Line #1 Series/Arliss

Context Series / Arliss

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1	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/arliss.jpg]]
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3	''Arliss'' (stylized as ''Arli$$'') is an American cult comedy series that aired on Creator/{{HBO}}. It lasted from August 1996 to September 2002, for a total of 80 episodes over seven seasons.
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5	The show follows the adventures of L.A.-based sports agent Arliss Michael (Creator/RobertWuhl). Also in the main cast are his personal assistant Rita Wu (Creator/SandraOh), financial advisor Stanley Babson (Creator/MichaelBoatman), and retired football star turned associate agent Kirby Carlisle (Jim Turner).
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7	The show also features a great many appearances by real-life athletes and other sports figures playing [[AsHimself themselves]].
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10	!!This show provides examples of:
11	* ActorAllusion: In one episode, Arliss praises the first ''[[Film/Batman1989 Batman]]'' movie (in which Wuhl had a supporting part), but is uninterested in the sequels.
12	* BrokenPedestal: Used several times, most notably when Arliss helps a retired ballplayer accused of beating his second wife. His first wife says that the two were together but then confesses to Arliss that she's covering for her husband. When Arliss asks why, she responds "why do you think we got divorced in the first place?" and she'd rather the world think her husband a cheater than a wife-beater. Arliss is rocked to discover his idol is this way and, while not calling him out on it, does drop him as a client.
13	* CelebrityCameo: There were multiple appearances by famous sports figures and other celebrities in each episode. Apparently, the total number of cameos across the show's seven seasons tops '''400'''.
14	* EvolvingCredits: The format for the opening credits was always the same: Stock footage of athletes competing with Arliss' OpeningNarration (see below) over top of it, then switching to footage of Wuhl at actual sporting events in character as Arliss interacting with famous athletes, coaches, and even some broadcasters like Bob Costas. Meanwhile, the other stars would have footage of them from episodes of the show interacting with a notable sports figure. Over the course of the show's run, many of these clips - including some of the stock footage - would be swapped out for newer ones.
15	* LuckyCharmsTitle: The show's name was sometimes stylized as "''Arli$$''".
16	* OpeningNarration: Each episode opened with the following from Wuhl in character as Arliss:
17	--> ''"For most of us, the dream of becoming a champion remains a fantasy. But for a special few, it is very much a reality. We cheer them. We live through them. Athletes are our last warriors. My job is to make their dreams come true. My name is Arliss Michaels. I represent athletes. These are my stories."''
18	* SpecialGuest: Arliss had big-name clients, as befitting a sports agent.
19	* UnsympatheticComedyProtagonist: The title character really is a scumbag.

Context Series / Arliss