2021, the series was renewed for a third and final season, which premiered on May 4, 2023 and ended on June 29, 2023.

<i>Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector</i> 2020 American crime drama television series

Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector is an American crime drama television series that premiered on NBC as part of the 2019–20 television season, on January 10, 2020 and ran until March 13, 2020. The series is based on the 1997 novel The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver. While popular as a mid-season replacement show, NBC made the decision in June 2020 to cancel after one season.

<i>Indebted</i> 2020 American television sitcom

Indebted is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC from February 6 to April 16, 2020. The series was created by Dan Levy and co-executive produced with Doug Robinson, Andy Ackerman and David Guarascio for Sony Pictures Television.

The Unicorn is an American sitcom created by Bill Martin, Mike Schiff and Grady Cooper for CBS which premiered on September 26, 2019 and concluded on March 18, 2021. It stars Walton Goggins along with Rob Corddry, Omar Miller, Maya Lynne Robinson, Ruby Jay, MaKenzie Moss, Devin Bright, and Michaela Watkins in supporting roles. In May 2020, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on November 12, 2020. In May 2021, the series was canceled after two seasons.

<i>Mr. Mayor</i> American TV sitcom (2021–22)

Mr. Mayor is an American sitcom television series created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock for NBC. The series stars Ted Danson, Bobby Moynihan, Holly Hunter, Vella Lovell, Mike Cabellon, and Kyla Kenedy. It aired from January 7, 2021, to May 17, 2022. In March 2021, the series was renewed for a second season. A holiday special episode aired on December 15, 2021, and the second season premiered on March 15, 2022. In May 2022, the series was canceled after two seasons.

<i>Call Your Mother</i> American sitcom television series on ABC

Call Your Mother is an American television multi-camera sitcom created by Kari Lizer that aired from January 13 to May 19, 2021 on ABC. In May 2021, the series was canceled.

Debris is an American science fiction television series that premiered on March 1, 2021, on NBC. The series, produced by Universal Television and Legendary Television, was created and co-executive produced by J. H. Wyman. In May 2021, the series was canceled after one season.

<i>Pivoting</i> (TV series) 2022 American sitcom television series

Pivoting is an American sitcom television series created by Liz Astrof that premiered on Fox on January 9, 2022, and ended on March 10, 2022. In May 2022, the series was canceled after one season.

<i>Ghosts</i> (American TV series) American television sitcom (2021–present)

Ghosts is an American television sitcom adapted for CBS from the original British series of the same name by Joe Port and Joe Wiseman, who were also its showrunners. It premiered on October 7, 2021 and was picked up for a full season that month. It was renewed for a second season in January 2022, which premiered on September 29, 2022. It was renewed for a third season in January 2023, which began filming in Montreal on December 2, 2023. The third season, of ten episodes, premiered on February 15, 2024. In March 2024, it was renewed for a fourth season which premiered on October 17, 2024.

<i>Welcome to Flatch</i> 2022 American television mockumentary series

Welcome to Flatch is an American mockumentary sitcom that aired on Fox from March 17, 2022, to February 2, 2023. It is based on the British series This Country, which was created and written by Daisy May Cooper and her brother Charlie Cooper who also played the lead roles. The American adaptation was developed by Jenny Bicks. In May 2022, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on September 29, 2022. In October 2023, the series was canceled after two seasons.

<i>Grand Crew</i> American sitcom

Grand Crew is an American television sitcom created by Phil Augusta Jackson, that aired from December 14, 2021, to April 28, 2023, on NBC. In May 2022, the series was renewed for a second season; which premiered on March 3, 2023. In June 2023, the series was canceled after two seasons.

Fire Country is an American action drama television series created by Max Thieriot, Tony Phelan and Joan Rater for CBS, starring Thieriot. It is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer Television and CBS Studios. The series premiered on October 7, 2022. On January 6, 2023, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on February 16, 2024. In March 2024, the series was renewed for a third season which premiered on October 18, 2024.

<i>So Help Me Todd</i> 2022 American legal dramedy television series

So Help Me Todd is an American legal comedy-drama television series, created by Scott Prendergast, that premiered on September 29, 2022, on CBS. The series follows a talented but directionless private investigator, who begrudgingly agrees to work at his overbearing mother's law firm. It stars Marcia Gay Harden, Skylar Astin, Madeline Wise, Tristen J. Winger, Inga Schlingmann, and Rosa Evangelina Arredondo. In February 2023, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on February 15, 2024. In April 2024, the series was canceled after two seasons. The final episode aired with a cliffhanger on May 16, 2024.

References

  1. 1 2 Mitch Metcalf (March 9, 2018). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.8.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 10, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  2. 1 2 Mitch Metcalf (March 16, 2018). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.15.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 17, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  3. 1 2 Mitch Metcalf (March 30, 2018). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.29.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 3, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  4. 1 2 Mitch Metcalf (April 6, 2018). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.5.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 7, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  5. 1 2 Mitch Metcalf (April 13, 2018). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.12.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 14, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  6. 1 2 Mitch Metcalf (April 20, 2018). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.19.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 21, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  7. 1 2 Mitch Metcalf (April 27, 2018). "Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.26.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  8. 1 2 Porter, Rick (May 4, 2018). "'Big Bang Theory' adjusts up, 'Life in Pieces' and 'Station 19' adjust down: Thursday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 5, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Porter, Rick (May 29, 2018). "'My Last Days' adjusts down: Friday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 30, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  10. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (October 5, 2016). "NBC Nabs Mindy Kaling/Charlie Grandy Comedy With Put Pilot Commitment". Deadline. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  11. 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (January 27, 2017). "NBC Orders Comedy Pilots From Mindy Kaling, Tina Fey & Bill Lawrence". Deadline. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  12. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (January 26, 2017). "Mindy Kaling, Tina Fey, Bill Lawrence Comedies Land NBC Pilot Orders". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  13. ↑ Brill, Karen (May 13, 2017). "Mindy Kaling's New Show Champions Gets Series Order at NBC". Vulture. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  14. ↑ Otterson, Joe (May 13, 2017). "NBC Orders 'Champions' From Mindy Kaling, Charlie Grandy to Series". Variety. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  15. ↑ Stanhope, Kate; Goldberg, Lesley (May 13, 2017). "Mindy Kaling Comedy 'Champions' Ordered to Series at NBC". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  16. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (June 29, 2018). "'Champions' Canceled By NBC After One Season, May Explore Future Elsewhere". Deadline. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  17. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (September 13, 2018). "Champions: Cancelled NBC Sitcom Fails to Find a New Home". TVLine. Archived from the original on May 11, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  18. ↑ Petski, Denise (February 17, 2017). "Mouzam Makkar Joins Mindy Kaling/Charlie Grandy NBC Comedy Pilot; 'For God & Country' Adds Natacha Karam;". Deadline. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  19. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (February 17, 2017). "Anders Holm To Topline Mindy Kaling/Charlie Grandy NBC Comedy Pilot". Deadline. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  20. ↑ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (February 17, 2017). "Anders Holm to Star in NBC Comedy Pilot From Mindy Kaling and Charlie Grandy". Variety. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  21. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (February 18, 2017). "Mindy Kaling/Charlie Grandy NBC Comedy Pilot Casts Andy Favreau As A Lead". Deadline. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  22. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (February 27, 2017). "JJ Totah Cast In Mindy Kaling's NBC Comedy Pilot; Josh Kidd Joins CW's 'Searchers'". Deadline. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  23. ↑ Patten, Dominic (March 6, 2017). "Mindy Kaling's NBC Comedy Pilot Adds 'EastEnders' Alum Nina Wadia". Deadline. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  24. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (October 6, 2017). "'Champions': Fortune Feimster Joins Charlie Grandy/Mindy Kaling NBC Comedy Series". Deadline. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  25. ↑ Petski, Denise (December 13, 2017). "'Reverie' Casts Jon Fletcher; Ginger Gonzaga Joins 'Champions'". Deadline. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  26. ↑ Munn, Patrick (May 24, 2018). "Netflix Acquires UK Rights To NBC Comedy Series 'Champions' & 'Marlon' - TVWise". TVWise. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Champions: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango . Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Champions: Season 1". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  29. ↑ David Wiegand (March 5, 2018). "Kaling and Kid Actor Make NBC's Champions a Comedy Winner". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  30. ↑ Daniel Fienberg (March 8, 2018). "Champions: TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  31. ↑ Sonia Saraiya (March 8, 2018). "TV Review: Champions, from Mindy Kaling". Variety. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  32. ↑ Margaret Lyons (March 7, 2018). "Review: Mindy Kaling's Champions Is Off to a Winning Start". The New York Times. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.