Why HBO’s ‘I Love LA’ Is a Disappointing Comedy

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Pilot episodes are incredibly important for a show’s success, as they introduce the characters, establish how they interact, and grab the audience’s attention with an interesting story – all while setting the overall mood. Unfortunately, Rachel Sennott’s I Love LA falls short in all of these areas. Getting a show on HBO’s Sunday night schedule is a huge opportunity, as that timeslot has launched some of the most popular shows ever. Sunday nights have become known for strong television premieres, and for good reason – it’s where award-winning and massively successful series like The Last of Us, Succession, The Sopranos, and Game of Thrones have all aired.

When Rachel Sennott’s show was announced for HBO’s prime Sunday night slot, people had high hopes. I Love LA is a comedy about young adults figuring out life – friendships, work, and love – in Los Angeles. While this storyline isn’t new – many creators try to capture this experience – it’s often done poorly, especially when shows focus too much on being relatable. Unfortunately, Sennott’s first episode fell into this same trap, seeming to try too hard to connect with viewers.

The ‘I Love LA’ Pilot Tries Too Hard

Viewers went into Sennott’s new comedy not knowing quite what to expect, and unfortunately, that lack of clarity ended up hurting the show. After gaining attention with the 2021 film Shiva Baby, Sennott seemed poised for big things. She quickly followed that success with memorable roles in A24’s Bodies Bodies Bodies and Bottoms, which she co-wrote. She’s also appeared in the highly-regarded I Used to Be Funny and Saturday Night. Sennott has established herself as a strong lead in movies, but this marks her first time starring in a television series.

Sennott is a remarkably talented filmmaker who has quickly become a voice for Gen Z. Her films capture the specific challenges, quirks, and unique experiences of this generation, especially when it comes to relationships and how people connect with each other. She’s proven herself to be a powerful force, bringing the complexities of modern youth to life on screen.

Gen Z has embraced her on social media, enthusiastically supporting everything she creates. But writing for television is a different challenge altogether, and she’s aware of that, as she explained to Caleb Hearon:

I understand how movies are structured, but TV episodes are different. I was once struggling with figuring out the right structure for an episode, and I was overthinking it in front of the writing team. Even though everyone was supportive, it’s still nerve-wracking to lead a group and appear unsure. So, I went to the whiteboard and drew a wavy line, trying to illustrate the difference – ‘If a movie is shaped like this, then a TV show is like…’ – and then I drew more lines. When I turned around, the whole room was just…

I really wanted to love this new show, but honestly, it was a bit rough around the edges, especially the first episode. You could tell this was the creator’s first TV series, and it felt like she was heavily influenced by shows like Girls and Sex and the City. It wasn’t bad, but it didn’t quite feel original – more like a blend of those other shows, and it was still searching for its own unique identity.

The ‘I Love LA’ Characters Aren’t Likeable


HBO

The film features a strong cast including Josh Hutcherson, along with Jordan Firstman, True Whitaker, and Odessa A’zion. However, despite the talent, the characters aren’t very appealing. They seem to be trying to be relatable, but end up feeling fake instead of genuine. While this might have been the goal, they lacked authenticity, resulting in awkward conversations and a confusing story that felt empty.

The characters felt like exaggerated stereotypes of Los Angeles residents – particularly shallow and self-absorbed young adults. This lack of nuance made it hard to care about them or their storylines. The season starts off weakly, without a strong central idea or direction.

It’s possible Sennott just needs time to settle into her new show. Those who’ve seen the whole series have given it positive reviews, with NPR calling it a smart comedy that represents the best work of her career so far. It especially resonates with people who came of age online and are now questioning how they got to where they are. airs weekly on HBO Max on Sundays at 10:30 p.m. EST.

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2025-11-06 22:19