Tuned In: "How to Make It in America"
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Some describe HBO's new half-hour series "How to Make It in America" as an east coast "Entourage." Indeed, it's another guy-centric series about twentysomethings having fun while clawing their way to some sort of success. Rather than attempting to garner acclaim in the glamorous environs of Hollywood, these fellas are just trying to make it in the world. The characters are desperate to prove they are somebodies while fretting they may wind up nobodies.
Created by newcomer Ian Edelman and executive produced by "Entourage" stalwarts Rob Weiss and Mark Wahlberg, "How to Make It" (10 tonight) is not as instantly likable as "Entourage" was when it premiered. This is a grittier show that's comparatively humorless -- more of a half-hour character study than a comedy in the traditional sense (sort of like HBO's "Hung" and "Bored to Death").
Starring: Bryan Greenberg.
If you're not a fan of hipster posers and the New York young bohemian scene, there's much about "How to Make It" to rub you the wrong way. The show's premise and title don't really coalesce until the closing moments of tonight's premiere. The show improves in next week's episode as wounded romantic Ben Epstein (Bryan Greenberg, "October Road") partners with hustler pal Cam (Victor Rasuk, "Lords of Dogtown") to start a line of denim jeans. (We know Ben is a romantic in this show's universe because Cam says he'll wait until 4 a.m. before trying to get a woman in the sack rather than making a move on her hours earlier.)
It becomes apparent that Ben and Cam are blundering into the prospect of building a business with no real plan or financial backing other than a loan from Cam's quasi-dangerous loan shark cousin, Rene (Luis Guzman, "Oz"). (Rene is also trying to make something of himself by forsaking the criminal life for the real business world of marketing and selling an energy drink.)
First Published February 14, 2010 12:00 am
