Cenac's comedy series aims to inform as well as entertain
NEW YORK (AP) — Wyatt Cenac, the latest entrant in late-night television comedy with a series that debuts Friday on HBO, took inspiration from John Oliver in his desire to inform along with being entertaining.
Cenac's "Problem Areas" is described as a comedy "docu-series," and resembles Oliver's "Last Week Tonight" in how each episode has a central story approached with journalistic rigor, and quicker comedic bits. Oliver is an executive producer and the show's backstage is populated with people who worked with him and also at their shared alma mater, "The Daily Show."
That's where the similarities end. Cenac's more laid-back style replaces Oliver's hyperactivity.