I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman

Last updated
I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman
HuluILYALogo.png
Also known asI Love You, America
Genre Talk show
Directed byAllan Kartun
Presented by Sarah Silverman
Starring Mather Zickel
Opening theme"We Do Not Belong" by Psychic Friend
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1 (2 Parts)
No. of episodes21 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Production locations Sunset Las Palmas Studios, Los Angeles, California
Running time26–33 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network Hulu
ReleaseOctober 12, 2017 (2017-10-12) 
November 15, 2018 (2018-11-15)

I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman is an American 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.

Contents

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

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1 2110October 12, 2017 (2017-10-12)December 14, 2017 (2017-12-14)
11June 9, 2018 (2018-06-09)November 15, 2018 (2018-11-15)

Season 1 (2017-18)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Featured guest(s)Original release date
Part 1
11"Megan Phelps-Roper"October 12, 2017 (2017-10-12)
22"DeRay Mckesson"October 19, 2017 (2017-10-19)
33"Al Franken"October 26, 2017 (2017-10-26)
44"Mary Gauthier"November 2, 2017 (2017-11-02)
55"Greg Boyle"November 9, 2017 (2017-11-09)
66"Christian Picciolini"November 16, 2017 (2017-11-16)
77"Susan Silverman"November 23, 2017 (2017-11-23)
88"Randy Bryce"November 30, 2017 (2017-11-30)
99"Patton Oswalt"December 7, 2017 (2017-12-07)
1010"Roxane Gay"December 14, 2017 (2017-12-14)
Part 2
111"Doug Baldwin & Malcolm Jenkins"September 6, 2018 (2018-09-06)
122"Bernie Sanders"September 13, 2018 (2018-09-13)
133"Shaka Senghor"September 20, 2018 (2018-09-20)
144"Bill Burr"September 27, 2018 (2018-09-27)
155"Ai-jen Poo"October 4, 2018 (2018-10-04)
166"Steve Schmidt"October 11, 2018 (2018-10-11)
177"Dolores Huerta"October 18, 2018 (2018-10-18)
188"Cory Booker"October 25, 2018 (2018-10-25)
199"Gavin Newsom"November 1, 2018 (2018-11-01)
2010"Bill Maher"November 8, 2018 (2018-11-08)
2111"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

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)Result
2018 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Variety Sketch Series I Love You, America with Sarah SilvermanNominated [22] [23]
2019 Writers Guild of America Awards Television: Comedy / Variety Sketch SeriesDave 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 SeriesI Love You, America with Sarah SilvermanNominated [25]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Molly Shannon</span> American actress and comedian (born 1964)

Molly Helen Shannon is an American actress and comedian. Shannon was a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 1995 to 2001. In February 2017, she won the Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film Other People.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarah Silverman</span> American comedian, actress, and writer

Sarah Kate Silverman is an American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer. Silverman first rose to prominence for her brief stint as a writer and cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live during its 19th season between 1993 and 1994. She then starred in and produced The Sarah Silverman Program, which ran from 2007 to 2010 on Comedy Central. For her work on the program, Silverman was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pamela Adlon</span> American actress (born 1966)

Pamela Adlon is an American actress, writer and director. She is known for voicing Bobby Hill in the animated comedy series King of the Hill (1997–2010), for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award. She also voiced Baloo in Jungle Cubs (1996–1998), the title role in the Pajama Sam video game series (1996–2001), Lucky in 101 Dalmatians: The Series (1997–1998), Margaret "Moose" Pearson in Pepper Ann (1997–2000), Ashley Spinelli in Recess (1997–2001), Otto Osworth in Time Squad (2001–2003), and Brigette Murphy in Milo Murphy's Law (2016–2019), among numerous others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louis C.K.</span> American comedian, actor, and filmmaker (born 1967)

Louis Alfred Székely, known professionally as Louis C.K., is an American stand-up comedian, actor and filmmaker. C.K. has won three Peabody Awards, three Grammy Awards, six Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award as well as numerous awards for The Chris Rock Show, Louie, and his stand-up specials Live at the Beacon Theater (2011) and Oh My God (2013). In 2015, Rolling Stone ranked C.K.'s stand-up special Shameless number three on their "Divine Comedy: 25 Best Stand-Up Specials and Movies of All Time" list and ranked him fourth on its 2017 list of the 50 best stand-up comics of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarah Paulson</span> American actress (born 1974)

Sarah Catharine Paulson is an American actress. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. In 2017, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarah Jones (screen actress)</span> American actress

Sarah Jones is an American actress. She is known for her starring roles in the Apple TV+ science fiction series For All Mankind and the Fox series Alcatraz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calum Worthy</span> Canadian actor (born 1991)

Calum Worthy is a Canadian actor, writer, and producer, known for his roles as Dez on the Disney Channel series Austin & Ally, Alex Trimboli in the Netflix series American Vandal, Nicholas Godejohn in the Hulu series The Act, and himself in The Coppertop Flop Show. He has won two Young Artist Awards in the Leading Young Actor category for his performances in the comedy film National Lampoon's Thanksgiving Family Reunion (2003) and the science fiction television series Stormworld (2009). He also won the Leading Actor award at the 2010 Leo Awards for his performance in Stormworld.

<i>The Path</i> (TV series) 2010s American drama TV series

The Path is an American drama streaming television series created by Jessica Goldberg, and starring Aaron Paul, Michelle Monaghan, and Hugh Dancy. The show portrays members of a fictional religion known as Meyerism.

<i>Casual</i> (TV series) 2010s American TV series

Casual is an American television comedy-drama series that premiered on October 7, 2015, on Hulu. Created by Zander Lehmann and directed by Jason Reitman, it centers on Valerie, a newly divorced single mother living with her brother Alex and her daughter Laura. The cast also includes Frances Conroy and Nyasha Hatendi.

<i>The Handmaids Tale</i> (TV series) American dystopian television series

The Handmaid's Tale is an American dystopian television series created by Bruce Miller, based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Canadian author Margaret Atwood. The series was ordered by the streaming service Hulu as a straight-to-series order of 10 episodes, for which production began in late 2016. The plot features a dystopia following a Second American Civil War wherein a theonomic, totalitarian society subjects fertile women, called "Handmaids", to child-bearing slavery.

<i>Runaways</i> (TV series) 2017–2019 Marvel Television series

Marvel's Runaways, or simply Runaways, is an American television series created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage for the streaming service Hulu, based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the other television series of the franchise and acknowledging the continuity of the franchise's films. The series is produced by ABC Signature Studios, Marvel Television and Fake Empire, with Schwartz and Savage serving as showrunners.

<i>Castle Rock</i> (TV series) 2010s American horror TV series

Castle Rock is an American psychological horror television series, featuring and inspired by characters, settings, and themes from the stories created by Stephen King and his fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine. The series was created by Sam Shaw and Dustin Thomason, and premiered on July 25, 2018, on Hulu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kristine Froseth</span> American and Norwegian actress (born 1995)

Kristine Froseth is an American and Norwegian actress. She is known for playing Kelly Aldrich in the Netflix series The Society and Alaska Young in the Hulu series Looking for Alaska. In 2022, she starred in the Showtime series The First Lady as young Betty Ford.

<i>The First</i> (TV series) 2018 British-American TV drama series

The First is an American-British science fiction drama television series, about a team of astronauts who prepare to become the first humans to visit Mars. It was created by Beau Willimon and stars an ensemble cast including Sean Penn, Natascha McElhone, LisaGay Hamilton, Hannah Ware, Keiko Agena, Rey Lucas, James Ransone, Anna Jacoby-Heron, Brian Lee Franklin, Oded Fehr, Norbert Leo Butz, Annie Parisse, Melissa George, Jeannie Berlin, and Bill Camp.

<i>The Act</i> (TV series) 2019 American limited series

The Act is an American biographical crime drama limited series that premiered in eight parts on March 20, 2019, on Hulu. The plot is based on the life of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and the murder of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard, who was accused of abusing her daughter by fabricating illness and disabilities as a direct consequence of Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Joey King portrayed Gypsy, while Patricia Arquette played her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. AnnaSophia Robb, Chloë Sevigny, and Calum Worthy star in supporting roles.

<i>High Fidelity</i> (TV series) 2020 American romantic comedy TV series

High Fidelity is an American romantic comedy television series developed by Veronica West and Sarah Kucserka for Hulu. Based on the 1995 novel of the same name by Nick Hornby and its 2000 film adaptation, it stars Zoë Kravitz as Robyn "Rob" Brooks, a young record store owner who revisits her past relationships through music and popular culture.

<i>Dollface</i> American comedy television series (2019–2022)

Dollface is an American comedy television series created by Jordan Weiss that premiered on November 15, 2019, on Hulu. It stars Kat Dennings, Brenda Song, Shay Mitchell, and Esther Povitsky. In January 2020, Hulu renewed the series for a second season, which was released on February 11, 2022. The series was canceled in May 2022.

"Offred" is the premiere episode of the American television drama series The Handmaid's Tale. It was directed by Reed Morano, and written by Bruce Miller, adapting material from the 1985 Margaret Atwood novel The Handmaid's Tale. The episode debuted on the streaming service Hulu on April 26, 2017.

<i>Only Murders in the Building</i> American mystery comedy-drama television series (2021–)

Only Murders in the Building is an American mystery comedy-drama television series created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman. The main plot focuses on a trio of strangers, all with a shared interest in true crime podcasts, who become friends while investigating a succession of suspicious murders in the Arconia, their affluent Upper West Side apartment building, and producing their own podcast about the cases, titled Only Murders in the Building. Its three ten-episode seasons premiered on Hulu in August 2021, June 2022, and August 2023. In October 2023, it was renewed for a fourth season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarah Silverman filmography</span>

The following is the complete filmography of American comedian, actress, singer, and writer Sarah Silverman.

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. 1 2 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. 1 2 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.