I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman

I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman is an American web television late-night talk show hosted by comedian Sarah Silverman that premiered on October 12, 2017, on Hulu. In January 2019, Hulu canceled the show after 21 episodes.

I Love You, America
with Sarah Silverman
Also known asI Love You, America
GenreTalk show
Directed byAllan Kartun
Presented bySarah Silverman
StarringMather Zickel
Opening theme"We Do Not Belong" by Psychic Friend
Country of originUnited States
Original language(s)English
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes21 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
Production location(s)Sunset Las Palmas Studios, Los Angeles, California
Running time26–33 minutes
Production company(s)
Release
Original networkHulu
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
Audio formatStereo surround
Original releaseOctober 12, 2017 (2017-10-12) –
November 15, 2018 (2018-11-15)
External links
Official website

Premise

With the show, Silverman is "looking to connect with people who may not agree with her personal opinions through honesty, humor, genuine interest in others, and not taking herself too seriously. While it's great to connect with like-minded people, Silverman feels it's crucial, now more than ever, to connect with the un-like-minded."[1] She has described the show as an "accumulation of everything I've learned up to this point and then juxtaposed with this moment in time."[2]

The show is similar to late-night talk shows that have come before it in that it includes a monologue, interviews, and pre-taped segments. But unlike other shows, Silverman's monologues focus on her own personal experiences, and she uses current events as way to explore the personal implications they might carry. Her weekly guests are not necessarily celebrities there to promote a recent project but rather people who "fall under the shared theme of having experienced an extraordinary change in their lives."[3]

The first half of the show includes an ongoing storyline featuring "a White Guy at the Desk", played by Mather Zickel, whose purpose is to provide a feeling of familiarity when the show becomes too non-traditional. The character appears as part of a 10-episode arc that reveals "the journey of the disenfranchised male ego" that America is now currently dealing with.[3]

Production

Development

On March 27, 2017, it was announced that Hulu had given the production a straight-to-series order for a first season consisting of ten episodes. The show was developed through the union of two separate projects, one stemming from an idea that Silverman had for a late night program and one originating from the creative team at Funny or Die. Executive producers for the series were expected to include Silverman, Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, and Amy Zvi.[4] On May 23, 2017, it was reported that Gavin Purcell would serve as the series' showrunner and as an executive producer.[5]

On April 15, 2018, it was announced that Hulu had renewed the series for an additional eleven episodes that were due to premiere on September 6, 2018.[6] On January 9, 2019, it was reported that Hulu had canceled the series after one season with Silverman and Funny or Die confirming the cancelation on their official Twitter accounts.[7]

Filming

The series shoots weekly in Hollywood at Sunset Las Palmas Studios while also incorporating taped pieces shot around the United States.[8]

Production design

The overall visual style of I Love You, America was devised by production designer J.P. Connelly. He fashioned the set to be a "union between traditional late night show and sitcom looks, Americana, and patriotism" that simultaneously manages to pay "homage to Silverman's personality." The stage is divided into separate regions that are brought together through the use of color and "American finishes" which include touches of Mid-Century Modern and other vintage design elements.[9]

The set is also decorated with various pieces that pay homage to Silverman including a blanket and a monkey lamp from her home. Also included are reproductions of her own personal photographs some of which feature Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, and Fred Rogers, all of whom hold a personal significance to her.[9]

Comments on Louis C.K.

During Silverman's monologue in episode six, she commented upon sexual misconduct allegations levelled against her longtime friend Louis C.K. Her remarks were widely reported in the press; specifically, the portion of her address when she asked: "Can you love someone who did bad things?"[10][11][12][13]

Episodes
No.Featured guest(s)Original release date
1"Megan Phelps-Roper"October 12, 2017 (2017-10-12)
2"DeRay Mckesson"October 19, 2017 (2017-10-19)
3"Al Franken"October 26, 2017 (2017-10-26)
4"Mary Gauthier"November 2, 2017 (2017-11-02)
5"Greg Boyle"November 9, 2017 (2017-11-09)
6"Christian Picciolini"November 16, 2017 (2017-11-16)
7"Susan Silverman"November 23, 2017 (2017-11-23)
8"Randy Bryce"November 30, 2017 (2017-11-30)
9"Patton Oswalt"December 7, 2017 (2017-12-07)
10"Roxane Gay"December 14, 2017 (2017-12-14)
11"Doug Baldwin & Malcolm Jenkins"September 6, 2018 (2018-09-06)
12"Bernie Sanders"September 13, 2018 (2018-09-13)
13"Shaka Senghor"September 20, 2018 (2018-09-20)
14"Bill Burr"September 27, 2018 (2018-09-27)
15"Ai-jen Poo"October 4, 2018 (2018-10-04)
16"Steve Schmidt"October 11, 2018 (2018-10-11)
17"Dolores Huerta"October 18, 2018 (2018-10-18)
18"Cory Booker"October 25, 2018 (2018-10-25)
19"Gavin Newsom"November 1, 2018 (2018-11-01)
20"Bill Maher"November 8, 2018 (2018-11-08)
21"Sturgill Simpson"November 15, 2018 (2018-11-15)

Release

Marketing

On October 9, 2017, a music video "sneak peek" from the series was released featuring the song "I Love You, America: The Song".[14]

Premiere

On September 7, 2018, the series took part in the 12th Annual PaleyFest Fall Television Previews which featured a preview screening of the second season and a conversation with Sarah Silverman.[15]

Reception

Critical response

I Love You, America has been met with a positive response from critics since its premiere. On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds a 93% approval rating with an average rating of 7 out of 10 based on 14 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Earnest and sarcastic, crude but compassionate, I Love You America is a welcome dose of optimism in an overly cynical late-night landscape."[16]

Joyce Slaton of Common Sense Media praised the series saying that it is "an entertaining shell of a show, hosted by a woman so charming and quick that she can make you think and laugh instead of roll your eyes."[17] Justin Charity of The Ringer commented that, "In a world of unrelenting political hostility, I Love You, America rides the distinction between empathy and condescension as well as it hits the sweet spot between relevance and relief."[18] Brett White of The Decider said in positive review that, "Sarah Silverman's going for something unique in the political commentary world: genuine compassion. And, with her interviews, she seems eager to prove that compassion is the only thing that can really make change."[19] Vanity Fair's Laura Bradley offered comment on Silverman's interviews when saying, "Some viewers will find these conversations galling and ill-considered; for those willing to stick around, however, I Love You, America is a fascinating, if occasionally challenging exploration of what, precisely, a streaming talk show can do."[20] Darren Franich of Entertainment Weekly positively compared Silverman to other late night hosts saying, "I'm glad Silverman has a venue for this because we should have a venue for this. The other political late night hosts can feel like they're preaching."[21]

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result
2018 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Variety Sketch Series I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman Nominated[22][23]
2019 Writers Guild of America Awards Television: Comedy / Variety Sketch Series Dave Ferguson, Glenn Boozan, Leann Bowen, Raj Desai, Kyle Dunnigan, John Haskell,
Tim Kalpakis, Opeyemi Olagbaju, Gavin Purcell, Diona Reasonover, Jocelyn Richard, Christopher J. Romano, Sarah Silverman, Beth Stelling, Dan Sterling, & Nick Wiger		 Nominated[24]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Variety Sketch Series I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman Nominated[25]
gollark: You don't need to be in academia to publish papers!
gollark: Make. Programs. Of. Vague. Usefulness.
gollark: :banhammer:
gollark: I need to figure out some way to mute Clyde.
gollark: :ping: :pong:

See also
  • List of original programs distributed by Hulu

References
  1. "I Love You, America – Hulu Press Site". Hulu. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
  2. Barton, Chris (December 8, 2017). "Sarah Silverman on leaving her bubble for 'I Love You, America'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  3. Joho, Jess (November 14, 2017). "Sarah Silverman's new show redefines inclusivity in a time of political divide". Mashable. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  4. Andreeva, Nellie (March 27, 2017). "Hulu Nabs Sarah Silverman Topical Show 'I Love You, America' From Funny Or Die". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  5. Petski, Denise (May 23, 2017). "Gavin Purcell Joins Sarah Silverman's 'I Love You, America' As EP/ Showrunner". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  6. Pedersen, Erik (April 15, 2018). "Hulu Renews Sarah Silverman's 'I Love You, America' For Season 2". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  7. Petski, Denise (January 9, 2019). "Sarah Silverman's 'I Love You, America' Canceled By Hulu". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  8. Schneider, Michael (July 27, 2017). "Sarah Silverman Tries to Unite The USA With Hulu's I Love You, America | IndieWire". Indiewire. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
  9. Hill, Michael P. (November 17, 2017). "'I Love You, America' production design an 'investigation and appreciation of America'". NewscastStudio.com. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  10. Itzkoff, Dave (November 16, 2017). "Sarah Silverman Speaks on Louis C.K.: 'Can You Love Someone Who Did Bad Things?'". The New York Times. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  11. Wamsley, Laurel (November 17, 2017). "Sarah Silverman Asks: 'Can You Love Someone Who Did Bad Things?'". NPR. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  12. Miller, Liz Shannon (November 16, 2017). "Sarah Silverman wrestles with Louis C.K. allegations: 'Can you love someone who did bad things?'". Business Insider. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  13. Blyth, Antonia (November 20, 2017). "Sarah Silverman: We Need To "Try To Understand" What's Behind Sexual Harassment". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  14. Pedersen, Erik (October 9, 2017). "'I Love You, America': A Musical Sneak Peek At Sarah Silverman's Hulu Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  15. Pedersen, Erik (July 24, 2018). "PaleyFest Fall TV Previews Sets Initial Lineup: Tim Allen, Sarah Silverman, Aaron Paul & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  16. "I Love You, America: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  17. Slaton, Joyce. "I Love You, America - TV Review". Common Sense Media. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  18. Charity, Justin (October 14, 2017). "Sarah Silverman Loves You, Even If She Hates Your Politics". The Ringer. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  19. White, Brett (October 13, 2017). "Sarah Silverman's Political Hulu Show 'I Love You, America' Has Full Frontal Nudity And Naked Compassion". Decider. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  20. Bradley, Laura (October 13, 2017). "Can Sarah Silverman Make You Love America—Including Trump Supporters?". Vanity Fair. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  21. Franich, Darren (October 12, 2017). "Sarah Silverman speaks to Trump voters, naked people in 'I Love You, America'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  22. Hipes, Patrick (July 12, 2018). "Emmy Nominations: 'Game Of Thrones, 'The Americans', 'Atlanta', Defending Champ 'Handmaid's Tale' Among Top Nominees". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  23. "Emmy Awards: The Complete Winners List". Variety. September 17, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  24. Hipes, Patrick (December 6, 2018). "WGA Awards TV Nominations: 'The Handmaid's Tale', 'Barry', 'SNL' Make List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  25. "I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
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