All American
Inspired by the true story of Spencer Paysinger, a retired New York Giants linebacker, All American takes us through a journey of the struggle of living as a black and lower-class teen in America. Although at first All American may seem like yet another show about teenage drama, sports, and girls, soon we see it is so much more. All American features Spencer James, a high school football star who grows up in Crenshaw, a historically black neighborhood south of Los Angeles that suffers from gang violence, racism, and a harsh economic state.
Early on in the show, Spencer is recruited to play at Beverly High by Bobby Baker, a rich Beverly Hills high football team coach who was raised in Crenshaw. Due to complications, Spencer is forced to live with the coach and his family, which includes Beverly’s football team captain, Jordan Baker. As Spencer begins to adjust to his new life, he struggles with having his heart stuck in Crenshaw and needing to be focused on adjusting to life in Beverly. Throughout the show, we see the evolution of Spencer as a character, as a moral human being, and a football player.
Every episode of All American hits the heart in a different way, evoking emotional responses ranging from laughing out loud to weeping, all in the span of one 42 minute show. During every episode, I was on the edge of my seat until the last second, and when the screen went black and the music began to play, I was overtaken by an urge to continue to watch. I always wanted to know what happened next. This roller coaster of emotions is caused not only by the events of the show but by the characters themselves as well. In just 15 episodes, I felt as if I had a personal connection to each character. Typically in a shorter show like All American, the focus is on the protagonist and their personal-development, but All American is able to capture the well-rounded story of each character, including each individual’s background experiences and the struggles they must go through to become their truest selves.
The true beauty of the show is the level of realness to it. All American does not sugar coat any human experience, making each one feel more truthful and painful. All American is far more than your average high school drama show, as it highlights the struggles of racism, gang violence, family problems, drug abuse, and more. All American provides an insightful understanding of a world far from mine, but the show is not just a story of struggles. It’s one of victories too. It’s a story that is able to highlight feelings of hope and love, while using moments of hate and sadness to unite families, friends, and communities. This is not to say the first season of All American ends with a perfect world, or one even close to it. Rather, it concludes with a society more perfect due to the strides Spencer and the people in his world have taken.