High Maintenance gets a premiere date on HBO:
Providing a glimpse into the homes and routines of eccentric New Yorkers, the comedy series HIGH MAINTENANCE explores the private lives of these unique individuals through a common thread: their weed deliveryman. Ben Sinclair stars as The Guy, whose client base includes a group of characters with neuroses as diverse as the city.
Each episode features multiple stories exploring the inner workings of people from all walks of life, told fly-on-the-wall style through the series’ patented brand of offbeat humor and pathos, revealing a city full of strangers united by the perennial pursuit of life’s greatest highs. The hit web series comes to HBO with six new half-hour episodes starting FRIDAY, SEPT. 16 (11:00-11:35 p.m. ET/PT), followed by other episodes subsequent Fridays at the same time, exclusively on HBO.
HIGH MAINTENANCE was created by the married duo of Katja Blichfeld (Emmy®-winning casting director of “30 Rock”) and Ben Sinclair (“Sisters,” “The Big C”), who write and direct every episode of the new season, and executive produced by Katja Blichfeld, Ben Sinclair and Russell Gregory.
“We have been growing this show organically for three years now, and we are elated to bring it into full maturity at HBO, the gold standard of both online and televised entertainment,” say Blichfeld and Sinclair.
The new episodes of HIGH MAINTENANCE will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO and HBO On Demand. The 19 webisodes that were originally presented on Vimeo will be available on HBO GO, HBO NOW and HBO On Demand beginning Sept. 1, and on HBO Comedy starting Sept. 12.
Episodes include:
Episode #1: “Meth(od)”
Debut: FRIDAY, SEPT. 16 (11:00-11:35 p.m. ET/PT)
Other HBO playdates: Sept. 16 (12:35 a.m.), 19 (11:05 p.m.), 20 (10:00 p.m., 5:25 a.m.), 21 (4:30 a.m.) and 22 (midnight)
HBO2 playdates: Sept. 17 (2:05 a.m.) and 19 (4:10 a.m.)
The Guy (Ben Sinclair) makes an uncomfortable delivery to a macho client and his taciturn friend. Best friends Max (Max Jenkins) and Lainey’s (Heléne Yorke) co-dependent relationship begins to wane after Max accidentally stumbles upon a new group of friends. In order to stay part of this group, Max must maintain a charade, while keeping Lainey’s suspicions at bay.
Written and directed by Katja Blichfeld & Ben Sinclair.
Episode #2: “Museebat”
Debut: FRIDAY, SEPT. 23 (11:00-11:30 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: Sept. 23 (12:30 a.m.), 25 (12:25 a.m.), 26 (10:30 p.m., 1:35 a.m.), 27 (5:25 a.m.), 28 (2:40 a.m.) and 29 (12:30 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Sept. 24 (2:00 a.m.) and 26 (4:15 a.m.)
Eesha (Shazi Raja), a young girl living with her aunt and uncle in Brooklyn, struggles to be a “normal college student,” despite her family’s religious values. The Guy (Ben Sinclair) delivers to Leo (Lee Tergesen) and Gigi (Amy Ryan), a jaded couple throwing an intimate gathering for Leo’s birthday – an event marked by accusations, recriminations and a troubling revelation.
Written and directed by Katja Blichfeld & Ben Sinclair.
Episode #3: “Grandpa”
Debut: FRIDAY, SEPT. 30 (11:00-11:30 p.m.)
Other HBO playdate: Sept. 30 (12:30 a.m.)
When Chase (Ryan Woodle) and his sensitive yet fun-loving dog Gatsby move from the suburban Midwest to Queens, culture shock takes its toll – until they cross paths with Beth (Yael Stone), a whimsical dog walker.
Written and directed by Katja Blichfeld & Ben Sinclair.
Episode #4: “Tick”
Debut: FRIDAY, OCT. 7 (11:00-11:30 p.m.)
Aging parents Joon (Kristen Hung) and Wei (Clem Cheung) navigate their son’s (Stephen Lin) recent success and new lifestyle. The Guy (Ben Sinclair) delivers to Jim (Peter Friedman), a retired, former workaholic living downstairs from his neurotic daughter, Quinn (Bridget Moloney), and her husband (Paul Thureen) and baby.
Written and directed by Katja Blichfeld & Ben Sinclair.
Episode #5: “Selfie”
Debut: FRIDAY, OCT. 14 (11:00-11:30 p.m.)
Anja (Ismenia Mendes), a twentysomething aspiring writer who spends most of her time on social media, convinces The Guy (Ben Sinclair) to sit down for a one-on-one interview, but her social media addiction threatens to blow up the story. Former customer Heidi (Greta Lee) enlists The Guy’s help when she is confronted by her past.
Written and directed by Katja Blichfeld & Ben Sinclair.
Episode #6: “Ex” (season finale)
Debut: FRIDAY, OCT. 21 (11:00-11:30 p.m.)
The Guy (Ben Sinclair) pays a visit to agoraphobic Patrick (Michael Cyril Creighton), a longtime customer. The Guy seeks solace from a customer (Rebecca Naomi Jones) after a rough night.
Written and directed by Katja Blichfeld & Ben Sinclair.
The web series on Vimeo earned Blichfeld and Sinclair a WGA award for the episode “Rachel” and was hailed as “wryly funny” by Entertainment Weekly and “fantastic and gemlike” by Time, while the New Yorker called it “luxurious and twisty and humane.” Featuring a wide array of artists from theater, TV and film, the show’s previous guests included Hannibal Buress (“Broad City”) and Dan Stevens (“Downton Abbey”).
HIGH MAINTENANCE is produced by Janky Clown Productions; executive produced by Katja Blichfeld, Ben Sinclair and Russell Gregory; directed by Katja Blichfeld and Ben Sinclair; cast by Katja Blichfeld; edited by Ben Sinclair.
