A quick review of the "How to Make It in America" season finale coming up just as soon as I drive to Florida to see Radiohead... My fear about "How to Make It," given all the "Entourage" producers involved, was that the show would fall into the "Entourage" trap of letting everything work out perfectly for everyone all the time, with no consequences: a bohemian New York fantasy camp to match the tension-free, comedy-free, interest-free version Vince and his boys are living out in LA. But while things ultimately turned out okay for Ben and Cam, it wasn't without a lot of hard work on their parts, nor without some personal cost, as we saw on Cam's face as he played arsonist to get the t-shirts back.
And we also saw with Rachel's story - where she ditched the rich boyfriend, the promising career and even a reunion with Ben in favor of traveling for as long as her money lasts and figuring her life out - that the show doesn't prize material success above all else.
As Kaplan tells the guys, in a line I'm assuming/hoping the show takes to heart, "The secret is not to get rich quick. The secret is to get rich slow... and you appreciate it."
Ultimately, "How to Make It" isn't a show I love, but it's likable and charming enough - and has elements I feel stronger about (the opening credits, the music in general and the sense of NYC atmosphere) - that I would not at all be displeased should HBO bring it back for another season. It's not a show worth subscribing for, but it's a pleasant bonus to the likes of "The Pacific" and (next week) "Treme."
What did everybody else think?
