Kate Hudson’s Netflix Smash Is Back — And Its Rotten Tomatoes Score Just Soared

Alright, here we go: Kate Hudson is back on Netflix with the second season of her comedy series, and apparently the critics are even more into it this time. If you were in the 'eh, it’s fine' camp after season one, well, the critical crowd says it’s getting better—though it’s far from perfect. Let’s break down what’s new with 'Running Point' and see why it’s picking up steam (and a slightly fancier Tomatometer score).

So, What’s 'Running Point' About Again?

Quick refresher: Mindy Kaling created this show, with Kate Hudson starring as Isla Gordon, the president (yep, the big boss) of a pro basketball team. For the basketball-averse: don’t worry, there’s way more snappy dialogue than actual hoops onscreen.

The supporting cast delivers a lot of the comedy as well: Brenda Song, Drew Tarver, Scott MacArthur, Max Greenfield, and Chet Hanks are all back, keeping things breezy, awkward, or just plain weird depending on the scene. It’s the sort of cast where most moments work—not all, but most.

Critics Weigh In: Better, But Don’t Call It a Slam Dunk

Here’s where things get a bit nuanced. The new season dropped on April 23, 2026, and early reviews are mostly positive—minus a lone detractor. Let’s put the reactions in one place:

• Richard Roeper (RogerEbert.com): Thinks the show is 'poised to stay in contention for multiple seasons.' So, he’s betting on long-term potential.
• Meredith Loftus (Collider): Gave Season 2 a 6/10 and admits there are 'a few shortcomings,' but credits the cast chemistry and writing for keeping the show on the right track.
• Cher Thompson (Screen Rant): Another 6/10, but specifically calls out that 'watching Kate Hudson on screen with any scene partner is phenomenal.' Definitely a fan of Hudson’s energy.
• Peter Gray (The AU Review): Settled at 3.5 out of 5, saying Season 2 is all about showing 'staying power.'
• Sarah Musnicky (But Why Tho?): Also hit the 6/10 mark. Not exactly jumping out of their seat, but solid.
• M.N. Miller (FandomWire): The only real letdown here, docking the season to a 5/10 for 'playing it far too safe for a comedy.' Translation: Could be a little bolder.

The All-Important Scoreboard

Maybe the most telling stat: Season 2 holds an 86% Tomatometer based on seven critic reviews at the moment—definitely an upgrade from Season 1’s 79% (which had a much wider pool of 53 reviews). Not enough viewers have weighed in yet for a new Popcornmeter audience score, but Season 1’s audience numbers were a decent 81%.

A Few Industry Tidbits

A little extra flavor here: Mindy Kaling is running the creative ship, but you’ll spot Hudson herself, Jeanie Buss, David Stassen, and Ike Barinholtz on the executive producer list—so plenty of behind-the-scenes talent. And as Breeze Riley at Multiverse of Color put it, the show has turned into 'comedy comfort food.' That feels pretty accurate—nothing ground-breaking, but likable enough that you might burn through it in a weekend.

'Despite a few shortcomings, Running Point Season 2 continues a successful streak for Netflix thanks to the cast's chemistry and the sharp writing.'

If you’re undecided, maybe give it a shot for Hudson and the ensemble. At worst, you’ll have something comforting on in the background. At best, you might just get sucked into Isla Gordon’s ridiculous world of pro basketball ownership.