HBO’s renewal decisions are living up to their reputation of not being wholly ratings-fueled, as the network opted this week to confirm “How to Make it in America” for a second season.
The show, which aired its first eight episodes earlier this winter/spring, chronicles the efforts of Ben (Bryan Greenberg) and Cam (Victor Rasuk) as they try to “make it” in the world of New York fashion design. It was not a ratings success in season one.
From the same executive production hierarchy as HBO’s hit “Entourage,” the show effectively serves as a ‘precursor’ to the “Entourage” lifestyle. Whereas Vincent Chase had already emerged as a successful Hollywood actor by the first episode of “Entourage,” “America” picks up with the main characters down on their luck and struggling to pay the bills as they quest after success.
More dramatic in tone than “Entourage,” the show’s mixed signals regarding demographic targeting also played a part in its ratings trouble. Inherently a male-centric concept (two ‘bros’ trying to live the dream, chasing after beautiful girls along the way), the show nonetheless opted to focus on the female-skewing world of fashion (with Ben striving to launch a designer jeans and t-shirt label). It also featured a very female-skewing side storyline involving Ben’s ex-girlfriend, played by Lake Bell.
Season two’s eight episodes are due for the summer of 2011.