'Atlanta' Series Premiere Review

Image from FX

By Darian Scalamoni

            I have been infatuated with a talent like Donald Glover for years. This goes back to the work he was doing on YouTube with a sketch comedy group called Derrick Comedy. Before this, Glover was a writer for the incredibly successful NBC comedy show, 30 Rock for which he won a WGA award and Emmy for writing. After this, he also began to establish himself as a rapper going under the name Childish Gambino, which he got from a Wu-Tang Name Generator. After an incredibly successful run as both an actor on Community and a rapper, Glover decided to put his love for music and cinema in one project titled, Atlanta. The half hour comedy which he had been developing since 2013 for FX and it debuted last night.

            It’s clear that Glover has the creative eye, I mean the guy has dipped his toes in music, film and television but developing his own television show, and one that is so culturally important is something that was a long thing coming. The FX comedy has its funny moments, sure, but it’s important to note that the show focuses on a true portrayal of an African-American male and his perspective on how to achieve his dreams and success in a realistic manner. The show is tremendous in terms of pacing, characteristics within its world and self-examination for the lead character, Earn played by Glover himself.

            The show follows Earn as a down on his luck kind of guy who lives in Atlanta with a daughter and his ex-girlfriend who is about to kick him out. When working at his steady job in an airport he sees that his cousin Alfred (played by Brian Tyree Henry) is about to become a successful rap star due to his new song “Paper Boi” which is also his rap name. Earn shows up at his cousin’s house trying to pitch himself as a manager to Paper Boi. Though Alfred already has help from his friend Darius (played by Keith Stanfield), he could use some help from someone with a little more pull and street smarts for Atlanta like his cousin, Earn.

            The show is right to point out what seems to be a long-term struggle for the trio as it continues that slow wind of their “dare to dream” act forward. The show gives you a glance of the daily challenges they’ll entail if they want to make it big. While Earn is doing this and scrapping together enough money for a radio station to play “Paper Boi”, he also has to preserve his relationship with his ex, Van (played by Zazie Beetz) and save some money for his child. Luckily, Alfred and Darius have similar ideas for themselves and their own families.

            For those who are looking for something similar to Glover’s other works Community and 30 Rock, you won’t find it here as the show acts more in the realm of a Louie with an edge to it similar to the HBO series, The Wire. Though, the pacing helps establish a particular landscape going forward where the show is deeply rooted with authenticity and shines a light on how life really can be for people trying to make it in the town of Atlanta. The show doesn’t try to preach but more so, provide an understanding for the viewers that your world can change in many ways if you put yourself out there. Atlanta feels grounded and still has a ways to go to determine where it is going to go. Having said that, the pilot does an amazing job of giving the audience a look at what this show will be and be on the cusp of something transitional and important for television.

9.2/10