All American: A Show Review

‘All American’ is quickly becoming a favorite show among tv viewers. Here’s a review about the CW’s hit-show, ‘All American’

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By Darren Bradby, Staff Writer

Created by April Blair and inspired by the life of former New York Giants linebacker, Spencer Paysinger, All American gives an inside into life Paysinger lived, forming his life into the life of Spencer James.

All American is filmed in Los Angeles, California, near Beverly Hills and South Central LA where it is set. This gives the show a LA style and swagger that it needs to accurately depict Paysingers’ life.

Raised by a hard-working mother (Karimah Westbrook) with a precocious younger brother (Jalyn Hall), Spencer has big dreams, which may be limited by his dangerous neighborhood, in which gunshots can interrupt football celebrations and police helicopters are a pervasive feature. Spencer James (Daniel Ezra) is a high school football player at South Crenshaw High.  Beverly High School’s football coach, Billy Baker (Taye Diggs), recruits him to join his team in Beverly Hills.

Spencer did not want to leave his family or hometown, but his mother Grace and his best friend Coop (Bre-Z) talked him into the opportunity that could possibly change his life. Now, Spencer must switch between two worlds: the south side struggle he grew up in, and the Beverly Hills luxury life he was given from Billy. While Spencer struggles to find his footing, he makes an unlikely friend in Olivia (Samantha Logan), who is dealing with her own demons. He also quickly develops a crush on his classmate Layla (Greta Onieogou), knowing that Asher (Cody Christian) is her boyfriend and also his teammate. Asher sets out to drive Spencer off the football team and out of Beverly Hills for good. Spencer, even in his new world, faces a whole new set of adversity.

Spencer, even in his new world, faces a whole new set of adversity.

— Darren Bradby

Cast: Daniel Ezra, Taye Diggs, Samantha Logan, Bre-Z, Greta Onieogou, Monet Mazur, Michael Evans Behling, Cody Christian, Karimah Westbrook, Jalyn Hall