This past weekend, I sat down and started watching HBO’s latest How to Make it in America. I planned on just watching the first episode or two, but ended up watching the entire season. That may sound like a lot of TV to watch in one sitting, but it’s really only 8, 23 minute episodes. And if you’ve ever watched other HBO shows like Entourage, then you’ll know how they always end it with some type of hook to make you want to watch the next episode right away. So I did.
And the similarities to Entourage don’t end there. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. NY Times previewed the show before it aired calling it “Entourage written backwards”, and that’s right on the money. Instead of following Vinny and the boys party around LA blowing all his movie cash, this show follows two late-20somethings as they struggle to make it. This is the rags part; I’m sure the riches come in later seasons.
Being produced by Marky Mark, it definitely has the same vibe as Entourage and follows all the same plot beats. It always seems like in each episode something good happens, then something bad screws it all up, and then in the end it works out and everyone is all smiles.
Here’s a quick rundown of things I’m liking about this show:
- The protagonists seem genuine and likable (read: not db’s). It’s easy to find yourself rooting for the guys to do well. And it’s tough watching when things don’t quite work out.
- NYC looks cool.
- The guys go to a lot of cool parties with models. (I’m guessing that’s realistic for New York, right?)
- Their clothes are cool, casual. I’m digging the street style.
- They’re hustlin’!
That last point is what I feel is the most important. I just like the fact that these guys are trying their best to make it any way possible. Just watching the show gets me kinda pumped to go out and get some crazy schemes going.
I really hope that more people who will watch this show and be inspired to go out and try to make it on their own.
If you have the means, this show is worth the harddrive space.
PS – the intro song is pretty rad too:
