If you’ve spent any time on Max lately, you probably ran into a guy screaming about a parlay or a debt that hasn’t been paid. That’s Danny. Specifically, that's Sebastian Maniscalco playing Danny Colavito, the high-strung center of Chuck Lorre’s gambling comedy. The show is gritty, loud, and surprisingly honest about the crumbling world of illegal betting. But honestly, it’s the Bookie TV show cast that keeps the whole thing from spiraling into just another "tough guy in LA" trope.
The chemistry between these actors isn't just "good for TV." It feels like a group of people who have actually survived a bad weekend in Vegas together.
The Heavy Hitters: Who Anchors the Series?
At the top of the call sheet, you have Sebastian Maniscalco. Most people know him for his stand-up—the guy who makes faces and complains about how people dress at the airport. Here, he’s doing something different. He's Danny, a veteran bookie watching his livelihood vanish as legal apps like DraftKings take over the world. He’s vulnerable, even when he’s being a jerk.
Then there’s Omar J. Dorsey as Rayfield "Ray" Ballard. Ray is Danny’s best friend and muscle, but he’s not a mindless thug. He’s a former NFL player (specifically a BYU alum) who is just trying to pay child support to multiple women. The dynamic between Danny and Ray is the heart of the show. They argue like an old married couple, usually while sitting in a car eating fast food.
Rounding out the core trio is Jorge Garcia as Hector. Remember Hurley from Lost? Forget him. Hector is a "reformed" drug dealer who now drives for Lyft but spends most of his time helping Danny and Ray with their side hustles. He brings a weird, laid-back energy that balances out Danny’s constant panic.
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The Family Dynamic
It’s not just about the business. The show spends a lot of time on Danny’s domestic life, which is just as chaotic as his professional one.
- Andrea Anders as Sandra: She plays Danny’s wife. She’s the anchor, but she isn’t just a "supportive spouse" archetype. She has her own history and a sharp tongue that keeps Danny in check.
- Vanessa Ferlito as Lorraine: Danny’s sister. Honestly, she might be more dangerous than he is. She’s a former drug dealer who rebranded herself as a spiritual healer, which is exactly the kind of "only in LA" detail that makes this show feel real.
- Maxim Swinton as Anthony: Sandra’s son and Danny’s stepson. He’s a manga-obsessed kid who’s way too online. Watching Danny try to parent a Gen Z kid while collecting vig from gamblers is comedy gold.
Why the Charlie Sheen Cameo Actually Mattered
Look, we have to talk about Charlie Sheen. His inclusion in the Bookie TV show cast was a massive deal because it marked his public reconciliation with Chuck Lorre. Remember the "winning" era? The tiger blood? It felt like they’d never work together again.
But in Bookie, Sheen plays a "fictionalized" version of himself—an unreliable, gambling-addicted actor who hosts high-stakes poker games in rehab. It’s meta. It’s self-deprecating. It’s easily the most talked-about part of Season 1. Seeing Angus T. Jones (the "half" from Two and a Half Men) show up alongside him in the pilot felt like a fever dream for anyone who watched network TV in the late 2000s.
Season 2 Cast Expansion and Key Guest Stars
When the show got renewed, the guest list got even weirder and better. Chuck Lorre has a massive Rolodex, and he used it.
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Rob Corddry (Walt Dinty) was bumped up to a series regular for the second season. He plays a guy who is essentially a professional loser, always one bad bet away from total disaster. We also see some heavy hitters from the comedy world popping in for one-off arcs:
- Ray Romano: Shows up as a high-roller client named Artie.
- Zach Braff: Plays "Loco Rocco," a sports betting influencer who is exactly as annoying as you’d imagine.
- Brad Garrett: Another Everybody Loves Raymond alum who plays a version of himself that Danny doesn’t quite trust.
The show thrives on these cameos. It makes the world of Los Angeles feel small and interconnected, which is how the gambling world actually works. Everyone knows everyone, and everyone owes someone money.
The Reality of the Show's Future
Now, for the bad news. Despite a solid 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a loyal following, the series was canceled in early 2025 after its two-season run.
It’s a bit of a gut punch because the Season 2 finale, "A Whale in Pomona," left a lot of threads dangling. We were just starting to see how Danny would pivot his business in a world where everyone can just bet from their phone. The Bookie TV show cast had finally found a rhythm that felt distinct from other sitcoms. It wasn't just a "show about gambling"; it was a show about obsolescence.
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Practical Takeaways for Fans
If you're just discovering the show now, there are 16 episodes total across two seasons. Even though it's over, it's a complete enough arc to enjoy as a binge-watch.
- Watch for the cameos: The pilot and the Season 2 opener have the highest concentration of "wait, is that...?" moments.
- Don't expect a sitcom: It has a laugh track (or at least a studio audience feel), but the stakes are often quite high. People get hurt, and lives get ruined.
- Follow the actors: Sebastian Maniscalco is back to heavy touring for his stand-up, and Omar J. Dorsey has a few film projects in the pipeline.
If you’re looking for something that captures that specific Los Angeles grime mixed with high-speed comedy, Bookie is still worth the stream on Max. It’s a rare look at the guys who lose so the house can win.
To see more of the cast's work, check out Maniscalco's recent special Is It Me? or catch Vanessa Ferlito in her long-running role on NCIS: New Orleans. You can also find Jorge Garcia's recent guest spots across various procedural dramas, as he remains one of the busiest character actors in the business.