How_to_Make_It_in_America

<i>How to Make It in America</i>

How to Make It in America

Television series

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]

Quick Facts How to Make It in America, Created by ...

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's talent show, 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 high-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]

Episodes

Season 1 (2010)

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Season 2 (2011)

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Reception

The first season received mixed reviews. On Metacritic it has a score of 60% based on reviews from 26 critics.[20] 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".[21] Brian Lowry of Variety was doubtful of the series, stating "barring a dramatic leap in quality" it probably wouldn't last on pay cable.[22] 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."[23] Randee Dawn of The Hollywood Reporter said the show "isn't as textured and riveting as it thinks it is".[24][better source needed] Other reviews favored the show in comparison to Entourage.[25]

The second season did not get much positive reception. On Metacritic only two reviews are listed but both reviews are positive.[26] Maureen Ryan of Huffington Post wrote the show has "a little more discipline and focus than they did in season 1."[27] 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."[28]

References

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    Kurtz, Rod (September 30, 2011). "How To Make It In America: Dream Big Or Go Home". Huffingtonpost.com. Archived from the original on 2020-11-16. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
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    Itzkoff, Dave (December 20, 2011). "HBO Renews 'Enlightened' But Cancels Three Other Shows". Variety. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
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    Hyman, Dan (2012-01-11). "Mark Wahlberg Interview on Contraband: Movies + TV". GQ. Archived from the original on 2020-11-16. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
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    "HBO will "Make It" on Valentine's Day". Blog.zap2it.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-08. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
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    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.
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    Ehrlich, Brenna (2010-02-11). "HBO's "How to Make it in America" Premieres Free on YouTube". mashable.com. Archived from the original on 2020-11-16. Retrieved 2010-02-11.
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    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.
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    Poniewozik, James. TV Weekend: I Could Review 'How to Make It in America'... Archived 2020-11-16 at the Wayback Machine. "Time." February 12, 2010.
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    Seidman, Robert (March 23, 2010). "Nielsen Ratings for HBO's "The Pacific" Down, But Not Much For Second Episode". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
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    Seidman, Robert (October 18, 2011). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Doubles NLCS + NJ Housewives, 'Boardwalk Empire,' 'Talking Dead,' 'Dexter' & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 22, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
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    Gorman, Bill (October 25, 2011). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Slips, Still Tops; + NJ Housewives, 'Boardwalk Empire,' 'Homeland,' 'Dexter' & Much More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 27, 2011. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
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    Yanan, Travis (November 1, 2011). "Sunday's Cable Ratings: No Stopping AMC's "Walking Dead"". The Futon Critic. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
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    Seidman, Robert (November 8, 2011). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead,' 'Hell On Wheels' Lead AMC + 'Boardwalk Empire,' 'Homeland,' 'Dexter' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 11, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
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    Yanan, Travis (November 15, 2011). "Sunday's Cable Ratings: AMC's "Walking Dead" Remains Undefeated". The Futon Critic. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
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    Yanan, Travis (November 22, 2011). "Sunday's Cable Ratings: "Dead" Extends Win Streak to Six". The Futon Critic. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  20. [20]
    "How to Make It in America". Metacritic.
  21. [21]
    Hinckley, David (February 12, 2010). "Hustlers try to design a dream on 'How to Make It in America'". Daily News. New York.
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    Lowry, Brian (February 11, 2010). "How to Make It in America TV Show Review". Variety.
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    "'How to Make' a bad sitcom 'in America'". BostonHerald.com. 2010-02-14. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
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    Dawn, Randee. "Critic Reviews for 'How to Make It in America': Season 1". Archived from the original on 2020-11-16. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
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    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.
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    "How to Make It in America: Season 2". Metacritic. New York. Archived from the original on 2020-11-16. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
  27. [27]
    Ryan, Maureen (September 30, 2011). "Review: 'How to Make It in America' Brings a Scruffy Energy to Season 2". Huffington Post. New York. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  28. [28]
    Maciak, Philip (September 30, 2011). "'How to Make It in America' Season 2". Slant Magazine. New York. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
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