Bookie – Season One [2023] on Max / Crave Canada

Bookie is a mixed bag. Generally good, this Chuck Lorre and Nick Bakay Max Original show needed more time to bake.

Starring Omar J. Dorsey & Sebastian Maniscalco, Bookie is essentially a mix of Sopranos, Tulsa King, Two and a Half Man, and The Kominsky Method. And it shows.

The show is rough straight out of the gate. Maniscalco pushes his way through some awful writing in the premiere. The jokes are exactly what you might expect from someone stuck in the early 2000s, the equivalent of a stand-up routine about airline food.

Sadly, looking back at the whole season, I can see the potential fighting for its moment to shine. Similar to the first season of Hacks, the show shines with dynamic chemistry between its leads, even when the writing is not helping them. Their interplay adds depth to this edgy and compelling drama. However, while Hacks found its footing halfway through its first season, this show didn’t.

The reason for that? It’s simple. It’s usually not a great idea to have characters laugh at each other’s jokes. However, the show doesn’t seem to care.

Should You Watch It?

Although it is not an overt sitcom, it is a decent show to watch while laundry. It could have been improved significantly with tighter storylines, faster pacing, and perhaps some slight action.

Where Can I Watch It?

You can stream all seasons of Bookie exclusively on Max in USA and Crave in Canada.