Rachel Sennott, co-writer of 'Bottoms' and star of the new HBO series 'I Love LA,' discusses her journey from online comedy to TV. She shares how her show, inspired by 'Entourage' and her own LA experiences, empathetically explores the nuanced realities of Gen Z influencer life, critiquing the internet economy without condescension.
Rachel Sennott, known for her unapologetic humor in 'Bottoms,' introduces her new HBO series, 'I Love LA,' a show she co-wrote and stars in. Despite being only minutes late for an interview, Sennott's 'yapper' personality quickly reveals her depth. 'I Love LA' is likened to 'Girls' and influenced by shows like 'Sex and the City' and 'Insecure,' but its primary inspiration is 'Entourage,' reimagined 'for the girls and the gays' to focus on the internet as an industry. Sennott drew from her own 'fractious' move to Los Angeles and a period of personal growth during her 'saturn return' for the series, which follows an influencer and her talent manager friend. Sennott's career began unconventionally after being rejected from all NYU comedy groups and plays. She found success performing at open mics with Ayo Edebiri and creating 'hysterical (and decidedly weird)' online comedy videos, eventually meeting Emma Seligman and starring in 'Shiva Baby.' She emphasizes that her success came from peers giving her a chance, not traditional 'gatekeepers.' 'I Love LA' evolved from a 2019 video lampooning Hollywood, now seeing Sennott as co-showrunner. The series balances the perks and pitfalls of internet fame, portraying privileged twentysomething life with frankness about its 'grot and the glamour.' Sennott aimed to approach young people's relationship with the internet with nuance and empathy, avoiding the common 'condescending, hateful way' of other shows. The show subtly critiques the influencer economy, revealing how characters like Tallulah, despite outward appearances, struggle financially, highlighting the hidden costs of maintaining an online persona. The series is praised for its humor, including absurd moments like a 'prison nepo baby' reveal and a character faking being Jewish for hospital priority (inspired by Sennott's own experiences and often mistaken Jewish identity, despite her Catholic background). It also delves into the complex, often toxic yet warm, codependent friendship at its core. Sennott's transition to TV was a learning curve, supported by executive producer Lorene Scafaria, and she commends the entire cast's strong performances. After five years, Sennott now declares her love for LA, finding it 'fabulous.'
