“Ball in the Family” — a new original series chronicling the most prominent family in hoops, including Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball and his boisterous father LaVar — is set to debut on Watch, Facebook’s new content platform, on Thursday.
The Ball family has been on a meteoric rise in the last 12 months, going from the LA suburb of Chino Hills to UCLA to the NBA. Along the way, Lonzo has dazzled fans with his passing ability, while his younger brothers, LiAngelo and LaMelo, have become social media sensations with their long-range bombing. Yet many would argue LaVar, the ringleader of it all, has been the main attraction, between his outlandish boasting (he said he can beat Michael Jordan 1-on-1!) and notorious interviews. Oh yeah, they also launched their own sportswear business, Big Baller Brand, and are charging a cool $495 for their first sneakers.
“We wanted to give our fans an unfiltered look into our lives and show them a side of us that isn’t typically seen,” said LaVar Ball. “We have a big community of fans on Facebook, so we’re excited our series is going to be on Watch.”
As part of its initial push into original content, Facebook partnered with a Hollywood heavyweight on “Ball in the Family.” The series is being produced by reality TV powerhouse Bunim/Murray Productions, the company behind “Keeping up with the Kardashians,” “The Real World,” and “Project Runway.”
“We are thrilled to work with the Ball family to share their remarkable story at a pivotal moment in their lives,” said Gil Goldschein, Chairman and CEO Bunim/Murray Productions. “For fans, it will be a front row seat to how the family deals with the sky-high expectations heaped upon it.”
As you’d expect from any classic Bunim/Murray vehicle, the trailer for “Ball in the Family” teases plenty of laughs, but also some heavy moments as well. For starters: LaVar tears into LaMelo following an AAU game, Lonzo deals with his girlfriend wondering about their future, and Tina Ball — the matriarch of the family — is seen recovering from a stroke.
Still, there doesn’t seem to be a shortage of vintage LaVar-isms on the show, either. “My three boys are the best ballplayers I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” the proud patriarch claims at one point. That’s the good stuff viewers will be looking for.
The first two episodes of “Ball in the Family” will drop on Facebook Watch Thursday, and will move to Sundays starting on Sept. 10. Check out the trailer below.
Netflix in September: What's Coming and What to Watch Before It's Gone (Photos)
Now that summer is winding down, kids are headed back to class and Halloween candy is already in grocery stores. We can’t wait to cozy up with everything pumpkin spice-flavored we can get our hands on and stream fall TV and new movies on Netflix. Here are our picks of must-watch shows for September.
Netflix
Coming Sept. 1: "Narcos" Season 3
The popular drug cartel drama "Narcos" is back the first week of September with its third season. "Season three is very different for the surviving characters involved," said Pedro Pascal in a Netflix featurette. This season will tackle life after Pablo Escobar.
Netflix
Coming Sept. 1: "Little Evil"
Adam Scott stars in this horror comedy as a man who just married the love of his life -- who happens to be the mother of the antichrist.
Netflix
Coming Sept. 1: "Final Fantasy XIV Dad of Light" Season 1
This is a retelling of a true story about how a father and son reconnect by playing "Final Fantasy" together.
Netflix
Coming Sept. 5: "Marc Maron: Too Real"
Fresh off his performance in Netflix's "GLOW," Marc Maron gets his own Netflix comedy special. In the teaser, he laments not knowing how to have fun and other character quirks.
The adult cartoon comedy starring Will Arnett as a washed-up '90s star -- who is a horse -- returns after BoJack spent the third season wading through an Oscar campaign.
Netflix
Coming Sept. 8: "The Confession Tapes" Season 1
This new true-crime series from Netflix will explore cases in which people convicted of murder claim their confessions were coerced, involuntary or false.
Netflix
Coming Sept. 15: "American Vandal" Season 1
This true-crime satire explores the aftermath at a high school going through a vandalism scandal. The accused is under threat of expulsion for spray painting penis cartoons all over cars in the school parking lot.
Netflix
Coming Sept. 15: "First They Killed My Father"
Angelina Jolie's account of genocide in Cambodia has been met with criticism for the way children were cast in the film. Producers were said to have given money to orphans, then took it away to gauge their emotional response.
Jerry Seinfeld stars in one of Netflix's popular stand-up specials. Teasers for the beloved comedian's special feature Seinfeld-ian topics like dirty socks and getting the finger.
Netflix
Coming Sept. 29: "Our Souls at Night"
Jane Fonda and Robert Redford star in this Venice Film Festival selection based on the best-selling novel that proves love knows no age restrictions.
Netflix
Leaving Sept. 5: "Lilo & Stitch" and "The Emperor's New Groove"
These two underrated Disney classics are waving goodbye the first week of September. You'll have to catch surfing aliens and talking llamas elsewhere.
Disney
Leaving Sept. 26: "CSI: Miami" Seasons 1-10
All 10 seasons of the Miami version of the classic crime show will be headed off Netflix in September. Better start your bingeing, like, yesterday.
CBS
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Back to school or back to binge-watching — there will be some tough choices to make next month
Now that summer is winding down, kids are headed back to class and Halloween candy is already in grocery stores. We can’t wait to cozy up with everything pumpkin spice-flavored we can get our hands on and stream fall TV and new movies on Netflix. Here are our picks of must-watch shows for September.