HBO's latest comedy series I Love LA is a star-studded, prestige-tinged satire of modern Los Angeles that slowly coalesces into something endearing. Created by Rachel Sennott, an internet-born comedian with real movie credentials (Shiva Baby, I Used To Be Funny), the show aims to capture the essence of its characters – the aspirational creative class, the influencer culture and the eternal struggle for identity in a hyper-connected world.
At its core, I Love LA revolves around Maia, Sennott's character, an aspiring talent manager living in Los Angeles. Maia is a complex, multifaceted creation – hyper-self-aware, delusional, histrionic yet dead-eyed – who embodies the contradictions of Sennott's own brand of confidence and self-deprecation. The show's tone often walks the fine line between annoying and endearing, but once you get past its initial jarring quality, Maia becomes a compelling character that rewards patience.
The supporting cast is equally well-crafted, with standout performances from Odessa A'Zion as Tallulah, Maia's Instagram-baddie ex-best friend, and Jordan Firstman as Charlie, a celebrity stylist navigating the treacherous waters of LA's gay scene. The chemistry between the characters is undeniable, making their interactions sharp, witty, and frequently laugh-out-loud funny.
However, I Love LA faces the daunting task of capturing the essence of modern internet culture on screen. Earlier episodes have a somewhat mechanical quality, relying too heavily on familiar tropes and LA references that might strike outside viewers as shallow or uninteresting. But director Lorene Scafaria's thoughtful approach and the show's artful visuals slowly win you over.
As the season progresses, I Love LA finds its footing, embracing its flaws and contradictions with a refreshing honesty. The show's willingness to tackle topics like fame, identity, and the perils of social media culture makes for a wildly entertaining ride that also feels strangely relatable – particularly in one's 20s.
With its talented cast, witty writing, and thoughtful direction, I Love LA is a bumpy but ultimately endearing comedy series that will keep you hooked from start to finish.
At its core, I Love LA revolves around Maia, Sennott's character, an aspiring talent manager living in Los Angeles. Maia is a complex, multifaceted creation – hyper-self-aware, delusional, histrionic yet dead-eyed – who embodies the contradictions of Sennott's own brand of confidence and self-deprecation. The show's tone often walks the fine line between annoying and endearing, but once you get past its initial jarring quality, Maia becomes a compelling character that rewards patience.
The supporting cast is equally well-crafted, with standout performances from Odessa A'Zion as Tallulah, Maia's Instagram-baddie ex-best friend, and Jordan Firstman as Charlie, a celebrity stylist navigating the treacherous waters of LA's gay scene. The chemistry between the characters is undeniable, making their interactions sharp, witty, and frequently laugh-out-loud funny.
However, I Love LA faces the daunting task of capturing the essence of modern internet culture on screen. Earlier episodes have a somewhat mechanical quality, relying too heavily on familiar tropes and LA references that might strike outside viewers as shallow or uninteresting. But director Lorene Scafaria's thoughtful approach and the show's artful visuals slowly win you over.
As the season progresses, I Love LA finds its footing, embracing its flaws and contradictions with a refreshing honesty. The show's willingness to tackle topics like fame, identity, and the perils of social media culture makes for a wildly entertaining ride that also feels strangely relatable – particularly in one's 20s.
With its talented cast, witty writing, and thoughtful direction, I Love LA is a bumpy but ultimately endearing comedy series that will keep you hooked from start to finish.
it's like they're speaking directly to my soul lol. I mean, who can't relate to being in their 20s and trying to figure out who you are? 
the way Maia is just so... herself is EVERYTHING. and Odessa A'Zion's character Tallulah is giving me LIFE 
. I love how the show tackles those deep issues like fame, identity, and social media culture – it's so refreshing to see someone tackle them without shying away from the awkwardness 
. but once they got their footing, it was like they were speaking my language 
!
like the "influencer culture" trope, it's just been done so many times before. and don't even get me started on how shallow it is when they talk about social media and fame - it feels like they're just checking off boxes instead of actually exploring the complexities of these issues 
. But what really drew me in was how real and relatable the characters feel - I mean, who hasn’t had a friend on Instagram who just won't shut up about their latest drama? 
It's also interesting to see how the show slowly coalesces into something more endearing as it progresses 
. Overall, I think I Love LA is a fun and engaging watch that will keep you laughing and thinking long after the credits roll 
.
anyway, I'm all in on this show, can't wait for the next season 
like, who hasn't been there where u r scrolling thru instagram and u feel so bad about ur life 
and then u scroll a bit more and u're like "wait wut is this tho??" 
. It's all about these lovable, quirky characters trying to figure out their lives in LA. I gotta say, it's relatable on a whole different level now that I'm in my 30s 
. anyway, i'm hooked - can't wait for more