How To Make It In America enters its second season on HBO. Having received mixed reviews for its first season, and having never seen the show before, I went in not knowing exactly what to expect. As the show progressed I met Ben Epstein and Cam Calderon, the main focus of the show, two designers looking to get in on the cut throat world of fashion design. Ben and Cam make urban wear and try to sell it at storefronts and crash parties to meet influential people. In the meantime there are side stories such as Luis Guzman’s (Waiting, Out of Sight) character Rene Calderon, who is a loan shark but also trying to market his energy drink Rasta Monsta. Guzman pretty much runs away with the show whenever he is on screen. Then you have Ben’s lover, ex-girlfriend, and other women who find him irresistible, while Cam tries to hook up with a particular lady and find an apartment.

First off the same crew that brought you Entourage are behind How To Make It In America, and just knowing that your going to see that How To Make It In America pretty much follows in that shows footsteps. As for the show itself, I thought the writing was pretty weak. Most of the episodes have a level of predictability that unbalances the whole scheme of each episode. If you think one thing is going to happen followed by another, your probably right. The only thing really making this show enjoyable is the acting, which feels authentic in nature, and some of the scenario’s in which the characters find themselves will probably hit close to home for a lot of people who used to or still do hit the night life or have had their hustle on. While its not a show that’s going to open doors and create a whole new pathway for other shows to follow it has its moments.