‘Wyatt Cenac’s Problem Areas’ On HBO: A Much Needed Shake-Up For Late-Night

HBO has hit something of a groove with their late-night slate; from Last Week Tonight with John Oliver to Real Time with Bill Maher, they’ve had no issue with making headlines, drawing controversy, or bringing attention to some important issues. Wyatt Cenac’s Problem Areas, their latest addition, takes a different approach – and creates something truly special in the process. Rather than rehashing the week’s events or bashing our current administration, host Wyatt Cenac, in what appears to be a 1970s basement sans studio audience, tackles under-discussed issues.

“I guess this is the part where I’m supposed to talk about Donald Trump and how we’re all fucked, but you already know that,” Cenac tells us early on in the first episode. What follows is some offbeat humor, and it’s a breath of fresh air. He interacts with Siri and Alexa, tells us about the billionaire space race (looking at you, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos) and convinces us why converting excrement to sustainable fuel might just save the world. “It’s tough shit, but it’s our shit. And maybe we should try to figure this shit out.”

With the help of quirky animation for some of the early segments, Cenac establishes a unique tone right off the bat. You’ve probably heard by now that the series will cover policing over its 10 episodes, but Cenac is realistic about the fact that many people may not want to listen to him talk about such a tough subject. He wants us to stick around – because this is a problem that was here long before Donald Trump was elected and will likely remain long after.

“We continually hear the same stories about police misconduct, police brutality, police getting away with misconduct and brutality,” says Cenac. “The same things keep happening, the same headlines keep getting written.” With the help of police officers, journalists, government officials, writers, activists, and more, Cenac attempts to break down exactly what the root of the problem is – and he makes clear that it’s not the same in every city. His field reporting is compelling and, of course, comedic, when appropriate, and by going back to basics – what’s wrong with policing? – he ensures that we all start on the same page.

By giving a platform to voices all over the country who rarely have a chance to share their story – from Miami, Oakland, and Seattle to Los Angeles, St. Paul, and more – Cenac shakes up a tired late-night formula and breathes life into a crowded arena. With Cenac’s eccentric comedic sensibilities, passion for the subject matter, and innovative segments, Problem Areas is a welcome addition to HBO’s stellar slate. Cenac’s insistence on having tough conversations is exactly what we need right now – and we couldn’t have picked a better man for the job.

Wyatt Cenac’s Problem Areas debuts on HBO Friday, April 13 at 11:30pm.