Rachel Sennott's New Comedy Series, I Love LA, Finds Its Footing but Takes Time to Get There.
The HBO comedy series, created by Sennott, was previously known as Untitled Rachel Sennott Project and has been shrouded in mystery. But Sennott, one of the few internet-born comedians with real movie credentials, is an internet sensation, embodying the modern indistinction between actor and celebrity. The show, which flows downhill from its inception, combines Sennott's unique online persona with a prestige brand bet on her popularity.
The series centers around Maia, played by Sennott, a 27-year-old talent manager living in Los Feliz. She is a blend of contradictions - hyper-self-aware and delusional, histrionic yet dead-eyed, overtly sexual but girlish. The show's early episodes have a mechanical quality, with Sennott teetering between clownish self-deprecation and cool-girl deadass-ness, but it takes several episodes for Maia to downshift from sketch trope to character.
Sennott's co-stars include Jordan Firstman as celebrity stylist Charlie and True Whitaker as Alani, the nepo baby. The show also boasts Odessa A'Zion, a standout in her role as Tallulah, Maia's New York Instagram baddie and ex-best friend. Tallulah brings an undeniable star quality to the series, much like A'Zion is gaining buzz for her upcoming starring turn opposite Timothée Chalamet.
The business of internet celebrity and the world of Hollywood can be a tricky combination for a show. I Love LA struggles at first but finds its footing midway through the season. The hooks are there, as well as the visuals, which receive an artful and emotionally intuitive treatment from director Lorene Scafaria.
While the show may seem to prioritize bluster over substance in its early episodes, it rewards patience with sharp ironies and a textured portrait of this particular rung on the fame ladder. The endless embarrassments and boundless opportunities of celebrity can seem similar to those of being alive, particularly in one's 20s. As the series progresses, viewers will find themselves charmed by Charlie's unexpected connections, pained by Tallulah's flops, frustrated by Maia's staggering absorption, but ultimately rooting for her.
I Love LA starts on HBO in the US on November 2nd, on HBO Max in Australia on November 3rd, and on Sky Comedy in the UK on November 5th.
				
			The HBO comedy series, created by Sennott, was previously known as Untitled Rachel Sennott Project and has been shrouded in mystery. But Sennott, one of the few internet-born comedians with real movie credentials, is an internet sensation, embodying the modern indistinction between actor and celebrity. The show, which flows downhill from its inception, combines Sennott's unique online persona with a prestige brand bet on her popularity.
The series centers around Maia, played by Sennott, a 27-year-old talent manager living in Los Feliz. She is a blend of contradictions - hyper-self-aware and delusional, histrionic yet dead-eyed, overtly sexual but girlish. The show's early episodes have a mechanical quality, with Sennott teetering between clownish self-deprecation and cool-girl deadass-ness, but it takes several episodes for Maia to downshift from sketch trope to character.
Sennott's co-stars include Jordan Firstman as celebrity stylist Charlie and True Whitaker as Alani, the nepo baby. The show also boasts Odessa A'Zion, a standout in her role as Tallulah, Maia's New York Instagram baddie and ex-best friend. Tallulah brings an undeniable star quality to the series, much like A'Zion is gaining buzz for her upcoming starring turn opposite Timothée Chalamet.
The business of internet celebrity and the world of Hollywood can be a tricky combination for a show. I Love LA struggles at first but finds its footing midway through the season. The hooks are there, as well as the visuals, which receive an artful and emotionally intuitive treatment from director Lorene Scafaria.
While the show may seem to prioritize bluster over substance in its early episodes, it rewards patience with sharp ironies and a textured portrait of this particular rung on the fame ladder. The endless embarrassments and boundless opportunities of celebrity can seem similar to those of being alive, particularly in one's 20s. As the series progresses, viewers will find themselves charmed by Charlie's unexpected connections, pained by Tallulah's flops, frustrated by Maia's staggering absorption, but ultimately rooting for her.
I Love LA starts on HBO in the US on November 2nd, on HBO Max in Australia on November 3rd, and on Sky Comedy in the UK on November 5th.
 ](https://i.giphy.com/GpYzg1wX8mT0M.gif) ahh LOL what's up with this Maia girl tho?
](https://i.giphy.com/GpYzg1wX8mT0M.gif) ahh LOL what's up with this Maia girl tho?  [
 [ ](https://i.giphy.com/3x7fQ4cW9Nn5aP.gif) guess it takes time to get to the good stuff
](https://i.giphy.com/3x7fQ4cW9Nn5aP.gif) guess it takes time to get to the good stuff  but I got my popcorn ready
 but I got my popcorn ready 
 anyway i think the show needs to find its footing, literally, because right now it feels like its meandering all over the place. maia needs to grow some teeth or something and stop being so self-aware
 anyway i think the show needs to find its footing, literally, because right now it feels like its meandering all over the place. maia needs to grow some teeth or something and stop being so self-aware  but when tallulah shows up, things get interesting. odessa a'zion is giving me life
 but when tallulah shows up, things get interesting. odessa a'zion is giving me life  and the art direction is actually really cool
 and the art direction is actually really cool 
 Maybe it's 'cause Sennott's internet persona is kinda infectious or something... Anyway, if you're a die-hard fan of all things celebrity drama, I guess I Love LA might be the show for you
 Maybe it's 'cause Sennott's internet persona is kinda infectious or something... Anyway, if you're a die-hard fan of all things celebrity drama, I guess I Love LA might be the show for you 
 . The struggle is real when trying to find your footing in life. It sounds like I Love LA is still figuring out its identity, but that's a common phase for many creatives. I mean, who hasn't felt like they're just winging it and hoping for the best?
. The struggle is real when trying to find your footing in life. It sounds like I Love LA is still figuring out its identity, but that's a common phase for many creatives. I mean, who hasn't felt like they're just winging it and hoping for the best?  and the art direction on HBO is always top notch tbh
 and the art direction on HBO is always top notch tbh 
 and i love how the show is tackling these relatable themes of fame and identity
 and i love how the show is tackling these relatable themes of fame and identity  . I'm not gonna lie, it took me a few episodes to get into the show, but once it finds its footing, it's actually pretty great
. I'm not gonna lie, it took me a few episodes to get into the show, but once it finds its footing, it's actually pretty great  anyway, i love how maia is this super contradictory character - she's got so much personality but it takes a few episodes to really land. i also gotta say, odessa a'zion as tallulah is giving me major stan vibes
 anyway, i love how maia is this super contradictory character - she's got so much personality but it takes a few episodes to really land. i also gotta say, odessa a'zion as tallulah is giving me major stan vibes 