Josh Hutcherson's New HBO Series Sparks Mixed Reactions
The HBO comedy series I Love LA premiered on November 2, quickly generating divided opinions between critics and viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
Show Overview
Created by Rachel Sennott, the series centers on a close-knit group of friends reuniting after years apart, exploring how their experiences have shaped them.
Critical Reception
Critics have largely praised the show for its absurdist humor and capturing Gen Z sensibilities. The series holds an 81% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 32 reviews, earning it a Certified Fresh status.
Sam Adams from Slate noted the show's "writing gets sharper" as it progresses, while appreciating the strong character development of the main cast.
Chris Vognar of the Boston Globe praised how the series makes its unlikable protagonists sympathetic.
Audience Response
The audience response is more divided, with a 59% approval rating from fewer than 50 viewers. Some praise the show’s humor and appeal to modern young adults, but others criticize it for cliché portrayals of Los Angeles and unsuccessful emotional moments.
Summary of Opinions
- Positive reviews highlight the comedy and relatable content for young adults.
- Negative reviews focus on clichés and attempts at emotional depth that fall flat.
Despite mixed audience opinions, positive critiques tend to outweigh the negative.
Author’s Summary
I Love LA divides critics and viewers with its sharp writing and character work, though some audiences find its humor and emotional attempts uneven.