THE LUCKIEST GUY IN THE WORLD

Tuesdays, June 6-13 on ESPN NEW SERIES!

He’s a Basketball Hall of Famer, a two-time NCAA champion, a two-time NBA champion and the undisputed tallest member of the Grateful Dead Hall of Honor. It could be none other than the legendary Bill Walton, the repeatedly self-described “Luckiest Guy in the World.”

Steve James (Hoop Dreams) directs an immersive 30 for 30 documentary for ESPN looking back at Walton’s incredible career on the court, and his socially and politically conscious life off of it. “The Luckiest Guy in the World” debuts June 6 (Episodes 1-2) and June 13 (Episodes 3-4), and features a trove of interviews, archival footage, home movies and intimate conversations with Walton as he visits meaningful places in his life.

It also explores how Walton overcame adversity, including a stutter that made him shy and quiet in his youth. He’d go on to win a Sports Emmy for broadcasting. “To this day, speaking is the hardest part of my life,” he says. He’s also dealt with the breakdown of his body, which began early with multiple orthopedic operations in high school.

The basketball star from the San Diego area’s Helix High School went on to play for legendary coach John Wooden at UCLA, where he won two NCAA championships. “Bill’s mentality was to win everything,” says Larry Bird. “And he’s pretty spoiled, because at

UCLA they won almost everything.” Almost everything: UCLA’s loss to NC State in the 1974 Final Four still haunts Walton.

Walton embraced the early ’70s counterculture and was arrested at an anti-war protest at UCLA. “There was so much positive energy and knowledge,” he recalls. “That’s when I found the Grateful Dead.” His life changed when the band invited him backstage after a concert on campus. Walton says he’s been to over 1,000 Grateful Dead shows.

Walton was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers, but undiagnosed stress fractures in his foot kept him mostly sidelined. “My first two years in the NBA were a disaster,” he says. “I was unprepared. I was undiscerning. I was unsuspecting.” Everything came together in the 1976-77 season, when Walton led the underdog Blazers to the franchise’s first NBA championship.

The film has already scored accolades as the TV Premieres Audience Award Winner at the SXSW Film & TV Festival in March. “This film is for people who want to learn, who want to understand. Who want to have a vision of what it was like,” Walton said at SXSW. “And so I just hope for the best. I’m trying to make it, trying to get to heaven before they close the door.”

– Ryan A. Berenz

Everyone Has a Car Story; What Is Yours?

MotorTrend reveals the people and the stories behind the machines, and takes you along for an epic ride. From the makers to the menders, the drivers and the dreamers, the shows are endless. Stream these shows online or on your mobile device with TV Everywhere from Midco — included free with your TV package — anywhere there’s an internet connection! Here are just a handful of shows available to you through Midco’s TV Everywhere on MotorTrend:

Chasing Classic Cars

Gain instant membership to the exclusive club of elite car restorers and multimillionaire collectors as this series follows Ferrari expert and master car restorer Wayne Carini on his personal mission to uncover, restore and sell classic cars.

Bitchin’ Rides

Dave Kindig turns out one-of-a-kind vehicles for his demanding, and sometimes famous, clientele. Working on all types and periods of cars, Dave and the crew design, build and restore from the ground up.

CarFix

Expert mechanics showcase repairs that go beyond the basics, from modifications and upgrades to customization and body work, all using high-end performance and aftermarket products.

Avatar: The Way of Water

(Action) The peaceful and lush lands of Pandora are about to be disrupted as a familiar threat returns to finish what was previously started. Together with a variety of friends and new characters alike, Jake Sully races to protect his new home.

Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver (PG-13, 3:12) Premieres June 20

Mafia Mamma

(Comedy) A mother is greeted by the news that her grandfather has passed, and she is requested to settle the estate. To her surprise, he was head of the “family” business and the family wants her to take over her grandfather’s role. Toni Collette, Monica Bellucci, Sophia Nomvete

(R, 1:41) Premieres June 6

John Wick: Chapter 4

(Action) Wick is back and faces a who’s who of underworld villains. His path to defeating the High Table will make friends into foes and confront powerful enemies around the globe. Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Lance Reddick

(R, 2:49) Premieres June 13

WHAT’S NEW THIS MONTH

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

(Action) Scott and Hope continue their travels as Ant-Man and the Wasp. This adventure takes the family into the Quantum Realm, facing off with strange creatures that will push them beyond their limits. Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas (PG-13, 2:04)

Premieres June 15

Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant

(Action) A U.S. Army sergeant is attacked by Taliban forces on one of his last days in Afghanistan. His interpreter transports him to safety and is now on the run for his own life. The sergeant believes it is his duty to return to try to save his friend before they are both hunted down. Jake Gyllenhaal, Dar Salim, Alexander Ludwig (R, 2:03) Premieres June 20

Somewhere in Queens

(Comedy) Italian American families can be large and very involved. When one father gets excited about his son’s ability on the basketball court, he goes above and beyond, as anyone would expect. Ray Romano, Laurie Metcalf, Jennifer Esposito (R, 1:46) Premieres June 20

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.

(Comedy) Author Judy Blume’s book has finally been made into a feature film. When 11-year-old Margaret’s family moves to the suburbs, she must not only try to fit in with new people, but also face the typical challenges of adolescence. Rachel McAdams, Abby Ryder Fortson, Kathy Bates (PG-13, 1:46) Premieres June 27

Chevalier

(Drama) A story of Joseph, the illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner. He rises within French society as a composer before a love affair threatens everything he worked to accomplish. If a new France is to rise, Joseph will be part of the solution.

Kelvin Harrison Jr., Samara Weaving, Lucy Boynton (PG-13, 1:48) Premieres June 27

Evil Dead Rise

(Horror) Two estranged sisters have their reunion cut short by the rise of flesh-possessing demons. They are thrust into a battle for survival against a twisted version of family.

Alyssa Sutherland, Lily Sullivan, Morgan Davies (R, 1:37)

Premieres June 27

Renfield

(Comedy) Renfield has been Dracula’s henchman for decades, but he longs to get away from the demands and the bloodshed. Can Renfield leave his life in Dracula’s shadow behind?

Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage, Awkwafina (R, 1:33)

Premieres June 30

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The Idol

After a nervous breakdown, a pop star looks to reclaim her status as the greatest and sexiest pop star in America. Her passions are reignited by a nightclub impresario with a sordid past.

Lily-Rose Depp, Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, Dan Levy (TV-MA) Premieres on HBO June 4

Moonlight

A look at three defining chapters in the life of Chiron, a young Black man growing up in Miami, and his journey to manhood guided by the kindness, support and love of the community.

Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Trevante Rhodes (R) Premieres on HBO June 12

I, Tonya

Tonya Harding rises in the ranks at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. But after her chief rival is attacked, the resulting media storm reveals that Tonya’s life differs greatly from everyone’s expectations. Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney (R) Premieres on HBO June 18

The Righteous Gemstones

The comedy about a world-famous televangelist family with a long tradition of deviance, greed and charitable work is back for Season 3. Danny McBride, John Goodman, Edi Patterson (TV-MA) Premieres on HBO June 18

The Inspection

A young gay man finds unexpected strength, camaraderie and support after he joins the Marines. Based on a true story. Jeremy Pope, Raúl Castillo, McCaul Lombardi (R)

Premieres on Showtime June 3

Ghosts of Beirut

This series dramatizes the hunt for Imad Mughniyeh, the elusive Lebanese terrorist who orchestrated the 1983 bombings of American targets in Beirut. Dina Shihabi, Dermot Mulroney, Garret Dillahunt (TV-MA)

Premieres on Showtime June 11

The Big Lebowski

A case of mistaken identity leads Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski on a strange odyssey through Los Angeles in this classic 1998 comedy from directors Joel and Ethan Coen. Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore (R)

Premieres on Showtime June 13

Loudmouth

Interviews and never-before-seen footage provide insight into the life of the Rev. Al Sharpton, the polarizing civil rights activist who has spent decades fighting for social change. (TV-MA) Premieres on Showtime June 18

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