Sweet Life: Los Angeles
By Monica Encarnacion,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Ambitious, relevant reality drama has swearing, materialism.
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Sweet Life: Los Angeles
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What's the Story?
SWEET LIFE: LOS ANGELES follows a friend group that's young, Black, ambitious, and on their way towards making their dreams reality. Created by Insecure creator and star Issa Rae, this unscripted series follows seven main characters and zeros in on the highs and lows faced by this well-dressed squad as they strive for "Black excellence." They all seem to have either made it or are on their way to making it; even one character who drives a beater Honda has a goal of becoming a music producer and is well on his way to achieving it. The dream-chasing hustle is what connects them -- they're public relation professionals, sports marketing experts, fashion designers, and music mavens. Some of the friends have known each other since childhood, others are new friends (from Ladera Heights, Inglewood and Crenshaw), and still others have relocated from Michigan. The friends celebrate being Black and successful with lavish gatherings, dinners at fancy restaurants, and getaways with friends. Although the group claims to be good friends, drama seems to ensue anytime a new friend or love interest is introduced into the tight-knit circle.
Is It Any Good?
Don't expect a soapy melodrama; instead this is an amusing unscripted reality drama that's much more relevant to today's generation. Sweet Life: Los Angeles gives viewers an unfiltered look into what it means to be young, Black, and in constant pursuit of one's dreams. But you'll have to watch well past the first couple of episodes to truly begin understanding the dynamic. Right off the bat, we're introduced to too many people at once -- seven main cast members, plus three boyfriends (and other friends) are all introduced in the first half hour. It can be hard to understand and keep up with all their primary conflicts and determine who the true friends and frenemies are. The real lives of movers and shakers in young, Black professional circles aren't shown enough in today's American television, and this reality show tries to fill that void. This series has the potential to distinguish itself from other reality shows as long as it succeeds in rounding out what we know about each of the cast members.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it means to be young, Black, and ambitious in Sweet Life: Los Angeles. What do the main characters do for a living? How do they celebrate wins?
What do you think "Black excellence" means? What are some of the great qualities the main characters have? What do you think they feel most proud of?
Why do you think this show features mostly Black characters? How is this reality show different or similar to other TV series you've watched before?
How do the main characters present themselves to others? How do behaviors and actions affect how others view them or how they view themselves? What about questionable actions? How did those affect how others view them?
TV Details
- Premiere date: August 19, 2021
- Cast: Issa Rae
- Network: Max
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Friendship
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: September 1, 2022
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