I tuned in almost reluctantly, as I didn’t think it would be my cup of tea. But I did love Troy on Community so figured I could at least check out the pilot.
After having seen it, I think I’m definitely not the target demographic – being that I’m a middle age white guy – but I found it mesmerizing. Bordering on genius. So now I’m wondering if I actually am the target demographic, like The Wire. You know how black people roll their eyes at The Wire, like how it’s a White People show? I’m wondering if Atlanta is like that too, and will eventually become the show white people love to praise.
One line that hurt a bit, cutting a little too close to home:
The DJ played Flo Rida. Two songs in a row!
I like Flo Rida. Moms need to enjoy rap too.
Ouch!
Anyway, has anyone else seen it? It premiered last night.
No, it definitely appeals to black people. No one’s rolling their eyes (that I know of.) This is a very black show. It’s just that it’s so good of a show that it also has wider appeal.
Aside: The only black people I know who roll their eyes at The Wire are people actually from Baltimore.
My impression was that everyone originally liked the show, but then so many white people started heaping so much effusive praise on it that it became uncool to like it. If that’s not the case, I’m happy to be mistaken. (My impression was also fueled by the fact that The Wire was made by a white guy and starred a white guy. By contrast, Donald Glover is the creator and star of Atlanta.)
Circling back to discussing the show, I loved so much about it. When Earn first went to Paper Boi’s place and the guy was crouching next to the door with a gun, Earn’s expression of a weary “Really?” had me cracking up.
“Getting busted for weed isn’t bad, right? It’s not as good as not getting busted for weed.” Ha!
Paper Boi’s scene hitting on the single mother was hysterical from start to finish.
Fantastic first two episodes! I loved the setting (I live in the Atlanta metro, so I’m disposed to like it), the characters, and the humor. I really thought the racism aspects were well done - not super highlighted as if it was a ‘very special episode’, but something that is normal part of life for a minority - there but not necessarily needed to be commented on (well except for Dave casually using the N-word around Earn but no other black dude).
This show has moments of absolute genius. If you’re not watching it, you’re missing out. And it requires watching from the beginning. Can’t really explain why, it isn’t because plot is super important. But I know that ep 7 was an absolute delight because I’ve been watching from the start, and without that, it wouldn’t have been near as awesome.
But watch!
Absolutely. I haven’t actually watched episode 7 yet, but i’m into this show for as long as it’s on TV. Not everything about it is perfect, but as you say, there are moments of genius.
Well, good news to me, anyway. Possibly old news to others, as that article is over a month old now. I had fallen behind on all my shows and just now got up to date with Atlanta. It remains absolutely stellar. The reference to episode 7 upthread sent me to imdb to refresh my memory as to which episode that was when I saw the season selector had choices for 1 & 2. Woohoo!
I’m also a fan of Better Things but haven’t caught up on that one yet.
I fell behind a bit keeping up with other shows and with work, but the wife and i just watched Episode 7. Fantastic! Montague was absolutely inspired, and the ads were perfect.
We’re also really enjoying Better Things, so i’m very happy that both shows have been renewed.