All American

[AntiArbitrator]

When a rising high school football player from South L.A. is recruited to play for Beverly Hills High, the wins, losses and struggles of two families from vastly different worlds—Crenshaw and Beverly Hills—begin to collide. Inspired by the life of pro football player Spencer Paysinger.

Opening theme‎: ‎"Down In Flames" by ‎Semisonic

[KyleEl]

Looks good.

[AntiArbitrator]

Pilot

SEASON 1, EPISODE 1 • PREMIERE
9:00 PM ON WNUVDT 54 • TV-PG • STEREO • CC

When Spencer James is recruited by Beverly High School's football coach, he feels conflicted on whether or not to move from South Crenshaw High.

[KyleEl]

Maybe tonight.

[KyleEl]

It's good enough that I will continue watching. I can't really say I like it. The so-called music is atrocious, but at least at Beverly Hills they listen to more than rap. But what they do listen to isn't necessarily any better.

I like some of the characters enough, I suppose.

We know Spencer will eventually go through with it or there would be no series. But he doesn't seem to like being used. He is benefiting by going to a school that is safer and where he can get a better education. But the other kids don't like him.

I find it curious that if the coach thinks he can win games for them, he doesn't play him at the position he is used to. How can he benefit them by playing a position he doesn't know?

And the coach already knew Spencer's mom from somewhere. Could he be … no!

[AntiArbitrator]

I watched part of the pilot, but had too much to do to finish it.

[AntiArbitrator]

99 Problems

SEASON 1, EPISODE 2 • NEW
10/17/18, 9:00 PM ON WNUVDT 54 • TV-PG • STEREO • CC

While trying to be all things -- on and off the field -- Spencer discovers the rules he played by at Crenshaw no longer apply in Beverly Hills; Coop is forced to learn new ground rules with Spencer's protective Halo Effect now gone.

[KyleEl]

No time yet.

[KyleEl]

Spencer shouldn't have tried to do everything. You try to do too many things and you don't do any of them well. At least now he knows the truth about why he is in this situation. And some of those who opposed his being there are being more tolerant.

At least one of the boosters doesn't like him.

It appears his best friend was a girl but is now a young man. It hasn't been stated, but this kid is more obviously transgender than the character on "Supergirl". It would surprise me if he wasn't. He seems to be handling himself well but I worry about him without Spencer there.

Spencer's brother appears likely to be in trouble too.

So we know the coach WAS around.

The real football player this show was based on was a Panther.

[KyleEl]

Coop isn't transgender. Just gay. His parents didn't know. They didn't show his father but it looks like his mother directs a youth singing group at their church. Quite conservative, which makes me happy. So many churches have this new music. Then Coop has to hang out with Patience, who is a lesbian. She leaves and his mother doesn't think much of her. Because she's gay. But I'm gay, he says. She says we raised you right. If you continue to behave this way, you can't live here. So now he's with Spencer's family.

I was surprised Spencer's old team accepted him back like they did. But then they did what he expected. I was really surprised his new team came and backed him. But how did they get permission to sue the field? Oh, they didn't!

And the coach's son comes to Spencer's old neighborhood for the barbecue. They were more accepting of him than I expected. Turns out it's his father's old neighborhood.

Then he gets arrested for driving while black. When the cops treated him the way they did, I just knew his having a mom who was a big shot lawyer was going to make them regret that. But of course he couldn't convince them of that at the time. I guess we won't get to see what happens, but we know.

I'm surprised the coach's son has a hairstyle that looks like he went to a barber in the 'hood, when he didn't do that until the end of the episode.

[KyleEl]

And the coach's son suspects what I do. That made what happened in the hot tub a potential problem.

Coop has a job! A real job. I don't know about California but in North Carolina I think you have to go through an education and licensing process before cutting hair. Doesn't matter anyway because Shawn gave the impression of being nice. Like Rumpelstiltskin, he won't do anything for people without someone paying a price.

Spencer did a nice thing for the guy pretending he lived in that house. He can't seem to win because his mom doesn't want him accepting help and yet he has to either pay his way or let the other guys pay for him if he wants to hang out with them.

[KyleEl]

I forgot to post after I saw another episode.

And what we suspect about the coach really is true.

That's nice that his kids met their grandfather and were so nice to him. Didn't work out when the man showed up where he wasn't welcome. I can understand the attitude that the man didn't approve of his son marrying a white women because in the view of some, that means maybe black women aren't goo enough somehow.

The guy who isn't rich is still with the girl, so that's nice.

Not much about football in this episode.

[KyleEl]

This show got a Jeer from TV Guide. Actually, its viewers did. There are too few of them.

[KyleEl]

I couldn't understand why a gay male was acting like a lesbian girl was his girlfriend. I had not heard anyone call Coop "she" before. I thought she was a she to begin with but she seemed like a he. That's going to take some getting used to.

So Sean isn't so bad. He's just trying to care for his son. But he's doing it the wrong way, probably because that's all he knows. And now he could be accused of murder. I was surprised he wasn't already in trouble. Now I understand about his money, and about how the barber shop was supposed to be safe. Now it isn't.

Coop did a great job at the event.

I liked hearing about the actress who plays Leila. That wasn't exactly a commercial, but it wasn't part of the program either. It turns out her mother is Russian. I figured she must be mixed race.

Leila is suspicious of the woman her father is dating. She claims to be from the Hood, but she was there only briefly as a child. Yet she uses that to further her rap career.

I liked how the coach dealt with those players who were fighting. They almost cost the team the game. No, they had no reason to celebrate.

Spencer's sister still doesn't know she's his sister.

[KyleEl]

www.broadcastingcable.com/news/ex-gridiron-star-now-an-all-american-writer

Oops. It's free at libraries in North Carolina, but I don't know how else to get to it.

[avp60685]

Here is the printed version of the article from Kyle:

Jon Alston spent five seasons in the NFL before coming on board at new The CW drama

EVERY SHOW AIMS to be as authentic as possible in this age of increasingly discerning viewers, and All American, a drama on The CW about a high-school

football star, is doing so with a former NFL player in its writers' room. The series premieres Oct. 10, and helping call the shots for main character Spencer James is linebacker/writer Jon Alston. After five seasons in the NFL, Alston is now a staff writer for All American.

"Football, I could do," Alston said of his two careers. "I believe I was born to do this."

The show centers on James, played by Daniel Ezra, a high school football standout and an A student at South Crenshaw High in Los Angeles. He is recruited to join the team at Beverly Hills High, a far cry from his downtrodden home in South Central.

James is based on the life of Spencer Paysinger, who played for the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets and Carolina Panthers between 2011 and 2017.

Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios produce the show, in association with Berlanti Productions. Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter executive produce, along with Nkechi Carroll. April Blair was showrunner until she departed last week, citing personal reasons, with Carroll stepping into that role.

Real-Life Contrasts

Paysinger discussed the two worlds he grew up in at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour. Of Beverly Hills, he said, "Dealing with kids with affluence, kids with drug problems and having their parents not be there for weeks on end because they're vacationing or they're doing big business - just dealing with that contrast was probably the biggest thing that I had to go through."

While Paysinger grew up in South Central and shifted to Beverly Hills High, Alston was raised in Louisiana. His mother was imprisoned when he was 10. He attended elite Loyola College Prep in Shreveport, La., and was motivated by every racial and classrelated slur he incurred at the school.

Alston earned a full scholarship to Stanford University, where he obtained his bachelors in film and media studies and captained the football team.

The NFL followed. Alston was a third-round draft pick in 2006. He played for the St. Louis Rams, Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and retired in 2011. His football highlights include running out onto the field in front of Oakland's notorious "Black Hole" section of hard-core fans, and a fake punt that saw the ball snapped to him, which Alston converted into a 17-yard run and a first down. "I always thought I could've been a running back," he said.

A series of concussions motivated Alston to depart the NFL. "I had to go," he said. "Sometimes you know when it's time."

Football to Film

Alston quickly set out to make his name in film and television. He attended film school at USC, and worked on feature projects with Tracy Oliver Productions. He was a development assistant on First Wives Club and directed the film Red Butterfly. He likened studying dailies to watching game film in his prior life. "We analyze it, break it down," Alston said. "Like I did in football."

When Alston heard about the Paysinger football project, he sent a letter to then-showrunner Blair, making a convincing case that his life story mirrored Paysinger's. He wrote of his high-school experience at Loyola College Prep: "I was an outsider. I was black and on scholarship because my family was poor. Worse, I was the new kid and my peers never hesitated to let me know that I didn't belong. In order to survive, I knew that I had to be the best. I needed to find a way to stand out and make people respect me. And that's when I discovered football."

Alston told Blair the pilot script suggested All American was "uniquely suited" for him. "I know this world, I understand this world, I love this world," he wrote.

He got the job.

Showrunner Carroll calls Alston "an incredible advantage" for All American.

"Not only is he gifted with storytelling, but he also helps us shape the football so that it's telling the best version of the story," she said.

Alston said the camaraderie of the writers' room is similar to what he knew back in football. "The director calls the plays, and we go out and execute," Alston said. "I freakin' love it."

[KyleEl]

Thank you, AVP. It may not be ProBoards. The CW site wouldn't allow copyrighted content and another site I go to now has someone in charge who removes most of the content when someone does what you did.

And I haven't seen this week's yet. I stayed on the computer too long.

[KyleEl]

Coop can always be counted on to solve problems. Or at least try. I liked how the one guy didn't know whether she was actually a he, because I've had the same problem, and it was finally made clear last week. Sean is really working to improve himself. he's not happy but he's trying. The others are the real problem.

So many problems because people cheated. I don't even remember who was with who.

I did like seeing that one couple on the beach.

Looks like the team is really working together to win the Homecoming game. Unfortunately, one of them just had to mess up.

I couldn't believe Spencer's accent in real life!

[KyleEl]

I saw a listing for a rerun that called Coop a "she", so maybe I just missed it.

I was really hoping Sean would find a way out. I hope at least Coop gets out of her situation.

I don't know why I didn't recognize Jordan in the beach scene, but knowing the girl was from Malibu, I figured something would happen at the game as a result. Apparently she was not to blame, and Spencer and his former teammate came through for them.

What the coach did for Jordan was probably not right.

[KyleEl]

TV Guide gave a Jeer to this show, "Speechless" and "God Friended Me", or rather, all the people not watching. I had expected "God Friended Me" to be a success.

[KyleEl]

Spencer cares about his community, and that may be enough to satisfy the journalist who wasn't pleased with what he did. I just hope Coop can stay out of trouble.

With all the bad stuff we were hearing about Sean, all of a sudden he seems like a nice guy who just hung around with bad people.

The coach is lying to his kids. But that's all he can do or Jordan's in trouble. And at this point so is he.

[KyleEl]

We know now that Coop is just pretending. She's going to get in big trouble if they ever find out. But it's the only way she can help the community.

It was wonderful that they were able to take the park back. Even the coach's wife showed up!

But those gangs are not interested in peace. One group says they're protecting the neighborhood and Spencer's plan will hurt them too.

All those guns! Something could have happened.

Jordan's grandfather is teaching him about football! Now he won't do it if Jordan is just going to be a spoiled kid but tough love is what Jordan wants. On the other hand, the grandfather might be cheating Jordan out of his money.

[KyleEl]

Coop wasn't even on this week. Which was a relief. I'd rather not know what's going on in the 'hood.

Spencer had a real problem. If he took the money that would affect his eligibility. The coaches don't care and whistleblowers get fired. Spencer's coach made them an offer they couldn't refuse. I'm still confused about why pretending to be hurt helped his situation. But he played and he looked good.

Jordan wants to be pushed by his grandfather and that's good. he didn't do such a good job, but Spencer did. That has to change.

The kids from Crenshaw got an opportunity but 'm confused as to who got to do what. One of the guys didn't make the 7-on-7 game? But I think another one did.

I'm so glad that one guy is back on the team. He lost his chance by being honest but his coach respected that.

[KyleEl]

Coop was on and I'm getting worried about her. I was happy her father accepts how she is but her mother won't do it. She tried.

Jordan knows the truth. I wish the coach hadn't told his wife but maybe they won't get in trouble.

Spencer is jealous of the other guy but I'm sure nothing will happen.

I can't say I enjoyed the flashbacks but let's say I appreciated them. Now we know why certain things happened.

Spencer sure was mean compared to how he is now.

[KyleEl]

Spencer's father showing up nearly cost the team the game.

I'm not clear on what's going on with Coop. The guy driving her around seems nicer than I would have thought. But something's not right.

[KyleEl]

Spencer nearly got himself killed! Ash's behavior is what led to what happened at Leila's house, NOT the people from the Hood.

A game was played but never shown.

What Coop is doing is admirable but it could get her killed.

It's great that the birthday party could happen as planned in the park. It's a shame the two gangs still don't get along but at least there was no trouble. Except for Spencer's father showing up when he wasn't entitled. Yes, he's trying to explain things, but Spencer doesn't care.

Meanwhile, Spencer's mom likes her professor. It is good that unlike others in her class, she is committed.

[KyleEl]

Coop tried. She had the best of intentions. I thought maybe Tyrone would leave everyone alone.

Well, now the truth is out and the coach's family is mad at him. At least his wife is willing to continue the campaign and everyone is faking being happy for the photographer.

Spencer's dad is making a real effort and his brother doesn't seem to mind, regardless of what Spencer says.

Leila is scared to stay at home alone and I guess that's understandable.

And the party in The Hood was a mess.

[KyleEl]

That was close. Coop can't leave the show. And things worked out.

I am confused because how could the coach just leave the game like that?

Spencer had hard decisions to make but he made the right one. And he did show concern for his former teammate after that hit. I hope he'll be all right.

Things aren't looking much better for the coach's family.

Spencer's dad and Spencer's brother seem to be getting along. But now we know the secret.

Will there be another season?

[InsertBrainHere]

Mar 22, 2019 17:07:06 GMT -5 KyleEl said:

Will there be another season?

Yes there will. Have they not SEEN the ratings? I have.

tvaholics.blogspot.com/2019/04/live3-broadcast-ratings-april-15-21-2019.html

[KyleEl]

Tonight. I'll try to watch.