The Rise of Gen Z-Led Comedy and What It Means for TV’s Future
In a media world chasing nostalgia and safe reboots, FX’s Adults is a hard pivot into the unexpected—and the unapologetically current.
While the sitcom format might evoke comparisons to Friends or New Girl, the similarities end at the structure. Adults, with its TikTok-famous cast and edgy scripts, does something legacy shows didn’t: it hands the reins of creativity to actual 20-somethings telling their own story.
What sets this series apart isn’t just the tone—it’s the creative DNA.
Writers and co-creators Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw, both former Tonight Show writers in their twenties, built the show around the idea of friendship as a survival tactic in a fractured world.
Executive produced by Nick Kroll, Adults goes further than a typical hangout comedy. It takes real risks—both narratively and structurally—showing that FX isn’t afraid to trust a younger generation with big creative freedom.
When Writers and Cast Are the Same Age, the Story Hits Different
Unlike typical sitcoms written by older creatives for younger characters, Adults is a show made by and for its generation.
That detail matters. Whether it’s tackling abortion access through absurdity or opening the series with a public masturbation scene, the content feels authentic, not calculated.
The creators cast Lucy Freyer, Jack Innanen, Owen Thiele, Amita Rao, and Malik Elassal—performers with backgrounds in standup, TikTok, improv, and podcasting—based on chemistry and range, not fame.
And while the showrunners orchestrated intense bonding rituals to simulate real friendship, the result wasn’t just strong performances—it was the creation of a real ensemble.
That authenticity is what’s striking a chord with younger viewers looking for comedy that feels like their own experience, not their parents’.
Not Just Performers—Content Creators with Cultural Capital
One of the most telling signals of a changing TV landscape is how each cast member of FX’s Adults has a background in self-made entertainment.
TikTok star Jack Innanen and podcast talent Owen Thiele aren’t just actors—they’re creators with their own audiences, voices, and platforms.
That’s what Adults taps into—this generation doesn’t wait for permission to tell stories.
They’ve been writing sketches on Instagram, directing web series, and creating viral content on their phones.
What FX did was recognize this shift, and instead of molding these voices into a network’s brand, they built a series around them.
A Blueprint for the Future of Gen Z Sitcoms
With FX’s Adults, we’re looking at the possible future of serialized comedy. No laugh tracks. No forced romances. Just raw, hyper-relevant storytelling from the voices that live the chaos they’re writing about.
This is more than a one-off experiment; it’s a signal to the industry. If networks want to stay relevant with younger demographics, they need to move from gatekeeping to greenlighting creatives who already know how to build audiences on their own.
FX’s decision to give Adults this platform could be remembered as a turning point—a moment when traditional TV didn’t just adapt to the internet age, but invited it in and handed it a drink.
Why ‘FX’s Adults’ Is Worth Watching
FX’s Adults is more than a sitcom—it’s a snapshot of what comedy can look like in a post-sitcom world. With raw performances, grounded characters, and daring writing, it may not be for everyone—but for viewers craving something authentic, it’s a gem.
From the show’s fearless opening to its deeply collaborative cast, FX’s Adults signals the arrival of a new kind of ensemble show—one that doesn’t just hang out, but hits hard.
Adults is an ensemble comedy series created by Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw about a group of friends in their twenties experiencing adulthood in Queens, New York. The show premiered on FX on May 28, 2025. A twenty-something ensemble comedy centering on codependent housemates navigating adulthood together despite their flaws.
