I Love LA

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⭐ 9.5/10

Okay hear me out - I despise every character in this show. We follow Maia, who is the manager for Tallulah, an influencer. Their friend group also includes Charlie, a stylist for influencers, and Alani, who is the daughter of a famous movie producer who doesn't do anything. We watch as Maia tries to score jobs for Tallulah, and see the lengths they will go to for success. Sounds awful right? The catch is that this show is razor sharp, hilarious, and knowingly critical of these people without making you hate them. Its an incredible balance I don't think I have encountered before.

This show is created and written and sometimes directed by Rachel Sennott, who also plays Maia, and I am convinced she is a genius. The writing is so sharp, its portrayal of these people completely open and honest. They are vulgar and cruel but for some reason you want them to succeed in this vulgar and cruel industry. It feels completely modern, a show that wouldn't have made sense even 5 years ago, and it really shines a light on the vapid mindset these people have in essentially pursuing fame and fortune. It feels so real and true in such a gross way I can't explain it. I would call this a guilty pleasure show, but I'm not ashamed, I think this is a work of genius and I can't wait for the next season.

There was an arc I loved involving Charlie becoming the stylist for a Christian influencer, tolerating the corniness for a paycheck, but then actually being moved by legitimist love and connection. Jordan Firstman plays Charlie, and I never really liked him in English Teacher, but I am convinced he is a legitimate star after this. Josh Hutcherson also plays Maia's boyfriend, who is the sweetest guy ever, and really makes you question why he is with such a vain monster. He's a teacher, which is excellent contrast, humble and selfless guy around all these self-centered people. But that monster is for sure the star, and I think this is a really bold performance. Part of that is that she gets naked, which makes it hard to recommend this show, but there is this constant thread of her being totally okay with breaking every rule and completely degrading herself for success. I think the sexuality of this show is completely true to the world they are in, and says a lot about each of the characters.

I wouldn't say this is some cautionary tale, but it also doesn't glorify these lives at all. Its not really judgmental at all, as I mentioned you somehow do want these people to succeed. A real feat of writing I think, great characters with actors that understand them because they probably are around these kinds of people. This is also maybe the funniest show I have seen all year! I would have never thought this would become my most anticipated show for a new season, but here we are.

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