StunnaKrypto
Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.
YouHeart
I gave it a 7.5 out of 10
CrawlerChunky
In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.
Helllins
It is both painfully honest and laugh-out-loud funny at the same time.
not-a-troll-21534
I'm shocked how many people hate or don't love it. But it simply seems that these people are into mainstream comedy or trying to compare the series with something completely different. I won't start hating back on these people, I can only feel regrets for them.Of course this is not Atlanta but why should it be? The approach is different and it is simply refreshing to have something like that beside all that crappy television. I also loved that this the series is obviously in the same universe as "Californication". And what could possibly be wrong with this.Of course there is potential for improvement, but isn't this always the case, especially in a first season? The cast alone is worth watching it.
I really hope that the ratings won't kill the show. If so, at least we have a very funny 10 episodes comedy to watch again in a few years.
youcantoutrunmycamaro
The major issue I had with White Famous, and this is a biggie, is that I didn't really find it funny. Even if you go into the show without the expectation that you'll be laughing out loud every minute, I think most will find that it doesn't bring the laughs (or just basic, feel-good enjoyment) the way a comedy really should. With the notable exceptions of Jay Pharoah's Denzel Washington impression and someone mistakenly saying "Blafrican-American" a couple of times right after he's professed to never use the word "black" to refer to people, I never had an honest moment of hilarity from the show. There's even an extended cameo from Jamie Foxx, which was clearly supposed to be so crazy that you'd LOL non-stop, but I just found it sort of embarrassing for all involved. Where I was expecting Curb Your Enthusiasm levels of cringe-worthy laughs, I generally just got cringes.
stuartpolizzi
I recently came across this show and frankly loved the balance between edgy humor and simple truths on display in just the first two episodes. The main character is an African- American stand-up comedian who is being guided by his agent about how to become "whitefamous" and frankly questions whether becoming a star across racial lines is even something worth pursuing and at what cost to his own identity and roots. Simultaneously the main character works at developing a relationship with his young son and hopes to rekindle one with his former girlfriend. This show drew me in based on the depth of these multiple plot lines and the fact that is doesn't stereotype the protagonist while simultaneously forcing us to think about how we often stereotype African-American actors and characters. I see many who have panned this show in its infancy. To each his own. As for me Im looking forward to seeing Floyd's journey progress.
corkwriter
While it's always dangerous to base a conclusion about a new TV Series based on just one episode, it appears that "White Famous" on Showtime is a dandy. It's about a young black comedian trying to make the move to movies in Hollywood while maintaining his personal, artistic and racial identity and integrity.So yeah, it'a hybrid, a comedy with a message, but if the initial episode is indicative, the two don't negate each other and the talent at work here is abundant.In the lead is Jay Pharaoh as the comedian. I really like his sidekick,manager/whatever, played by Jacob Ming-Trent, a classically trained actor. Never been a big fan of Michael Rapaport in the past,but he appears born to play a wackaloon director trying to get Pharoah's character in his movie.I admit I was surprised by the vitriol contained in a number of other reviews and suggest you make up your own mind. I suspect it comes less from the quality of the series and more from the neuroses of (some of) the reviewers. I've been a professional reviewer and believe me, some of them are not hooked up right.If you've got Showtime, give it a shot. I think you'll like it. If it doesn't work for you, you'll know soon enough.