Reality AF: Netflix’s Sports Docuseries Domination Is Impossible to Ignore
Photos Courtesy of Netflix
The world’s #1 streamer is evolving. Netflix is already known for quality original television programming (Stranger Things, The Crown, Orange is the New Black), reviving programs canceled by other networks (Manifest, Lucifer, Arrested Development), and streaming older shows people initially missed out on and giving them a new life (Suits, Breaking Bad, The Vampire Diaries).
While the streaming giant’s original movie library can be more of a mixed bag, with as many critical hits (All Quiet on the Western Front, Marriage Story, Don’t Look Up) as critical flops (Red Notice, The Kissing Booth, Unfrosted), it has options for every type of cinefile.
This summer, however, Netflix is flexing its muscles in another area: the sports docuseries. Four documentary series that premiered in June and July offer a fascinating inside look at a variety of sports, and consistently rank among the streamer’s top 10 programs. Netflix has dominated streaming this summer, thanks largely to the four sports docuseries described below.
Receiver
The Premise: A companion to 2023’s Quarterback and produced by Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, Receiver follows five of the NFL’s best pass catchers throughout the 2023 season, both on and off the field. Davante Adams (Raiders), Justin Jefferson (Vikings), George Kittle (49ers), Deebo Samuel (49ers), and Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions) are featured.
Why it works: Receiver highlights a wide range of personality types from a variety of teams at different levels of success. On the one hand, you have family-man Davante Adams, frustrated by the Raiders constant struggles and admitting on camera he had quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo benched. And on the other, you have human highlight reel Deebo Samuel fighting for a Super Bowl title.
In between is the exuberant candy and jewelry lover Justin Jefferson, and the intriguing story of Amon-Ra St. Brown, who had a unique upbringing. St. Brown’s dad was a former Mr. Universe and his mom made him learn three languages, including her native German. I’m not a fan of any of these teams (Broncos stan here) but I found each player’s story interesting.
Who you’ll fall in love with: Tight end George Kittle, who will remind many of Rob Gronkowski but with an IQ 30 points higher. He’s hilarious, a great teammate, adores his family, and loves playing football. Kittle is now my favorite non-Bronco NFL player.
Simone Biles Rising
The Premise: Simone Biles was one of the biggest stories heading into the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the face of Team USA. But her private struggle with her mental health forced Biles to withdraw from competition. Since then, she’s been coming to grips with her past and learning to fall in love again with a sport she’s long dominated. Part one, in two episodes, dropped July 17. Part two, also two episodes, will follow Biles during the Olympic trials and through the 2024 Paris Games, and is set to debut in the fall.
Why it works: Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast ever, so her withdrawal from the Tokyo Games was shocking. Moments like hers have happened in sports before, but rarely on that big of a stage, so having the person it happened to process it in a documentary is mesmerizing. Most importantly, however, the series helps humanize an incredible athlete.
From the comfort of your couch, it can be hard to relate to someone like Simone Biles. Amazing athletes can seem superhuman. But watching her struggle in Rising, and having the courage to document it for a worldwide audience, is a reminder that even someone who will go down as one of greatest athletes of all time can have mental health challenges just like anyone else.
Who you’ll fall in love with: Simone Biles, of course! I loved Simone before Rising, I love and respect her even more after it.
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
The Premise: America’s Sweethearts follows the 2023-2024 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders from start to finish, beginning with auditions and continuing through the NFL playoffs. Viewers are given a close-up look at the drive and determination of its athletes and the personal stories behind the women wearing the iconic Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) uniforms. The series was created by the team behind two other popular Netflix shows, Cheer and Last Chance U.
Why it works: What makes this series so unique is that it’s a mix of a docuseries and a reality competition. It’s one part Hard Knocks and one part Survivor, but if Jeff Probst voted people out instead of the players. In this case, the “host” is longtime DCC director Kelli Finglass. A former squad member herself, Finglass has led the team since 1991 and every year slowly whittles down the roster to 36 women.
America’s Sweethearts is loaded with great characters. There’s Kelcey, the fifth year veteran and a pediatric nurse. She’s essentially the head cheerleader. There’s Reece, a rookie who just graduated from the University of Alabama. She’s wide-eyed and always positive but dances much more fiercely than her sweet demeanor would suggest. Then there’s Victoria, a second generation member who lives and breathes Dallas Cowboys Cheerleading. These are just a few of the show’s compelling characters.
Who you’ll fall in love with: Victoria has the most growth of any DCC throughout the season. She goes from desperately needing to be on the team to realizing that maybe she’s outgrown it. Victoria is special.
Sprint
The Premise: Sprint shows what it takes to become one of the fastest runners on the planet. Specifically focusing on the 100m and 200m dashes, the series follows the best sprinters from around the world as they battle each other, injuries, and immense pressure to be a legend in a sport few in the United States know much about. Season 2, set to be released later this year, will follow the athletes’ journeys through the Paris Olympics.
Why it works: Sprint adds layers of depth to people most of us would normally watch on TV for 20 seconds or less. Viewers see the quiet confidence of Britain’s Zharnel Hughes in contrast to the bravado of American Noah Lyles. And we get a look at the inner workings of the Jamaican women’s team, who have long standing interpersonal rivalries. Plenty of other athletes are featured as well, and the series includes commentary from track greats Michael Johnson, Usain Bolt, and Allyson Felix.
Aside from getting to know several of the big players in this year’s Olympics, viewers can also feel the intense pressure of the sport. Being knocked from the top of your game due to injury or poor performance can send your career reeling. Conversely, doing well can send your career into the stratosphere. It’s a riveting look at a wonderful sport.
Who you’ll fall in love with: Without a doubt, Noah Lyles. He’s incredibly confident, won gold in the 100m and bronze in the 200m sprints in Paris, and his relationship with his mom is incredibly sweet.
Terry Terrones is a Television Critics Association and Critics Choice Association member, licensed drone pilot, and aspiring hand model. When he’s not wondering how much of a head start he’d need on Noah Lyles in a 100m dash to beat him, you can find him hiking in the mountains of Colorado. You can follow him on Twitter @terryterrones.
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