TV series
A behind-the-scenes look at the glitzy, big-money world of professional sports following the eternally optimistic and endlessly resourceful L.A. sports agent Arliss Michaels whose Achilles' heel is his inability to say “no” to clients and employees.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Jul 22, 2026
Arli$$ is available to stream on HBO (Via Hulu) and HBO Max in United States. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
A behind-the-scenes look at the glitzy, big-money world of professional sports following the eternally optimistic and endlessly resourceful L.A. sports agent Arliss Michaels whose Achilles' heel is his inability to say “no” to clients and employees.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
Arliss buys a rare piece of memorabilia, and sends a client to a hypnotist to help him quit chewing tobacco. When treatment appears to work, Arliss sends Kirby there to quit gambling. Meanwhile, Rita tries to keep an LPGA client from falling off the wagon.
Directed by Robert WuhlWritten by Robert WuhlGuest stars Linda Cohn, Jamal Anderson, Lee Arenberg, Joe Morgan, Joyce Guy, Kevin Kennedy, Colby French, William Salyers
Episode 2
Arliss learns that a good friend and client, who is about to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, is being charged with domestic abuse. Meanwhile, Rita's activist friend sides with the client's wife.
Directed by Michael GrossmanGuest stars Roy Jones Jr., Rollie Fingers, Frank Deford, Ernie Banks, Robert Shapiro, Dave Winfield, Gerry Del Sol, Madison Mason
Episode 3
Arliss has to walk the fence when two clients, both teammates, are dating the same girl. Rita plays Cyrano for one of the clients, and a TV reporter shows up to do a ""Where Are They Now?"" segment on Kirby.
Directed by Melanie MayronGuest stars Derek Fisher, Wade Phillips, Jeffrey Lurie, Marshall Faulk, Jerry Jones, Gale Mayron, Manouschka Guerrier, Michael Taliferro
Episode 4
Arliss must help a client bury his mother. Meanwhile, Stanley's having a run of bad luck that threatens his chess game, so he goes looking for a ""slumpbuster."" And Kirby comes face-to-face with his own slumpbuster from 18 years ago, and must face the consequences.
Directed by Melanie MayronGuest stars Lynne Moody, Carl Lewis, Stuart Scott, Karen Kim, Peter Spruyt, Lincoln Kennedy, Ashlee Turner, Tony Gonzalez
Episode 5
Arliss tries to talk the ""pot dealer to the NBA"" out of retiring by offering to get his kid into a fancy private school. Meanwhile, Rita plays a relationship with a physical trainer by ""The Rules.""
Guest stars Coolio, John Pyper-Ferguson, Jeanette Lee, Martez Covington, David Wells, Wade Boggs, Rafael Palmeiro, John Billingsley
Episode 6
Arliss has an affair with a WNBA coach, but his client (also the coach's star player) wants her fired. Meanwhile, in the aftermath of a wild birthday celebration, Kirby and Rita suspect they may have ""done it.""
Directed by John MurrayGuest stars Tanjareen Martin, Chrisanne Eastwood, Eric Dickerson, Jose Lima, Lin Shaye, Annie Grindlay, Tony Doria, Angela Oh
Episode 7
A baseball client needs a kidney, and Arliss tries to convince the player's minor-league brother to donate his. Meanwhile, a soccer client scores a goal for the opposing team, causing him to take refuge at Rita's apartment while Kirby goes into hiding.
Guest stars John Reilly, Gerry Del Sol, Jessie Armstead, Kevin Greene, Pat O'Brien, Phillip Rhys, Max E. Williams, David Denman
Episode 8
When one of his boxing clients enlists in the Army, Arliss tries to figure out a way to get him out. Meanwhile, Stanley and a native-American tribal chief attempt to get a football team to change its ""offensive"" mascot.
Written by Sam KassGuest stars David Graf, Richard Minchenberg, Seth Abraham, Denny Neagle, Bruce Smith, Michael Horse, Patrick Fabian, Adrian Ricard
Episode 9
Arliss, Rita and Stanley must deal with Kirby's absence when he leaves the agency to join a fledgling football league run by a flashy TV producer.
Guest stars Jeremy Roenick, Joe Piscopo, Barry Larkin, Erik Estrada, Doug Flutie, Alex Ochoa, JF Davis, Brant von Hoffman
Episode 10
Arliss tries to get a dotcom millionaire team owner to re-sign an aging broadcaster who may be losing his touch. Rita ghostwrites a column for Arliss, and Kirby helps discipline Stanley's unruly dog.
Guest stars Tommy Lasorda, Al Leiter, Jon Miller, Ed Asner, Eileen Ryan, Lamar Odom, Maury Ginsberg, Laurie Franks
Episode 11
Arliss pursues popular mascot Reggie the Rooster, using a fundraiser Stanley has organized for another mascot, who was injured in the line of duty. Rita takes up boxing after a series of obscene phone calls.
Directed by Lev L. SpiroWritten by Kevin FallsGuest stars Jason Giambi, Laila Ali, John Reilly, Jason George, Tracy McGrady, Rob Mars, Shaheed Qaasim, Jeremy Giambi
Episode 12
Arliss is named executor of a superstar jockey's will, which leaves everything to his wife - but he had two wives. Kirby discovers that his former coach is now homeless.
Directed by Michael GrossmanGuest stars Keith Van Horn, Alexis Cruz, Lara Harris, Jennifer Bini Taylor, Keone Young, Bill Blair, Kenneth Choi, Monica McSwain
Episode 13
Arliss' ne'er-do-well brother Archie uses his name to further a scam. Kirby and Stanley plot their own scam on a stadium concession millionaire. Stanley purposely swallows a ring that turned up in a burger.
Directed by Melanie MayronGuest stars David Keith, Gregory White, Jim Brown, Ryan Klesko, Leonard Maltin, Lawrence Taylor, Boris Lee Krutonog, Christopher Coulson
Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026
Robert WuhlArliss Michaels
Sandra OhRita Wu
Jim TurnerKirby Carlisle
Michael BoatmanStanley Babson
Katarina WittKatarina Witt
Jeremy RoenickJeremy Roenick
Tommy LasordaTommy Lasorda
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