How to Make It in America

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HBO (ended 2011)
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Show Summary

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Entourage masterminds Stephen Levinson and Mark Wahlberg are behind this HBO project about two up-and-comers in their 20's living in New York City. Starring Ben Epstein (Bryan Greenberg) and Cam Calderon (Victor Rasuk), this pair of industrious friends hustle their way to success, striving to achieve the American dream.
8.6
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S 2 :  Ep 8 Aired 11/20/11
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S 2 :  Ep 7 Aired 11/13/11
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S 2 :  Ep 6 Aired 11/6/11
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S 2 :  Ep 5 Aired 10/30/11
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S 2 :  Ep 4 Aired 10/23/11
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  • HBO Cancels Three Comedies, Renews Enlightened 84

    HBO Cancels Three Comedies, Renews Enlightened

    By Seth Abramovitch, Dec 20, 2011

    The executioner's axe swung mightily today at HBO headquarters, as the cable network canceled three half-hour series, and spared one. Hung, How to Make It in America, and Bored to Death will not live to see another season; while Enlightened,… more

  • Editors' Picks: The TV.com Staff's Top 5 TV Shows of 2011 414

    Editors' Picks: The TV.com Staff's Top 5 TV Shows of 2011

    By TV.com Staff, Dec 13, 2011

    Looking back on this year, only one thing is for certain: We watched a LOT of TV. And we liked a lot of it, too, which is why limiting our list of favorites to just five shows gave us all… more

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Fan Reviews (5)

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  • Season 1 - 7/10......... Season 2 - 9/10

    8.5
    "Great"
    By PollosHermanos, Dec 28, 2011 Report Abuse
    How To Make It In America is centralised around characters Ben and Cam, who are trying to break into the New York City fashion industry. There is also Renee, a "legitimate" businessman who is trying to make a name for himself with a Jamaican energy drink brand. The show's central characters, Ben and Cam, struggle to make a name for themselves and want to "make it in America" with their up and coming clothing brand - Crisp.
    The first thing i notice about this show is the great music and the fact that it's impeccably textured. The actors and characters in season 1 didn't seem all that appealing at first, and initially obvious elements from entourage were used, hence why i was sceptical if this show would keep me interested. Much to my surprise, it became very engaging after a few episodes. Season 1 was only 8 episodes, quite good but nothing to write home about.
    Season 2, however, was a whole different story. Season 2 was much more dynamic, engaging and interesting throughout. The actors are nothing amazing, but this season i connected with them so much more. One actor who was impressing for me was Kid Cudi (Domingo) who i thought couldn't act for 5h1t. This season still had good music, good texture and many funny things about it. Although, often the show took serious turns which worked very well in my opinion. The drama, frustration between the central and supporting characters felt very real - it's like you, the watcher just want them to do well. Moreover, for some reason at the end of season 2 i felt inspired myself - not in fashion, but it has a certain effect that imposes you to follow your goals, resolutions or whatever you are looking for. The season 2 finale was magnificent might i add; and when i found out How To Make It In America was axed it left a hole in the heart that is my television.
    This show had a lot of potential to be something more. Engaging plot, flawless visuals, intriguing characters, stellar script and great music. Despite the fact that it is no longer with us - i genuinely feel that you, the reader of this review, should give it a watch. I definitely would recommend it.moreless

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    1 0

  • Same Story, New Setting

    8.0
    "Great"
    By Neksmater, Aug 18, 2011 Report Abuse
    How to Make it In America follows two twenty-somethings Ben Epstein and Cameron Calderon from the Lower East Side of Manhattan who want to make some money with a legitimate business venture in a jean line that they call Crisp. Cam's cousin Rene, just out of jail, shows another side of economics by being a big investor and contributor to a new energy drink from the Caribbean called Rosta Monsta that needs some serious marketing. Constant roadblocks pop up along the eight episode first season that make it worthwhile when the boys finally make some dough by making a few hundred t-shirts for a big clothing distributor named Haraki. The show is the same old tired story about bromances and friends doing business much like Entourage but set in New York. The difference in How to Make It is that the clothing industry is an intriguing front to delve into as a show and supporting characters like Ben rich's wallstreet friend and Domingo (Kid Cudi) showing up make it a step above the hare brained partying non stop of Entourage. But with only eight episodes it doesn't give us much of an intro into the business itself so much as their attempts to just get a pair of jeans made and that right there is only first four episodes. But this is just some decent groundwork for what can prove to be a legitimately entertaining series.moreless

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    2 0

  • It's like Entourage, only it has good music, doesn't suck and it's not made for douchebags.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By linusagren, Jun 16, 2011 Report Abuse
    While series like Entourage seems to cater to a brain dead consumerist generation of teenagers, How to Make It in America brings something different to the table.

    Instead of the monotone, one dimensional "drama" from Entourage in the style of "they're rich and awesome, they run into some problems but because they're rich and awesome, they stay rich and awesome, awesome!" this series actually manages to create lovable characters that are not only believeable and sympathetic but also develop during the course of the season. Instead of creating a drama that starts on top, never dips and finally ends on top, we here have a honest try to make something better; a series where the protagonists actually start from the bottom, keep failing but ever so slightly make their way up the ladder.

    Atleast it's somewhat relatable and it doesn't make you want to punch the characters in the face for being shallow douchebags. This is accompanied with an excellent soundtrack where Kid Cudi makes an appearance, vibrant surroundings and a great feeling overall.

    I really hope to see a second season out of this franchise to see where it's heading. Perhaps they can make it even better by making it even less like Entourage.moreless

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    5 1

  • A low-rent version of Entourage... sort of.

    7.5
    "Good"
    By TheRepeatViewer, Oct 13, 2010 Report Abuse
    Upon starting the pilot episode of How to Make It in America, I couldn't help but think of Entourage. Both shows are executive produced by Mark Wahlberg; both are half hour comedies; both feature a guy pining over a broken relationship; and both feature native New York guys with a similar aura of cool. Sure, the main leads Ben (Bryan Greenberg) and Cameron (Victor Rasuk) can only dream of the high life that the Entourage boys enjoy, but I could easily see these people hanging out in a club at 3 A.M. like lifelong pals. Because of all these similarities and the incredibly high bar that Entourage (like most HBO shows) had set, I wasn't exactly blown away the way I'd been in past. Still, I liked what I saw and was interested enough to see how things developed. The premise involves two working class guys struggling to eke out a living. Ben, has a job at Barneys but aspires toward a more fulfilling career in design, if only he can catch a break. Cameron is his outgoing, though undisciplined, best friend who has a knack for hustling. When the pair decide to start their own line of jeans, the series really starts to take off.

    My initial concern was that the show would turn into a painful exercise in futility that would involve the boys floundering their way toward the impossible only to end up worse off than when they started with each attempt, because the main characters are nothing if not likeable, and seeing them suffer just isn't any fun. Even Ben's ex-girlfriend, Rachel (Lake Bell) or Cameron's ex-con cousin Rene (Luis Guzman) - who I initially didn't care much for - are appealing in their own ways. After seeing a few episodes (only 6 of the 1st Season so far) I caught on to the main theme of the series, which is the struggle of making ones bones in this world - yeah, the title should have made it obvious, but it was nice to see it slowly play out with the story threads of some of the other characters. Seeing how these people get by, in their own way, is far more engaging than I anticipated.moreless

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    6 0

  • NICE TRY BUT.. NOTHIN NEW

    8.0
    "Great"
    By la_lith, Apr 14, 2010 Report Abuse
    I watch almost every show that is out there.. and this is nothin special.But i loved the background music its great.

    This is too short to say anything just only 8 episode which is approx 3 hrs and they could have done something special but they didnt tried hard enough to make it a good show.

    There are just better shows than this to watch.I dont regret spending time with this show well its a neutral felling.Where ever you are "life is bumpy" and there is nothin new in "cam's And ben's" life.

    I'm from india and i love american shows.. no offence.moreless

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