The supporting cast of "How to Make It in America" have the best lines.

"How to Make It in America" is about a group of late twenty-something New Yorkers hustling their way to the top.

Ben (Bryan Greenberg), the main character, is a fashion school drop-out who attempts to start a jeans line with his best friend Cam (Victor Rasuk). Cam's cousin Rene (Luis Guzmán) just got out of prison and is trying his hand at Rasta Monsta, an energy juice drink he thinks will blow up bigger than Red Bull. Ben's ex-girlfriend (Lake Bell) is an assistant to an interior decorator (Martha Plimpton) who optimizes small spaces to Manhattan clientele.
 
The show's executive producers are the same people from "Entourage," but while "Entourage" is a fabulous fantasy of regular kids from Queens already making it in Los Angeles, "How to Make It" is about regular kids from New York trying to make it in New York.
 
"I was born here, I'm gonna die here," says Ben.
 
They all have friends who are already established photographers, artists, art gallery owners, hedge fund managers, models, doormen (to the right clubs), and miscellaneous other characters who, quite frankly, stand out more than Ben does.
 
His lines are not witty enough, and he's not charismatic enough. For a series that bills itself as a comedy, I get the feeling that if it were up to Ben, he would rather wallow in self-pity and write "no one understands how great I am, therefore I'm going to sit here, do nothing and feel pain" in his diary all day. Half the time I'm wondering why Cam is his best friend.
 
Cam, on the other hand, balances out Ben's moroseness with exuberance and he's the definition of the word "hustle." He takes opportunities that wouldn't otherwise exist if he didn't scheme and push his way in.
 
But even though the show has its shortcomings, it IS improving. It works best when the friends exhibit the loyalty they have towards each other, and when they're doing things to move them forward in life.
 
In a recent episode, Ben gets discouraged that his jean sample didn't come out the way he wanted, and he rather go home and sulk than meet up with a buyer. Cam goes, but not before he says to Ben, "Thanks for the encouragement, dick."
 
Ben shows up to the meeting because he doesn't want to leave his friend high and dry. The buyer doesn't like the jeans, but he loves the shirt that Ben's wearing and also designed. He has him print up 300 of them. Ben and Cam walk out of his office calm and composed, then scream like little girls once the door closes behind them.
 
The truly great thing about this show so far is the song in the opening credits. "I Need a Dollar" by Aloe Blacc is reminiscent of what you'd hear walking down a sepia-hued side street on a hot New York City summer's day; the scratchy, scruffy, bluesy sound is something that would play from vinyl on a record player.
 
Overall, "How to Make It" needs a few more episodes to gel together. The side characters have the best lines, and New York City as the backdrop is always a plus. Like some HBO shows, I see it finding its rhythm and ultimately becoming really good after the first season.
 
Catch "How to Make It in America" Sunday nights on HBO.
 
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