Ep 7. The Real Thing

Arli$$ is an American sitcom that revolves around the life of Arliss Michaels, played by Robert Wuhl, a sports agent who runs his own company, Arliss Michaels and Associates. The show follows the ups and downs of Arliss as he tries to manage the egos and careers of his high-profile clients while navigating the cutthroat world of sports.

In Season 2, Episode 7, titled "The Real Thing," Arliss is faced with a startling revelation when he discovers that one of his biggest clients, a baseball superstar named Kirby Carlisle, may be using performance-enhancing drugs. Arliss is determined to get to the bottom of the issue before it becomes a scandal that could damage Kirby's reputation and his own agency's reputation.

The episode begins with Arliss and his assistant, Rita, meeting with Kirby at a high-end restaurant. Kirby is celebrating a big win and is in high spirits, but Arliss can tell that something is off. He starts asking Kirby if he's using steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs, but Kirby denies it vehemently. Arliss is still skeptical and decides to do some digging.

He asks his medical advisor, Dr. Cohen, to look into Kirby's recent blood tests. Dr. Cohen confirms Arliss's suspicions: Kirby's testosterone levels are off the charts, and it's likely that he's using steroids. Arliss is faced with a tough decision - he can either cover up the issue and risk getting caught, or he can confront Kirby and risk losing him as a client.

Meanwhile, Rita is dealing with her own drama. Her ex-boyfriend, Michael, has been trying to win her back, but Rita is still hesitant. She turns to Arliss for advice, but he's too consumed with the Kirby situation to give her a proper answer. Rita decides to take matters into her own hands and sets up a surprise dinner for Michael.

Back at the agency, Arliss has a meeting with the head of the baseball league, who is pressuring him to start drug testing all the players. Arliss knows that this could lead to a scandal for his agency, and he's desperate to keep Kirby's secret safe. He decides to confront Kirby and offer him a deal - in exchange for keeping quiet about the drugs, Arliss wants Kirby to sign a long-term contract with the agency.

Kirby is taken aback by the offer, but ultimately agrees. Arliss feels a sense of relief - he's kept his client happy, protected his agency's reputation, and avoided an embarrassing scandal. However, his relief is short-lived when he finds out that Rita's dinner with Michael didn't go as planned. Michael proposed to Rita, and she said yes - but now she's having second thoughts.

"The Real Thing" is a tense and dramatic episode that explores the grey area of the sports world, where agents must balance their loyalty to their clients with their own ethics and morals. Arliss is faced with a difficult decision, and the consequences of his choices extend beyond his own career. The episode also shows the personal struggles of the characters, highlighting how their professional lives often spill over into their personal lives.