The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Events Film The Kontenders Theater TV All
      Entertainment

      Unlock Your Power at the Stranger Things Experience

      May 18, 2022

      Entertainment

      Antoni Porowski, Leyna Bloom & Nickelodeon Honored at The 2022 GLSEN Respect Awards

      May 18, 2022

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Netflix Hosted and Celebrated the Screening of ‘Stranger Things’ Season 4

      May 17, 2022

      Entertainment

      On The Scene: Rupauls’ Drag Race All Stars 7 Cast Become Window Models…

      May 16, 2022

      Film

      Sabrina Carpenter, RJ Cyler and Entire Cast Celebrate at the Red Carpet Premiere…

      May 19, 2022

      Film

      On The Scene: ‘Pause With Sam Jay’ Special Screening in Brooklyn

      May 18, 2022

      Film

      On the Scene: Keep Lock’s ‘Respect the Jux’ Premiere

      May 14, 2022

      Film

      Exclusive: Cast Talks HBO’s “The Staircase” At New York City Premiere [Video]

      May 12, 2022

      The Kontenders

      Exclusive: Interviews At The 37th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards [video]

      March 15, 2022

      The Kontenders

      Knockturnalist: Top 20 Favorite Films of 2021

      January 9, 2022

      The Kontenders

      The Kontenders: Stepping behind the curtain of “Nightmare Alley”

      December 17, 2021

      The Kontenders

      The Kontendors: The Humanity behind the Refugee Crisis in “Flee”

      December 13, 2021

      Theater

      On The Scene: Deirdre O’Connell, Mandy Gonzalez and more Talk at the 2022…

      May 19, 2022

      Theater

      On The Scene: Meet Your 2022 Tony Award Nominees!

      May 16, 2022

      Theater

      On the Scene: ‘How I Learned To Drive’ Opens on Broadway

      May 16, 2022

      Theater

      The New York Premiere of Our Brother’s Son

      May 9, 2022

      TV

      Exclusive: Hannah Einbinder, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Mark Indelicato, Paul W. Downs, Lucia…

      May 19, 2022

      TV

      Sabrina Carpenter, RJ Cyler and Entire Cast Celebrate at the Red Carpet Premiere…

      May 19, 2022

      TV

      Unlock Your Power at the Stranger Things Experience

      May 18, 2022

      TV

      Sonos Partners with Lorde to Debut a New Sonos Radio Station; Reveals $279…

      May 17, 2022

      Entertainment

      On The Scene: Deirdre O’Connell, Mandy Gonzalez and more Talk at the 2022…

      May 19, 2022

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Hannah Einbinder, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Mark Indelicato, Paul W. Downs, Lucia…

      May 19, 2022

      Entertainment

      Sabrina Carpenter, RJ Cyler and Entire Cast Celebrate at the Red Carpet Premiere…

      May 19, 2022

      Entertainment

      Unlock Your Power at the Stranger Things Experience

      May 18, 2022

  • Music
    • Koncerts News All
      Events

      Broccoli City Festival takes over RFK Stadium with headliners Summer Walker and Ari…

      May 14, 2022

      Koncerts

      Exclusive: Eloise Alterman Talks New EP “Sad Bird”

      May 6, 2022

      Koncerts

      Treefort is The Good Place

      May 3, 2022

      Koncerts

      On The Scene: Kory Caudill and Wordsmith’s ‘Concert for the Human Family’ With…

      May 2, 2022

      News

      New Music Roundup: Releases You May Have Missed

      May 17, 2022

      News

      On the Scene: Award Winning Song Writers and Producers Talk BMI 70th Annual…

      May 14, 2022

      News

      On the Scene: 70th Annual BMI Pop Awards Pays Tribute To The Best…

      May 11, 2022

      News

      New Music Roundup: Releases You May Have Missed

      May 4, 2022

      Music

      On The Scene: Willow Kayne’s New York debut

      May 18, 2022

      Music

      Exclusive: Tamil-American musician Bhi Bhiman talks upcoming album “I’ll Sleep When I’m Famous”

      May 18, 2022

      Music

      New Music Roundup: Releases You May Have Missed

      May 17, 2022

      Music

      A New York night with Jhayco on his TIMELEZZ World Tour

      May 16, 2022

  • Lifestyle
    • Art Events Fashion & Beauty Sports All
      Art

      Moleskine Detour: Sky High Creativity for Social Change

      May 15, 2022

      Art

      Indira Martinez Dominican Architectural Designer Talks Creating ‘The Home Design Studio’

      May 12, 2022

      Art

      The New York Premiere of Our Brother’s Son

      May 9, 2022

      Art

      Heather Thompson, David Yurman, Lynn Yaeger and many others support Museum of Art…

      May 5, 2022

      Events

      El Cristiano Tequila Celebrates Launch with an Exclusive Tequila Tasting at the San…

      May 18, 2022

      Events

      Sipsmith Gin Embarks on Bold New Journey with Sips of Refinement at NYC…

      May 18, 2022

      Events

      A Glimpse into the 66th Annual Viennese Opera Ball: A Night of Love

      May 18, 2022

      Events

      Playing For Change Foundation Impact Awards Gala & After Party

      May 17, 2022

      Fashion & Beauty

      HBO Max’s LEGENDARY Celebrates “Into the Future of Fashion” in honor of the…

      May 17, 2022

      Fashion & Beauty

      The KnockturnaLIST: Editors’ Picks 2022

      May 17, 2022

      Fashion & Beauty

      On The Scene: The 2022 Inaugural SpeakOut “I am” Awards

      May 3, 2022

      Fashion & Beauty

      Exclusive: JcPenney Unveils New Marilyn Monroe Capsule Collection

      May 3, 2022

      Sports

      NINJA Undergoes Full Rebrand by Creative Studio EAT

      April 20, 2022

      Sports

      On the Scene: Red Bull Dance Your Style

      March 31, 2022

      Sports

      Exclusive: Cast of ‘Winning Time’ on HBO’s Power Play of Lakers Drama, Comedy,…

      March 7, 2022

      Sports

      How the NFL is Making Money in Entertainment Post Super Bowl

      February 26, 2022

      Lifestyle

      El Cristiano Tequila Celebrates Launch with an Exclusive Tequila Tasting at the San…

      May 18, 2022

      Lifestyle

      Sipsmith Gin Embarks on Bold New Journey with Sips of Refinement at NYC…

      May 18, 2022

      Lifestyle

      A Glimpse into the 66th Annual Viennese Opera Ball: A Night of Love

      May 18, 2022

      Lifestyle

      Playing For Change Foundation Impact Awards Gala & After Party

      May 17, 2022

  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch
Tag:

high maintenance

EntertainmentThe LatestTV

HBO Promotes Going Green at ‘High Maintenance’ Premiere in Brooklyn

by Antonio Pinheiro February 9, 2020
written by Antonio Pinheiro

Last Wednesday, HBO hosted the “High Maintenance” Season 4 Premiere at Mission Chinese in Brooklyn, NY.

Continue Reading

February 9, 2020 0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
The LatestTV

TV Review: ‘High Maintenance’ [Episode 2]

by Jon Barr September 24, 2016
written by Jon Barr

As High Maintenance continues its new life on HBO, we see more types of stories unfold onscreen.

Continue Reading
September 24, 2016 0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
The LatestTV

TV Review: ‘High Maintenance’ [Episode 1]

by Jon Barr September 17, 2016
written by Jon Barr

The stoner-anthology web series returns to HBO with a fantastic set of new, superbly human stories.

Continue Reading
September 17, 2016 0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
The LatestTV

Exclusive: Cast Talks HBO’s ‘High Maintenance’ at NY Premiere

by Adam Hobbins September 16, 2016
written by Adam Hobbins

High Maintenance, the popular web series released between 2012 and 2015 on Vimeo has been transferred to television by HBO. The show was created by the husband and wife of executive producers Ben Sinclair and Katja Blichfield. The show provides idiosyncratic portraits into the lives of seemingly disparate New Yorkers who are all connected by the fact that they buy marijuana from a pot delivery man simply called ‘The Guy’ (played by co-creator Sinclair).

The pair recently attended the New York premiere of their TV show at Metrograph along with the following members of their stellar ensemble cast: Justin Vivian Bond, Peter Friedman, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Shazi Raja, Yael Stone, Dan Stevens, Jennifer Lim, Miriam Shor, Helene Yorke, Kylie Harris, Michael Cyril Creighton, Max Jenkins, Colby Keller, Ismenia Mendes, Chris Roberti, Cathy Trien, Greta Lee, Marisol Miranda, Ryan Woodle, Kevin Mambo, Ben Thys, Lee Tergesen, Hannah Bos, and Candace Thompson.

We caught up with actors Max Jenkins, Helene York, Justin Vivian Bond, and Greta Lee as well as co-creators Blichfield and Sinclair on the red carpet. Catch the interviews below:

So what’s it like being on this different kind of show, this stoner comedy mixed with an anthology series?

Max Jenkins: I trust Ben at Katja with my life. Their writing is all I ever want to do. It’s something I constantly look forward to in my life, the opportunity to meet up with them again, to say their words, and to tell the stories that they’re writing, because they’re stellar stories.

How well do you think their writing captures the New York City spirit, with all the different types of people there are?

Jenkins: I mean, it’s a story of people who are lonely and stressed and need to chill. The story of my character in particular is one that I think is very particular & very specific to New York, in that it’s about this guy who is obsessed with this girl – his best lady-friend – but he’s afraid of new experiences. Because New York is so jilting, and it’s so strange to live here. I think it’s really super New York, particularly my episode.

Did you find you related to your character in a lot of ways?

Jenkins: Well, I grew up in New York, and I’ve lived here my entire life. I spoke to Ben and Katja briefly as they were writing the episode, and we spoke of my experience being a New Yorker and being a gay guy who’s lived here his whole life. This story turned out to be one I’ve wanted to tell my whole life. It’s like, if I could just tell this story in different ways, I’d be so happy as an actor.

Do they usually let the actors share their experiences to help build the stories?

Jenkins: Ben and Katja just know me so well, that they felt cool asking me a couple questions about what it’s like to be a gay man, because they’re not. I don’t know if they necessarily do that very often. I wouldn’t say it’s writing collaboration, because it’s exclusively their brilliant work, but I love that they felt comfortable enough to shoot me a few questions when they had them. In that sense, I feel really involved, and proud to be.

How does your character link into this crazy world of the show?

Helene Yorke: Me and Max Jenkins play the assholes. We did these characters a couple of years ago [on the web series], and we get to revisit those characters and see where they are now, how their relationship has grown – or disintegrated – depending on how you look at it. How two people sort of meet each other and become to need each other in a way that benefits neither of them… We had this relationship with The Guy (Ben Sinclair) where we were banished by him, and he gets connected to Max by happenstance. We’re the kind of people he would never connect with, doesn’t want to connect with, doesn’t want to be around.

So it’s sort of an accidental situation?

Yorke: No, we called him. He just hates us.

So how rooted are your characters, not just in the series, but to the spirit of New York City as a whole?

Yorke: We’re sort of a prototype you see all over the place, which is people who are just completely obsessed with themselves and being a certain way. Making other people seem and sound and feel lesser than. It’s the classic thing of “I do this, and what YOU do is not as great.” To be able to laugh at them with us is really the joy of it.

Max talked about your characters having a very co-dependent relationship. Do you relate to that in any way?

Yorke: Yeah, I think we’ve all been through a relationship that felt co-dependent, whether you’re in it for a month and realize you need out, or several years. I think that co-dependence is something that dangerous, because then you can’t feel or see your own identities without that person. And being able to think of your life at the other side of it is too great to imagine, so it’s what keeps you in for as long as you do.

Were you nervous about the show making the move to HBO?

Greta Lee: I was nervous that the food wasn’t going to get better and, you know, I really wanted to get paid, things like that. Just your typical union concerns. Other than that, good vibes. In all seriousness, it’s all about the vibes. That’s important and they did a good job maintaining that.

I’ve heard a lot of people say ‘Heidi’ is the funniest episode. What’re your thoughts on that?

Lee: Well it’s a contest and I’m really happy that I’ve won. That’s weird, I feel like I should have some sort of medal. That won’t be obnoxious at all. Because that’s what acting is, acting is a contest. That’s very nice. I find it scary how much people say that they can relate to this character, considering her qualities and her psychoses. But it really is amazing the number of people who come up to me and say, ‘I find her so relatable’ and ‘I feel like I know her’. So, to all those people, I’m sorry!

Do you think that there’s a reason why that is?

Lee: I guess a lot of people know a lot of real crazy homeless people! No, I don’t know! I genuinely have no idea why that’s the case. It seems unlikely, right?

Maybe it’s just something about New York.

Lee: Yeah, we do have that sense here that anything can happen in New York and we’re constantly rubbing shoulders and in close proximity to people you’d otherwise never come across.

How does it feel to be here watching the show?

Justin Vivian Bond: It’s very exciting because I’m such a big fan of theirs and the fact that they asked me to be in the show is a little overwhelming. You know, it’s one of those things, but I’m very excited. I feel like a Chihuahua, a little shaky, a little over-excited.

Everybody loves a Chihuahua!

Bond: I hope so! I’m a cat person!

So they knew you beforehand and approached you about coming on the show?

Bond: Well I’m just in one show, I’m a guest.

And what’s your role in that episode?

Bond: Well I don’t know if I’m supposed to tell! I think I’m a surprise. But I play a mother, of course. Typecasting.

How do you relate to your character and the premise of the show?

Bond: Well I love the show, and actually I know some drug runners personally! So it’s nice to see them represented in the media.

It’s all about representation!

Bond: Everybody needs their moment in the sun.

So about your beard: I feel like it’s so attached to your character, do you ever feel like you couldn’t shave it off, even if you wanted to?

Ben Sinclair: I think if I wanted to stop being recognized for my beard then I have this wonderful way of fading into obscurity again by shaving it off. So I love the freedom it gives me for down the road when the FBI is chasing me.

What will they be chasing you for?

Sinclair: Hopefully, making too good of a show. Hopefully they’re like, ‘You’re arrested for exceeding our expectations!’

Going way back before the web series was even a thing, what was the sort of brainchild for this project?

Katja Blichfield: I mean really it was born out of a couple of things. I thought this guy was really entertaining and charming and everybody should know it so now they do, mission accomplished. But also, we’re married and we’re very in love and have been for a long time and I think that’s the romantic ideal if you’re a creative that you can partner up with your romantic partner and be creative. And we didn’t know what that would be so once we landed on the idea it was like we just had to try. We had no idea it would end up like this, but that was sort of the impetus. We just wanted to have something together. Not a baby.

Sinclair: Yeah, all of this is gravy. Working together is the goal for us and all of this is just delightful icing.

Blichfield: Yeah, it’s really cool that it all happened. It’s extra on top.

I feel like this is a very New York story. Do you think this story could be told elsewhere?

Sinclair: I think anybody could tell this story if they had an intimate understanding of how their city worked and people smoke pot everywhere so yeah this could take place anywhere in any language.

Blichfield: We hope it does actually.

And where does your intimate understanding of how New York works come from?

Sinclair: I experienced my twenties in a way where I didn’t feel like I had a net I could fall into. And I got real scrappy at times. So you’ll notice in our show there’s a lot of people scheming. And that’s my input for the show.

Blichfield: I mean, same, yeah, I was a mess. I remember throwing away a twenty dollar bill once and having to go out in an alley and dig through a dumpster to find it. So, you know, twenties were rough.

Additional reporting by Jon Barr.

Photo credits: hbobinge.com

 

High Maintenance premieres Friday, September 16 at 11PM, only on HBO.

September 16, 2016 0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Digital Cover No. 15

The Knockturnal Merch

Follow Us On The Gram

Follow on Instagram

About The Site

We are a collective of creative tastemakers made up of fashion, music and entertainment industry insiders. It’s all about access. You want it. We have it.

Terms Of Use

Privacy Policy

Meet The Team

CONTACT US

For general inquiries and more info on The Knockturnal, please contact our staff at:
info@theknockturnal.com
fashion@theknockturnal.com
advertising@theknockturnal.com
editorial@theknockturnal.com
beauty@theknockturnal.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

© Copyright - The Knockturnal | Developed by CI Design + Media

The Knockturnal
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • Events Film The Kontenders Theater TV All
      Entertainment

      Unlock Your Power at the Stranger Things Experience

      May 18, 2022

      Entertainment

      Antoni Porowski, Leyna Bloom & Nickelodeon Honored at The 2022 GLSEN Respect Awards

      May 18, 2022

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Netflix Hosted and Celebrated the Screening of ‘Stranger Things’ Season 4

      May 17, 2022

      Entertainment

      On The Scene: Rupauls’ Drag Race All Stars 7 Cast Become Window Models…

      May 16, 2022

      Film

      Sabrina Carpenter, RJ Cyler and Entire Cast Celebrate at the Red Carpet Premiere…

      May 19, 2022

      Film

      On The Scene: ‘Pause With Sam Jay’ Special Screening in Brooklyn

      May 18, 2022

      Film

      On the Scene: Keep Lock’s ‘Respect the Jux’ Premiere

      May 14, 2022

      Film

      Exclusive: Cast Talks HBO’s “The Staircase” At New York City Premiere [Video]

      May 12, 2022

      The Kontenders

      Exclusive: Interviews At The 37th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards [video]

      March 15, 2022

      The Kontenders

      Knockturnalist: Top 20 Favorite Films of 2021

      January 9, 2022

      The Kontenders

      The Kontenders: Stepping behind the curtain of “Nightmare Alley”

      December 17, 2021

      The Kontenders

      The Kontendors: The Humanity behind the Refugee Crisis in “Flee”

      December 13, 2021

      Theater

      On The Scene: Deirdre O’Connell, Mandy Gonzalez and more Talk at the 2022…

      May 19, 2022

      Theater

      On The Scene: Meet Your 2022 Tony Award Nominees!

      May 16, 2022

      Theater

      On the Scene: ‘How I Learned To Drive’ Opens on Broadway

      May 16, 2022

      Theater

      The New York Premiere of Our Brother’s Son

      May 9, 2022

      TV

      Exclusive: Hannah Einbinder, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Mark Indelicato, Paul W. Downs, Lucia…

      May 19, 2022

      TV

      Sabrina Carpenter, RJ Cyler and Entire Cast Celebrate at the Red Carpet Premiere…

      May 19, 2022

      TV

      Unlock Your Power at the Stranger Things Experience

      May 18, 2022

      TV

      Sonos Partners with Lorde to Debut a New Sonos Radio Station; Reveals $279…

      May 17, 2022

      Entertainment

      On The Scene: Deirdre O’Connell, Mandy Gonzalez and more Talk at the 2022…

      May 19, 2022

      Entertainment

      Exclusive: Hannah Einbinder, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Mark Indelicato, Paul W. Downs, Lucia…

      May 19, 2022

      Entertainment

      Sabrina Carpenter, RJ Cyler and Entire Cast Celebrate at the Red Carpet Premiere…

      May 19, 2022

      Entertainment

      Unlock Your Power at the Stranger Things Experience

      May 18, 2022

  • Music
    • Koncerts News All
      Events

      Broccoli City Festival takes over RFK Stadium with headliners Summer Walker and Ari…

      May 14, 2022

      Koncerts

      Exclusive: Eloise Alterman Talks New EP “Sad Bird”

      May 6, 2022

      Koncerts

      Treefort is The Good Place

      May 3, 2022

      Koncerts

      On The Scene: Kory Caudill and Wordsmith’s ‘Concert for the Human Family’ With…

      May 2, 2022

      News

      New Music Roundup: Releases You May Have Missed

      May 17, 2022

      News

      On the Scene: Award Winning Song Writers and Producers Talk BMI 70th Annual…

      May 14, 2022

      News

      On the Scene: 70th Annual BMI Pop Awards Pays Tribute To The Best…

      May 11, 2022

      News

      New Music Roundup: Releases You May Have Missed

      May 4, 2022

      Music

      On The Scene: Willow Kayne’s New York debut

      May 18, 2022

      Music

      Exclusive: Tamil-American musician Bhi Bhiman talks upcoming album “I’ll Sleep When I’m Famous”

      May 18, 2022

      Music

      New Music Roundup: Releases You May Have Missed

      May 17, 2022

      Music

      A New York night with Jhayco on his TIMELEZZ World Tour

      May 16, 2022

  • Lifestyle
    • Art Events Fashion & Beauty Sports All
      Art

      Moleskine Detour: Sky High Creativity for Social Change

      May 15, 2022

      Art

      Indira Martinez Dominican Architectural Designer Talks Creating ‘The Home Design Studio’

      May 12, 2022

      Art

      The New York Premiere of Our Brother’s Son

      May 9, 2022

      Art

      Heather Thompson, David Yurman, Lynn Yaeger and many others support Museum of Art…

      May 5, 2022

      Events

      El Cristiano Tequila Celebrates Launch with an Exclusive Tequila Tasting at the San…

      May 18, 2022

      Events

      Sipsmith Gin Embarks on Bold New Journey with Sips of Refinement at NYC…

      May 18, 2022

      Events

      A Glimpse into the 66th Annual Viennese Opera Ball: A Night of Love

      May 18, 2022

      Events

      Playing For Change Foundation Impact Awards Gala & After Party

      May 17, 2022

      Fashion & Beauty

      HBO Max’s LEGENDARY Celebrates “Into the Future of Fashion” in honor of the…

      May 17, 2022

      Fashion & Beauty

      The KnockturnaLIST: Editors’ Picks 2022

      May 17, 2022

      Fashion & Beauty

      On The Scene: The 2022 Inaugural SpeakOut “I am” Awards

      May 3, 2022

      Fashion & Beauty

      Exclusive: JcPenney Unveils New Marilyn Monroe Capsule Collection

      May 3, 2022

      Sports

      NINJA Undergoes Full Rebrand by Creative Studio EAT

      April 20, 2022

      Sports

      On the Scene: Red Bull Dance Your Style

      March 31, 2022

      Sports

      Exclusive: Cast of ‘Winning Time’ on HBO’s Power Play of Lakers Drama, Comedy,…

      March 7, 2022

      Sports

      How the NFL is Making Money in Entertainment Post Super Bowl

      February 26, 2022

      Lifestyle

      El Cristiano Tequila Celebrates Launch with an Exclusive Tequila Tasting at the San…

      May 18, 2022

      Lifestyle

      Sipsmith Gin Embarks on Bold New Journey with Sips of Refinement at NYC…

      May 18, 2022

      Lifestyle

      A Glimpse into the 66th Annual Viennese Opera Ball: A Night of Love

      May 18, 2022

      Lifestyle

      Playing For Change Foundation Impact Awards Gala & After Party

      May 17, 2022

  • News
  • Videos
  • Covers
  • Merch