How to Make It in America
Runtime24–30 minutes
CreatorIan Edelman
StarringBryan Greenberg
Victor Rasuk
Scott Mescudi
Lake Bell
Luis Guzmán
Eddie Kaye Thomas
Shannyn Sossamon
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Opentheme"I Need a Dollar" by Aloe Blacc
First airedFebruary 14, 2010
Last airedNovember 20, 2011
Num seasons2
Num episodes16
Executive producerMark Wahlberg
Stephen Levinson
Rob Weiss
Julian Farino
Jada Miranda
Ian Edelman
ProducerJoseph Zolfo
CompanyHBO Entertainment
Leverage Entertainment
Closest to the Hole Productions
Big Meyer
NetworkHBO

How to Make It in America is an American comedy-drama television series that ran on HBO from February 14, 2010, to November 20, 2011. The series follows the lives of Ben Epstein (Bryan Greenberg) and his friend Cam Calderon (Victor Rasuk) as they try to succeed in New York City's fashion scene. The show's second season premiered on October 2, 2011.[1]

On December 20, 2011, HBO announced the cancellation of the show citing failure to generate a large audience and buzz.[2] Executive producer Mark Wahlberg expressed hope in an interview for GQ magazine in January 2012 that the show would return on another network.[3]

Synopsis

How to Make it in America followed two enterprising twenty year olds hustling their way through New York City, determined to achieve their vision of the American dream. Trying to make a name for themselves in New York's competitive fashion scene, Ben Epstein (Greenberg) and his friend and business partner Cam Calderon (Rasuk) use their street knowledge and connections to bring their ambitions to fruition. With the help of Cam's cousin Rene (Guzman), who is trying to market his own energy drink, and their well-connected friend Domingo (Kid Cudi), the entrepreneurs set out to make it big, encountering obstacles along the way that will require all their ingenuity to overcome.

Cast and characters

Main cast

Recurring cast

Production

Ian Edelman wrote the pilot, which the Entourage crew of Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson, Rob Weiss and Julian Farino executive produced. Edelman and Jada Miranda were also executive producers.[4] "This show is a fun ride through the downtown scene, examining the cross section of people and how they relate to the relevant subcultures in NYC," Weiss, who was executive producing the pilot, told the Hollywood Reporter.[5]

HBO made a free early online-only premiere available on various video sites including iTunes and YouTube.[6] Season 2 premiered on HBO on October 2, 2011.

Title sequence

The opening title sequence was created by Isaac Lobe and directing duo Josh & Xander and produced by @radical.media. The theme song, "I Need a Dollar", was performed by Aloe Blacc of Stones Throw Records.[7] Shot in New York City, the sequence comprises a video and photography montage, bringing together the show's underlying themes of "grit, hunger, ambition, the multicultural whirl of New York and the culture-transcending pursuit of the almighty dollar".[8]

Reception

The first season received mixed reviews. On Metacritic it has a score of 60% based on reviews from 26 critics.[9] David Hinkley of the New York Daily News gave the show a positive review, giving the show 4/5 stars, and calling it a "winner".[10] Brian Lowry of Variety was doubtful of the series, stating "barring a dramatic leap in quality" it probably wouldn't last on pay cable.[11] Mark Perigard of the Boston Herald wrote critically, saying "this sad sack of a show plays like an East Coast, economically challenged version of his HBO hit Entourage."[12] Randee Dawn of The Hollywood Reporter said the show "isn't as textured and riveting as it thinks it is".[13][better source needed] Other reviews favored the show in comparison to Entourage.[14]

The second season did not get much positive reception. On Metacritic only two reviews are listed but both reviews are positive.[15] Maureen Ryan of Huffington Post wrote the show has "a little more discipline and focus than they did in season 1."[16] Phillip Maciak of Slant Magazine also added that the show is "anchored by gorgeous production design and the pop naturalism of its performances, How to Make It in America dramatizes this particular cultural moment with uncommon style and a little grace as well."[17]

References

  1. ^ Kurtz, Rod (September 30, 2011). "How To Make It In America: Dream Big Or Go Home". Huffingtonpost.com. Archived 2020-11-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
  2. ^ Itzkoff, Dave (December 20, 2011). "HBO Renews 'Enlightened' But Cancels Three Other Shows". Variety. Archived November 16, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  3. ^ Hyman, Dan (2012-01-11). "Mark Wahlberg Interview on Contraband: Movies + TV". GQ. Archived 2020-11-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
  4. ^ "HBO will "Make It" on Valentine's Day". Zap2it. Archived from the original on 2012-10-08. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
  5. ^ Reagan, Gillian. "HBO Ready to Show How to Make It in America". Observer.com. Archived from the original on 2012-01-18. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
  6. ^ Ehrlich, Brenna (2010-02-11). "HBO's "How to Make it in America" Premieres Free on YouTube". mashable.com. Archived 2020-11-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2010-02-11.
  7. ^ Stanley, Alessandra. TELEVISION REVIEW | 'HOW TO MAKE IT IN AMERICA'; The Dream, Without The Drive Archived 2020-11-16 at the Wayback Machine. The New York Times. February 12, 2010.
  8. ^ Poniewozik, James. TV Weekend: I Could Review 'How to Make It in America'... . "Time." February 12, 2010.
  9. ^ "How to Make It in America". Metacritic
  10. ^ Hinckley, David (February 12, 2010). "Hustlers try to design a dream on 'How to Make It in America'". Daily News
  11. ^ Lowry, Brian (February 11, 2010). "How to Make It in America TV Show Review". Variety
  12. ^ "'How to Make' a bad sitcom 'in America'". Boston Herald. BostonHerald.com. 2010-02-14. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
  13. ^ Dawn, Randee. "Critic Reviews for 'How to Make It in America': Season 1". Archived 2020-11-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
  14. ^ Monez, Mindy (2010-02-12). "How to Make It in America: Better Than Entourage These Days, at Least - The Telefile Blog - TV Shows & TV News - TV Reviews | TWoP". Televisionwithoutpity.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-12. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
  15. ^ "How to Make It in America: Season 2". Metacritic. Archived 2020-11-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
  16. ^ Ryan, Maureen (September 30, 2011). "Review: 'How to Make It in America' Brings a Scruffy Energy to Season 2". Huffington Post. Archived November 16, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  17. ^ Maciak, Philip (September 30, 2011). "'How to Make It in America' Season 2". Slant Magazine. Archived November 16, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 20, 2020.