Insecure Gets Real in Issa Rae-Produced Sweet Life: Los Angeles

Reality shows that draw inspiration from scripted series are nothing new. After all, Laguna Beach — which begat an MTV reality empire — was inspired by The OC, while Bravo's Real Housewives franchise was borne out of Desperate Housewives. Whether HBO Max can do the same with Sweet Life: Los Angeles, a new reality show that clearly takes inspiration from Issa Rae's visionary HBO series Insecure remains to be seen, but with Rae herself on board as executive producer, we're hopeful. The series premieres today.

Also today: American Horror Stories ends its first season (a second one is on its way), Behind the Music looks at the legacy of Duran Duran, and Marlon Wayans hits HBO Max with a new standup special. Here’s what’s new and noteworthy on TV this Thursday:

Sweet Life: Los Angeles: Series premiere. Executive producer Issa Rae examines what it means to be young, Black, and ambitious in her new HBO Max reality series about a group of longtime friends in South Los Angeles. Three new episodes premiere every Thursday for three consecutive weeks. Watch trailer. Streaming on HBO Max

American Horror Stories: Season finale. A couple dares to spend a night in one of the most infamous haunted houses in the world. Paris Jackson, Kaia Gerber, Sahen Carpenter, and Celia Finkelstein star. Streaming on FX on Hulu

Behind the Music: Duranis won't want to miss today's new installment about Duran Duran and the band’s enduring impact on the music industry. Streaming on Paramount+

Marlon Wayans: You Know What It Is: Special presentation. Actor and comedian Marlon Wayans brings his act to HBO Max in a new hour-long stand-up special. Watch trailer. Streaming on HBO Max

Eyes on the Prize: Hallowed Ground: Documentary special. Described as a companion to Henry Hampton’s 14-part series Eyes on the Prize (1987-1990), this HBO Max documentary aims to bridge the gap between past and present by telling new stories about Black history and the civil rights movement. Watch trailer. Streaming on HBO Max

Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Two new episodes back-to-back. Capt. Holt (Andre Braugher) and Amy (Melissa Fumero) manage an understaffed precinct. Later, Amy and Jake (Andy Samberg) create a system to balance work and childcare. 8:00 PM ET on NBC

Beat Shazam: Season finale. Three teams put their friendships on the line as they take on Beyoncé’s greatest hits for a chance to win the $1 million grand prize. 8:00 PM ET on FOX

Coroner: Season premiere. The Canadian police procedural kicks off its third season set against the backdrop of COVID-19, as Jenny (Serinda Swan) investigates the mysterious death of a health care worker whose body is found in her car. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on The CW

Big Brother: Kylan's rather chaotic reign as Head of Household comes to an end today, with the latest houseguest getting evicted. And with the new casino-themed twist that lets fans vote for their faves to play for advantages, tonight's episode could kick off another week of madness. 8:00 PM ET on CBS

Five Bedrooms: Complete second season. The Aussie comedy picks up where it left off, with the gang on the hunt for a new home. Watch trailer. Streaming on Peacock

Claire Spellberg Lustig is the Senior Editor at Primetimer and a scholar of The View. Follow her on Twitter at @c_spellberg.