White Famous

After watching the first episode, I was ready to put it into the "stop wasting my time file" as I didn't find the main character's situation at all interesting --only because the premise has been done over and over and over again. The other reason for me is that when I "look" at this program starring Jay Pharoah, I am taken back to a film I absolutely loved from Robert Townshend called "Hollywood Shuffle". There was a scene in the movie where there was a casting for a film, and they were seeking "an Eddie Murphy-Type". This was because "Eddie Murphy" was "80s hot" and "bankable" then, and so that was what they wanted from budding African-American actor/comedians. NOt their individuality. In the audition room were actors all dressed up, mimicking, "Eddie Murphy" waiting to audition for the role. This is what "White Famous" reminds me of. And that is not a bad thing entirely, but hard to grasp for the main character in 2017.

This comedian wants to show how it would be to be "White Famous" defined as to be known and respected across the board (a cross-over artist) and get paid equally for it. This program, "White Famous" is not just for this African American comedian, but also 'the wish' for the people in his orbit trying to get him there, no matter what their racial background. It's the 'tag description' for ANYONE wishing to 'make it in Hollywood', and this show is letting the viewer know that's the "in-phase".

For this struggling comedian getting into acting in Hollywood, has his ideas, and they have theirs but the bottom line is both are seeking the fame and money in making this work. Is this a new premise? No. However to make it appealing to audiences will be the "likeability" of the characters. Jay Pharoah is at the decision-pinnacle of such a career, as we are all getting to know him, and are on the same journey as he juggles career, being a single dad, relationship whoa's and more.

For programs like this, the ultimate test of whether it works or not is if the viewer cares and roots for the subject to succeed. Currently, I am not getting a feeling either way. He's not very likable, but he isn't a horror either. His agent(s) aren't very interesting as they are stereotypical of Hollywood Agents and Manager and the Hollywood scene has been done over and over -- so I am not picking anything too interesting out of it above the norm in this show about them. I do somewhat like the "crazy-movie" producer/director played by Michael Rappaport as that character combines Hollywood's craziness into one ball as he too is looking to be "white famous". The fear is that this character needs to be taken in dribs-and-drabs as it is. More of a character like this would be overkill.

The relationship between his 'baby-mama' (and BTW, I dislike that phrase so much, it's a big turn off for me)and he isn't interesting beyond what is already established, and his comedy isn't making me stand up and cheer. As it has been said many times by other comedians -- 'stringing a bunch of curse words together for a laugh, isn't always funny'. I'm not familiar with his stand up, and this show doesn't quite move me to want to see it with any urgency -- meaning -- if I see it in passing, I may or may not stop to look.

There's some potential here, but I don't know if it will bring in enough viewer interest for people to want to witness it develop before it is canceled.

Pros:

Utkarsh Ambudkar who plays Malcolm, the Indian talent agent is excellent and would have been a more likable lead than Jay Pharoah.

The Hollywood/Los Angeles sights and scenes are more interesting than the script.

Cons:

There seems to be a lot of anti-white rhetoric and stereotypes. It frankly makes it uncomfortable to watch. It is blatant and one sided.

The writing is weak and many of the jokes and scenes are recycled from the 90's. An example is the scene in the pilot where the white guy mistakes Jay Pharoah for the valet at a restaurant and hands him his keys. (Stolen from Curb Your Enthusiasm).

I am not sure how this show got the green light? The show just isn't funny and injecting A list celebrities like Jamie Fox towards the end of the 1st episode just looks like you are trying to make up for something.

In a PC world, the title needs a name change. That's where 80% of the negative reviews are stemming from... off of ONE episode. Wow. Smh. So after seeing the second episode, this show is basically a combination of Californication and Entourage, told from the perspective of a Black comedian.. Geez, give the show a chance. Several "Entourage" archetypes are in this series, so if you are going to critique "stereotypical Hollywood characters," critique the repetitiveness, not the characters. And if you don't think "those types" exist, feel free to browse (a) Variety, (b) TMZ, or (c) purchase a plane ticket to Hollywood.

Note: As I watch each episode, my rating will adjust based off of story COLLECTIVELY.

Honestly this show isn't that bad. I've read many reviews saying that the main character is not really like-able and that the show is racist but personally I think we should give this show a chance. I feel like this show has a lot of potential and can be funny at times. All it needs it is a little time to build-up (Jay Pharaoh better start doing more impressions)

The series is predicated on Jay Pharoah's struggle for success, but it's difficult to root for him when he doesn't seem particularly deserving of it, on a personal or professional level.

He has an unhealthy relationship with his ex, Sadie (Cleopatra Coleman), in which he would prefer she not see anyone else while he is free to date. He berates his agent, is negligent toward the son he and Sadie share and constantly self-sabotages in meetings with directors and producers. On top of that he is fixated on race and makes sure to make every non-black character he comes in contact with well aware of his polarized views.