The HBO Original five-part documentary series BORN TO BOWL, directed by Emmy®-nominated filmmakers James Lee Hernandez and Brian Lazarte (McMillion$), debuts Monday, March 16 (9:00–9:28 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will also stream on HBO Max. Subsequent episodes will air on Mondays at the same time. This creates a weekly appointment with the highs and lows of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour. Narrated by Liev Schreiber and produced with A24, the series blends cinematic storytelling with a grounded look at life on the lanes.
Inside the World of Professional Bowling
BORN TO BOWL takes viewers deep into the colorful and tightly knit world of professional bowling, following five of the sport’s biggest names — Kyle Troup, Anthony Simonsen, EJ Tackett, Cameron Crowe, and Jason Belmonte — as they chase glory, respect, and much-needed prize money on the PBA Tour.
Set within bowling’s blue‑collar culture, the series reframes a familiar American family pastime as a demanding profession shaped by:
- Ancient roots and long-standing traditions
- The personalities and quirks of its stars
- Relentless practice, mental toughness, and technical precision
Every season, PBA bowlers haul their carefully tuned bowling balls from one city to another. They fight for wins from Akron to Reno. Bowlers often cut costs by sharing budget hotel rooms and stretching every dollar. At different stages of their careers, each man must balance his ambition and passion for the game with the hard reality of a profession where income is determined week to week — and where day jobs are sometimes necessary just to stay afloat.
With every strike, spare, and split, BORN TO BOWL offers a humorous and heartfelt portrait of life on a professional sports tour that is anything but straight down the lane.
Episode Guide
Episode 1
Debut date: Monday, March 16 (9:00–9:30 p.m. ET/PT)
At the U.S. Open, the first major tournament of the year in Indianapolis, Kyle Troup, a.k.a. “The Pro with the ’Fro,” sets out to repeat as bowling’s “Green Jacket” winner.
Episode 2
Debut date: Monday, March 23 (9:00–9:30 p.m. ET/PT)
Competing for a spot in the U.S. Open finals, Anthony “Simo” Simonsen and Australia’s Jason “Belmo” Belmonte face off as tempers flare and injuries threaten to derail their title hopes.
Episode 3
Debut date: Monday, March 30 (9:00–9:30 p.m. ET/PT)
At the Pete Weber Classic in Springfield, Missouri — named after one of the sport’s greats — EJ Tackett must hold off Belmonte and Simonsen to reclaim the top prize and prove he still sits at the top of the tour.
Episode 4
Debut date: Monday, April 6 (9:00–9:30 p.m. ET/PT)
Two hundred bowlers from 18 countries converge on Reno, Nevada to compete in the month-long World Series of Bowling, turning the city into the global capital of the sport.
Episode 5
Debut date: Monday, April 13 (9:00–9:30 p.m. ET/PT)
As the top bowlers arrive at the Tournament of Champions in Akron, Ohio, the future of the PBA Tour itself hangs in the balance, raising the stakes beyond trophies to the survival of the circuit.
Production Credits
BORN TO BOWL is presented by HBO, in association with A24, Red Hour Films, Mike Tollin Productions, Lucky Strike Entertainment, and Blue Pixel. The series is directed by James Lee Hernandez and Brian Lazarte.
A24, Ben Stiller, and John Lesher are some of the executive producers. Other notable producers are Mike Tollin, Jonathan Vogler, Lev Ekster, and Carissa Del Bene. Additionally, the team includes James Lee Hernandez and Brian Lazarte.
Co-executive producers are Jared Polin, Isaac Solotaroff, Alexander Stevens, Jordan Bogdonavage, Amy Chaffin, Mason Gordon, and Karolina Peysakhov.
For HBO, the series is executive produced by Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, and Bentley Weiner, with Abtin Motia serving as supervising producer. Liev Schreiber narrates the series, guiding viewers through the emotional and competitive arcs on tour.
BORN TO BOWL Debuts March 16 on HBO Max.
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