There comes a time in every generation’s lifespan where the “hip” shows directly appeal to them. With Millennials slowly drifting out of the coveted 18-35 demo, it is now Gen Z’s time to shine. Adults isn’t the first show to cater to the tastes of the younger generation, but it is the first in some time to do it so blatantly. In some ways, the marketing feels like a throwback to a time when networks made a more concerted effort to attract younger people. Whether or not the show succeeds in that regard is best left up to people actually in that age range.
Created by former Tonight Show writers Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw, Adults follows a quintet of twenty-somethings as they navigate the complexities of adulthood together. In other words, it’s a hangout sitcom like Friends or How I Met Your Mother. The series is more down to Earth than those programs. Our young cast deals with joblessness, medical debt, and the looming sense of dread that comes with your post-college years. It’s a potentially heavy subject but treated with a light, goofy touch. You know deep down that these kids will be just fine.
A hangout sitcom lives and dies with its cast and Adults assembles a charming crew. Malik Elassal holds the group together as the sweet-natured Samir. His parents, mostly abandoned, house serves as a residence for the entire group. Lucy Freyer plays Billie, who has a season runner of wracking up untold amounts of debt. Amita Rao brings energy to Issa while keeping her bubbly personality in check. Owen Thiele plays the closest thing to a calm character as Anton. By far, the standout is Jack Innanen’s Paul Baker. Paul Baker, always referred to by his full name, is the newest group member by virtue of his relationship with Issa. He provides an outsider perspective while never really questioning any of the antics our group gets up to.
The show mostly sticks to episodic stories, but sprinkles in a few serialized elements throughout. There’s the running story of Billie’s unemployment and a fantastic guest arc by Charlie Cox. These segments help maintain a level of continuity that makes us feel more like a part of this weird gang. If there’s anything holding the series back, it’s the short episode order. With only 8 episodes in the season, there isn’t enough time to fully connect with the whole cast and it leaves some characters less developed.
Adults offers a slice of Gen Z life that feels familiar to anyone who’s experienced their early 20s. It’s a tricky balance, but the show nails it thanks to a game cast that provides solid laughs. Early adulthood is a strange and difficult time, but in the grand scheme of it all, it doesn’t last very long. Hopefully, these adults take their time growing up.
Adults is currently streaming on Hulu.