“With this show, with this music, I’m just trying to make classics" - Donald Glover On 'Atlanta'
In case you've missed the memo, Donald Glover's Atlanta is a very good show. More than that, it appears to be redefining what black cinema and the sitcom at large can and should be. Revolving around the rags-to-riches struggles of an ATLien rapper (Paperboy) and his small but dedicated entourage, consisting of friend (Darius) and cousin (Glover's character, Earn,) Atlanta applies a Seinfeld-ish deconstruction of a distinctly southern day-to-day, shining light on the resilient, brilliant and rightfully paranoid black man of 2016 (all directed by longtime music video collaborator, Hiro Murai.)
And it seems to have all paid off. Not only has Atlanta become a critical darling in its first three weeks, but it also debuted to record ratings. Now it appears that after just four episodes, FX has announced that they've ordered a necessary, proper and well-earned second season of Glover's melancholic marvel. So we'll have plenty more to look forward to in the next year, even if Glover decides not to release his Pharos project (though we certainly hope he does.) Atlanta airs tonight at 10pm on FX. The first episode has been released for free, no cable necessary. So if you're not yet familiar, now's a great time start.
