How to Make It in America

Trying to make a name for themselves in New York's competitive fashion scene, Ben Epstein and his friend and business partner Cam Calderon use their street knowledge and connections to bring their ambitions to fruition. With the help of Cam's cousin Rene, who is trying to market his own high-energy drink, and their well-connected friend Domingo, the burgeoning entrepreneurs set out to make it big, encountering obstacles along the way that will require all their ingenuity to overcome.

How to Make It in America (2010-2011) is a New York set comedy drama created by Ian Edelman for HBO. Ben Epstein (Bryan Greenberg) and his best friend and business partner Cam Calderon (Victor Rasuk) use street smarts and a web of connections to chase success in the city's competitive fashion scene. Their hustle pulls in Cam's cousin Rene (Luis Guzmán), who is marketing a high-energy drink, and their well-connected friend Domingo (Kid Cudi), so each episode becomes a run of deals, favors, and near misses. The series runs for two seasons of sixteen half hour episodes in total, following one continuing storyline in which every scheme carries consequences for the friendships at its center. Its tone is scrappy and optimistic, with a restless energy, bright Manhattan nightlife, and a streetwise sense of humor that keeps the stakes personal. Fans of Entourage and Girls will find resonance in its young urban ambition, its loyalty tested by money, and its portrait of city dreamers who refuse to give up on their big break.

Viewers found the young New York hustle energy and friendship dynamic appealing in the first season, though the second season drew noticeably weaker reactions.

• Entourageyoung urban ambition, friendship-driven hustle comedy-drama set in new york
• Girlsstruggling twenty something city life, dramedy tone with hustle and romance
• Togethernessyoung new york professionals navigating career and relationships, dramedy tone

Created by

Ian Edelman

Release Date

2010-02-14

Episode runtime

27 min

Rating

7.9 / 10 (107)

What is How to Make It in America about?

Two street-smart friends hustle their way through New York's fashion and business scene chasing big dreams.

What is How to Make It in America like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of How to Make It in America as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is How to Make It in America violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in How to Make It in America as mild.

What did critics think of How to Make It in America?

Viewers found the young New York hustle energy and friendship dynamic appealing in the first season, though the second season drew noticeably weaker reactions.

Which shows are like How to Make It in America?

Shows with a similar feel include Entourage, Girls, and Togetherness.

How long is How to Make It in America?

How to Make It in America: 2 seasons, 16 episodes.

Is How to Make It in America still running?

No, How to Make It in America was canceled.

Where can I watch How to Make It in America?

In United States, How to Make It in America streams on Netflix, HBO Max Amazon Channel, Netflix Standard with Ads, HBO Max.