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Vinyl may not be at the top of the charts yet, ratings-wise, but there was a lot to like about the two-hour premiere of HBO’s new dramatic series. Produced by Mick Jagger, Martin Scorsese and Terrence Winter, the show gives viewers a look at the decadent world of the 70’s rock scene in New York City. With a conflicted leading man just doing his best in a bad environment and a spunky young lady fighting to make her way in a man’s world, at times Vinyl seems like a cross between The Sopranos and Mad Men, only with more partying. Add to that the plethora of co-stars, guest appearances and nostalgic musical and pop culture references and you have all the makings of a hit.
Let’s take a look at five good reasons to check out the two hour premiere episode of HBO’s Vinyl…
Bobby Cannavale as Richie Finestra
Emmy-winning Boardwalk Empire standout Cannavale combines equal parts charisma and sleaze in his portrayal of desperate record executive Richie Fenestra. Reminiscent of Tony Soprano, Fenestra comes off as a guy who is as disgusted by his job as he is skilled at it. Staggering from one crisis to the next, Richie seems on the edge of a breakdown at all times, but still manages to hold his label, American Century Records, together through a combination of fast talk, guts and bravado. Even a building collapsing on his head only serves to spur him on to greater inspiration.
Juno Temple as Jamie Vine
As the “sandwich girl” looking to hustle her way into the boys’ club, Jamie Vine’s version of hustle includes dealing drugs and seducing the lead singer of a hot new group she hopes to sign. In what could be a career-boosting role, Juno Temple plays Jamie as a more proactive, less naive version of Mad Men’s Peggy Olsen. In her, Richie recognizes a connection with the next generation of rock acts, and Jamie figures to emerge as a key player in salvaging the struggling label in future episodes.
Andrew “Dice” Clay as Frank “Buck” Rogers
It’s a flashback to the 1990’s tucked inside a flashback to the 1970’s as Andrew “Dice” Clay channels his old stand-up character in his portrayal of volatile, debauched radio mogul “Buck” Rogers. Clay chews the scenery in one of the episode’s most compelling sequences, when he threatens to ban all of Richie’s artists from airplay on his stations in retaliation for a slight at the hands of Donny Osmond. With his back against the wall, Richie comes out swinging…literally.
James Jagger as Kip Stevens
In his role as the lead singer of the proto-punk band Nasty Bits, James Jagger exudes a raw power and unpredictability that perfectly captures the nihilistic energy of the early punk rock movement. Discovered on the subway by an enterprising Jamie Vine, Stevens refuses to compromise his hardcore values for commercial success. He brawls with his fans, uses hard drugs and adopts “I don’t give a f***” as his professional philosophy. Sounds like he’ll fit right in at American Century Records.
‘Real’ Bands & Old New York City Nostalgia
One of the most entertaining parts of Vinyl is the mixture of fiction and reality, including numerous portrayals of rock icons such as Led Zeppelin, The New York Dolls, David Bowie and Andy Warhol. At one point, Richie even stumbles across the birth of hip-hop. Also prominently featured are the grimy streets of pre-Rudy Giuliani New York City, before the character of the city was sterilized into a playground for millionaires.
Next: Vinyl has been renewed for a second season.
HBO continues its excellent tradition of period dramas, with the fashions, hairstyles and underground scenes of the 70’s all accurately depicted. It almost makes one miss the graffiti and trash.
Vinyl airs Sundays at 9PM on HBO.