Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Inspirational sports drama has whole-family appeal.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Big Shot
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 6 parent reviews
Based on 14 kid reviews
Kids say the show is generally enjoyable but tends to be a bit corny with mature themes, including mild swearing and some sensitive issues, which may not be suitable for younger audiences. Many feel it's targeted at older tweens and teens, highlighting good role models and inspiring messages despite some concerns regarding language and content.
- suitable for older teens
- mild swearing
- good role models
- mature themes
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Decades of single-minded focus on coaching basketball brought BIG SHOT's Marvyn Korn (John Stamos) success -- and failure, as his marriage fell apart and the strains of his career led to an incident in which he injured a ref. Now he's been busted down to the minor leagues, the really minor leagues: high school basketball, with a new job coaching at an elite private school and a new set of pressures. These include Principal Thomas (Yvette Nicole Brown), who's not so sure he's right for the job, wealthy donor Lucas Gruzinsky (Dale Whibley), whose cash brought Marvyn to the all-girls school. Gruzinsky hopes Marvyn's the man who will usher his talented daughter Louise (Nell Verlaque) to a college basketball career; Marvyn's not even sure if he has it in him. But maybe he can help his new team win a few games while he's figuring it out. The series is co-created by David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies, Ally McBeal) and Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond).
Is It Any Good?
Lovely writing and powerful acting transforms a high-concept series that could be a walloping load of tropey sports cheese into a heartwarming triumph. Not that there aren't sports tropes: get ready for training montages, sudden reversals, game that hinge on one...last...shot as the camera lingers on a basketball circling the net in slo-mo. Well, okay, what would a sports show be without the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat? Big Shot ultimately scores because you care about who wins and loses. John Stamos is alluring and sympathetic as Marvyn, a guy who's down on his luck but hasn't lost his gift. Crusty cinematic coaches are a dime a dozen, but Stamos actually gives his pre- and post-game pep talks meaning; in one spine-tingling example in Big Shot's pilot, he gives his players a hard truth: "Life is cruel, and difficult, and you don't have a fighting chance. Unless you fight."
It's a bit of wisdom that will ring true with viewers, and Big Shot is shot through with insights like that; David E. Kelley isn't a revered TV showrunner because he's bad at drama that connects. In another powerful moment, Marvyn's assistant coach Holly (Jessalyn Gilsig) points out that behind the "arrogant, cocky" facade of star player Louise she's actually pretty fragile: "as the arrogant and cocky tend to be." Will Marvyn and Louise learn how to turn their power battle into fireworks on the court? Will Marvyn's trial by fire forge a better, kinder man? This is inspirational sports TV, we all know where this is headed, but Big Shot will give you a good time while getting there, we count that as a win.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what success means, in real life and on Big Shot. Is Marvyn a successful person? Why or why not? Is he successful in some ways and not in others? What drives his success? How do parents and other adult role models help kids learn what success means? What defines success in your community?
Shows about sports teams are usually dramas. Why? What is it about sports that lends itself to drama? Where's the dramatic potential? Why aren't shows about sports teams comedies? Musicals? Horror?
How do the characters on Big Shot demonstrate perseverance and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date : April 16, 2021
- Cast : John Stamos , Yvette Nicole Brown , Jessalyn Gilsig
- Network : Disney+
- Genre : Drama
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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