With just one episode left in the second season of Winning Time on HBO, fans are seeing a slightly different reception this time around.
The show was widely criticized for inaccuracies during its first season by some of the real-life individuals (including Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson) portrayed in the show.
Although the Lakers originally said they had no comment about the show and were not supporting this project, we’ve seen a slight change of tune in the second season.
One very important person depicted in the show who is not critical of this season is Lakers owner Jeanie Buss (played by Hadley Robinson).
RELATED: See the cast of HBO’s Winning Time compared to their real-life counterparts
During Jeanie’s recent appearance on the official podcast of the show, she spoke about one of her interactions with John C. Reilly — who portrays her late father, Dr. Jerry Buss.
She even told Variety she thought Reilly deserved an Emmy nomination for his work on the show.
“John C. Reilly is absolutely breathtaking as my dad,” she said. “He’s absolutely fabulous.”
Jeanie said that she first met Reilly when he was attending a Lakers game. She decided to introduce herself to him because she knew that he was going to play her father in the show.
RELATED: HBO’s Winning Time is a delicate dance of intention and improv, not unlike the 1980s Lakers
At first, according to Jeanie, the actor seemed nervous that he was going to get kicked out of the game.
Instead, however, she told him a heartwarming story about a moment she shared with her father when they went to the movies, one of their shared passions, and saw Chicago (2002) in theaters.
“He was really good … [he is] somebody that can be so funny [and] can play such a tragic character,” she said.
Jeanie said that her father likely would not have had the same disappointment that others portrayed in the show like West and Abdul-Jabbar felt.
“I think he’d be really honored that you were playing him,” she continued.
.@JeanieBuss on the show #WinningTime:
“I just really miss my dad so much, it’s kind of nice to see him.”
Full interview: https://t.co/6YJCoegUIh pic.twitter.com/SQc4rbyBkb
— AM 570 LA Sports (@AM570LASports) August 14, 2023
This is not the first time that Jeanie has praised Reilly’s portrayal of her father. She had similar comments last month during an interview on AM 570 LA Sports.
“I know some people are like, ‘I can’t believe you’re watching that show!’ I said, ‘You know what? I really miss my dad so much. It’s kind of nice to see him.'”
Jeanie said that the costume department of Winning Time tried to get in touch with her father’s old tailor.
While the tailor had since passed away, his son had since taken over the business. Now, whenever she watches the show, it even looks like she is watching her dad.
“The wardrobe that he wears — that is what was making me crazy. Those were outfits that my dad actually wore.”
