Mr. Throwback EP On Working With Stephen Curry For Peacock's New Mockumentary Sports Series

Peacock’s new comedy, Mr. Throwback, will be available to watch on the streaming service on Thursday, August 8. The series consists of six thirty-minute episodes and follows a “down-on-his-luck memorabilia dealer” who reunites with his middle school teammate turned NBA player in an effort to transform his life. Filmed as a mockumentary, Mr. Throwback stars Stephen Curry, Adam Pally, Ego Nwodim, and Adyen Mayeri. Tracy Letts, Layla Scalisi, Tien Tran, and Rich Sommer all have recurring guest roles.

Erick Peyton serves as the executive producer of the show alongside Curry. The two co-own Unanimous Media and have worked together on multiple projects. Peyton’s previous work includes Good Times, About Last Night, Holey Moley, and Emanual. In addition to Mr. Throwback, the pair’s production company has several upcoming releases, such as the graphic novel, Sports Superheroes, and the animated sports comedy, GOAT.

Screen Rant chats with Peyton about working with Adam Pally, the show’s mockumentary-style approach, and how Stephen Curry compares to his onscreen persona in Mr. Throwback.

Mr. Throwback Is Stephen Curry’s First Scripted Series

Screen Rant: How did you first get involved with Mr. Throwback? What was it about this series that made you want to be a part of it?

Erick Peyton: The series was developed from an authentic relationship with David Caspe and Adam Pally. Stephen and Ayesha shot a show called About Last Night. A couple of years ago, we met Adam Pally and David Caspe on the show when I was on set. Long story short, I connected with Caspe afterwards, and he brought in Matthew and Daniel Libman to pitch us this concept.

I completely got it, and I was over the moon about it. We got it in front of Stephen and the rest is history. We got it in one room, they pitched out the concept, and it was an instant connection between Stephen and Pally, and I could trust Caspe and the Libmans. That’s really what we look for in a project. It’s that trust that we need to create something special.

As you just said, you’ve worked with Stephen before, but how was collaborating with him on his first scripted project?

Erick Peyton: Stephen is my partner in the production company that we own, so the collaboration is really always the same. It’s meant to be authentic, and it’s meant to be transparent. It was an awesome collaboration for me on this scripted project. It’s funny. This is his first scripted project, so for us, it’s really about setting up a bubble of success.

So putting people like the Libmans and Caspe and Pally and Ego around him, that was really my job—to make him as comfortable as possible. He always talks about being coachable, so we brought in director David Wain who really vibed with the whole team. When you think about that process, it couldn’t have really been better.

Speaking of Adam Pally, he’s very well-versed in this genre. What did he bring to the project from a comedic standpoint?

Erick Peyton: Pally is a pro. I think what he brought to the project is really that experience. Because Stephen was sort of the rookie on set, it was really important for the crew around him to allow him to participate and allow him to create a comfortability within all the scenes. Pally really brought to set his all of his expertise—his full tool chest of experience.

Mr. Throwback’s Creative Team Felt A Documentary-Style Approach Was The Best Way For The Story To Unfold

This is filmed as a mockumentary. Why did the team decide to take this approach to tell the story?

Erick Peyton: Stephen is playing himself in the show, so we felt like the format really fit that approach. And also, with the documentary format, you can do a lot of things. The story really can unfold throughout that format. When David and the Libmans came up with the script, they felt like that format was the best way for the story to unfold. That’s why we took that approach.

What do you believe is going to make this show stand out to viewers? What does it accomplish that other series in the comedy genre doesn’t?

Erick Peyton: I think it’s a lot of things. The show has heart, the show has comedy, the show has a lot of the themes that I feel like can inspire and uplift everyone. That’s what I think makes it different. There are all these central themes that are built around inspiration.

In addition to Curry and Pally, there are a lot of other talented actors involved. Tien Tran is another great comedian. How did the rest of the main cast and the guest stars help bring these characters to life?

Erick Peyton: That’s why I feel like this show is special. We’ve got a cast of extremely talented actors. With Tien, her storyline, one, I feel like she killed it. Two, I think it really elevates the entire story. And I think that’s really what makes this cast special. We can talk about Stephen and I think a lot of people will talk about SC because it’s his first time, but the rest of the cast, as well, is incredible. To go back to your other question about what makes it special, I do think the cast is another reason why the show will be special.

Curry Plays A Heightened Version Of Himself In Mr. Throwback

I always find it fun when actors play themselves, because sometimes their onscreen persona is wildly different from who they are. How would you say Stephen’s character compares to who he is in real-life?

Erick Peyton: It’s definitely a heightened version of himself. He takes some swings. It’s not meant to be reality. I think that’s what makes it fun, and that’s why he had a tremendous time playing this role. It’s a heightened version of himself, and it’s a comedic version of himself. That’s what fans can really look forward to.

Mr. Throwback has six thirty-minute episodes. Is the plan for this to be a limited series, or does the finale set up a potential season 2?

Erick Peyton: I think you’ll have to watch and see. I will say this—the plan is for this to go on for many, many, many seasons. I don’t want to give away too much in the finale, but, yes. The plan is to do this for many seasons in a couple of different ways.

Are there any other projects that you have in the pipeline or genres that you have not had a chance to explore but would like to?

Erick Peyton: Unanimous is a company that’s been around for a little while now. We have some things rolling out, we have some books rolling out, we have a movie rolling out next year with Sony Animation called GOAT.

About Mr. Throwback

“Mr. Throwback” follows a down-on-his-luck memorabilia dealer who looks for redemption by reuniting with his sixth-grade teammate, NBA legend Stephen Curry.

Mr. Throwback (2024)

A struggling memorabilia dealer, Danny Grossman, seeks redemption by reconnecting with his childhood friend and NBA legend, Steph Curry. Captured in a mockumentary style, the series follows their comedic and heartfelt journey, exploring themes of friendship and second chances as they navigate their past and present.

Cast

Adam Pally , Stephen Currey , Ayden Mayeri , Ego Nwodim , Sammy Horowitz

Character(s)

Danny , Self , Samantha , Kimberly

Release Date

August 4, 2024

Seasons

1

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