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Brockmire
GenreComedy
Based onCharacter created
by Hank Azaria
Developed byJoel Church-Cooper
Directed byTim Kirkby
Maurice Marable
Starring
ComposerAdam Blau
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes32 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Hank Azaria
  • Tim Kirkby
  • Joel Church-Cooper
  • Mike Farah
  • Joe Farrell
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time21–23 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkIFC
ReleaseApril 5, 2017 (2017-04-05) –
May 6, 2020 (2020-05-06)

Brockmire is an American comedy television series that premiered on April 5, 2017, on IFC. The show stars Hank Azaria, Amanda Peet, and Tyrel Jackson Williams, with J.K. Simmons guest starring in the third season. Azaria plays a baseball play-by-play announcer based on a character he created for a comedy web series in 2010. IFC renewed the series for a third and fourth season, the fourth season being its last.[1][2] The series finale aired on May 6, 2020.

Premise

Brockmire follows Jim Brockmire, "a famous Major League Baseball announcer who suffers an embarrassing and very public meltdown on the air after discovering his beloved wife's serial infidelity. A decade later, he decides to reclaim his career and love life in a small town, calling minor league ball for the Morristown Frackers."[3]

In the second season, Brockmire becomes the play-by-play announcer for the AAA New Orleans Crawdaddys.[4][5]

Cast and characters

Main

  • Hank Azaria as Jim Brockmire, an alcoholic, drug-using former Kansas City broadcaster fired in 2007 for an on-air tirade against his unfaithful wife (along with a press conference where he tries to set things right but only makes them worse). In the ten years since, he spent most of his time in Asian countries calling more non-traditional sporting events, such as cock-fighting.
  • Amanda Peet as Jules James, the owner of the Morristown Frackers (formerly Savages), which her father originally owned, along with the town's main bar. She is extremely competitive and will do anything to attract fans to the games. (seasons 1, 4; recurring, seasons 2–3)
  • Tyrel Jackson Williams as Charles, the Frackers head of digital media, responsible for webcasts of the games. Although very talented with computers and technology, he possesses little athletic ability-or indeed interest in sports (including baseball). (seasons 1–2; recurring, seasons 3–4)
  • J. K. Simmons as Matt "The Bat" Hardesty, a former baseball player turned sports announcer (season 3)
  • Tawny Newsome as Gabby Taylor, a former NCAA Champion softball player and Brockmire's new broadcasting partner (season 3)
  • Reina Hardesty as Beth Brockmire, Jim's Filipino-American daughter (season 4)

Recurring characters

Season 1

  • Paul Rae as Dale, a Morristown resident who acts in stereotypical-redneck fashion, frequenting both Frackers home games and the local bar. In season 2, it is revealed that he died in a meth lab fire.
  • Hemky Madera as Pedro Uribe, a baseball player for the Morristown Frackers, as well as a former Major League all-star.
  • Molly Ephraim as Bartender
  • Adan Rocha as Danny Cruz, a baseball player for the Morristown Frackers.
  • Steve Coulter as Coach Pom Pom, coach for the Morristown Frackers.
  • Ryan Lee as John Elton, a baseball player for the Morristown Frackers.
  • Alex Phipps as Ryan Stanton, a baseball player for the Morristown Frackers.
  • Daisuke Tsuji as Yoshi Takatsu, a baseball player for the Morristown Frackers, formerly a professional in Japan.
  • Ethan Daniels as Bat Boy Calhoun
  • Toby Huss as Johnny the Hat
  • Katie Finneran as Lucy Brockmire, Brockmire's sexually adventurous ex-wife (recurring, seasons 1–2, 4).
  • David Walton as Gary
  • Brian F. Durkin as Robbie Butler
  • Joe Buck as himself

Season 2

Season 3

Season 4

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
18April 5, 2017 (2017-04-05)May 17, 2017 (2017-05-17)
28April 25, 2018 (2018-04-25)June 20, 2018 (2018-06-20)
38April 3, 2019 (2019-04-03)May 22, 2019 (2019-05-22)
48March 18, 2020 (2020-03-18)May 6, 2020 (2020-05-06)

Season 1 (2017)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
11"Rally Cap"Tim KirkbyJoel Church-CooperApril 5, 2017 (2017-04-05)1010.317[6]
22"Winning Streak"Tim KirkbyJoel Church-CooperApril 12, 2017 (2017-04-12)1020.303[6]
33"Kangaroo Court"Tim KirkbyJoel Church-CooperApril 19, 2017 (2017-04-19)1030.264[7]
44"Retaliation"Tim KirkbyAlex ReidApril 26, 2017 (2017-04-26)1040.262[8]
55"Breakout Year"Tim KirkbyJason BellevilleMay 3, 2017 (2017-05-03)1050.233[9]
66"Road Trip"Tim KirkbyAmanda SitkoMay 10, 2017 (2017-05-10)1060.212[10]
77"Old Timers Day"Tim KirkbyJoel Church-CooperMay 17, 2017 (2017-05-17)1070.190[11]
88"It All Comes Down to This"Tim KirkbyJoel Church-CooperMay 24, 2017 (2017-05-24)1080.194[12]

Season 2 (2018)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
91"The Getaway Game"Maurice MarableJoel Church-CooperApril 25, 2018 (2018-04-25)2010.259[13]
102"Platoon Player"Maurice MarableJoel Church-Cooper & Carl TartMay 2, 2018 (2018-05-02)2020.216[14]
113"Knuckleball"Maurice MarableAmanda SitkoMay 9, 2018 (2018-05-09)2030.233[15]
124"Retirement Ceremony"Maurice MarableAlex ReidMay 16, 2018 (2018-05-16)2040.165[16]
135"Make-up Game"Maurice MarableAnnie MebaneMay 23, 2018 (2018-05-23)2050.179[17]
146"Broadcasters Jinx"Maurice MarableRene GubeMay 30, 2018 (2018-05-30)2060.339[18]
157"Caught in a Rundown"Maurice MarableJason BellevilleJune 13, 2018 (2018-06-13)2070.167[19]
168"In the Cellar"Maurice MarableJoel Church-CooperJune 20, 2018 (2018-06-20)2080.181[20]

Season 3 (2019)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
171"Clubhouse Cancer"Maurice MarableJoel Church-CooperApril 3, 2019 (2019-04-03)3010.221[21]
182"Player to Be Named Later"Maurice MarableAmanda SitkoApril 10, 2019 (2019-04-10)3020.176[22]
193"The Yips"Maurice MarableJason BellevilleApril 17, 2019 (2019-04-17)3030.183[23]
204"Banned for Life"Maurice MarableAlex ReidApril 24, 2019 (2019-04-24)3040.171[24]
215"Clubhouse Chemistry"Maurice MarableMel CowanMay 1, 2019 (2019-05-01)3050.131[25]
226"Placed on Waivers"Maurice MarableJenny LeeMay 8, 2019 (2019-05-08)3060.145[26]
237"Disabled List"Maurice MarableAndrew GuestMay 15, 2019 (2019-05-15)3070.185[27]
248"Opening Day"Maurice MarableJoel Church-Cooper and Amanda SitkoMay 22, 2019 (2019-05-22)3080.173[28]

Season 4 (2020)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
251"Favorable Matchup"Maurice MarableJoel Church-CooperMarch 18, 2020 (2020-03-18)4010.194[29]
262"Three Year Contract"Maurice MarableJason BellevilleMarch 25, 2020 (2020-03-25)4020.142[30]
273"Low and Away"Maurice MarableAlex ReidApril 1, 2020 (2020-04-01)4030.164[31]
284"Comeback Player of the Year"Maurice MarableAmanda SitkoApril 8, 2020 (2020-04-08)4040.178[32]
295"Double Header"Maurice MarableArbel Kodesh and Sheena DattApril 15, 2020 (2020-04-15)4050.114[33]
306"The Hall"Maurice MarableRene GubeApril 22, 2020 (2020-04-22)4060.187[34]
317"Union Negotiations"Maurice MarableMel CowanApril 29, 2020 (2020-04-29)4070.144[35]
328"The Long Offseason"Maurice MarableJoel Church-CooperMay 6, 2020 (2020-05-06)4080.153[36]

Production

Background

Hank Azaria

In 2010, Azaria debuted the character of Jim Brockmire in the third episode of the Funny or Die web-series Gamechangers, entitled "A Legend in the Booth". Brockmire is a baseball play-by-play announcer who is fired after a profanity-filled breakdown while live on air after discovering his wife was having an affair. Azaria based the character's voice and broadcasting style on Bob Murphy and Phil Rizzuto.[37]

Azaria later appeared as Brockmire in 2012 on the NFL Network's The Rich Eisen Podcast to discuss the National Football League.[38] In November 2012, with Azaria fielding offers for a movie based on the character, he sued actor Craig Bierko over the ownership of the Brockmire voice. Bierko claimed that he helped develop the character.[39] Azaria won the case in 2014, as Gary Allen Feess, a United States district judge, ruled that, though both actors had been using a baseball announcer voice before and since meeting at a party in 1990, only Azaria's voice was, as Brockmire, a defined, "tangible" character and thus subject to copyright.[40]

Development

On February 22, 2016, it was announced that IFC had given the production, a comedy series based on the Brockmire character, a series order for a first season consisting of eight episodes. The series was set to be written by Joel Church-Cooper and directed by Tim Kirkby. Executive producers were expected to include Azaria, Church-Cooper, Kirkby, Mike Farah, and Joe Farrell.[41]

On April 5, 2017, right before the series premiere, it was announced that IFC had renewed the show for a second season consisting of eight episodes.[42] On March 29, 2018, it was announced that IFC had renewed the series for a third and fourth season.[43] On December 12, 2019, the fourth and final season was announced for a spring 2020 premiere.[44]

Casting

Alongside the series order announcement, it was confirmed that Hank Azaria would star in the series as the titular Brockmire.[41] On May 13, 2016, it was announced Amanda Peet had joined the main cast.[3] On June 30, 2016, it was reported that Tyrel Jackson Williams had been cast in a series regular role.[45]

In October 2018, it was announced that Tawny Newsome and Martha Plimpton had been cast in recurring roles for season three and that George Brett, Bob Costas, Richard Kind, Linda Lavin, J. K. Simmons, and Christine Woods would make guest appearances.[46][47][48]

Filming

In season one, baseball scenes of the show were filmed at Luther Williams Field in Macon, Georgia.[49] Parts of season one, and the majority of season two, were filmed at Coolray Field in Gwinnett County, Georgia.[50] In season three, filming took place at Regions Field in Birmingham, Alabama. [51]

Reception

Critical response

The first season of Brockmire met a positive response from critics. On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds a 94% approval rating with an average rating of 6.72 out of 10 based on 17 reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Brockmire insinuates itself as the series goes on, elevated by assured, compelling performances from Hank Azaria and Amanda Peet -- and a raw humor all its own."[52] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the season a score of 79 out of 100 based on 15 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[53]

Ratings

In its first season, Brockmire was IFC's highest-rated new series and cable's most time-shifted new comedy, averaging over 500,000 live-plus-three-day viewers per episode.[54]

Awards and nominations

Year Ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2018 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Actor in a Comedy Series Hank Azaria Nominated [55]
2019 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Actor in a Comedy Series Hank Azaria Nominated [56]
2021 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Actor in a Comedy Series Hank Azaria Pending [57]

References

  1. ^ Schwartz, Ryan (December 12, 2019). "Brockmire to End With Future-Set Season 4 — Plus: Who's Returning?". TVLine. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  2. ^ Sippell, Margeaux (January 16, 2020). "Hank Azaria on Future of 'Brockmire': 'I Bet We Find Some Other Life for It'". TheWrap. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (May 13, 2016). "Amanda Peet To Star In Hank Azaria IFC Comedy Series 'Brockmire' From Funny Or Die". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  4. ^ Hill, Benjamin (May 3, 2018). "New Orleans 'Crawdaddys' come to life". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  5. ^ Scott, Mike (April 25, 2018). "Now at bat for New Orleans: Hank Azaria and IFC's 'Brockmire'". NOLA. The Times-Picayune. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  6. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (April 6, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.5.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  7. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (April 13, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.12.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  8. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (April 20, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.19.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  9. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (April 27, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.26.2017 (Corrected Charts Now Posted)". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  10. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (May 4, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.3.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
  11. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (May 11, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.10.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  12. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (May 18, 2017). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.17.2017". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  13. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (April 26, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.25.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  14. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (May 3, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.2.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  15. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (May 10, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.9.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
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  17. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (May 24, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.23.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  18. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (May 31, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.30.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  19. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (June 14, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.13.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
  20. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (June 21, 2018). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.20.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  21. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (April 4, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.3.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  22. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.10.2019". Showbuzz Daily. April 11, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  23. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.17.2019". Showbuzz Daily. April 18, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  24. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.24.2019". Showbuzz Daily. April 25, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  25. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.1.2019". Showbuzz Daily. May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  26. ^ "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.8.2019". Showbuzz Daily. May 9, 2019. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  27. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.15.2019". Showbuzz Daily. May 16, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  28. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.22.2019". Showbuzz Daily. May 23, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  29. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.18.2020". Showbuzz Daily. March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  30. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.25.2020". Showbuzz Daily. March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  31. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.1.2020". Showbuzz Daily. April 2, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
  32. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.8.2020". Showbuzz Daily. April 9, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  33. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.15.2020". Showbuzz Daily. April 16, 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  34. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.22.2020". Showbuzz Daily. April 23, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  35. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.29.2020". Showbuzz Daily. April 30, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  36. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.6.2020". Showbuzz Daily. May 7, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  37. ^ Azaria, Hank (May 6, 2010). "Hank Azaria talks about the legend of Jim Brockmire". The Dan Patrick Show. Interviewed by Dan Patrick. Milford, Connecticut. Archived from the original on May 9, 2010. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  38. ^ Eisen, Rich (September 5, 2012). "Rich Eisen Podcast: Michael Lombardi AFC South preview and Jim Brockmire". NFL. Archived from the original on September 12, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  39. ^ Strecker, Erin (November 16, 2012). "Hank Azaria sues over a character voice". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  40. ^ Gardner, Eriq (January 24, 2014). "Hank Azaria Wins Lawsuit Over Funny Baseball Announcer Character". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  41. ^ a b Littleton, Cynthia (February 22, 2016). "IFC Orders Comedy Series 'Brockmire,' 'Stan Against Evil' From Hank Azaria, Dana Gould". Variety. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  42. ^ Longo, Chris (January 12, 2018). "Brockmire Season 2 Premiere Date Set". Den of Geek. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  43. ^ Hayes, Dade (March 29, 2018). "IFC Renews 'Brockmire' For Two Seasons, Touts 2019 Return Of 'Documentary Now'". Deadline Hollywood.
  44. ^ Schwartz, Ryan (December 12, 2019). "Brockmire to End With Future-Set Season 4 — Plus: Who's Returning?". TVLine.
  45. ^ Denise Petski (June 30, 2016). "Retta Upped To Regular On 'Girlfriends' Guide To Divorce'; Tyrel Jackson Williams Joins 'Brockmire'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 25, 2017.
  46. ^ Otterson, Joe (October 2, 2018). "'Brockmire' Season 3 Adds Tawny Newsome (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
  47. ^ Otterson, Joe (October 17, 2018). "'Brockmire' Season 3 Adds Martha Plimpton in Recurring Guest Role (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
  48. ^ Pena, Jessica (October 18, 2018). "Brockmire: Season Three; IFC Announces Guest Stars - canceled TV shows - TV Series Finale". TV Series Finale. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
  49. ^ Braxton, Avery (June 30, 2016). "Extras in full force on set of 'Brockmire'". The Telegraph. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  50. ^ Broughton, David (April 25, 2018). "'Brockmire' Season 2 Sees Use Of Gwinnett Triple-A Ballpark". Sports Business Daily. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  51. ^ Colurso, Mary (October 31, 2018). "'Brockmire' TV series looking for extras in Birmingham". Alabama Local News. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  52. ^ "Brockmire: Season 1 - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  53. ^ "Brockmire: Season 1 - Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  54. ^ Hayes, Dade (May 15, 2017). "'Brockmire' Heads To Season Finale As IFC's Highest-Rated New Series & Cable's Most Time-Shifted New Comedy". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  55. ^ Tapley, Kristopher (December 6, 2017). "Netflix, FX's 'Feud' Lead Critics' Choice TV Nominations". Variety. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  56. ^ Crist, Allison (January 13, 2019). "Critics' Choice Awards: 'Roma,' 'Americans,' 'Mrs. Maisel' Top Winners". The Hollywood Reporter.
  57. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (January 18, 2021). "Critics Choice TV Awards: 'The Crown,' 'Ozark' Lead Noms With 6 Apiece". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
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