Season 1 • Episode 11
LatestWhen Tom's mentor and coach, Archie, suffers a heart attack just days before the World Series of Bowling, Tom struggles with whether to stay with him in the hospital or leave to compete in the biggest tournament of his career.
Stoic Midwest husband and dad, Tom gets laid off from a car assembly line and makes the extraordinary decision to provide for his family by following his dream of becoming a professional bowler. Tom begins his new career with the loving okay from his wife, Jen the unfaltering support of Archie, his mentor and the proud owner of Archie’s Lanes: Home of the Curly Fry, the cautious backing of his protective mom, Helen, and the encouragement of his son, Sam.
Acting
Pete Holmes' genuine every-dad energy carries the whole lane.
Production
Archie's Lanes feels lived-in, not a sterile CBS set.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on real pro bowler Tom Smallwood, who actually did get laid off from GM in 2008 and went pro at 33. The 'Curly Fry' detail? Also real.
Aired on CBS in 2022 with only 11 episodes—part of a wave of working-class comedies that networks kept killing despite audiences craving them.
US
