Everyone Is Doing Great

"Everyone Is Doing Great" is a Hulu original comedy-drama series that premiered in 2018. The show is set around the lives of its two lead characters, Seth and Jeremy, who were once the stars of a successful fictional television show, "Eternal." As the title suggests, "Everyone Is Doing Great" is soaked in irony - as the characters depicted in the series are far from great.

The series is the brainchild of 'One Tree Hill' stars James Lafferty and Stephen Colletti. They not only co-wrote and directed the show, but also play the main characters, Seth and Jeremy, respectively. Their real-life friendship brings about an authentic chemistry on screen and contributes to the show's unfiltered revelation of life after fame.

"Everyone Is Doing Great" follows the journey of Seth and Jeremy as they navigate the grueling trials and tribulations of Hollywood. The once-celebrated heartthrobs of the hit vampire drama "Eternal" find themselves in the crude reality of stardom aftermath; unemployment, failing relationships, and a relentless pursuit of maintaining relevance in an industry that has seemingly moved on without them.

Beyond the humor and hilarity that the show possesses in heaps, "Everyone Is Doing Great" successfully delves into an exploration of the human condition when stripped of success and fame. It's a poignant look into the life of actors who are trying to find their identity and purpose beyond the characters they portrayed.

Seth, played by James Lafferty, is the more grounded and pragmatic of the duo. He wrestles with the need to move on from his past success on "Eternal" and attempts to slot back into a regular life with his wife, Andrea (Alexandra Park). The show captures Seth's struggles with his ego and identity following his career downturn perfectly. He is hardworking, determined, trying different things to revive his career, including the odd, humiliating audition or two.

In contrast, Jeremy, played by Stephen Colletti, is still riding the wave of his old fame, refusing to accept that it has come to a halt. He is enduring an extended rough patch, filled with substance abuse and one-night stands, encapsulating the very image of the stereotypical washed-up celebrity. An impending divorce from his wife and co-star (Cariba Heine) adds another layer to his coping with post-celebrity syndrome.

The secondary characters in "Everyone Is Doing Great" are as multifaceted and nuanced as the leads. They add substance to the narrative, propelling the story forward, while also providing a platform for Seth and Jeremy's characters to grow and evolve. For instance, Seth's wife, Andrea, is a successful actress who's mostly away on set, leaving the couple to struggle with sustaining their relationship amidst diverging career paths.

Largely drawing from Lafferty and Colletti’s personal experiences in the Hollywood circuit, "Everyone Is Doing Great" presents an unfiltered, honest, and humorous playbook of life behind the scenes of the glitz and glamor of the star-studded industry. It touches on themes of ego, identity, friendship, and the constant craving for validation that often comes with being in the spotlight. It explores the actions taken out of desperation when trying to clutch on to waning relevance and the reality of fading stardom in a town that never slows down.

The spontaneous and raw comedic timing flows seamlessly through the entire series. The humor isn't forced or contrived - it's born out of uncomfortable, awkward situations that the characters find themselves in, making for excellent situational comedy. At the same time, the show has its somber and introspective moments, which give it a perfect blend of drama and comedy.

In summation, "Everyone Is Doing Great" is an engaging and insightful comedic masterpiece that's both reflective and entertaining. It cleverly deviates from the superficiality of Hollywood depictions and opts for a more grounded commentary on the struggles of those who live within it. By refraining from glorifying the lives of actors and actresses, the show sends a powerful message about the constant fight for identity, validity, and sanity, proving that not everyone is doing as great as they make it seem.