Series synopsis
Arli$$ is an American comedy television series that premiered on HBO on August 10, 1996. It ended on September 8, 2002. It stars Robert Wuhl, Sandra Oh, Jim Turner and Michael Boatman.
A behind-the-scenes look at the glitzy, big-money world of professional sports following 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.
Premise
A behind-the-scenes look at the glitzy, big-money world of professional sports following 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.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Robert Wuhl as Arliss Michaels
- Sandra Oh as Rita Wu
- Jim Turner as Kirby Carlisle
- Michael Boatman as Stanley Babson
- Katarina Witt as Katarina Witt
- Ken Griffey Jr. as Ken Griffey Jr.
- Roger Clemens as Roger Clemens
- Derek Fisher as Derek Fisher
Supporting cast
- Suzanne Krull as Nurse
- Lisa Leslie as Lisa Leslie
- Charles Woodson as Charles Woodson
- Eric Bischoff as Eric Bischoff
- John Starks as John Starks
- Alex Karras as Alex Karras
- Ken Norton Jr. as Ken Norton Jr.
- Joe Pantoliano as Vic Freed
- Jim Nantz as Jim Nantz
- Bobby Bonilla as Bobby Bonilla
- Floyd Mayweather Jr. as Floyd Mayweather Jr.
- Amanda Bynes as Crystal Dupree
Guest cast
- Katarina Witt as Katarina Witt
- Ken Griffey Jr. as Ken Griffey Jr.
- Roger Clemens as Roger Clemens
- Derek Fisher as Derek Fisher
- Suzanne Krull as Nurse
- Lisa Leslie as Lisa Leslie
- Charles Woodson as Charles Woodson
- Eric Bischoff as Eric Bischoff
- John Starks as John Starks
- Alex Karras as Alex Karras
- Ken Norton Jr. as Ken Norton Jr.
- Joe Pantoliano as Vic Freed
Episodes
This series spans 7 seasons with 80 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 11 | August 10, 1996 | October 16, 1996 |
| Season 2 | 10 | June 17, 1997 | August 19, 1997 |
| Season 3 | 13 | June 7, 1998 | August 30, 1998 |
| Season 4 | 12 | June 6, 1999 | August 22, 1999 |
| Season 5 | 13 | June 4, 2000 | September 3, 2000 |
| Season 6 | 10 | June 10, 2001 | August 12, 2001 |
| Season 7 | 11 | June 16, 2002 | September 8, 2002 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Man of Our Times While being nominated for the civic honor "Man of Our Times," Arliss must juggle one client's plans for a same-sex marriage on the opening night of a huge ice-skating tour, Kirby's gambling habit, and another client's financial ruin and impending unemployment. |
August 10, 1996 |
| 2 |
Negotiating: It's Never Personal While high-school hoops sensation Shaler Halimon announces he'll skip college and jump straight to the NBA, Arliss positions himself as Shaler's agent and uses the opportunity to settle a score with team owner Buddy Reingold. |
August 14, 1996 |
| 3 |
How to Turn a Minus into a Plus AMM client and boxing champ Sucre Rey Santos finally gives in and grants top contender Cojones Ochonez a title fight. The huge payday means Arliss can finally buy that Gulfstream Jet he's had his eyes on. But when Ochonez is arrested and tossed in jail, the fight is no mas. However, Arliss gets the governor to sign off and approve the fight, allowing HBO to televise the Battle in the Bighouse, live from the state penitentiary. |
August 21, 1996 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Full Service Agency Catcher Zack Bowers can barely get the ball back to the mound, let alone to second base. The source of his problems: he suspects his wife is unfaithful. He demands that Arliss hire a private investigator to uncover the truth. Meanwhile, Kirby is asked to housesit Bruce Smith's 'cat'. |
June 17, 1997 |
| 2 |
The Value of Loyalty One of Arliss' long-term friends and clients leaves him when his fiancee declares it's time for a "fresh start." Meanwhile, Rita is dating a client and Arliss wants it to stop, or else. |
June 24, 1997 |
| 3 |
Arliss Michaels, American Arliss is invited to dinner at the White House and he can't decide whom to invite as his escort. but that becomes the least of his worries when his bowling champion client, the controversial Turkey Reeves, gets in trouble with the law. |
July 1, 1997 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Family Trust After Kirby signs hockey star Luc Cassoulet to the biggest contract in AMM history, an extremely delicate situation develops: how does AMM get paid its commissions without going public that the client is a deadbeat? Meanwhile, Arliss has his hands full defending NBA star Dewayne Troy for assaulting a referee. |
June 7, 1998 |
| 2 |
My Job Is to Get Jobs AMM client Theo Holt is the kind of football player every team needs: a reliable backup quarterback capable of winning games. But when Theo's team decides to let him go and there are no other takers for his services, Arliss begins to wonder. When Arliss learns about a league-wide rumor that Theo is gay, he resurrects Theo's career as only Arliss can. |
June 14, 1998 |
| 3 |
Whatever It Takes Representing clients who line up against each other in the heat of battle is nothing new to Arliss. But he hopes to hold running back Quinton Holloway out of Sunday's game. It isn't because Quinton will face another AMM client, linebacker Chet Smitrovich. So when Arliss gets Quinton a new contract extension, it clears the way for a showdown. |
June 21, 1998 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Cause and Effect An upset stomach leads Arliss to Dr. Irv's for a routine checkup. But when Dr. Irv expresses his concerns based on Arliss' family history, Arliss starts thinking the ""C"" word. Meanwhile, Kirby and Rita try to help a little old lady sell her late husband's treasure trove of sports memorabilia. |
June 6, 1999 |
| 2 |
Taking One for the Team Arliss is so eager to sign high school baseball phenom Jake Battershell before any other agent does that he's willing to do anything to please Jake and his parents. Well, almost anything. Kirby's effort to help AMM client Seth Carson focus on his duties as a pro quarterback go further than anyone expects. |
June 13, 1999 |
| 3 |
Our Past, Our Present, Our Future Fourteen-year-old skating champion Crystal Dupree is an AMM cash cow. But she learns the hard way, with Stanley's assistance, that Mom and Dad may not necessarily have her best interest at heart. Also, Kirby resists shutting down the ""KIRBY CARlisle WASH."" |
June 20, 1999 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Creatures of Habit Arliss buys a rare piece of memorabilia, and sends a client to a hypnotist to help him quit chewing tobacco. When treatment appears to work, Arliss sends Kirby there to quit gambling. Meanwhile, Rita tries to keep an LPGA client from falling off the wagon. |
June 4, 2000 |
| 2 |
Making Things Happen Arliss learns that a good friend and client, who is about to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, is being charged with domestic abuse. Meanwhile, Rita's activist friend sides with the client's wife. |
June 11, 2000 |
| 3 |
I Get Involved Arliss has to walk the fence when two clients, both teammates, are dating the same girl. Rita plays Cyrano for one of the clients, and a TV reporter shows up to do a ""Where Are They Now?"" segment on Kirby. |
June 18, 2000 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Setting Precedents Arliss deals with the domestic problems of a female tennis superstar. Kirby helps a basketball client graduate from college. |
June 10, 2001 |
| 2 |
Fielding Offers Arliss treks to Canada in an effort to steal a hockey team; Rita uses alternative medicine in her war against age. |
June 17, 2001 |
| 3 |
You Are Your Priorities While Stanley and Kirby consider investing in rodeo, Arliss rekindles an old flame. |
June 24, 2001 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Immortal Arliss deals with a revered baseball legend and his namesake daughter. Stanley escorts a boxer to his HBO debut. |
June 16, 2002 |
| 2 |
What You See Is What You Get Rita manages a client's political passion, while Arliss helps a team member find her passion. Stanley's new car gets dinged |
June 23, 2002 |
| 3 |
In with the New Arliss works to make an NBA client's dream come true, while Stanley mentors a student project. |
June 30, 2002 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | HBO |
|---|---|
| First aired | August 10, 1996 |
| Last aired | September 8, 2002 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Sunday |