They fight. They make up.
They laugh. They cry.
They love.
“Paul American,’’ the new reality show starring Jake Paul and Logan Paul, premieres Thursday night on HBO Max. In many ways, the famous brothers and their family will remind you of your own.
Well, perhaps with the exception of Logan Paul apparently smoking weed with his father, Greg, who carries a hunting knife and muses about blowing up Los Angeles.
Or Jake Paul having a romantic anniversary dinner with his girlfriend, only to leave her at the table and loudly relieve himself nearby.
Season 1 of ‘Paul American” is eight episodes, with a new episode available to HBO Max subscribers every Thursday. USA TODAY Sports viewed the first four episodes, and at times found the series endearing, entertaining, funny and dull.
The bottom line: If you’re fans of Jake Paul, the 28-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer, and Logan Paul, the 29-year-old YouTuber-turned-pro wrestler, their reality show will be mandatory viewing.
If you’re not fans, however, the show probably won’t change your opinion of them. Although some Paul critics might develop an appreciation, if not affection, for the brothers who rocketed to fame via social media.
Their divorced parents add a nice touch to the show. But “Paul American’’ is at its best when the brothers are interacting with their significant others.
Logan is engaged to Nina Agdal, a Danish model who was on the 50th anniversary cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue in 2014. Jake recently got engaged to Jutta Leerdam, a Dutch speedskater, who clearly adores him but in one scene shows a flash of annoyance as Jake starts hamming it up for the cameras.
“You’re in your character a lot,’’ Leerdam says. “This is reality, so snap out of it.’’
Trying to discern how much of this show is ‘reality” is part of the challenge.
Prepare for slow start for ‘Paul American’
Episode 1 of ‘Paul American’ is about as entertaining as the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight. You might even find yourself briefly rooting for buffering issues.
The episode focuses on the Paul brothers pitching the reality show to Hollywood producers while simultaneously engaged in a fight meant to underscore their sibling rivalry. It’s not convincing.
Logan calls Tyson old during a podcast. Jake angrily accuses Logan of undermining the fight. Hostility spikes as they’re trying to sell a reality show!
Reality or ‘reality?”
Soon enough they reconcile and are pitching the show on a joint phone call and celebrating news that they’ve landed a deal.
It’s some of the least compelling content in the first four episodes. But it’s useful as a means of introducing their parents and their dad’s hunting knife to the TV audience, along with Agdal and Leerdam, who establish themselves as pivotal to the show’s success.
Agdal, for example, has a surprise for Logan. A surprise that should help keep viewers tuned in to episodes 3 and 4, when the series picks up steam.
‘Paul American’ does pack some surprises
Leerdam says Jake’s a romantic. Outrageous? Well, it appears to be undeniably true, despite his relieving himself near the table during their one-year anniversary dinner.
For years, Jake has ranted that his critics don’t know “the real’’ Jake Paul. This is his chance to present that person.
The show takes us behind the scenes during Jake’s preparation for a fight against Mike Perry on July 20. Perhaps there is a piece of the real Jake, engaged in meditation, breathwork and a spiritual ceremony as the fight approaches.
You might not know the ‘real” Jake better than the bombastic YouTuber-turned-boxer, but you’ll probably feel like you know him better.
If there’s a sense of true “reality,’’ it’s Leerdam, who comes across as the most authentic person in the show. Although it’s not entirely clear how much Agdal and Jake’s mother, Pam, approve of her. Perhaps that’ll become clearer as the show progresses and the Pauls wrestle with something that feels real.
“Views and followers and subscribers is a very lethal drug,’’ Jake Paul says at one point. “It’s the YouTuber disease. …
“The cameras are always around.”