“How To Make It In America,” The Next “Entourage?”
So I just finished watching the pilot episode for the much anticipated “How To Make It In America” starring Bryan Greenberg & Victor Rasuk. It is produced by the same team that brought us “Entourage” currently my favorite show on TV. Based on the pilot episode I think Entourage may soon become my second favorite show on TV. According to wikipedia “How To Make It In America” follows two enterprising twentysomethings as they hustle their way through New York City’s fashion scene, determined to achieve their version of the American Dream.
The pilot was very well written and had some laugh out loud moments. I suspect that many of the folks in the New York/LA/Miami art, music and fashion scenes will strongly relate to this series. It captures the swagger of this current generation of artist and entrepreneurs in a refreshing and insightful way. The references to nightlife photography and videography which is how I plugged into the scene were accurate and convincing. They even took a page out of TheNewPop handbook, freely incorporating photography with video footage. A technique introduced to this generation on the pages of this site. I hope my consultation check is in the mail, thank you very much.
I must admit my ties to the scene made it difficult to view this episode without bias. Considering many of those feelings are negative that could have been a bad thing. However I was impressed when even the love hate relationship many of us have with “nightlife” was addressed. In one scene, the Brian Greenberg character expressed his need to withdraw from “nightlife”. This leant me to believe that the producers are doing their job to keep the story-line true to life.
Of course I can’t wrap this up without mentioning Kid Cudi’s role. The #1 selling hip hop hipster we documented in our “Day With Kid Cudi” webisode also has a regular supporting role in this series. His character had a brief appearance in this episode that did not distract, which is to say he held serve. Eddie Kay Thomas also appears as “Kapo” in a memorable role that is analogous to that finance guy wanna be insider we all know and hate. Luis Guzman also has a memorable role as the tough guy neighborhood hustler.
More than just being a commentary on this generation, it is a contemporary take on that universal desire to achieve the American Dream. It speaks to every person and every generation that has ever had to make it in America. It’s hard to declare a series a hit based on one episode, but this one comes close.
How To Make It In America premiers on HBO this Sunday Feb 14th at 10:00pm. If you can’t wait, or will be too busy with your valentine that night you can check out the entire episode by clicking this link. I also posted the teaser in case you want to get a taste before you commit. Is that Bronques from Last Nights Party in the teaser?
TrevzNewPop
Teaser