
The HBO comedy-drama series, 'How to Make It in America', follows the story of two twenty-year-olds, Ben Epstein and Cam Calderon, as they hustle their way through New York City's fashion scene. In one episode, Ben wears a self-designed t-shirt that reads NYC Eats Its Young, which has since become a highly sought-after item by fans of the show. This has led to the creation and sale of similar How to Make It in America t-shirts, allowing fans to own a piece of the show and its unique take on the American dream.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
T-Shirt Name | How to Make It in America "NYC Eats Its Young" t-shirt |
T-Shirt Colour | Dark |
T-Shirt Material | Cotton, Polyester, Tri-blend |
T-Shirt Sizes | X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, 2X Large, 3X Large, Big and Tall |
What You'll Learn
'How to Make It in America' TV show
How to Make It in America TV Show
The HBO TV show *How to Make It in America* is a comedy-drama series that follows two twenty-something friends from Brooklyn, Ben Epstein and Cam Calderon, as they chase the American Dream. The duo hustles their way through New York City's competitive fashion industry, using their street smarts and connections to turn their fashion business dreams into reality.
In the show, Ben and Cam encounter various obstacles and challenges as they try to make a name for themselves in the fashion world. They start by selling bootleg leather jackets and hustling coveted Nikes, and eventually expand their business to include retro jeans and t-shirts. One of Ben's self-designed t-shirts, the "NYC Eats Its Young" shirt, becomes a surprise hit with fans of the show.
The series showcases the cut-throat nature of the fashion industry and the characters' unique ways of navigating it. Along with Ben and Cam, the show features a diverse cast of characters, including Cam's cousin Rene, who is trying to market his new energy drink, Rasta-Monsta; Ben's ex-girlfriend Rachel Chapman, an interior designer; and their well-connected friend Domingo, who helps the duo with their fashion ventures.
How to Make It in America provides a fun and insightful look at the downtown scene in New York City, exploring the cross-section of people and subcultures that make up the vibrant city. The show received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its realism and genuine characters, while others criticised its overly dramatic plot turns and character decisions. Despite this, the show gained a dedicated following, with many fans expressing disappointment when it was cancelled after two seasons due to low viewership and buzz.
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Bryan Greenberg as Ben Epstein
Bryan Greenberg, born on May 24, 1978, in Omaha, Nebraska, portrayed Ben Epstein in the HBO series How to Make It in America. He is known for this starring role, as well as for his recurring role in The Mindy Project.
Greenberg's career in the film industry began with a nationally-broadcasted Cookie Crisp cereal commercial. He graduated from New York University's Theatre School and was cast as Romeo in NYU's production of Romeo and Juliet. He performed with theatre productions such as the Experimental Theatre Workshop, Amsterdam Experimental Workshop, and the Atlantic Theatre Company.
Greenberg made his small-screen debut in 1997 with a guest appearance on Law & Order. A year later, he made his big-screen debut in A Civil Action, starring John Travolta. In 2000, he landed guest appearances on popular TV series such as The Sopranos, Third Watch, and Boston Public.
In the How to Make It in America series, Greenberg's character, Ben Epstein, is a twenty-something trying to make a name for himself in New York City's competitive fashion industry. Ben and his friend Cam Calderon (Victor Rasuk) use their street knowledge and connections to pursue their vision of the American dream. They encounter various obstacles and interesting characters along the way, including Cam's cousin Rene, who is trying to market his new energy drink, and Ben's ex-girlfriend Rachel Chapman (Lake Bell), who is an interior designer.
One of the most notable moments for Greenberg's character, Ben Epstein, was in the fifth episode, where he wore the now-famous "NYC Eats Its Young" t-shirt. This t-shirt became a hit with fans, who scoured the internet in search of the coveted item. The t-shirt even played a role in the show's plot, as a Japanese buyer rejected Ben and Cam's denim line but offered to purchase 300 units of Ben's self-made t-shirt.
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Victor Rasuk as Cam Calderon
Victor Rasuk is an American actor born in New York City to Dominican parents. He is best known for his role as Cameron "Cam" Calderon in the HBO comedy-drama series How to Make It in America. Rasuk began acting at 14 and enrolled in a performing arts school as a teenager. He landed his first film role at 16 in the short film Five Feet High and Rising, which was directed by Peter Sollett.
In How to Make It in America, Rasuk plays the charming and persistent partner in Crisp, a fashion brand. Cam is constantly hustling to further himself and the brand, and while his heart is always in the right place, he may push a little too hard at times. Along with his friend and business partner, Ben Epstein (Bryan Greenberg), Cam navigates the competitive fashion industry in New York City, using his street knowledge and connections to achieve his vision of the American dream.
The series follows the duo as they encounter obstacles and interesting characters on their journey to success, including Cam's cousin Rene Calderon (Luis Guzman), who is trying to market his new energy drink, and their well-connected friend Domingo (Kid Cudi). How to Make It in America offers a fun ride through the downtown scene of New York City, exploring the cross-section of people and their relation to the city's subcultures.
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Ian Edelman wrote the pilot
Edelman's pilot introduces the audience to Ben and Cam's ambitious plan to make a name for themselves in the competitive fashion industry. With the help of Cam's cousin Rene and their well-connected friend Domingo, they navigate the challenges of bringing their vision to life.
In the pilot episode, Ben, a graphic designer, agrees to fund a leather jacket hustle proposed by his best friend, Cam. However, their scheme faces early setbacks when Cam's cousin Rene gets out of jail and demands payback for an old loan. Adding to Ben's troubles, he discovers that his ex-girlfriend, Rachel, is now dating someone else. Despite these obstacles, Ben and Cam persevere and eventually find themselves in a brainstorming meeting that could be the key to their success.
Ian Edelman's writing in the pilot episode sets the tone for the series, showcasing the grit, hunger, and ambition of its protagonists as they pursue their version of the American dream. The show explores the cross-section of people and subcultures in New York City, offering a fun ride through the downtown scene.
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I Need a Dollar by Aloe Blacc is the theme song
"I Need a Dollar" by Aloe Blacc serves as the theme song for the HBO series "How to Make It in America". The song's lyrics, centred on the need for a dollar, resonate with the show's themes of ambition and the pursuit of the American dream in the cut-throat world of New York City's fashion industry.
Aloe Blacc's "I Need a Dollar" captures the essence of the series, following the lives of two enterprising twenty-year-olds, Ben Epstein and Cam Calderon, as they hustle their way through the city. The song's chorus, "I need a dollar, dollar/Dollar, that's what I need", reflects the characters' relentless pursuit of success and their need for financial stability to achieve their dreams.
The song's music video, shot in New York City, further emphasises the show's themes. The video features a split screen, with Blacc singing inside an apartment on one side and a man walking through the streets of New York on the other, showcasing the city's diverse and multicultural environment.
"I Need a Dollar" also underwent several remixes, including the Radio Mix, Zinc Remix, and Blue Fear Trance Remix, each offering a unique take on the original track.
The choice of "I Need a Dollar" as the theme song for "How to Make It in America" is a powerful statement about the challenges and aspirations faced by those striving to make their mark in the competitive world of fashion. The song's message resonates with the characters' journeys, making it the perfect musical companion to the series.
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Frequently asked questions
You can buy the T-shirt from Feistees.com or CafePress.
No, CafePress offers a range of colours including black, white, dark, and classic.
The T-shirt is available in a range of sizes, including x-small, small, medium, large, x-large, 2x large, and 3x large.
The T-shirt is made from comfortable cotton, polyester, or tri-blend material.