{ "id": "ep8kbb16pt", "slug": "bookie", "title": "Bookie", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series", "label": "Series and fictional screen worlds", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv", "label": "Scripted television and comedy series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_comedy", "label": "Sitcom and comedy series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_comedy" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_comedy.american_sitcom_series", "label": "American sitcoms and comedy series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_comedy.american_sitcom_series" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_comedy.american_sitcom_series.2020s-cable-and-streaming-comedies", "label": "2020s cable and streaming comedies", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_comedy.american_sitcom_series.2020s-cable-and-streaming-comedies" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_comedy.american_sitcom_series.2020s-cable-and-streaming-comedies", "label": "United States · 2021 and later: 2020s cable and streaming comedies", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_comedy.american_sitcom_series.2020s-cable-and-streaming-comedies", "path": [ { "id": "geo.us", "label": "United States", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021", "label": "United States · 2021 and later", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series", "label": "Series and fictional screen worlds", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv", "label": "Scripted television and comedy series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_comedy", "label": "Sitcom and comedy series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_comedy" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_comedy.american_sitcom_series", "label": "American sitcoms and comedy series", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_comedy.american_sitcom_series" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_comedy.american_sitcom_series.2020s-cable-and-streaming-comedies", "label": "2020s cable and streaming comedies", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_comedy.american_sitcom_series.2020s-cable-and-streaming-comedies" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Bookie is an American Max comedy series, also titled How to Be a Bookie, created by Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay, starring Sebastian Maniscalco as a Los Angeles bookie facing legalized sports betting; two seasons, 2023-2025, then canceled.", "snippet": "Bookie is an American Max comedy series, also titled How to Be a Bookie, created by Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay, starring Sebastian Maniscalco as a Los Angeles bookie facing legalized sports betting; two seasons, 2023-2025, then canceled.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.series.series_scripted_tv_comedy.american_sitcom_series.2020s-cable-and-streaming-comedies", "markdown": "# Bookie\n\n**Bookie** is an American comedy television series created by [Chuck Lorre](https://www.edgepedia.org/chuck-lorre) and [Nick Bakay](https://www.edgepedia.org/nick-bakay) for the streaming service Max, starring stand-up comedian [Sebastian Maniscalco](https://www.edgepedia.org/sebastian-maniscalco) as Danny, a veteran Los Angeles bookmaker who fights to keep his illegal business alive as the legalization of sports gambling threatens to upend it while he juggles unstable clients, family, and co-workers.[1](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bookie-canceled-max-two-seasons-030000592.html) It ran for two seasons of eight episodes each, from November 30, 2023 to January 30, 2025, before Max canceled it in February 2025.[2](https://press.wbd.com/us/property/bookie) • [3](https://epguides.com//Bookie/) • [1](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bookie-canceled-max-two-seasons-030000592.html)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Creators | Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay, both Emmy-nominated; written by the pair, with the first episode directed by Lorre[2](https://press.wbd.com/us/property/bookie) |\n| Star | Sebastian Maniscalco as Danny, a veteran bookie in Los Angeles; also an executive producer[1](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bookie-canceled-max-two-seasons-030000592.html) |\n| Premise | Danny's illegal bookmaking business is threatened by the impending legalization of sports gambling in California, alongside increasingly unstable clients[1](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bookie-canceled-max-two-seasons-030000592.html) |\n| Run | Season 1 premiered November 30, 2023; season 2 debuted December 12, 2024; 16 episodes total, about 30 minutes each[2](https://press.wbd.com/us/property/bookie) • [3](https://epguides.com//Bookie/) |\n| Cancellation | Canceled by Max in February 2025, less than three weeks after the season 2 finale[1](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bookie-canceled-max-two-seasons-030000592.html) |\n| Reception | 90% average Tomatometer and 85% Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes[4](https://www.rottentomatoes.com//tv/bookie) |\n| Rating | TV-MA[5](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/bookie/details/) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Premise and cast\n\nDanny runs an illegal sports betting operation in Los Angeles. The expansion of legalized sports betting is hurting his business, and he juggles his remaining clients, co-workers, and family across every corner of the city, high and low.[5](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/bookie/details/) • [8](https://press.wbd.com/us/media-release/hbo-max/hbo-max-begins-production-comedy-series-how-be-bookie-chuck-lorre-and-nick-bakay) According to Common Sense Media, the show's premise is an ingenious reworking of a familiar one: an out-of-date businessman struggling to keep up with a modern world that has moved on without him.[10](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/bookie)\n\nThe main cast comprised:[1](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bookie-canceled-max-two-seasons-030000592.html)\n\n- Sebastian Maniscalco as Danny\n- Omar J. Dorsey as Rayfield \"Ray\" Ballard\n- [Andrea Anders](https://www.edgepedia.org/andrea-anders) as Sandra\n- [Vanessa Ferlito](https://www.edgepedia.org/vanessa-ferlito) as Lorraine Colavito\n- [Jorge Garcia](https://www.edgepedia.org/jorge-garcia) as Hector\n- Maxim Swinton as Anthony\n- Rob Corddry as Walt Dinty\n- Selina Kaye as Janelle\n\nRecurring cast members included Arnetia Walker, Toby Huss, and [Dale Dickey](https://www.edgepedia.org/dale-dickey), and the guest stars across the 16-episode run included [Ray Romano](https://www.edgepedia.org/ray-romano), Laraine Newman, Zach Braff, and [Charlie Sheen](https://www.edgepedia.org/charlie-sheen). Sheen's appearance in the series opener went well enough that he returned for another episode in season one; Lorre had a long public feud with Sheen from their *Two and a Half Men* years, and their reunion on *Bookie* more than a decade later drew press attention.[1](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bookie-canceled-max-two-seasons-030000592.html) • [7](https://awfulannouncing.com/hbo/nick-bakay-max-bookie-espn-betting-advice.html) • [11](https://www.axios.com/2024/12/12/new-tv-movies-shows-max-paramount-netflix)\n\n## Development and production\n\nThe series was ordered by [HBO Max](https://www.edgepedia.org/hbo-max) in October 2022 under the title **How to Be a Bookie**, from Chuck Lorre, creator of *The Big Bang Theory* and *The Kominsky Method*, and Nick Bakay, a writer on *Mom* and *Young Sheldon* who also has experience in the sports betting world. It was Lorre's first series for HBO Max, produced by Warner Bros. Television under Lorre's overall deal, with an order for eight episodes.[6](https://press.wbd.com/us/na/media-release/hbo-max/hbo-max-orders-new-comedy-series-how-be-bookie-chuck-lorre-nick-bakay-and-warner-bros) • [7](https://awfulannouncing.com/hbo/nick-bakay-max-bookie-espn-betting-advice.html) Production began in Los Angeles in February 2023.[8](https://press.wbd.com/us/media-release/hbo-max/hbo-max-begins-production-comedy-series-how-be-bookie-chuck-lorre-and-nick-bakay)\n\nLorre described the show as a deliberate stretch. In a 2024 interview he said he had wanted to do something unfamiliar, something that \"frightened\" him, because unlike his network sitcoms, which live in the bubble of sitcom logic, *Bookie* has a sharp danger to it; Danny can end an episode with a bloody nose or a death threat.[9](https://www.thewrap.com/bookie-season-2-chuck-lorre-interview/) Bakay said the project began with Lorre talking to Maniscalco and grew into a story about the friendship between Danny and Ray, played by Omar Dorsey.[7](https://awfulannouncing.com/hbo/nick-bakay-max-bookie-espn-betting-advice.html)\n\n## Broadcast and cancellation\n\nSeason one debuted with two episodes on Thursday, November 30, 2023, with two episodes following on subsequent Thursdays; the finale aired December 21. Max renewed the show for a second season on January 5, 2024.[2](https://press.wbd.com/us/property/bookie) The eight-episode second season premiered December 12, 2024.[2](https://press.wbd.com/us/property/bookie)\n\nOn February 19, 2025, Variety reported exclusively that Max had canceled the series after two seasons. A Max spokesperson thanked Lorre, Bakay, and the cast led by Maniscalco for \"pulling back the curtain on the world of sports betting\" and said the streamer would not move forward with a third season.[1](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bookie-canceled-max-two-seasons-030000592.html) The cancellation came less than three weeks after the second-season finale.[12](https://www.ismyshowcancelled.com/article/2025-02-18/bookie-cancelled-by-max/)\n\n## Reception\n\nOn Rotten Tomatoes the series holds a 90% average Tomatometer from 10 reviews and an 85% Popcornmeter audience score; season 1 scored 90%.[4](https://www.rottentomatoes.com//tv/bookie) Critical opinion was divided. [Richard Roeper](https://www.edgepedia.org/richard-roeper) of the [Chicago Sun-Times](https://www.edgepedia.org/chicago-sun-times) scored it 75, calling it \"a solid and funny comedy\" and, in the spirit of the subject, \"a 7-point favorite to endure.\" Chris Vognar of The Daily Beast scored it 70, writing that the show occasionally tries too hard but is \"generally quite comfortable in its own skin.\" Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com scored the premiere 30, criticizing the writing and calling the half-hour's sense of humor at times archaic or lazy.[13](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/bookie/critic-reviews/) Reviews of season 2 were mixed as well; Joel Keller of Decider found much of it unmemorable but Maniscalco's confident-but-put-upon Danny reason enough to watch.[14](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/bookie/s02)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Ethan Shanfeld, \"'Bookie' Canceled at Max After Two Seasons (EXCLUSIVE)\", Variety via Yahoo, February 19, 2025](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bookie-canceled-max-two-seasons-030000592.html)\n2. [Bookie property page, Warner Bros. Discovery Pressroom](https://press.wbd.com/us/property/bookie)\n3. [Bookie, a Titles & Air Dates Guide, epguides.com](https://epguides.com//Bookie/)\n4. [Bookie, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com//tv/bookie)\n5. [Bookie details, Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/bookie/details/)\n6. [\"HBO Max Orders Comedy Series HOW TO BE A BOOKIE\", WBD Pressroom, October 4, 2022](https://press.wbd.com/us/na/media-release/hbo-max/hbo-max-orders-new-comedy-series-how-be-bookie-chuck-lorre-nick-bakay-and-warner-bros)\n7. [Michael Grant, \"Nick Bakay on his new Max show 'Bookie'\", Awful Announcing, November 13, 2023](https://awfulannouncing.com/hbo/nick-bakay-max-bookie-espn-betting-advice.html)\n8. [\"HBO Max Begins Production On Comedy Series HOW TO BE A BOOKIE\", WBD Pressroom, February 28, 2023](https://press.wbd.com/us/media-release/hbo-max/hbo-max-begins-production-comedy-series-how-be-bookie-chuck-lorre-and-nick-bakay)\n9. [Kayla Cobb, \"From Day 1, 'Bookie' Has 'Frightened' Its Creator, Chuck Lorre\", TheWrap, December 12, 2024](https://www.thewrap.com/bookie-season-2-chuck-lorre-interview/)\n10. [Bookie parents' guide, Common Sense Media](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/bookie)\n11. [\"New movies and shows to watch this week\", Axios, December 12, 2024](https://www.axios.com/2024/12/12/new-tv-movies-shows-max-paramount-netflix)\n12. [\"'Bookie' Cancelled After 2 Seasons\", IsMyShowCancelled.com, February 18, 2025](https://www.ismyshowcancelled.com/article/2025-02-18/bookie-cancelled-by-max/)\n13. [Bookie critic reviews, Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/tv/bookie/critic-reviews/)\n14. [Bookie: Season 2, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/bookie/s02)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › Scripted television and comedy series › Sitcom and comedy series › American sitcoms and comedy series › 2020s cable and streaming comedies*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/bookie", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/bookie.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Bookie\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/bookie. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Bookie](https://www.edgepedia.org/bookie)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/bookie](https://www.edgepedia.org/bookie). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Bookie\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/bookie. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Bookie is an American Max comedy series, also titled How to Be a Bookie, created by Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay, starring Sebastian Maniscalco as a Los Angeles bookie facing legalized sports betting; two seasons, 2023-2025, then canceled." }