The BEST episodes of Arli$$

Every episode of Arli$$ ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Arli$$!

The whirling-dervish life of a wheeler-dealer superagent who has a knack for finding solutions to seemingly hopeless problems — however unscrupulous the means.

Last Updated: 11/8/2024Network: HBOStatus: Ended
Share:
star
8.75
8 votes

#1 - The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 10/16/1996

As a kid, Arliss idolized Hall of Fame outfielder Rocky Framaggio so much that he still carries around the Rock's rookie card. And now, after a chance meeting at the racetrack, Arliss decides to help the downtrodden Rock make some scratch and get back on his feet. But after the Rock strikes out at three job attempts, Arliss comes up with a stroke of marketing genius.

Directors: Peter Baldwin
Writer: Andy Munsey
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.60
10 votes

#2 - The Company You Keep

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 9/11/1996

Mike Armstrong, president of multinational CSM, is interested in buying AMM. Arliss never dreamed of selling until he hears what Armstrong's paying. AMM staffers, particularly Kirby, Rita and Stanley, know their boss is up to something and begin to worry about their job security.

Directors: Mary Kay Place
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.60
5 votes

#3 - The Real Thing

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/29/1997

AMM client Dan Manville is closing in on his 500th home run. Add that to the 500 stolen bases he's already chalked up, and he's the charter member of the 500/500 club. Arliss has everything in position for the ""500/500 Experience,"" a huge Manville memorabilia tour on wheels, coming to a mall near you. All that's left for Manville to hit his 500th dinger--and for Arliss to get the ball.

Directors: Tim Marx
Writer: Barry Gold
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.60
5 votes

#4 - The Client's Best Interest

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 10/9/1996

In the 12th annual Den of Thieves Rotisserie Baseball League, Arliss and Kirby hope their Frozen Ropes can bring the title back where it belongs, away from cosmetic surgeon Vic Freed and his hated Silicone Valley. Arliss must resolve a conflict of interest between the good of the Frozen Ropes, and the good of AMM client and Phillies ace Ned Bastille.

Directors: Mike Tollin
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.50
4 votes

#5 - Crossing the Line

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 9/25/1996

Why would Arliss even consider representing Anya Slovachek, the 186th ranked woman tennis player whose father is a psychotic maniac? Well, when he sees Anya with his own eyes, Arliss' mind is made up for him.

Directors: Robert Wuhl
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.50
4 votes

#6 - My Job Is to Get Jobs

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/14/1998

AMM client Theo Holt is the kind of football player every team needs: a reliable backup quarterback capable of winning games. But when Theo's team decides to let him go and there are no other takers for his services, Arliss begins to wonder. When Arliss learns about a league-wide rumor that Theo is gay, he resurrects Theo's career as only Arliss can.

Directors: John Fortenberry
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.33
6 votes

#7 - A Full Service Agency

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/17/1997

Catcher Zack Bowers can barely get the ball back to the mound, let alone to second base. The source of his problems: he suspects his wife is unfaithful. He demands that Arliss hire a private investigator to uncover the truth. Meanwhile, Kirby is asked to housesit Bruce Smith's 'cat'.

Directors: Eugene Corr
Writer: Kevin Falls
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.30
10 votes

#8 - Colors of the Rainbow

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 9/18/1996

A reporter overhears Arliss talking about the Jaboos of South Street, a rival stickball team from his old neighborhood, and interprets this as a racial slur. A media siege begins and arliss is under fire. Meanwhile, free-agent relief pitcher (and white supremacist) Trevor Heath decides to let Arliss represent him upon hearing the comments.

Directors: Rodman Flender
Writer: Jon Hayman
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.20
5 votes

#9 - Salary Cap This!

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 7/15/1997

Sports Illustrated is planning an article about sports agents, and will select one to grace the magazine's cover. Despite some early maneuvering, Arliss thinks he's out of the running. But ""the working man's friend"" puts on his best moves in OT when he risks his own life to save client Damian Niles, in the process displaying a brilliant grasp of NBA salary capology.

Directors: John Payson
Writer: Scott Kaufer
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.17
12 votes

#10 - Negotiating: It's Never Personal

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 8/14/1996

While high-school hoops sensation Shaler halimon announces he'll skip college and jump straight to the NBA, Arliss positions himself as Shaler's agent and uses the opportunity to settle a score with team owner Buddy Reingold.

Directors: Nick Marck
Writer: Robert Wuhl
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.13
8 votes

#11 - Timing Is Everything

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 10/2/1996

Arliss and Kirby decide to take beach volleyball to the next level by creating a new made-for-TV indoor tour with high-level glitz, oiled bodies, fluorescent sand and heavy promotion. But everything goes afoul as the tour's top women's pair have irreconcilable differences, and one of the top guys infects his toe on a petrified kelp pod.

Directors: Jace Alexander
Writer: Kevin Falls
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.10
10 votes

#12 - What About the Fans?

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 9/4/1996

L.A. Kings owner Flora Lansing dangles part-ownership in front of Arliss if he can find a new home for her hockey team--provided there's a new stadium, complete with luxury boxes and PSLs. But this must be kept a secret! So Arliss shops the team to three prospective homes: Raleigh-Durham, Las Vegas and New Mexico.

Directors: Rodman Flender
Writer: Jon Hayman
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.00
5 votes

#13 - Arliss Michaels, American

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 7/1/1997

Arliss is invited to dinner at the White House and he can't decide whom to invite as his escort. but that becomes the least of his worries when his bowling champion client, the controversial Turkey Reeves, gets in trouble with the law.

Directors: John Payson
Writer: Norman Chad
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.00
3 votes

#14 - All That Glitters

Season 7 - Episode 11 - Aired 9/8/2002

Stunned by the sudden death of a good friend, Arliss goes off on a road trip of soul searching, leaving Rita, Kirby and Stanley to manage AMM on their own.

Directors: John Murray
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.00
3 votes

#15 - Hard Choices

Season 6 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/12/2001

Arliss faces his first year in the red, while Kirby deals with his model girlfriend.

Directors: Robert Wuhl
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.00
2 votes

#16 - Giving Something Back

Season 6 - Episode 9 - Aired 8/5/2001

A female pro-golf client conceals a dark secret; Kirby gets hold of a piece of rare memorabilia.

Directors: Michael Grossman
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.00
2 votes

#17 - As Others See Us

Season 6 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/29/2001

While Rita is visiting her family, Kirby and Stanley prepare Arliss' ""surprise roast.""

Directors: Michael Grossman
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.00
2 votes

#18 - Of Cabbages and Kings

Season 6 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/22/2001

Kirby reps a mercurial college basketball coach; Arliss is frustrated trying to sell beachfront property.

Directors: Timothy Marx
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.00
4 votes

#19 - Setting Precedents

Season 6 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/10/2001

Arliss deals with the domestic problems of a female tennis superstar. Kirby helps a basketball client graduate from college.

Directors: Robert Wuhl
Watch Now:Amazon
star
8.00
11 votes

#20 - How to Turn a Minus into a Plus

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 8/28/1996

AMM client and boxing champ Sucre Rey Santos finally gives in and grants top contender Cohones Ochonez a title fight. The huge payday means Arliss can finally buy that Gulfstream Jet he's had his eyes on. But when Ochonez is arrested and tossed in jail, the fight is no mas. However, Arliss gets the governor to sign off and approve the fight, allowing HBO to televise the Battle in the Bighouse, live from the state penitentiary.

Directors: Nick Marck
Writer: Robert Wuhl
Watch Now:Amazon
star
7.95
19 votes

#21 - A Man of Our Times

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 8/10/1996

While being nominated for the civic honor ""Man of Our Times,"" Arliss must juggle one client's plans for a same-sex marriage on the opening night of a huge ice-skating tour, Kirby's gambling habit, and another client's financial ruin and impending unemployment.

Directors: Andy Wolk
Writer: Robert Wuhl
Watch Now:Amazon
star
7.75
4 votes

#22 - Fans First

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/28/1998

Disaster hits AMM when Defensive Player of the Year Lucian Balboa is stabbed by a crazed fan at the office's annual Super Bowl party. Where was the security? How did the stabber get into the party? These are the questions Arliss has to answer. And now Lucian has decided not to play on Super Sunday unless Arliss can guarantee that the stabber will be locked up.

Directors: Melanie Mayron
Watch Now:Amazon
star
7.75
4 votes

#23 - A Question of Character

Season 6 - Episode 4 - Aired 7/1/2001

While Stanley and Kirby consider investing in the rodeo business, Arliss re-kindles an old flame.

Directors: Rina Sternfeld
Watch Now:Amazon
star
7.75
4 votes

#24 - Last Call

Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/13/2000

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.

Directors: Timothy Marx
Writer: Norman Chad
Watch Now:Amazon
star
7.75
4 votes

#25 - The Family Trust

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/7/1998

After Kirby signs hockey star Luc Cassoulet to the biggest contract in AMM history, an extremely delicate situation develops: how does AMM get paid its commissions without going public that the client is a deadbeat? Meanwhile, Arliss has his hands full defending NBA star Dewayne Troy for assaulting a referee.

Directors: Robert Wuhl
Watch Now:Amazon