High Hopes Review: Taking the Edge Off Workplace Woes

High Hopes takes us behind the counters of the MMD Hollywood cannabis dispensary. We meet the colorful employees who keep customers happy in green-rush Los Angeles. From veteran budtenders to fresh faces, they each bring something fun.

MMD itself has an unlikely rise, launched by brothers Slava and Mishka Ashbel in weed’s early days. Back when medicinal use was new to California, they sold from a cramped space—then got a wakeup call after an unfortunate robbery. Now the shop aims bigger as markets change. But growing means a tug between the boss’s vision and how staff see things.

Enter the crew, keeping the place running smoothly. Uri and Freddie bring the carefree vibes, whether helping customers or each other get a little too lit. Serious sales pro Dani brings her expertise back too. Jared charms with looks and product know-how. And assistant Morgan keeps a level head amid the chaos.

Through it all, cameras follow these budtenders’ workday waves. We see behind-the-scenes laughs and customer encounters. The show itself sits somewhere between staged comedy and observed moments. Either way, it gives a glimpse of MMD through the eyes of those making magic happen all day with the magic buds.

Meet the Budtenders

Stepping behind the counter, we’re introduced to the colorful MMD crew keeping customers happy. There’s Freddie, as laidback as his stoner vibes suggest. He just rolled into town but already fits right in. Always smiling, he takes it easy but doesn’t mind pitching in. Whether chatting with clients or giving the new guy advice, Freddie keeps things friendly.

Then there’s Uri—he’s been around forever, or so it seems. Like a favorite uncle, he technically works but mostly just hangs out. Cracking jokes and cracking up customers, it’s hard to see Uri ever leaving. The brothers adore having him, even if he does slack off and eat snacks at the cash. Still, they couldn’t see the place without him.

Over in the concentrate cooler stands Jared. With looks that stop browsing in their tracks, he’s always swarmed by admirers. Humble despite his handsomeness, Jared takes his role seriously. By sharing encyclopedia knowledge of products, he helps each customer find perfect pairings. Though new on the scene, he fits in perfectly among these pros.

And rounding out the familiar faces is Dani, the dynamo. She was a budtender way back in the early days and still tops sales charts now. Passionate about the job, she brings extra energy wherever she goes. The brothers may find her a pain, but they’d be lost without Dani’s skills and spirit around the store.

Between these budtenders’ differing vibes and strengths, they make a perfect team. And together with the other characters, their intriguing personalities are sure to drive plenty of quirky comedy this season.

Laughs in the Dispensary

At MMD Hollywood, humor blooms from the dispensary walls. With characters as vibrant as the wares, High Hopes consistently finds lighter moments. Funny interactions among the crew feel authentic; their ease together drives comedy. Whether teasing slacker Uri or guiding shy Freddie, barbs land with grins rather than hurt.

Perhaps these folks know stress relief comes from calling customers each day. So why not spread cheer in downtime? We laugh alongside their banter, not at anyone’s expense. Even stoner stereotypes feel good-natured—a nod to the culture, not crass caricatures. Freddie especially subverts stoner slacker labels through heart and hustle and reframes what “type” means.

Of course, workplace dynamics deliver their own chuckles. Slava and Mishka’s quests to professionalize clash with staffers’ lackadaisical vibes. Free spirits like Uri and Dani mean well yet flout the brothers’ hopes at every turn. Their antics, while technically on the clock, spring from the authentic selves we root for. And the showrunners stage absurd enough scenarios, like surprising Uri a month after his birthday, to maintain lightheartedness.

Rather than mock anyone, High Hopes invites smiles at humanity’s little foibles. In a divisive era, its easygoing spirit soothes as much as it entertains. By keeping focus on fun employee relationships with care, not forced farce, laughs here spread smiles all around.

Cash to Corporate

MMD Hollywood made its name in cannabis’ green rush days. Back when California deemed pot okay for pain alone, Slava and Mishka’s dispensary dealt strictly in cash. Things were wild west then; they’d no idea risks like theft until losing the loot! Now, though, recreational use is a reality, and they hope to take MMD nationwide.

Gone are the times when marijuana money meant mountains of unsecured bills. To expand, the brothers opt for corporations over chaos. Yet moving a business beyond bud requires a mindset unlike many staffers’. While new manager Morgan envisions prestige, some staff still live in laidback times.

None embody that old-school soul more than Uri and Freddie. Always one toke ahead of work rules, Uri’s been part of the landscape so long he’s practically family. And Freddie, well, the man is relaxed and personified. Their not-a-care attitudes clash with bigwigs’ visions of order. Still, in a place that peddles peace, who can begrudge two for staying mellow?

The clash of their cash crop cultures is just right for comedy. Watching try-hards try to tame free spirits yields endlessly amusing encounters. Whether birthdays befuddle the bros or business meetings find Uri and Freddie enjoying extracurricular activities, humor springs from how drastically folks interpret “just say no.”

Perhaps drugs and dollars need each other, but their values will rarely align. That odd coupling keeps High Hopes chuckles coming proves some sparks fly finest when opposing forces collide.

First Haze Impressions

Well, color me intrigued—MMD’s premiere packs a punch of personality. We meet the cast spread across dispensary duties and daily dramas. Uri starts us off in classic fashion, toking before his shift despite Slava’s edict. You can’t help but chuckle at their back-and-forth banter.

Freddie’s first day brings plenty of rookie moments too. Watching Jared and Dani’s “tips” was wholesome fun, putting the new guy at ease. Their guidance sets the tone for the camaraderie we’ll come to expect. And Sumi debuts planning Uri’s “surprise” party, an interesting challenge, to say the least, with her crew.

The scenes bounce between the workplace and personal lives briskly. No lulls to frown at phones; always something or someone to find amusing. Whether Morgan’s meticulous management or samples at “Buyers Club,” High Hopes keeps a smile spreading. Conversations feel genuine too, without the overly scripted segues typical of reality genres.

All said, the pilot’s passion for its people and place left me eager to sink into episode two. A lighthearted escape into MMD’s motley world, the half-hour flew by in a smokey haze of good vibes. These buds and their brothers seem poised to stay fun as long as my stash holds out.

Passing the Blunt

With Jimmy Kimmel passing the lighter, High Hopes was sure to spark laughs from the start. As an executive producer, his penchant for quirky comedy translates perfectly to MMD’s misfit crew. Helming the production, director Ben Steinbauer aimed likewise to roll the camera and let the characters’ antics run their course.

His fly-on-the-wall filming style captures colorful conversations and scenes with clarity. Whether smoking sessions or staff shenanigans, we see it all play out naturally. This allows cast members’ true personalities to shine through in a way structured scenes never could. Steinbauer understands that sometimes the dankest dramas arise by chance when weed’s involved, so he keeps things loose and lets opportunities burn up organically.

This approach gives us an intimate view of MMD that is seldom seen. Flashbacks flesh out the head shop’s hazy history too, pulling back the curtains on what really went down in those cash-only days. Spliced alongside behind-the-scenes glimpses, these clips offer context while maintaining a realistic feel.

All in all, High Hopes hits its mark through this raw, fly-on-the-wall lens. We get to know these crazy kids on a whole new level through Kimmel and Steinbauer’s joint vision, one that sparks up must-see kush TV.

Budding Success

By all counts, High Hopes is off to a flying start. With a cast of quirky characters and an easygoing approach, this show has hit on a fun new genre that feels refreshingly real.

Freddie and Uri take the lead as crowd-pleasing stars, charming us with their laidback antics each episode. Their hilarious hijinks at MMD are clearly the show’s sweet spot. Yet even secondary roles like Dani offer intrigue, and the brothers navigate it all with apparent ease.

As for the humor, some may find the stoner jokes play to stereotype. However, the focus stays squarely on this crew’s chemistry over any cheap pot shots. Their interactions feel bustling and authentic.

It’s easy to see the potential for High Hopes and the dispensary setting to keep cultivating laughs. With an engaged cast in a thriving industry, the opportunities for humor and high jinks will keep flowering. As long as talent and heart remain priorities over gimmicks, this show maintains the right to stay lit.

All in all, MMD provides a fun peek behind the counter that we didn’t know was needed. For those seeking lighthearted laughs and a splash of reality, tune in and enjoy the ride. With any luck, High Hopes will keep the good vibes growing strong.