Rachel Sennott's 'I Love LA' Is the Show Everyone's Talking About – And No One Seems to Actually Like

The premiere of a new series on HBO is always an event, but the November debut of I Love LA has sparked mixed reactions.

The original project, written, produced, and starring comedian and actress Rachel Sennott, has already divided viewers and critics.

What Is 'I Love LA' About?

The series centers on Maia, a young woman who moved from New York City to Los Angeles and dreams of being promoted from assistant to talent manager.

Her life is closely intertwined with two friends: Alani, the daughter of a celebrity, and Tallulah, an influencer accustomed to receiving attention effortlessly.

Dubbed the Girls for Generation Z, the series attempts to speak the language of today's youth, who spend half their lives on social media.

'I Love LA's Strongest Side Is Its Impressive Cast

I Love LA has brought together some of the brightest new stars in Hollywood. In addition to Rachel Sennott as Maia, the series stars True Whitaker, Forest Whitaker's daughter, and Odessa A'zion, Pamela Adlon's daughter.

This adds an autobiographical dimension to their characters' stories.

The biggest casting success, however, was the addition of Leighton Meester, star of the original Gossip Girl. Her role as Maia's older mentor subtly plays on the image of the straight-A student overshadowed by her successful friend – a role she played in Gossip Girl as Blair.

Despite Its Relevance, 'I Love LA' Lacks Atmosphere and a Coherent Story

Despite its attempts to be the voice of a generation, I Love LA has significant flaws. And the most obvious one is the almost complete absence of Los Angeles as a setting.

Although the city is evoked in the title and is supposedly the object of the characters' affection, it barely appears on screen. The action could easily be transferred to any other metropolis without losing its meaning.

Furthermore, virtually nothing significant happens over the course of the already released four episodes, leaving viewers unengaged and unmoved. Generation Z's language, with all its idiosyncrasies, becomes more of a barrier to understanding than a tool for sincere expression.

I Love LA feels more like an expanded version of Sennott's popular TikToks than a full-fledged artistic statement capable of capturing attention beyond its target audience.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'I Love LA'?

• I Love LA has 84% from critics and 46% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 5.8/10.