Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Into the already crowded space of streaming services, a new contender has entered the ring: HBO Max, the amalgamation of WarnerMedia’s various properties, ranging from TNT and TBS, to CNN, to naturally HBO itself. Like other services before it, HBO Max is a mix of a back catalog of TV shows and movies, as well as original series.
…or it would have been, if coronavirus hadn’t happened. The new streamer was already planning on edging into the fray relatively slowly, then ramping up after its May 27 debut date. Conservatively speaking, there are dozens of new TV shows and movies in various stages of development for the platform, most of which have been completely shut down for the time being as we all shelter in place, waiting out the virus.
That includes what was supposed to be the crown jewel of HBO Max’s launch slate: a Friends reunion, bringing together the six stars of the still hot series for a live special on the Warner Bros. lot. That special will still tape — eventually — but as is, HBO Max will officially launch with a deep back catalog; and a slate of originals that, frankly, makes Apple TV+’s launch slate seem robust.
Ranging from a new take on the rom-com starring Anna Kendrick (Love Life), to a ballroom competition show (Legendary), to a late night talk show hosted by Elmo (The Not Too Late Show With Elmo), HBO Max may only have a few new series at launch… But are they worth your time? And more importantly, your money?
Of note, these shows will drop several new episodes at launch and then air new episodes weekly, unlike the “binge all at once” model pioneered by Netflix. And HBO Max is ramping up its timeline, dropping additional new series starting as soon as June 18. So if you’re on the fence after reading below, maybe check back in, in a month or two.
With that in mind, though, check out the Decider staff’s take on each of these launch shows (and one movie), below, with a breakdown of what to expect, our thoughts on the show (at least based on which screeners were provided), and whether you should plunk down an extra $14.99/month for the service – or take advantage of one of the many deals HBO/AT&T/WarnerMedia are launching in attempt to ensure their big bet is a success.
'Love Life'
The Pitch: Anna Kendrick stars as Darby, an unlucky at love young woman who just wants a partner she can depend on and who loves her for her. By sorting through each of Darby’s failed relationships this rom-com shows all the ways love can mature a person.
Length: 30 minutes
The Verdict: The perfect word to describe Love Life is “cute.” Anna Kendrick plays a quirky, lovely, yet insecure Anna Kendrick-type character, and all of her boyfriends and friends are interesting enough to keep the show moving. Zoë Chao’s Sara in particular is a delightful scene-stealer. Yet, much like its protagonist, Love Life is a show that seems so concerned with being passably good and inoffensive it resists ever becoming great. Sam Boyd’s comedy is a fantastic binge-watch, but it may not stick in your memory past the weekend.
Should I Get HBO Max For This? No. If you already have HBO Max, by all means watch away. You’ll have a great time! But cute alone can’t justify that $15 a month price tag. — Kayla Cobb
'Legendary'
The Pitch: You’ve seen ball culture highlighted on RuPaul’s Drag Race and prominently featured on Pose, but you’ve never seen ball culture like this. Legendary is the first show to go all in on vogueing as it exists today. Eight fearless houses, each embodying the dazzling diversity that the art-form is known for, compete against each other in gag-worthy performances all in the hopes of being deemed legendary—oh, and there’s a cash prize of $100,000.
Length: 60 minutes
The Verdict: If you’re going to launch a new streaming service, you gotta deliver something that you fully cannot get anywhere else. Legendary—a reality competition show that’s more fashion editorial come to life than anything you’ve seen on basic cable—is HBO Max’s special something. The show’s structure, cinematic interview/bio packages segueing into sickening performances, adds gravitas to what could, in lesser hands, been a riff on America’s Best Dance Crew; instead, Legendary is like Herb Ritts directing the queer Olympics.
The talent on board doesn’t stop with the 8 (soon-to-be) legendary houses. Judges Law Roach, Jameela Jamil, Megan Thee Stallion, and Leiomy Maldonado bring personality to the proceedings, and Dashaun Wesley is an IRL Pray Tell.
Should I Get HBO Max For This? It may not be enough content to plunk down $14.99 for a new streaming service on its own, but for fans of the genre, if you’re already hooked on Pose and Drag Race, Legendary is a must watch. — Brett White
'The Not Too Late Show With Elmo'
The Pitch: (Mostly) everyone’s favorite monster on Sesame Street, Elmo, is hosting a family friendly “late night” style talk show as a prelude to his nightly bedtime ritual. Celebrity guests like Jimmy Fallon, Kacey Musgraves, Lil Nas X, and John Mulaney pop by for softball questions and sweet, silly contests. Oh, and Elmo’s “Not Too Late Show” is produced by your favorite Sesame Street characters. Think Bert, Ernie, and Prairie Dawn in the booth, and Cookie Monster as on-camera sidekick.
Length: 15 Minutes
The Verdict: Oh wow, this show is an explosion of kindness. From top to bottom, The Not Too Late Show With Elmo is an utter delight, and I’m speaking as childless adult with an inbred aversion to the giddy red monster. (Sorry, Elmo fans. I was in grade school when he was introduced and I thought his hammy persona disrupted the old school ensemble vibe of Sesame Street.) However, The Not Too Late Show With Elmo harnesses Elmo in a way that is sweet, cute, and charming.
More importantly, The Not Too Late Show With Elmo feels like the closest thing we’ve seen to the original Muppet Show in years. Between the wacky bits with celebrity guests and backstage drama starring muppets, it will remind you of one of the all-time best classic family shows. That said, The Not Too Late Show With Elmo has a slickness and constraint that the utterly off-the-wall Muppet Show lacked.
However, the obvious thought and care put into every part of The Not Too Late Show With Elmo is what makes it so successful. Not only is it a show that families can watch together, but it is designed to ease toddlers and younger children into a stable, disciplined bedtime routine. While children’s TV has often been overrun with morning shows, The Not Too Late Show With Elmo hammers home the importance of giving kids a nightly ritual to wind down.
Should I Get HBO Max For This? Absolutely! I know it sounds insane to recommend a streaming service like HBO Max for a mini show starring Elmo, but The Not Too Late Show With Elmo is a triumph. Adults will want to watch it for nostalgia’s sake, little kids will want to see it to keep up with their friends, and teens might sneak a peek in between Friends marathons. — Meghan O’Keefe
'Looney Tunes Cartoons'
The Pitch: Looney Tunes is back! That’s essentially the pitch! Warner Brothers Animation is attempting to recapture the magic of their Golden Era hits by resurrecting the short little vignettes starring the likes of Bugs Bunny, Tweety Bird, Porky Pig, and Daffy Duck.
Length: 15 minutes
The Verdict: These all-new animated shorts starring the best and most beloved Looney Tunes characters feel incredibly close to the spirit of the original, and yet there will be little discrepancies that might nag you because of the way they jump out at you.
As it was in the originals, these Looney Tunes shorts revel in violence, vulgarity, and crude humor. However, the sight gags feel slightly less clever and at times grosser, to boot? Nevertheless, the shorts essentially live up to the spirit of the original Looney Tunes.
Of course, it might throw you off that the voice talent is different and animation looks a little bit different in 2020 than it did in the 1950s, but yeah, it’s Looney Tunes. Not sure there’s much more to say.
Should I Get HBO Max For This? Eh, unless you are a hardcore Looney Tunes fan, these cartoons aren’t exactly “Must See TV.” They’re a welcome addition to HBO Max’s library of content, but they’re not necessarily the marquee attraction in 2020 Warner Media might hope they are. — Meghan O’Keefe
'Craftopia'
The Pitch: YouTube celeb Lauren Riihimaki, a.k.a. LaurDIY, hosts a crafting competition for kids ages 9-15. Filled with bright poppy colors and engaging crafts, think Making It meets Master Chef Junior and a dash of LEGO Masters, and you sort of have the general idea.
Length: 30 Minutes
The Verdict: The crafts created by the kids on the show, particularly given the short time frame — challenges range about an hour or two — are impressive, thanks to strategic casting of (mostly) well known young crafters/influencers. And the set is pretty amazing, including Willy Wonka-esque paint spigots, and a glitter bar, among other things. Little touches, like a hidden panda that reveals additional prizes, or giving out a “Craftrophia” at the end, are also pretty cute.
And LaurDIY is also a solid host. She peppers the show with helpful, easy home crafting tips… If anything, of the three episodes viewed, her presence would be more welcome, as she mostly disappears during the sub-30 minute long episodes in favor of the kids, and the occasional patter from judges.
However, the pace also leads to some weirdness, like editing choices that consistently cut from judges saying “it’s time for us to make a decision” to immediately making that decision, or the confusing runner-up prizes that include drones and “Craftopia gift cards” (where, exactly, can one redeem these mysterious cards?).
Overall, Craftopia fits nicely in the new trend of “nice” reality competition shows like Nailed It!, though is lacking some of the requisite polish and star power, at least in the early going.
Should I Get HBO Max For This? This series is essentially a longer, well made YouTube show. It’s a cute diversion, and if you’re getting HBO Max anyway worth checking out for the kids. But it’s not a must-watch on its own. — Alex Zalben
'On The Record'
The Pitch: On the Record would have been an AppleTV+ original film, had Russell Simmons not used his powerful connections to pressure the streaming service, along with former executive producer Oprah Winfrey, into dropping the documentary. Now, On the Record—which features interviews with three women who accused Simmons of raping them, including former Def Jam executive Drew Dixon—might very well find an even bigger audience at HBO Max. Oops.
Length: 98 Minutes
The Verdict: On the Record fills a void in the mainstream #MeToo movement that’s been open for too long. Despite the fact that the creator of the movement and hashtag, Tarana Burke, is a black woman, the faces of the many accusations and allegations against powerful men that followed the New Yorker’s and New York Times’ articles about Harvey Weinstein were mostly white women. Through the voice of Drew Dixon and others, On the Record explores the nuanced, complicated, and altogether different situation that comes with being a black woman accusing a black man of sexual assault. Directors Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering wisely sit back and let the women do all of the talking. These are their stories, and they tell them extremely well.
Should I Get HBO Max For This? If you want to support these women who’ve had their stories silenced for far too long (Simmons denies all allegations of non-consensual sex and launched an intense campaign to kill the documentary), absolutely. On the Record is a well-made documentary that reminds us that #MeToo is not, and will never be, over. That said, $14.99 a month is a lot to spend for one movie, so you might want to see it more as an added bonus to the vast library of film and TV content you’ll be getting with it. — Anna Menta
