I love comedy. It took me years to accept that, but once I noticed myself excited to watch Saturday Night Live every week, I had to come to terms with the fact that I had become a comedy fan. And it makes total sense. All my favorite shows are very chaotic and over the top—I’m a big fan of Glee, Good Omens, and 9-1-1, which are certainly not the most serious shows in existence. So, when I heard about Adults on Twitter, of course, I knew I just had to watch it.
Adults is a half-hour comedy that follows a group of friends living in New York City. As a long-time New York lover, I saw the first season right after it was released, and recently rewatched it in preparation for season two, which came out on Aug. 27.
Samir is the glue of the group, as the five main characters live in his parents’ house. He struggles to be the man of the house and find an adult job, facing insecurities and anxieties. His college roommate, Anton, is the only one in the group with an adult job and is also the most charismatic man you will ever meet. Anton’s greatest gift and weakness is his ability to become instant friends with every person he encounters.
Billie, Samir’s childhood friend, tries to be the most responsible one of the group. She was certainly voted most likely to succeed in high school but is now grappling with finding that success in her adult life and the fear of having peaked in her youth. Another character in our core group is Issa. Chaotic, bubbly, and sexy, she’s the most outgoing of the group and the one who introduced the most recent addition, Paul Baker, to the mix. Her boyfriend, Paul Baker, is Canadian and painfully nice, immediately endearing himself to the friend group.
Before the release of season two, a special episode was posted on Hulu, featuring the introduction of Paul Baker to the group, titled “Marathon Day.” This episode was a wonderful addition to the story, expanding on the characters and showcasing Issa’s tendency to bring in strays. As a prequel, it appears on Hulu before the original pilot episode, so new viewers aren’t shocked at the subway scene.
The new episode had plenty of fun moments, but it also showcased the main issue with the series format. Unlike previous half-hour comedies, Adults has a small season order, only releasing eight episodes each year. An entire season of this show can be watched in less than four hours, making the waits seem excessive.
Now, after the release of season two, the burgeoning relationship between Paul Baker and Anton is being described as a slow burn online. However, I struggle to label it as such when there are only nine episodes to develop their dynamic. Queer slow burns are incredibly rare in mainstream media, so drawing out the story and adding more tension to the relationship could have been a great way to stand out in a genre that is often critiqued for being rushed and hypersexual.
Despite its length, Adults has already established itself as an important piece of media for directionless Gen Zers. The characters undergo relatable situations about the stress of maturing, such as managing hospital bills and exuding professionalism. These situations are obviously amplified for comedic intent, but they also show viewers that you don’t need to have your entire life mapped out immediately after college. People’s paths shift as they develop new interests and skills; no one’s life is linear, and series like Adults show the potential we all have.
One episode from season one really stood out to me: “House Rules.” The friends come up with rules for each other, ranging from getting a job to finding a hookup. It’s a silly bit, but it also shows how much the characters know and love each other. They know each other’s shortcomings and want each other to succeed and find joy in life. The friendship chemistry is palpable, which is super impressive as it’s only the fifth episode.
I truly need more from this group. This show is so fun and a light in a world that can be daunting or overwhelming. Fingers crossed Adults receives a swift renewal—and an expanded season order.