While many NBA fans are fantasizing of a return to the court for Kobe Bryant, hoping to see #24 playing with #23 in Los Angeles, the five-time champion appears to have other aspirations.
Bryant has kept busy since retiring from the Lakers with his NBA analysis show on ESPN, Detail, along with other post-playing ventures which include fantasy novels and now a podcast for children, according to his interview with Sports Illustrated.
It recently became common practice for athletes to start their own production companies with LeBron James and Kevin Durant leading the charge, but Kobe wants to be sure anything that has his name on it also has his heart in it. Bryant launched Kobe Studios more than two years ago and had no interest in letting someone else do the work while just using his name for the credits.
“I’ve gotten a lot of those offers,” Bryant told SI’s Lee Jenkins with a laugh, “to executive produce shows and documentaries. I say no to all of them. If I’m going to put my name on something, I’m going to invest the time and really work on it. That’s why we don’t do many things here. But the things we do, we turn over and over and over again.”
For Bryant, The Punies Podcast is no different. The made for children podcast isn’t your typical retired athlete sports program, it requires seven actors, two keyboards and an Emmy-nominated writer. According to the SI article, Kobe’s podcast stems from an idea Bryant had two-years ago while watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. The Punies Podcast offers a cast of characters who share a commonality in their passion for sports.
An Academy Award winner for his short film Dear Basketball, Bryant is constantly utilizing his creativity, Kobe sits in the room as the podcast is being recorded, knowing the script and offering advice such as, “You’re all kids at the park,” Bryant announces. “Your parents aren’t here. Have fun. Let it rip.” This is not just sitting down to a record a quick podcast, Bryant’s team practices and shows up to work daily.
“Take the material home, study it, and you’ll fall more in line with your characters,” said Bryant, whose effort off the court sounds similar to the work ethic he exuded on the court. “Work on your lines together, two hours a day. Practice.”
The Punies Podcast will be available for download beginning August 25th.
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.