High Maintenance

I’m a huge sucker for vignettes, and that’s literally all this show is. High Maintenance gives the viewer glimpses into modern, humorous, everyday New Yorker lives strung together with The Guy as the thread – a charming (and SUPERBLY acted) bicycle-riding marijuana deliveryman. The basic plot serves as the perfect vessel for diversity and realism. From a Pakistani American college girl who’s weed sources have dried up to a Chinese couple collecting cans on the daily to a foppish gay guy with his exhaustingly droney basic bitch roommate to a middle aged couple and their eager swinging party goers, the show has limitless stories to tell. It could literally go on forever with new characters and people to put on display. The show is an eye opener for those still waving the Reefer Madness flags – ICYMI, everyone smokes weed. Like, everyone.

The show started out as a web series (which HBO also has via their watching sources,) in poignant, neat little less-than-twenty-minute vacuum-sealed packages. Since being picked up by the self proclaimed ‘it’s not TV’ TV, the original production value is nearly indiscernible from the wealthy television giants when watched side by side. These extended episodes HBO is producing have so far done both a service and disservice to the show. I believe I’ve seen three now, and there are two hits and one miss. The show does well when it splits the time between two vignettes, and does less well when the tale is told through the eyes of a dog. Good storytelling risk, though!! Good on rolling paper, not so much in execution, methinks. There seems to be decidedly more diversity in the HBO episodes versus the original web series. Surely a choice encouraged by the money-backers. And I applaud and encourage it!! Representation! Diversity! Did I already say diversity? More diversity!! Please!

As I mentioned before, Ben Sinclair as The Guy is a standout performance. Maybe that’s because he’s the character you see the most of…maybe because as a weed dealer his job is to be a people person. Or maybe it’s because Sinclair has an incredible comedic sense and is simply an excellent actor. The Guy has a fluffy beard and teddy bear qualities. The success of his business thrives on his affability. Where the stories ride up and down and all around, Guy’s character works as a shoulder to cry on or advice to hear from – and he has the best position to be in – as soon as things get weird he excuses himself out! That’s another thing – so many times I winced with expectation waiting for the stories to become overly painful, for moments of utter horror and cringeyness. Those moments always almost come-to, but this determined comedy never lets it happen. THANK YOU, High Maintenance!

The humor lies in the writing, genuine situational conflict, hilarious authenticity, and impressive acting chops unsurprisingly plucked from the deep acting pool that is New York City. High Maintenance is satisfying in its casual display of everyday pot smoking. The herb becomes a non-issue in this honest catalogue of people next door. The show threatens to be a dramadey, never quite reaching melodrama, always attaining el-oh-elz.

It’s such a great show, people. One of my current faves. Go check out High Maintenance on HBO.