All American is teenage sports drama series that made its debut on television on The CW network back in 2018. With its story of a boy from the inner city who goes to an upscale high school, the producers rather took a bold step in delivering what you’d typically think is your jock-and-cheerleader story.
But as it turns out, the show is semi-biographical as it revolves around the challenges and victories of Spencer James, both on and off the football field. You see, Spencer James is a character loosely based on NFL player Spencer Paysinger.
You have to give it to the producers and scriptwriters of All American because, with its story, the CW show has managed to put into the screen a rather cool way of portraying all those subcultures that American high schools have; it isn’t just the jocks and cheerleaders, or the nerds or the rest.
How Many Seasons Are There In All America?
All American has 5 Seasons in Total. As we’ll see, not everything is perfect when it comes to this show because, believe me, after watching the whole five seasons, the show is slow-paced af. And if you’re like me, that slowness does dampen the experience. Nevertheless, All American is worth watching.
A Deeper Dive At All American
All in all, “All American” is about pushing it to the limit, and trying to succeed, even if the deck of cards is stacked against you or you play the wrong hand.
The show tries to give you the perspective of what it feels like to be a kid in high school nowadays in modern America.
The American educational system is one where not only do you have to read the books and take the tests, but you also gotta have some sort of social savvy. As such, All American explores the timeless theme of perseverance with that Gen-Z representation touch.
Spencer James is no perfect character, the writers did well in putting lots of flaws in him, and his being ghetto isn’t one of them. That’s just an attribute.
In All American, we are transported from posh Beverly Hills into the heart of the Ghettos of South Central Los Angeles. And in doing so, we see lots of things that are common to American society: Black on Black racism, black on black violence, black-on-white prejudice, white-on-black political correctness, the overexploited topic of economic disparities towards a demographic that are constantly pandered by politicians, and human emotions.
Also Read: All American Season 5 Episode 19: Release Date, Preview & Recap
Real Inspiration
As I said earlier, this series’ main character takes inspiration from NFL player Spencer Paysinger.
It’s kind of odd that they chose to do this to portray a racial drama in sunny liberal California, thus perpetuating the already tired stereotypes that blacks in America are held back by the same system that bolsters people in the NFL, the NBA, the record, and the fashion industry. After all, how oppressed are Oprah, Beyonce, LeBron, or Jay-Z?
They’re not, and the reason for it is that the American society corrected the wrongs of inequities quite some time ago, making way for dramas like All American to be a testament of what America is: “E Pluribus Unum,” out of many one. If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere, and as Jay Z says, “They’ll love you anywhere.”
Is It Worth Watching?
Beyond its surface as a sports-centered narrative, “All American” stands out due to its profound exploration of personal identity, purpose, and growth. The main character, Spencer James, is more than just an athlete. His relentless drive, loyalty, and openness make him a fully-rounded character that deeply resonates with the audience.
In addition, side characters are provided with ample room to grow as the series unfolds. Whether it’s through the intricate portrayal of family ties or the subtle exploration of romantic relationships, each character experiences significant progression.
This depth, along with the emotional performances from a talented cast, makes it easy for viewers to feel close to the characters in “All American.”
Still, “All American” does sometimes have trouble with the way it moves. Some episodes keep people interested, but others tend to break up the flow of the story.
This can sometimes make viewers feel like the story isn’t going anywhere, which can take away from the emotional impact of the show as a whole. Future seasons of “All American” would be better if they fixed this problem with the pace.
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