Running Point is Ted Lasso with a female twist

Let’s be honest: we expected a little more from Running Point. And yet, at the same time, it’s exactly what you’d imagine from a show like this. Another polished Netflix production, starring Kate Hudson and her envy-worthy outfits, the story follows a daughter who has been sidelined for years in her family’s sports business, only to end up running it. Encouraged by her older brother Cam (Justin Theroux), who is in rehab for drug addiction, she won’t be caught off guard. A lifelong basketball fan and enthusiast, perhaps even more so than her brothers, she finally has the chance to prove her worth and turn around the disappointing season her team, the Los Angeles Waves, has been struggling with.

Running Point vs. Ted Lasso: A Comparison

It’s impossible not to notice the Ted Lasso effect in Running Point. The Apple TV+ series is still fresh in viewers’ minds, and Isla’s arrival at the helm of the team’s management mirrors the journey of Jason Sudeikis’ character in many ways. Of course, the personalities, challenges, roles, and even the sports involved are different. Ted Lasso was an American football coach sent to England to manage a soccer team. Isla grew up around the family-run basketball business but was never taken seriously—simply because she was a woman. While both characters must overcome prejudice and hostility, there’s a key difference: Ted Lasso is an outsider with no experience in soccer or British culture, making him an easy target for criticism—though he ultimately proves himself. Meanwhile, in Running Point, Isla’s only “flaw” is being a woman. She is knowledgeable, sharp, and well-versed in the basketball industry, yet she’s only considered a viable option after a scandal leaves no other choice.

Kate Hudson Is a Highlight

The issue with Running Point is that this Netflix comedy lacks the spark or originality that could have set it apart from countless similar shows. Even in terms of female empowerment, the writing sticks to familiar tropes and fails to bring anything truly new to the table. That said, Kate Hudson’s performance is refreshing—have we mentioned her fantastic outfits? Her determination, along with the dynamic between her and her brothers (played by Justin Theroux, Scott MacArthur, Drew Tarver, and Fabrizio Guido), adds charm to the show. However, given that the creators include Elaine Ko, Ike Barinholtz, and especially Mindy Kaling, expectations were higher—after all, Kaling co-created the Netflix gem Never Have I Ever, which wrapped up in 2024. Running Point is still an enjoyable, lighthearted watch, the kind of show where you already know the outcome but hit play anyway, letting it run in the background.