The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins (2026) s01e01 Episode Script

1
[NBC Fanfare]
[soft dramatic music]
- Football was never
just a game for me.
It was my life.
My neighborhood in Brooklyn
was rough.
And way too close to JFK.
But football got me out.
- With the first pick,
Green Bay selects
Reggie Dinkins
from Rutgers University.
- And All-Pro running back
Reggie Dinkins
is now a two-time NFL MVP.
- But the MVP I really want
is that new McDonald's
Veal Platter.
- It's official, folks!
Brooklyn's own Reggie Dinkins
is coming home.
- 2005.
That season was destiny,
and I was gonna be a legend.
[crowd chanting
"Reggie, Reggie, Reggie]
No.
No, I don't like this.
I don't like this.
That's a bummer.
- Okay, well, you
it's a work in progress,
obviously, but, you know,
you hired me to make
a documentary about you, so
- No, I hired you to do
what I tell you to do.
Now I gotta put on
my producer hat.
This movie is supposed to
show people how great I am!
What's up with
that theme music?
My fiancée Brina
should do the theme song.
Brina!
- You got it, baby!
[light funky music]
[clears throat]
Reggie Dinkins is the best ♪
- She knows!
Just look!
- At football and
sweet kisses in the night ♪
- Wow!
This is what people want.
[bright music]
- "The Fall and Rise
of Reggie Dinkins" ♪
- Welcome to my world.
Yes, I was an NFL superstar,
but my most important job now
is loving father.
Oh, look, Carmelo.
I see you're taking my advice
and improving your mind
with study!
- You know it, Dad.
- Books are brain movies.
Now, this right here
you see this right?
Y'all getting this?
This right here is where
I'ma hang my gold jacket
when I'm in the Hall of Fame.
- Wait, you're not
in the Hall of Fame?
Stand.
After your slammin' career?
- Well, you tell me about it,
Rusty, my friend
regardless of race.
- [sighs]
Unbelievable.
As I always tell my students
at the University of Maryland,
documentary filmmaking
is about piercing
the artifice that people
want to show to the world
- Dude, did you bring these
posters with you from home?
Me and Reggie met in
training camp back in '03.
I was just a backup kicker
out of The Miami
of Oneonta University,
but Reggie was the man.
He had a taco named
after him at Hardee's.
So you wouldn't think
me and him would have
nothing in common,
but we just hit it off.
Now Reggie lets me live
in his basement.
Y'know, best friend stuff.
I also run all
of his social media.
We went viral last week,
'cause I had a rash on my neck,
and a bunch of nurses
reached out.
[birds chirping]
- I'm honestly really impressed
you've been able
to hold on to your money
after what happened
- Yup!
All thanks to my
business manager and agent.
She takes care of
all of that stuff.
- Yeah, I understand you bought
a Welsh soccer team
years before
Ryan Reynolds and friend.
- Yeah, she is a killer!
Because of her,
I named my barracuda Monica.
- Mom!
- Hey, baby.
- Hey.
Is your father? Ooh!
Oh, for how long
has this been going on?
- Three days.
- So your ex-wife
is still your agent.
- When I needed someone
in my corner,
I went with the one person
who was with me from the start.
In the ninth grade,
this Catholic school
with a legit football
program wanted to give me
a scholarship,
but it was way out of Brooklyn.
You know Eel Cove?
Monica took all the money
she saved
and bought me a scooter
so I could get
to school every day.
Man, I wouldn't be
anywhere without her.
- And yet she is
no longer your "boo."
- Great use of urban slang.
Life is complicated
- Reggie.
Oh, I hate to interrupt this,
but can I please talk
to you alone?
- I don't think so.
See, Arthur Tobin's style
is immersive.
He even filmed me
sleeping last night.
Talking in your sleep
is for babies.
If I ever talked in my sleep,
I'd be so embarrassed.
- Reggie, when you asked me,
I said,
don't make a documentary.
I also said
don't buy that football made
out of the original Miss Piggy.
I am telling you,
letting cameras in your home,
that's a bad idea.
- Okay, remember when
Carmelo was little
and you said going on
a family cruise
was a bad idea because
you was afraid of norovirus?
- And then
we all got norovirus.
- Yeah, but we also got to see
the Northern Lights!
- That was magical as hell.
Look, I know you think this is
gonna get you back on top.
The Hall of Fame.
Doing color commentary.
- You know it's not just
about that stuff.
I want to be respected again.
I want Carmelo to have
a father he can look up to.
- Well, if you want respect,
this documentary
is not the way to get it.
All that's gonna happen is
you're gonna end up showing
your whole ass to the world.
- You're welcome, world.
I got a donk!
- Also,
it's a huge waste of money
when you're not making any.
What was the last endorsement
I was able to get you?
- What is this an ad for?
- Look, yeah,
we both thought we'd be in
a different place by now.
I just negotiated Reggie
the biggest contract
in NFL history, and one day,
I'm gonna be on
the other side of that table.
I'm gonna run this team!
- And we'll still be married!
- But I actually have a plan.
That's what I came
to talk to you about.
I have an interview
tomorrow at I DON'T KNOW
- The agency?
- This could be
a good move for us.
Their sports
management department
reps Steph, Saquon, LeBron
- I need full names.
You know how many
LeBrons I know?
- At a big agency like IDK,
maybe I'll have enough pull
to get us both back on track.
So let's just forget about
your little movie, okay?
- No, that's happening.
We already started.
- Do you seriously trust
some random dude
with a camera more than me?
- Come on,
Arthur Tobin is cool.
- Really?
There is no way that man
could ever understand
where you come from.
He is the whitest person
you have got to be kidding me.
- Good talk!
We both agree
nothing's gonna change,
and my Miss Piggy football
is a great investment!
Just use that last part.
I found it!
The sword I was talking about.
Tom Cruise
used it in that movie
where he played the samurai.
It's true,
he actually did that.
We should use this
in our movie.
- Reggie has an amazing idea
for the ending.
I get taken, and Reggie
rescues me with a famous sword.
- Reggie, you know what the
word documentary means, right?
- Well, I assume it's from
the Latin word documentum,
meaning lesson or instruction.
I took Latin in college,
'cause I thought
it would help me
meet Dominican chicks.
But then I liked it.
So many languages come from it.
I'm just trying to
make this movie
the best that it can be
- Documentary.
And you you can't really make
a documentary work, Reggie.
Frankly, all this fake
play-acting you're doing
is really getting in the way.
- I'm sorry, but he wrote
things for me to say.
I mean, "Dad,
you're such a good dancer.
Can you teach me
how to 'doo-zhee?'"
- It's Dougie!
We practiced this!
- Now I know it's Dougie.
- So we have got to talk about
what happened
after the 2005
AFC Championship game
- I mixed up
some phone numbers.
It can happen to anyone.
- Reggie Dinkins,
you straight owned Indy today.
How does it feel to be
Super Bowl-bound?
- Better for me than you!
'Cause you owe me 250k
a hunnid for the win,
a hunnid for going
over 200 yards,
and 50 for scoring
more than one touchdown.
I scored four.
- What, are you
are you saying
that you gambled on the game?!
- [laughs]
Very funny.
You know I bet on every game.
You're my bookie!
- Hey, and put
a thousand in quarters.
We're going to
Dave and Buster's!
- You know it, brother.
Now, where's the phone number
for that live TV interview
I'm supposed to do?
- You were immediately banned
for life from football.
- Yeah, but I only bet
on myself!
And I only bet to win.
That was more motivation
to play good.
Sort of how like
a waitress works for tips?
- Without you, your teammates
lost the Super Bowl
to Seattle 61 to 2.
You were dropped
by Progresso soup.
Your episode of
"Ghost Whisperer"
never even aired.
- Yeah, and that really
messed up Melinda's season arc!
Okay, that's not what this
documentary is about, dude.
- Like I told you on the phone,
we don't really know
what this documentary
is about yet.
It will emerge
- And I told you
this was a puff piece, okay?
That I'm paying for! Hey
[grunting]
None of this is going
in the documentary!
Now, I want you to come
film me dunking
on a regulation 10-foot hoop.
[grunts]
Shoot me so
you can't see the ground!
- Okay, come down.
My turn.
- Can we talk
about the gambling?
- Oh, jeez, uh, Reggie
said I wasn't supposed
to talk about the G word.
- Of course my dad was upset.
I don't like talking
about it either.
- So you want to talk
about the worst thing
that ever happened
to my family?
- But I don't know if
he meant gambling or grandma.
'Cause in my family,
we don't talk about it much,
but Grandma shoplifts.
- Come on, Marty, guys,
I know we said
"film everything,"
but can you give it
a rest, please?
[door thudding,
footsteps approaching]
- I am onto you,
Mr. Arthur Tobin.
Yeah, I know why this
bearded infant took this job.
- Oh, wha? I don't
what do you which thing?
I don't know what you mean.
- It turns out
I can't even trust you
to do what Reggie
is paying you for.
I saw one of
your little movies.
At four-times speed
on my phone.
It was good.
You won the damn Oscar.
So why would the director
of "A Rose for Joshua"
even be here?
To make some artsy movie
where Reggie looks
like a tragic loser?
- No, no, no, no.
I just I think there
could be a real doc here.
Short for "documentary."
You know,
maybe something about
our national gambling
addiction, or how fame
- So I was right.
You're here to get
what you need.
But you, sir, are
underestimating Reggie Dinkins.
He is not going to let you
hijack his movie.
- He doesn't even want a movie.
He wants a commercial.
And I swore I would never
make another commercial.
[tinkling piano melody]
- You. Me. Same.
- And besides,
I couldn't make Reggie's movie
even if I wanted to,
because I can't
- "Can't" what, Arthur?
- So I spoke to the NFL lawyers
earlier today,
and there is a slight chance
they won't let us use
any game footage.
No, no, I I know
Reggie Dinkins
is a stain on the Shield,
but I just think that
by redeeming him, we can
Okay, look.
Please, please, Susan,
I need this to work.
[grunts]
- [laughs]
This is over.
- Okay.
Okay.
I said please stop
shooting me, Marty!
- Right,
but he said to follow you.
- Oh, did we film some stuff
you wouldn't want
people to see?
How's your own medicine taste?
- Very cute, Reggie.
Why would I use
any of this footage?
- Because you work for me!
- Well, Arthur won't be
working for you very long.
He can't even get the NFL
to let him use
your old game footage.
- Seriously?
I mean,
what's a sports documentary
without sports?
- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
- I told you not to make
this stupid movie.
It is a waste of money.
- Yeah, my money!
The money that pays
for your BMW
and your son's fart medication.
- Can we not put that in?
- And my agent works for me,
Monica.
So if I say
we're gonna waste money,
we're gonna waste some money!
- Reggie's not your man
anymore, Monica!
Monica's never been anything
but lovely to me.
I just want to be
in the documentary.
- Archibald Reginald Dinkins,
I have put my life
on hold for you.
But if you're not gonna
listen to my advice,
there's no point
in me even being here.
I do have other options,
you know.
- So go!
I'm the only reason why
them people was interested
in you anyway.
I'm all you got.
- That's not fair, Reg.
She represents
a kid who plays Fortnite
and Geena Davis,
but just for archery.
- You go tell those agent
people you don't represent
Reggie Dinkins no more.
Let's see how long
they want you around then.
- If you insist!
I quit.
- You know what?
She's right.
This is a waste of
your money and my time.
I don't even care
that my career is ov
this could have been
a really good film.
But you had to ruin it.
So you can mail
my posters back to me
at the University of Maryland
Center for Documentary,
Anime, and Pornography.
- Good!
We'll make this movie
without you.
Yeah, movie!
Yeah!
Whoo!
[grunting]
- You don't need to do it
in slow-mo, man.
We could just do that
in the computer.
- I'm going as fast
as I can, Rusty!
[whistle tweets]
- Good job, baby!
- Hey, Dad,
what if I play you
in the reenactments?
I mean, I know
all your old moves.
Huh.
- I call that the Go Away, You!
We're gonna figure this out
without Arthur Tobin
and She Who Shall Not Be Named.
- Yeah.
But you know, that fight
with Mom, that was
- Mom?
I would never fight
with my mother.
She lives in Florida,
and she's a saint.
- Mom mom.
Like, she didn't quit
for real, right?
'Cause we do need her.
- For what?
Brina can do anything
she can do.
Bri-Bri,
will you call my knee doctor
and tell him that
little hat bone is gone?
- Okay, honey.
- What?
- Nothing.
- Come on.
[chuckles]
You can be real with me.
Like I always say,
a son is just a homey you make.
- You do say that.
It's just,
I really want this to work.
And real talk,
it hasn't always been easy
for me, either.
Playing football
with Dinkins on my back?
[scoffs]
I take more crap than anyone,
and there's a kid on our team
named Osama Epstein.
- You think I don't know that?
I know I hurt you all
you, your mother, even Rusty.
But if I can't fix
all this, son,
then what kind of man am I?
And I would be stomping off
right now,
but my knee is locked
in this position.
- Monica!
Bro, we are so amped
and I don't use
that word lightly
to meet you.
But I gotta start by asking
about Reggie Dinkins.
- Right, well, um,
full disclosure,
I recently ended my
professional relationship
with Reggie.
- That is music to my ears,
and I don't even
listen to music.
Like, what's the point?
- Well, I'm glad you're amped.
- Oh, no, no.
I was amped before,
but now I am full-on pumped.
T.B. Honest,
you repping Reggie
was kind of the only thing
keeping us from getting pumped.
That guy was dead weight.
- [politely chuckles]
He is the father of my child.
- No, I get it.
That's why dropping him
is such a baller move.
And now, um, I guess
he can go back to betting
on football, right?
[laughs]
- He'll be fine.
Reggie's actually
making his own moves.
He's working on making
a documentary
- Oh.
- With an
Oscar-winning director.
You may know Arthur Tobin.
- [laughs]
Oh, wow.
Oh, my God, Tobin?!
That's hilarious!
- Wait, what's hilarious
about Arthur Tobin?
- Reggie, I can't do this.
You know I was excited
about the documentary.
But if it's between
the movie and Monica,
you gotta choose Monica.
I called every doctor
in your phone,
and they all DJs.
- And Julius Erving.
- This is not just
about your knee.
Monica is a part of your life.
She's a part of our life.
You remember on vacation
when we got lost in Tuscany?
But Monica had put
an AirTag on you,
and that's how the police
were able to find us.
- If it weren't for her,
we'd still be trapped
in that mausoleum.
- I knew she was a part
of the deal going in.
She has to be.
- The talent guys here,
they used to rep Tobin.
After he won that Oscar,
they got him
a full-on Marvel movie.
- He directed
a superhero movie?
- He tried!
He couldn't handle
the pressure.
Total on-set breakdown.
Tanked the whole project.
It got swept under the rug
'cause Disney
didn't want to tarnish the IP,
but the video is epic.
Here, I'll put it in the chat.
- You are Professor Squeeze, obviously.
Uh, this tennis ball
here is Deathatron,
and these are moons?
Space babies?!
Why are there
more tennis balls?
Wait, the scene is
a tennis match now?
What, so some of
these tennis balls
are actually tennis balls?
Which ones?!
This! Movie! Makes!
No sense!
[screams]
I am not an organ donor!
Do not take my organs!
- [laughs]
Oh, my God.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry,
but this is too perfect.
Reggie Dinkins and
Arthur Tobin together?
Those two deserve each other.
- Yeah, maybe they do.
[upbeat hip-hop music]
- [laughs]
Oh, wait, wait, wait.
Hang on, hang on.
Let me
let me play the video again.
- Run fast,
that's what I do ♪
I like to run fast,
and you can too ♪
It's cool to run ♪
- What are you doing?
- This is that rap album
you so wisely
convinced me not to release,
'cause you always
look out for me.
And if you stop doing that,
I'll die.
- Hmm.
- So I'm listening to you.
No more movie.
The cameras are only there
because Marty and I
don't know how to transition
into a friendship
that isn't based on work.
- Love you, Reg.
- So please,
former baby, take me back.
But only professionally.
- Fine.
'Cause I didn't take the job.
Remember that scooter that
I bought you back in the day?
I always bet on Reggie Dinkins.
- Just like I did illegally.
- But Reg, those LA pricks,
they think you're a lost cause.
And the truth is,
I'm out of ideas.
But you actually have one,
so
[sighs]
You want to take your shot?
- Are you saying what
I think you're saying?
That I can get a gun?
- I'm saying we need
to go find Arthur Tobin.
[bus horn honks]
- Aw!
- [sighs]
We missed it.
Oh, great.
- Did you lie about
being from Baltimore?
What a weird lie!
- What? No.
I just needed
some time to think.
- Arthur,
I get why you don't want
to go home like this again.
I know about
"Professor Squeeze."
- It's not your fault,
robot that will
be voiced by Keira Knightley.
It's yours, Viola Davis.
Okay, wow.
Yes, congratulations, Monica.
You are right again.
I can't be trusted
to do anything.
I can't even sell out properly,
and I haven't worked since.
They they repossessed my car,
so yes, I had to take the bus
here to the first job
I have been offered
in two years.
- So you lied when you said
you took it 'cause
I'm your childhood hero?
- I never said that.
You're not my childhood hero
- Here's the thing, Arthur.
I was wrong about you.
I thought there was no way you
could understand Reggie's life.
But you may be
the one person who can.
- 'Cause you messed up
just as bad as me.
You. Me. Same.
- Oh, you're you're saying
you want me to come back?
- If we're gonna do this,
we're gonna have to do it
your way.
Reggie has to face
what happened
like in David Beckham's movie
when he admitted
to having
all those dumb-ass haircuts.
- Remember them cornrows?
He met Nelson Mandela
with those.
- And hey, if this thing
actually somehow works,
it's a win-win-win.
But, you know,
you're gonna also have
to show people the good stuff.
Reggie messed up, but
he deserves a second chance.
You both do.
- Use that in the documentary.
- Maybe.
At least that was real.
- Oh, snap!
That reminds me!
Guys!
Guys, stop!
- Sorry, Mr. D.
We were waiting for you
to come save him
with a famous sword,
but you never showed up.
- Did I do good, Reggie?