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{{Short description|American television series}}
{{Short description|American television series}}
{{about||people with the given name Arliss|Arliss (given name)|people with the surname Arliss|Arliss (surname)}}
{{For-multi|the given name|Arliss (given name)|the surname|Arliss (surname)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}

{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| image = Arliss.JPG
| image = Arliss.JPG
Line 18: Line 17:
}}
}}
| composer = Ed Smart
| composer = Ed Smart
| opentheme = {{Plain list|
| opentheme = "[[I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)|I Can't Help Myself]]" by [[Four Tops|The Four Tops]] (season 1)<br>"[[I Only Want To Be With You]]" by [[Dusty Springfield]] (seasons 2–7)
* "[[I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)|I Can't Help Myself]]" by [[Four Tops|The Four Tops]] (season 1)
* "[[I Only Want to Be with You]]" by [[Dusty Springfield]] (seasons 2–7)
}}
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
Line 24: Line 26:
| num_episodes = 80
| num_episodes = 80
| list_episodes = List of Arliss episodes
| list_episodes = List of Arliss episodes
| company = {{Plainlist|
| company = {{Plain list|
*[[Tollin/Robbins Productions]] (1996–1998)
* [[Tollin/Robbins Productions]] (1996–1998)
*[[Tollin/Robbins Productions|Marquee/Tollin/Robbins]] (1998–2002)
* [[Tollin/Robbins Productions|Marquee/Tollin/Robbins]] (1998–2002)
}}
}}
| camera = [[Single-camera setup|Single-camera]]
| camera = [[Single-camera setup|Single-camera]]
| runtime = 30 minutes
| runtime = 30 minutes
| distributor =
| network = [[HBO]]
| network = [[HBO]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|1996|8|10}}
| first_aired = {{Start date|1996|8|10}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2002|9|8}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2002|9|8}}
}}
}}
⚫
'''''Arliss''''' (rendered in its logo as '''''Arli$$''''') is an American cult-classic dark [[comedy]] series, created by and starring [[Robert Wuhl]] (who was also the series' [[showrunner]]), about the glitzy, big-money world of professional sports, with Wuhl playing the eternally optimistic and endlessly resourceful L.A. [[sports agent]] Arliss Michaels, whose [[Achilles' heel]] is his inability to say "no" to clients and employees. ''Arli$$'' ran for seven seasons and 80 episodes on [[HBO]], from August 10, 1996 to September 8, 2002. After almost two decades of being off-air, the entire catalog of ''Arli$$'' episodes returned to [[HBO Max]] in a streaming format in September 2018.


⚫
'''''Arliss''''' (rendered in its logo as '''''Arli$$''''') is an American dark [[comedy]] series, created by and starring [[Robert Wuhl]] (who was also the series' [[showrunner]]), about the glitzy, big-money world of professional sports, with Wuhl playing the eternally optimistic and endlessly resourceful L.A. [[sports agent]] Arliss Michaels, whose [[Achilles' heel]] is his inability to say "no" to clients and employees. ''Arliss'' ran for seven seasons and 80 episodes on [[HBO]], from August 10, 1996, to September 8, 2002. After almost two decades of being off-air, the entire catalog of ''Arliss'' episodes returned to [[HBO Max]] in a streaming format as of September 2022.
⚫
The ''[[New York Times]]'' called the show "One of the freshest shows to come along in a while."<ref>{{Citation|title=Of Athletes and Agents... Oh, and Money, Too|date=August 10, 1996|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/10/arts/of-athletes-and-agents-oh-and-money-too.html}}</ref> It was well-known for taking on very controversial (at the time) topics, including [[Domestic violence|domestic abuse]], [[Doping in sport|steroid use]], [[Alzheimer’s disease]], [[Homosexuality in modern sports|gay]] and [[Transgender people in sports|transgender]] athletes, [[alcoholism]], and [[Unintended pregnancy|unwanted athlete pregnancies]].


⚫
''[[The New York Times]]'' called the show "One of the freshest shows to come along in a while."<ref>{{Citation|title=Of Athletes and Agents... Oh, and Money, Too|date=August 10, 1996|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/10/arts/of-athletes-and-agents-oh-and-money-too.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> It was well-known for taking on very controversial (at the time) topics, including [[point shaving]], [[political corruption]], [[personal seat license]] fees, [[relocation of professional sports teams]], [[sports in the Las Vegas metropolitan area]], [[right to work]] states, [[Domestic violence|domestic abuse]], [[Doping in sport|steroid use]], [[Alzheimer's disease]], [[Homosexuality in modern sports|gay]] and [[Transgender people in sports|transgender]] athletes, [[alcoholism]], and [[Unintended pregnancy|unwanted athlete pregnancies]].
⚫
The idea behind ''Arli$$'' was to show the hype, greed, and hypocrisy of powerful sports agents like Arliss Michaels, and what really happens "behind the scenes" in professional sports. Wuhl has claimed the idea for ''Arli$$'' was based on the book ''[[Trump: The Art of the Deal|The Art of the Deal]]'' by [[Donald Trump]] and journalist [[Tony Schwartz (author)|Tony Schwartz]].


⚫
The idea behind ''Arliss'' was to show the hype, greed, and hypocrisy of powerful sports agents like Arliss Michaels, and what really happens "behind the scenes" in professional sports. In a 2018 interview with ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', Wuhl said the idea for ''Arliss'' was based on the book ''[[Trump: The Art of the Deal|The Art of the Deal]]'' by [[Donald Trump]] and journalist [[Tony Schwartz (author)|Tony Schwartz]]:
⚫
During an interview with the ''[[Hollywood Reporter]]'', Wuhl said "I had read ''The Art of the Deal'' and I thought, 'This is total, 100 percent bullshit. He's saying stuff that I don't believe a fuckin' word of it. He's telling you what happened, but I want to see what really happened.' We can use this, as Arliss the sports agent, telling you what happens and then prove he's full of shit and show what really happened..."<ref>{{Citation|title=Arli$$: Robert Wuhl and Mike Tollin on Why It's Time for a Revival |date=September 27, 2018|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/arli-robert-whul-mike-tollin-why-time-a-reboot-1147273/}}</ref>


⚫
<blockquote>I had read ''The Art of the Deal'' and I thought, "This is total, 100 percent bullshit. He's saying stuff that I don't believe a fuckin' word of it. He's telling you what happened, but I want to see what really happened." We can use this, as Arliss the sports agent, telling you what happens and then prove he's full of shit and show what really happened.<ref>{{Citation|title=Arli$$: Robert Wuhl and Mike Tollin on Why It's Time for a Revival |date=September 27, 2018|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/arli-robert-whul-mike-tollin-why-time-a-reboot-1147273/ |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref></blockquote>
⚫
''Arli$$'' is known for showcasing a dizzying array of professional sports, ranging from football to figure skating to even chess, with an insider’s satirical eye, and for its over 400 celebrity cameo appearances, including [[Al Michaels]], [[John Elway]], [[Derek Jeter]], [[Dan Marino]], [[Kobe Bryant]], [[Shaquille O'Neal]], [[Bob Costas]], [[Jimmy Johnson (American football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]], [[Picabo Street]], [[Katarina Witt]], [[Barry Bonds]], and many more.

⚫
Over 400 celebrities had cameo appearances on ''Arliss'', including [[Les Moonves]], [[George Wallace]], [[Bobcat Goldthwait]], [[Shannon Elizabeth]], [[Fred Williamson]], [[Al Michaels]], [[John Elway]], [[Derek Jeter]], [[Dan Marino]], [[Kobe Bryant]], [[Shaquille O'Neal]], [[Warren Moon]], [[Alonzo Mourning]], [[Bob Costas]], [[Jimmy Johnson (American football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]], [[Jerry Jones]], [[Picabo Street]], [[Katarina Witt]], and [[Barry Bonds]].{{Citation needed |date=October 2022}}


==Cast==
==Cast==
Line 56: Line 58:


==''Arliss'' on other programs==
==''Arliss'' on other programs==
In July 1999, Robert Wuhl appeared, in character as Arliss, on [[World Championship Wrestling|WCW]] ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Monday Nitro]]'' as a guest announcer, alongside Scott Hudson and [[Bobby Heenan]].<ref name="wrestlecrap">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlecrap.com/inductions/arli-on-nitro-maybe-if-he-had-played-alexander-knox/|title=Arli$$ on Nitro: Maybe If He Had Played Alexander Knox...|date=December 26, 2012|publisher=wrestlecrap.com|access-date=May 30, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> He said that his HBO series has featured WCW wrestlers as guest stars, but the [[Big Three Television Networks|Big Three networks]] were "scared" of doing the same. Arliss said he was scouting [[Dennis Rodman]], who was doing his third stint with the company. Wuhl's appearance was a cross-promotion for HBO, as both it and WCW were owned by [[Time Warner]]. In the ''Arliss'' episode "To Thy Own Self Be True", WCW creative head [[Eric Bischoff]] guest-starred along with wrestlers [[Lex Luger]], [[Randy Savage]], and [[Stephanie Bellars|Gorgeous George]].
In July 1999, Robert Wuhl appeared, in character as Arliss, on [[World Championship Wrestling|WCW]] ''[[WCW Monday Nitro|Monday Nitro]]'' as a guest announcer, alongside Scott Hudson and [[Bobby Heenan]].<ref name="wrestlecrap">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlecrap.com/inductions/arli-on-nitro-maybe-if-he-had-played-alexander-knox/|title=Arli$$ on Nitro: Maybe If He Had Played Alexander Knox...|date=December 26, 2012|publisher=wrestlecrap.com|access-date=May 30, 2015}}</ref> He said that his HBO series has featured WCW wrestlers as guest stars, but the [[Big Three Television Networks|Big Three networks]] were "scared" of doing the same. Arliss said he was scouting [[Dennis Rodman]], who was doing his third stint with the company. Wuhl's appearance was a cross-promotion for HBO, as both it and WCW were owned by [[Time Warner]]. In the ''Arliss'' episode "To Thy Own Self Be True", WCW creative head [[Eric Bischoff]] guest-starred along with wrestlers [[Lex Luger]], [[Randy Savage]], and [[Stephanie Bellars|Gorgeous George]].


In ''[[The Simpsons]]'' [[The Simpsons (season 13)|season 13]] episode "[[Half-Decent Proposal]]", [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] is watching ''[[Sex and the City|Nookie in New York]]'' with [[Patty and Selma]], when an announcer states, "Coming up next on BHO [<nowiki/>''[[sic]]''], it's ''Arliss''!"; Patty and Selma scream and quickly reach for the remote control.
In ''[[The Simpsons]]'' [[The Simpsons (season 13)|season 13]] episode "[[Half-Decent Proposal]]", [[Marge Simpson|Marge]] is watching ''[[Sex and the City|Nookie in New York]]'' with [[Patty and Selma]], when an announcer states, "Coming up next on BHO [<nowiki/>''[[sic]]''], it's ''Arliss''!"; Patty and Selma scream and quickly reach for the remote control.


During the October 12, 2002 episode of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', guest host [[Sarah Michelle Gellar]] delivered the following monologue in a fake [[television commercial]] sketch:
During the October 12, 2002, episode of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', guest host [[Sarah Michelle Gellar]] delivered the following monologue in a fake [[television commercial]] sketch:
{{cquote|You know the feeling. Someone's about to tell a joke, and you panic. What if you start laughing? Lots of us experience slight loss of bladder control. An embarrassing accident can happen any time. Sometimes, just when laughing. That's why I watch ''Arliss'' on HBO Comedy. It's nice to know that, every weekday at midnight, I can sit down with Robert Wuhl and the gang at Arliss Michaels Sports Management, and, a half-hour later, my drawers will be as dry as a bone. And now I know I'll be able to get 100% bladder control whenever I'm feeling insecure. Because all seven seasons of ''Arliss'' are now available on DVD. That's over forty hours of keep-your-pants-dry entertainment! So, don't let slight loss of bladder control cramp your style. Watch ''Arliss'', and take back your life. Ask your doctor if ''Arliss'' is right for you. Side effects may include nausea, depression, and slight sexual dysfunction.<ref>{{Cite episode|transcript-url=http://snltranscripts.jt.org/02/02barliss.phtml|series=Saturday Night Live|season=28|number=2|transcript=Saturday Night Live Transcripts|network=NBC|airdate=12 October 2002 <!--access-date=27 April 2011-->}}</ref>
{{cquote|You know the feeling. Someone's about to tell a joke, and you panic. What if you start laughing? Lots of us experience slight loss of bladder control. An embarrassing accident can happen any time. Sometimes, just when laughing. That's why I watch ''Arliss'' on HBO Comedy. It's nice to know that, every weekday at midnight, I can sit down with Robert Wuhl and the gang at Arliss Michaels Sports Management, and, a half-hour later, my drawers will be as dry as a bone. And now I know I'll be able to get 100% bladder control whenever I'm feeling insecure. Because all seven seasons of ''Arliss'' are now available on DVD. That's over forty hours of keep-your-pants-dry entertainment! So, don't let slight loss of bladder control cramp your style. Watch ''Arliss'', and take back your life. Ask your doctor if ''Arliss'' is right for you. Side effects may include nausea, depression, and slight sexual dysfunction.<ref>{{Cite episode|transcript-url=http://snltranscripts.jt.org/02/02barliss.phtml|series=Saturday Night Live|season=28|number=2|transcript=Saturday Night Live Transcripts|network=NBC|airdate=12 October 2002 <!--access-date=27 April 2011-->}}</ref>
}}
}}
Line 66: Line 68:
In the ''[[30 Rock]]'' [[30 Rock (season 7)|seventh season]] premiere, "[[The Beginning of the End (30 Rock)|The Beginning of the End]]", [[Kenneth Parcell|Kenneth]] says, in response to [[Tracy Jordan]]'s marriage having lasted for over 20 years, "That's half as long as it felt ''Arliss'' was on TV!"
In the ''[[30 Rock]]'' [[30 Rock (season 7)|seventh season]] premiere, "[[The Beginning of the End (30 Rock)|The Beginning of the End]]", [[Kenneth Parcell|Kenneth]] says, in response to [[Tracy Jordan]]'s marriage having lasted for over 20 years, "That's half as long as it felt ''Arliss'' was on TV!"


Former [[Upright Citizens Brigade|UCB New York]] stage show ''[[The George Lucas Talk Show]]'' organized a 7-week-long charity marathon of ''Arliss'' episodes during the [[COVID-19 pandemic|Covid pandemic]] in 2020. The hosts watched all seven seasons of the show and interviewed many of the show's writers, producers, and cast, including Wuhl.<ref>{{Citation|title=The George Lucas Talk Show - May the AR Be LI$$ You Marathon|date=May 17, 2020|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12355376/|type=Talk-Show|others=Patrick Cotnoir, Griffin Newman, Connor Ratliff, Robert Wuhl|access-date=January 26, 2021}}{{better source needed|date = April 2021}}</ref> The livestreams raised over $20,000 for the [[Food Bank For New York City|New York City FoodBank]].
Former [[Upright Citizens Brigade|UCB New York]] stage show ''[[The George Lucas Talk Show]]'' organized a 7-week-long charity marathon of ''Arliss'' episodes during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] in 2020. The hosts watched all seven seasons of the show and interviewed many of the show's writers, producers, and cast, including Wuhl.<ref>{{Citation|title=The George Lucas Talk Show - May the AR Be LI$$ You Marathon|date=May 17, 2020|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12355376/|type=Talk-Show|others=Patrick Cotnoir, Griffin Newman, Connor Ratliff, Robert Wuhl|access-date=January 26, 2021}}{{better source needed|date = April 2021}}</ref> The livestreams raised over $20,000 for the [[Food Bank For New York City|New York City FoodBank]].

In "Strike One," an episode from the third season of [[The King of Queens]], Carrie berates Doug for canceling their HBO subscription in an attempt to save money. Doug claims it was not an easy decision because he "lost ''Arliss''."


==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
''Arli$$'' has a 72/100 rating on [[Metacritic]],{{Cn|date=April 2022}} and 62% on [[Rotten Tomatoes]].{{Cn|date=April 2022}} The popular show, which ran for seven seasons, has been cited as a "blueprint" for future HBO shows such as ''[[Ballers]]'' and ''[[Entourage (American TV series)|Entourage]]'', and as an example of how premium cable networks manage their programming. ''Arliss'' was cited by a number of HBO subscribers as the sole reason that they paid for the network, and as a result, its fan base was able to keep the show on the air for a lengthy run.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://time-blog.com/tuned_in/2007/10/tv_101_theyre_not_tv_numbers_t_1.html |title=TV 101: They're Not TV Numbers. They're HBO Numbers. - Tuned In - TV Blog - Television Reviews - James Poniewozik - TIME |access-date=February 25, 2008 |work=[[TIME]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014005201/http://time-blog.com/tuned_in/2007/10/tv_101_theyre_not_tv_numbers_t_1.html |archive-date=October 14, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> The show frequently used obscure sports references, and ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' repeatedly referred to it as one of the worst shows on television;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0,6115,398606_3%7C32440%7C%7C0_0_,00.html |title=EW's Ken Tucker names 2002's 5 worst TV shows – Arli$ – Television Commentary – TV – Entertainment Weekly |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061012082221/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0%2C6115%2C398606_3%7C32440%7C%7C0_0_%2C00.html |archive-date=October 12, 2006 }}</ref> sportswriter [[Bill Simmons]] (who would eventually work for HBO itself under his digital banner ''[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]]'') used ''Arliss'' as an example of what he saw as a lack of quality fictional shows about sports.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://proxy.espn.com/espn/page2/story?id=1245830 |title=ESPN.com: Page 2: Dear Sports Guy... |access-date=October 12, 2016 |work=[[ESPN]] |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115023156/http://proxy.espn.com/espn/page2/story?id=1245830 |url-status=live }}</ref>
''Arliss'' has a 72/100 rating on [[Metacritic]],{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}} and 62% on [[Rotten Tomatoes]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}} The popular show, which ran for seven seasons, has been cited as a "blueprint" for future HBO shows such as ''[[Ballers]]'' and ''[[Entourage (American TV series)|Entourage]]'', and as an example of how premium cable networks manage their programming. ''Arliss'' was cited by a number of HBO subscribers as the sole reason that they paid for the network, and as a result, its fan base was able to keep the show on the air for a lengthy run.<ref>{{cite magazine |author-link=James Poniewozik |last=Poniewozik |first=James |url=http://time-blog.com/tuned_in/2007/10/tv_101_theyre_not_tv_numbers_t_1.html |title=TV 101: They're Not TV Numbers. They're HBO Numbers |department=Tuned In |access-date=February 25, 2008 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014005201/http://time-blog.com/tuned_in/2007/10/tv_101_theyre_not_tv_numbers_t_1.html |archive-date=October 14, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> The show frequently used obscure sports references, and ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' repeatedly referred to it as one of the worst shows on television;<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0,6115,398606_3%7C32440%7C%7C0_0_,00.html |title=EW's Ken Tucker names 2002's 5 worst TV shows – Arli$$ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061012082221/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0%2C6115%2C398606_3%7C32440%7C%7C0_0_%2C00.html |archive-date=October 12, 2006 }}</ref> sportswriter [[Bill Simmons]] (who would eventually work for HBO itself under his digital banner ''[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]]'') used ''Arliss'' as an example of what he saw as a lack of quality fictional shows about sports.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://proxy.espn.com/espn/page2/story?id=1245830 |title=ESPN.com: Page 2: Dear Sports Guy... |access-date=October 12, 2016 |work=[[ESPN]] |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115023156/http://proxy.espn.com/espn/page2/story?id=1245830 |url-status=live }}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:1996 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1996 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:2002 American television series endings]]
[[Category:2002 American television series endings]]
[[Category:1990s American sitcoms]]
[[Category:1990s American single-camera sitcoms]]
[[Category:2000s American sitcoms]]
[[Category:2000s American single-camera sitcoms]]
[[Category:American sports television series]]
[[Category:American sports comedy television series]]
[[Category:English-language television shows]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:HBO original programming]]
[[Category:HBO original programming]]
[[Category:Fictional talent agents]]
[[Category:Fictional talent agents]]

Latest revision as of 16:59, 10 May 2024

For the given name, see Arliss (given name). For the surname, see Arliss (surname).

Arliss
Series DVD cover
Genre
Created byRobert Wuhl
Starring
Opening theme
ComposerEd Smart
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons7
No. of episodes80 (list of episodes)
Production
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time30 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkHBO
ReleaseAugust 10, 1996 (1996-08-10) –
September 8, 2002 (2002-09-08)

Arliss (rendered in its logo as Arli$$) is an American dark comedy series, created by and starring Robert Wuhl (who was also the series' showrunner), about the glitzy, big-money world of professional sports, with Wuhl playing the eternally optimistic and endlessly resourceful L.A. sports agent Arliss Michaels, whose Achilles' heel is his inability to say "no" to clients and employees. Arliss ran for seven seasons and 80 episodes on HBO, from August 10, 1996, to September 8, 2002. After almost two decades of being off-air, the entire catalog of Arliss episodes returned to HBO Max in a streaming format as of September 2022.

The New York Times called the show "One of the freshest shows to come along in a while."[1] It was well-known for taking on very controversial (at the time) topics, including point shaving, political corruption, personal seat license fees, relocation of professional sports teams, sports in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, right to work states, domestic abuse, steroid use, Alzheimer's disease, gay and transgender athletes, alcoholism, and unwanted athlete pregnancies.

The idea behind Arliss was to show the hype, greed, and hypocrisy of powerful sports agents like Arliss Michaels, and what really happens "behind the scenes" in professional sports. In a 2018 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Wuhl said the idea for Arliss was based on the book The Art of the Deal by Donald Trump and journalist Tony Schwartz:

I had read The Art of the Deal and I thought, "This is total, 100 percent bullshit. He's saying stuff that I don't believe a fuckin' word of it. He's telling you what happened, but I want to see what really happened." We can use this, as Arliss the sports agent, telling you what happens and then prove he's full of shit and show what really happened.[2]

Over 400 celebrities had cameo appearances on Arliss, including Les Moonves, George Wallace, Bobcat Goldthwait, Shannon Elizabeth, Fred Williamson, Al Michaels, John Elway, Derek Jeter, Dan Marino, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Warren Moon, Alonzo Mourning, Bob Costas, Jimmy Johnson, Jerry Jones, Picabo Street, Katarina Witt, and Barry Bonds.[citation needed]

Cast[edit]

  • Robert Wuhl as Arliss Michaels, the president of a sports agency, who tries to cater to his clients' every need as best he can
  • Sandra Oh as Rita Wu, Arliss's personal assistant
  • Jim Turner as Kirby Carlisle, a middle-aged ex-football star
  • Michael Boatman as Stanley Babson, a conservative financial advisor

Series overview[edit]

Main article: List of Arliss episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
111August 10, 1996 (1996-08-10)October 16, 1996 (1996-10-16)
210June 17, 1997 (1997-06-17)August 19, 1997 (1997-08-19)
313June 7, 1998 (1998-06-07)August 30, 1998 (1998-08-30)
412June 6, 1999 (1999-06-06)August 22, 1999 (1999-08-22)
513June 4, 2000 (2000-06-04)September 3, 2000 (2000-09-03)
610June 10, 2001 (2001-06-10)August 12, 2001 (2001-08-12)
711June 16, 2002 (2002-06-16)September 8, 2002 (2002-09-08)

Arliss on other programs[edit]

In July 1999, Robert Wuhl appeared, in character as Arliss, on WCW Monday Nitro as a guest announcer, alongside Scott Hudson and Bobby Heenan.[3] He said that his HBO series has featured WCW wrestlers as guest stars, but the Big Three networks were "scared" of doing the same. Arliss said he was scouting Dennis Rodman, who was doing his third stint with the company. Wuhl's appearance was a cross-promotion for HBO, as both it and WCW were owned by Time Warner. In the Arliss episode "To Thy Own Self Be True", WCW creative head Eric Bischoff guest-starred along with wrestlers Lex Luger, Randy Savage, and Gorgeous George.

In The Simpsons season 13 episode "Half-Decent Proposal", Marge is watching Nookie in New York with Patty and Selma, when an announcer states, "Coming up next on BHO [sic], it's Arliss!"; Patty and Selma scream and quickly reach for the remote control.

During the October 12, 2002, episode of Saturday Night Live, guest host Sarah Michelle Gellar delivered the following monologue in a fake television commercial sketch:

You know the feeling. Someone's about to tell a joke, and you panic. What if you start laughing? Lots of us experience slight loss of bladder control. An embarrassing accident can happen any time. Sometimes, just when laughing. That's why I watch Arliss on HBO Comedy. It's nice to know that, every weekday at midnight, I can sit down with Robert Wuhl and the gang at Arliss Michaels Sports Management, and, a half-hour later, my drawers will be as dry as a bone. And now I know I'll be able to get 100% bladder control whenever I'm feeling insecure. Because all seven seasons of Arliss are now available on DVD. That's over forty hours of keep-your-pants-dry entertainment! So, don't let slight loss of bladder control cramp your style. Watch Arliss, and take back your life. Ask your doctor if Arliss is right for you. Side effects may include nausea, depression, and slight sexual dysfunction.[4]

In the 30 Rock seventh season premiere, "The Beginning of the End", Kenneth says, in response to Tracy Jordan's marriage having lasted for over 20 years, "That's half as long as it felt Arliss was on TV!"

Former UCB New York stage show The George Lucas Talk Show organized a 7-week-long charity marathon of Arliss episodes during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The hosts watched all seven seasons of the show and interviewed many of the show's writers, producers, and cast, including Wuhl.[5] The livestreams raised over $20,000 for the New York City FoodBank.

In "Strike One," an episode from the third season of The King of Queens, Carrie berates Doug for canceling their HBO subscription in an attempt to save money. Doug claims it was not an easy decision because he "lost Arliss."

Critical reception[edit]

Arliss has a 72/100 rating on Metacritic,[citation needed] and 62% on Rotten Tomatoes.[citation needed] The popular show, which ran for seven seasons, has been cited as a "blueprint" for future HBO shows such as Ballers and Entourage, and as an example of how premium cable networks manage their programming. Arliss was cited by a number of HBO subscribers as the sole reason that they paid for the network, and as a result, its fan base was able to keep the show on the air for a lengthy run.[6] The show frequently used obscure sports references, and Entertainment Weekly repeatedly referred to it as one of the worst shows on television;[7] sportswriter Bill Simmons (who would eventually work for HBO itself under his digital banner The Ringer) used Arliss as an example of what he saw as a lack of quality fictional shows about sports.[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Of Athletes and Agents... Oh, and Money, Too", The New York Times, August 10, 1996
  2. ^ "Arli$$: Robert Wuhl and Mike Tollin on Why It's Time for a Revival", The Hollywood Reporter, September 27, 2018
  3. ^ "Arli$$ on Nitro: Maybe If He Had Played Alexander Knox..." wrestlecrap.com. December 26, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
  4. ^ Saturday Night Live. Season 28. Episode 2. October 12, 2002. NBC. Saturday Night Live Transcripts.
  5. ^ The George Lucas Talk Show - May the AR Be LI$$ You Marathon (Talk-Show), Patrick Cotnoir, Griffin Newman, Connor Ratliff, Robert Wuhl, May 17, 2020, retrieved January 26, 2021{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)[better source needed]
  6. ^ Poniewozik, James. "TV 101: They're Not TV Numbers. They're HBO Numbers". Tuned In. Time. Archived from the original on October 14, 2007. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
  7. ^ "EW's Ken Tucker names 2002's 5 worst TV shows – Arli$$". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 12, 2006.
  8. ^ "ESPN.com: Page 2: Dear Sports Guy..." ESPN. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2016.

External links[edit]

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