“It’s Florida, Man,” HBO’s late-night comedic foray into the Sunshine State’s more eccentric news headlines, is back this Friday, November 22, 2024 at 11 PM, with it’s final episode. Titled “Mugshot,” this week’s half-hour focuses on a Pensacola resident who finds internet fame the hard way. Forget cat videos, this guy’s ticket to online notoriety? A high-speed police chase and a prominent spot on a controversial web-based police program.
Now, “It’s Florida, Man” is a show that thrives on the absurd, the bizarre, and the occasionally heartwarming weirdness that seems to bubble up from Florida’s particular cultural stew. And in that regard, “Mugshot” appears to be hitting all the right notes. The producers have certainly found a subject whose “distinctive physical attributes” and an apparent addiction to leading police on merry, high-octane chases make him tailor-made for the show’s blend of reenactment and dry commentary.
The humor comes from the situations, from the often baffling choices made by the individuals involved, and from the show’s winking awareness of its own comedic exploitation. “Mugshot,” it seems, is keeping this tradition alive. This week we get a guy who is catnip to police departments and probably won’t be winning any awards for elusiveness. But hey, who needs stealth when you’ve got social media infamy?
It’s a simple formula, but it’s one that’s proven effective for “It’s Florida, Man,” which has just been renewed for a second season. The series takes these real-life stories that are often presented as punchlines and finds the humanity, and the humor, within them. It’s about the people who make headlines for their poor decisions, as much as the decisions themselves. Whether “Mugshot”’s featured individual becomes a folk hero, a cautionary tale, or just another meme, well, that’s part of the unpredictable charm. But one thing’s for sure: he’ll probably think twice before hitting the gas pedal next time, or maybe he won’t and he’ll be back for season two.
Tune in for “Mugshot” this Friday, November 22, 2024 at 11 PM on HBO.
