I already reviewed "How to Make It in America" in Friday's column, and while I found the show engaging, I don't know that there's enough there to merit the episode-by-episode blog treatment. (Though even if I tire of the show overall, I may keep tuning in just for that great opening title sequence, scored to Aloe Blacc's "I Need a Dollar." It's one of the best HBO's given us in a while. It's worth putting on the YouTube version of the complete pilot just for the credits.) But what did you guys think?
15 comments:
I liked this show a lot more than I thought I would. Obviously there are similarities to Entourage to be made, but overall thought it was a real good episode. It reminded me of Entourage back when they were trying to make good episodes.
Lived-in milieu, likable, recognizable characters; how can you go wrong. Also, I went to performing arts school with Victor Rasuk in Manhattan back in the day and didn't even know he was in this show till I saw the credits. Awesome to see my old (and talented) classmate still getting some steady work. Watch Raising Victor Vargas to see him at his best, though.
anyone else recognize the monologue of the kid selling the candy on the subway as the same one bart peddles in the simpsons episode where they go to NYC to reclaim homer's car thats been booted in the WTC plaza?
I dunno... something about this show seemed dated. The "gritty" New York it portrays seems a decade or two old (from before, say, Times Square became an urban theme park), and the characters' drive to "make it" seemed out of a Michael J. Fox movie from the '80s. Plus, as much as I'm sick of shows about young people struggling to succeed in media careers, that would be a lot more timely an ambition for New Yorkers than trying to make and sell jeans.
Yes, the show has a cool atmosphere, but there are dozens of indie movies aiming for a similarly realistic urban look that tell more interesting stories. So this is a miss for me.
This show felt like a continuation of the Bryan Greenburg character in "Prime," which was interesting. Less interesting was NYC portrayed as part "gritty," part Disneyland. Remember the Mr. Show episode with the San Francisco amusement park? Kinda like that, only not as extreme.
It was breezy and fun like early Entourage, which is fine as long as it keeps its feet in reality, rather than making the mistakes Entourage did. We all know what those mistakes are, so no need to rehash them now.
I'll keep watching if it gives me a glimpse of the New York fashion and art world and it's relation to buisness. If it does this in a substantial and interesting way, and isn't just about a bunch of brosephine bronaparts bro'in out, then I'll be happy. I'd like to learn about that portion of existence. If I want to watch d-bags get high and meet beautiful women, I'll just read Maxim. Or better yet, watch Entourage.
I really like the aesthetic of the show (like the opening credits, or the little snapshots of NY here and there) - but I also wonder if it would 'run over' the show too much. But it looks pretty great! Otherwise, I'm a little interested, but I'm not sure what the show is going for just yet.
Since I don't watch Entourage anymore, this might be something I could watch instead if it gets better.
I was disappointed that Kid Cudi was on-screen for like 2 seconds. Other than that, it wasn't as bad as I expected but it's a bit young for me. Not about a life stage I am really concerned about.
Trilby, that's about how much Kid Cudi is in most of the episodes I've seen. I think they cast him to give the show some street cred as oposed to seeing a lot of great acting potential in him.
If you leave Manhattan there are still plenty of areas of NYC that are gritty, and neighborhoods that have changed little since the rougher 70's and 80's. I like the gritty/Disneyland dichotomy, it rings true based on my time living in the Bronx and commuting into Midtown.
It seems like everyone I know is a banker, lawyer, actor, or magazine editor so it was nice to see a show about people who aren't in one of those four professions.
And I have always had a huge crush on Bryan Greenberg so yay for him.
I'll give this a chance. It felt like Entourage before I hated it.
big brian greenberg fan but I wanted to like this show a lot more than I did
however that open sequence does scream "Wire in NY" for some reason
I think if the actors were more interesting (more so greenburg) it would be enough for, but there really isnt much to this show.
I don't like d-bags, tools, and most foreigners...and this show has a high quotient of all of these. So not for me.
Of course I don't know who Kid Cudi is either.
I had no expectations for this show, whatsoever, and I ended up enjoying it. I like Greenberg as an actor and he's a million times better than Adrian Grenier. I still watch Entourage, hoping for it to get better, I might as well give this show a chance.
I also agree with Alan, I love the NYC atmosphere.
PS. I hope Kid Cudi gets more screen time. I have no idea if he can act or not, but I enjoy his music and from his music alone- I thought he was a "likeable" guy. Maybe that translates on screen.
I really liked it, but I'm a 25 male and enjoy fashion and lifestyle so I'm probably in their exact demographic they're targeting... (although I don't really like Entourage)
I loved the music and aesthetic of the show the most, I think the main character doesn't feel "natural" with his role but I'm hoping that will get better in the future episodes.
Definitely going to be added to one of my regulars.
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