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]
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]
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
