Adults: Gen Z Hangout Comedy Revives Sitcom Genre

The Gen Z hangout comedy "Adults," created by Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw, premieres its second season on FX. The show follows five twentysomething housemates living in the childhood home of Samir (Malik Elassal) in outer Queens, New York. The ensemble includes Anton (Owen Thiele), Billie (Lucy Freyer), Issa (Amita Rao), and Paul Baker (Jack Innanen). The series is noted for its fresh take on the hangout sitcom, moving away from the traditional coffee shop setting to a cozy family home, and for its unapologetically left politics, including an irreverent abortion subplot and queer storylines. The show's second season introduces more traditional sitcom elements, with characters grappling with the anxieties of aging and career uncertainty. The series is part of a comeback of the hangout sitcom genre, alongside Rachel Sennott's "I Love LA" and Mindy Kaling's "Not Suitable for Work." "Adults" has been praised for its sharp observations and unique plotlines, though it has been critiqued for its reluctance to delve into the inner lives of its characters. The show features guest appearances by Julia Fox, Zosia Mamet, and Raven-Symoné.