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The Shop answers the question of what it would be like to be a fly on the wall while the most influential people in sports, entertainment, and politics shoot the breeze. Created by Randy Mims and Paul Rivera, the face of the show is LeBron James, who appears in select episodes. The show is set in the place where candid conversations often flow — the barbershop.
The Shop has also spawned a skincare line, available at Walmart. Now the series is being celebrated with a new coffee table book titled The Shop: Where Culture Shapes Up. The Shop, set for release on Oct. 15, was compiled by Ernest Wilkins, a copywriter and cultural critic who’s written for GQ, New York Magazine, and Rolling Stone, and features a foreword penned by LeBron James. The book features “brand-new stories and thought-provoking quotes” from the many guests who have sat in The Shop’s chairs.
The Shop: Where Culture Shapes Up
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The show premiered on HBO in 2018, before moving to YouTube starting with season 5. The most recent season featured guests like Travis Scott, Lena Waithe, Simu Liu, Cedric The Entertainer, Andre 3000, and Ice Spice. Other notable guests in the show’s history have included Jay-Z, Naomi Osaka, and former President Barack Obama. You can stream seasons 1-4 on Max or watch seasons 5-7 on YouTube.
LeBron discussed the inception and inspiration behind the show in his foreword, writing, “I’ve always said, the realest talks happen where you least expect them, like in a barber’s chair, surrounded by familiar faces and a casual, laid-back vibe.”
“This platform is probably the most candid you’ll hear me. Before everyone had a podcast, the barbershop was where they’d open up about life, on and off the court. The talks can get a little wild in there for sure, but keeping those unfiltered, raw conversations going was always the goal.”
Of the book, James wrote, “Flipping through these pages, we hope you’ll feel like you’re right there with us, catching every word, every emotion, every piece of advice over the past seven seasons. From sports greats to the most influential names in entertainment and culture, each voice adds to our collective story and shared journey. It’s a highlight reel of our stories, showing the power of opening up and the connections made through honest conversation.”
