Young Rock

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Young Rock
Young Rock title.png
First episode title card showing Adrian Groulx as a young Dwayne Johnson
GenreSitcom
Created by
Based onDwayne Johnson
Starring
Narrated byDwayne Johnson
ComposerNathan Matthew David
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes12
Production
Executive producers
  • Brian Gewirtz
  • Nahnatchka Khan
  • Dwayne Johnson
  • Hiram Garcia
  • Dany Garcia
  • Jeff Chiang
  • Jennifer Carreras
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time22–24 minutes
Production companies
DistributorNBCUniversal Television Distribution
Release
Original networkNBC
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
Original releaseFebruary 16, 2021 (2021-02-16) –
present (present)

Young Rock is an American television sitcom based upon the life of professional wrestler and actor Dwayne Johnson, also known by his ring name "The Rock".[1] The series is created by Nahnatchka Khan and Jeff Chiang and premiered on NBC on February 16, 2021. The series has received generally positive reviews from critics. In April 2021, the series was renewed for a second season.[2] A holiday special episode is scheduled to air on December 15, 2021, ahead of the second season premiere on March 15, 2022.[3][4]

Premise[]

The sitcom is set in a frame story where Johnson is running as a candidate in the 2032 United States presidential election. Each episode involves Johnson participating in an interview or other conversation which leads him to flashback to a story from one of three periods of Johnson's life (with occasional episodes where all three periods are shown): as a ten-year-old in Hawaii; as a high school student in Pennsylvania; and as a college student and football player at the University of Miami.[5]

Cast and characters[]

Main[]

Recurring[]

1982[]

(Note: All the wrestling recurring characters who appear in 1982 also appear in 1987 and the 1990s)

1987[]

  • Lexie Duncan as Karen, teenage Rock's girlfriend (Duncan also plays Lisa, Karen's twin sister.)
  • Bryan Probets as Principal Boggs
  • Stephen Adams as Kevin, Teenage Rock's rival for Karen
  • Matthew Farrelly as Ric Flair
  • Jade Drane as Roddy Piper
  • Adam Ray as Vince McMahon
  • Taj Cross as Gabe, Dwayne’s best friend in high school
  • Genevieve Hegney as Diane, Ata's employer

1990s[]

2032[]

  • Randall Park as a future version of himself, now the host of his own news show The Straight Line with Randall Park
  • Kenny Smith as a future version of himself, now a solo sports show host, unlike Inside the NBA
  • Rosario Dawson as General Monica Jackson, the VP candidate for Dwayne Johnson's presidential campaign
  • Ata Johnson cameos as a future version of herself during an interview between Dwayne and Randall, and in the season 1 finale.
  • Ed Orgeron cameos as a future version of himself during an interview between Dwayne and Kenny Smith

Episodes[]

Series overview[]

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
111February 23, 2021 (2021-02-23)May 4, 2021 (2021-05-04)
SpecialDecember 15, 2021 (2021-12-15)

Season 1 (2021)[]

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
11"Working the Gimmick"Nahnatchka KhanJeff Chiang & Nahnatchka KhanFebruary 16, 2021 (2021-02-16)1015.32[9]
In 2032, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is running for President of the United States. To prove he is like the everyday American, he sits down for an interview with Randall Park, now a journalist, and begins discussing his childhood. Johnson flashbacks to his life as a young boy in Hawaii, where his famous father Rocky Johnson, a wrestler, just won a match; they later go to Rocky's mother's house to talk to the rest of the family, to the dismay of Johnson's mother. Johnson then flashbacks to his teenage years in Pennsylvania, trying to impress girls by stealing and making himself appear wealthy, while dealing with his parents struggling to make income. Johnson also reminiscences about his college years, playing for the Miami Hurricanes', but not before his father shows up to the team's gym trying to make his son look good.
22"On the Road Again"Daina ReidJeff Chiang & Nahnatchka KhanFebruary 23, 2021 (2021-02-23)1063.61[10]
Continuing from the previous episode, Johnson continues to talk about his past in the interview with Park. As a high schooler in 1987 Pennsylvania, Johnson is continuing to lie about his wealth to impress girls, specifically a popular girl named Karen. He asks her to go on a date to his father's wrestling match, but when they attend the match, they realize it's in the middle of a flea market with very few spectators. Despite this event being slightly embarrassing to Johnson, Karen finds this interesting and continues to date him. Meanwhile, Johnson's mom Ata hangs out with a rich client whom she cleans her house for.
33"Forward, Together"Jeffrey WalkerJen D'AngeloMarch 2, 2021 (2021-03-02)1023.22[11]
Talking to his campaign manager (in 2032), Johnson begins talking about how life drastically changed when his father became famous for wrestling. Flashbacking, his younger self and his family learn from his grandmother, a wrestling promoter, that she is organizing an Island-wide wrestling tournament. However, one of the booked wrestlers backs out, claiming his mother is sick, but was actually offered more money by Greg Yao, another wrestling promoter. Rocky Johnson is also offered promotion by Yao, but Rocky is afraid he'll be left behind in the changing business. Meanwhile, Johnson's mom Ata, after being encouraged to do so, decides to pursue a career in singing on reality television, starting with singing at a restaurant.
44"Check Your Head"Jeffrey WalkerPatrick Kang & Michael LevinMarch 16, 2021 (2021-03-16)1092.96[12]
55"Don't Go Breaking My Heart"Daina ReidErik DurbinMarch 23, 2021 (2021-03-23)1072.90[13]
66"My Day with Andre"Jeffrey WalkerDavid SmithymanMarch 30, 2021 (2021-03-30)1032.58[14]
77"Johnson & Hopkins"Jeffrey WalkerErik DurbinApril 6, 2021 (2021-04-06)1102.63[15]
88"My Baby Only Drinks the Good Stuff"Daina ReidErica OyamaApril 13, 2021 (2021-04-13)1082.78[16]
99"A Lady Named Star Search"Jeffrey WalkerCindy FangApril 20, 2021 (2021-04-20)1042.64[17]
1010"Good vs. Great"Jeffrey WalkerErica OyamaApril 27, 2021 (2021-04-27)1112.40[18]
1111"Election Day"Jeffrey WalkerJeff Chiang & Nahnatchka KhanMay 4, 2021 (2021-05-04)1052.36[19]

Special (2021)[]

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S viewers
(millions)
12"A Christmas Peril"Nahnatchka KhanJen D'AngeloDecember 15, 2021 (2021-12-15)2023.06[20]

Production[]

Dwayne Johnson, who plays himself and executive producer

Development[]

On January 11, 2020, NBC gave a straight-to-series order to Young Rock, a comedy series based on Dwayne Johnson's early life created by Johnson and Nahnatchka Khan and produce the series with Jeff Chiang, Dany Garcia, Jennifer Carreras, Hiram Garcia, and Brian Gewirtz with Khan and Chiang writing the pilot.[21] In November 2020, production on the series commenced in Australia.[22] On January 15, 2021, it was announced that the series would premiere on February 16, 2021.[23] On April 30, 2021, the series was renewed for a second season.[2] A holiday special episode titled as "A Christmas Peril" is scheduled to air on December 15, 2021, ahead of the second season premiere on March 15, 2022.[3][4]

Casting[]

Three actors were cast to play Johnson at three ages from his youth.[24] On September 30, 2020, Johnson revealed that Bradley Constant was cast as 15-year-old Johnson, Uli Latukefu as 18–20-year-old Johnson, Adrian Groulx as 10-year-old Johnson, Stacey Leilua as Johnson's mother, Ata Johnson, Joseph Lee Anderson as Johnson's father, Rocky Johnson, and Ana Tuisila as Johnson's grandmother, Lia Maivia.[25] On August 3, 2021, Matthew Willig was promoted to series regular for the second season.[7]

Release[]

Marketing[]

During the 2020 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, an inflatable CGI float featuring Dwayne Johnson in his 20s was unveiled in promotion of the television show.[26]

Reception[]

Critical response[]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the first episode has a "certified fresh" rating of 90% based on 31 reviews, with an average rating of 7.70/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Anchored by a winsome ensemble, Young Rock is an endearing peek behind the curtain of both Dwayne Johnson's childhood and the wild world of wrestling."[27] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 67 out of 100, based on 16 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[28]

Ratings[]

Season 1[]

Viewership and ratings per episode of Young Rock
No. Title Air date Rating
(18–49)		 Viewers
(millions)		 DVR
(18–49)		 DVR viewers
(millions)		 Total
(18–49)		 Total viewers
(millions)
1 "Working the Gimmick" February 16, 2021 1.0 5.32[9] 0.4 1.38 1.4 6.70[29]
2 "On the Road Again" February 23, 2021 0.8 3.61[10] 0.3 1.07 1.1 4.68[30]
3 "Forward, Together" March 2, 2021 0.7 3.22[11] 0.3 0.96 1.0 4.19[31]
4 "Check Your Head" March 16, 2021 0.6 2.96[12] N/A N/A N/A N/A
5 "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" March 23, 2021 0.6 2.90[13] N/A N/A N/A N/A
6 "My Day With Andre" March 30, 2021 0.6 2.58[14] N/A N/A N/A N/A
7 "Johnson & Hopkins" April 6, 2021 0.5 2.63[15] 0.2 0.66 0.7 3.29[32]
8 "My Baby Only Drinks the Good Stuff" April 13, 2021 0.6 2.78[16] 0.2 0.67 0.8 3.45[33]
9 "A Lady Named Star Search" April 20, 2021 0.5 2.64[17] 0.3 0.67 0.8 3.31[34]
10 "Good vs. Great" April 27, 2021 0.5 2.40[18] 0.2 0.61 0.7 3.00[35]
11 "Election Day" May 4, 2021 0.5 2.36[19] 0.2 0.56 0.7 2.92[36]

Special[]

Viewership and ratings per episode of Young Rock
No. Title Air date Rating
(18–49)		 Viewers
(millions)		 DVR
(18–49)		 DVR viewers
(millions)		 Total
(18–49)		 Total viewers
(millions)
12 "A Christmas Peril" December 16, 2021 0.5 3.06[20] TBD TBD TBD TBD

References[]

  1. ^ Thorne, Will (September 30, 2020). "Dwayne Johnson's 'Young Rock' NBC Comedy Sets Main Cast". Variety. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  2. ^ a b White, Peter (April 30, 2021). "'Young Rock' & 'Kenan' Renewed For Season 2 At NBC". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Petski, Denise (November 3, 2021). "NBC Sets Holiday Previews For Five Comedy Series– 'Young Rock', 'Kenan', 'Mr. Mayor', More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  4. ^ a b "NBC Rings in 2022 with Dynamic Talent, A Double Dose of New Comedy, Bold Dramas and Supercharged Unscripted Formats" (Press release). NBC. November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021 – via The Futon Critic.
  5. ^ Reid, Joe (February 16, 2021). "Young Rock Is a Pro Wrestling Sitcom Begging to Break Free". Primetimer. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  6. ^ Petski, Denise (February 10, 2021). "'Young Rock': Matthew Willig To Play André the Giant In Dwayne Johnson's NBC Comedy Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  7. ^ a b Petski, Denise (August 3, 2021). "'Young Rock': Matthew Willig Upped To Series Regular On Dwayne Johnson's NBC Comedy Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  8. ^ a b Thomas, Jeremy (November 25, 2020). "First Young Rock Stills Feature Iron Sheik, Andre the Giant, Junkyard Dog". 411Mania. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (February 18, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.16.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on February 18, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
  10. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (February 24, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.23.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  11. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (March 3, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.2.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  12. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (March 17, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.16.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 17, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  13. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (March 24, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.23.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 24, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  14. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (March 31, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.30.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  15. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (April 7, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.6.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 7, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  16. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (April 14, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.13.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  17. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (April 21, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.20.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  18. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (April 28, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.27.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  19. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (May 5, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.4.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 5, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  20. ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (December 16, 2021). "ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.15.2021 Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  21. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 11, 2020). "'Young Rock': Dwayne Johnson Teams With Nahnatchka Khan For NBC Comedy Series Inspired By Him". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  22. ^ Hipes, Patrick (November 23, 2020). "NBC's Dwayne Johnson Comedy Series 'Young Rock' Kicks Off Production In Australia". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  23. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 15, 2021). "NBC Opens Tuesday Comedy Block With 'Young Rock' & 'Kenan' As 'Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist' Goes On Hiatus". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  24. ^ Yeung, Jeff (October 4, 2020). "Dwayne Johnson Announces Cast of 'Young Rock'". Hype Beast. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  25. ^ Petski, Denise (September 30, 2020). "'Young Rock': Dwayne Johnson's NBC Comedy Sets Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  26. ^ "Best Moments of the 94th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade". MSN. January 29, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  27. ^ "Young Rock: Season 1 (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  28. ^ "Young Rock: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  29. ^ Pucci, Douglas (March 8, 2021). "Live+7 Weekly Ratings: 'Big Sky' the Top Total Viewer Gainer in Each Week of its Winter Run". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  30. ^ Pucci, Douglas (March 18, 2021). "Live+7 Weekly Ratings: 'The Conners' and 'Young Sheldon' Lead Comedies in Gains". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
  31. ^ Pucci, Douglas (March 22, 2021). "Live+7 Weekly Ratings: 'New Amsterdam' Third Season Premiere Moves in to Total Viewer Gains Lead Position". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  32. ^ Berman, Marc (April 7, 2021). "Tuesday Ratings: Clean Sweep for CBS; 'Pooch Perfect' Declines Considerably on ABC". Programming Insider. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  33. ^ Berman, Marc (April 14, 2021). "Tuesday Ratings: CBS Tops in Total Viewers Despite Airing All Repeats; NBC Leads in Adults 18-49". Programming Insider. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  34. ^ Berman, Marc (April 21, 2021). "Tuesday Ratings: CBS in Repeats From 8-10 p.m. ET; Modest Results Elsewhere". Programming Insider. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  35. ^ Berman, Marc (April 28, 2021). "Tuesday Ratings: Clean Sweep for CBS". Programming Insider. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  36. ^ Berman, Marc (May 5, 2021). "Tuesday Ratings: Clean Sweep for CBS". Programming Insider. Retrieved May 22, 2021.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""