Blake Griffin traded the basketball court for a late-night desk this week with the launch of his new show, The Stepback with Blake Griffin. The series went live Tuesday morning on YouTube and Amazon Prime Video, putting Griffin’s comedic side front and centre as he blends humour with sports analysis.
The Stepback is not a straightforward comedy. The creators describe it as “a new original series blending late-night comedy with real sports commentary.” Each episode sees Griffin breaking down sports topics in front of a live studio audience, tackling issues from sports betting economics and hot-take culture to athlete empowerment and viral moments. The show aims to go beyond usual game recaps, exploring the cultural forces shaping modern sports fandom through Griffin’s perspective as a former player, sports dad, and lifelong fan.
The debut episode, titled “What Happened to Sports Journalism?”, evokes the style of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, though it zeroes in on sports rather than politics or general news. Griffin appears in a suit behind a desk, adopting the traditional late-night format to deliver his take on the evolving landscape of sports media.
Griffin retired from the NBA after the 2022-23 season, ending a career that was hampered by injuries in its later stages. His final full season playing over 70 games was 2018-19 with the Detroit Pistons, when he averaged a career-high 24.5 points per game. After that, he never averaged more than 20 points in a season again.
While his on-court production slowed, Griffin was preparing for life after basketball. He has since become an analyst for NBA coverage on Prime Video. Before this new show, he hosted a prank series on TruTV called Double Cross with Blake Griffin and made guest appearances on The Simpsons. His comedy credentials include performing at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal and participating as a roaster in the 2019 Comedy Central roast of Alec Baldwin.
The Stepback reflects Griffin’s ongoing interest in mixing sports with comedy and commentary. By using his experience as a veteran player and his comedic background, the show attempts to address sports culture with a tone that balances humour and insight. The creators’ description says the show is “built for an audience that lives and breathes sports as a lifestyle,” suggesting Griffin and his team are targeting fans who want something beyond standard analysis.
Griffin’s move into late-night comedy comes after years of dabbling in stand-up and comedic roles. His appearance on Broad City and his stand-up performances indicate a longer-term investment in entertainment outside of basketball. Now, with The Stepback available on major streaming platforms, Griffin has expanded his reach beyond sports commentary into a hybrid format that combines laughter with serious sports discussion.
The show’s launch positions Griffin among athletes who have transitioned into media careers that mix commentary and entertainment. While the initial episode focuses on sports journalism’s state, future installments are expected to explore a wider range of topics affecting the sports world and its fans. The Stepback’s live format and mix of cultural and sports analysis suggest Griffin is aiming for a niche audience that appreciates both comedy and a deeper look at the forces shaping sports today.
According to Yahoo Sports.
