Bad On Paper Podcast: Episode Summary

Title: How Realistic is “Younger”’s Portrayal of the Publishing Industry?
Hosts: Becca Freeman & Olivia Muenter
Release Date: February 19, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Bad On Paper, hosts Becca Freeman and Olivia Muenter delve into a thoughtful analysis of the TV show Younger, particularly focusing on its depiction of the publishing industry. As Younger experiences a resurgence on Netflix, the duo examines the show's realism, discussing various aspects of the publishing world as portrayed through the lens of the sitcom’s narrative.

Highs and Lows

Before diving into their main discussion, Becca and Olivia share personal highs and lows, creating a relatable and intimate atmosphere for listeners.

Becca’s High

Becca shares her excitement about visiting an art café named Happy Medium, describing it as "an art cafe where you can engage in various art projects like pottery painting, watercolors, and more" (01:00). She emphasizes the venue's affordability and the relaxing environment, stating, "I want it to exist everywhere because it scratches such a specific itch of wanting to hang out with your friends but not eating or drinking" (02:38).

Olivia’s High

Olivia recounts attending an event at her local bookstore featuring authors Rebecca Mackay and Danelle Mengestu. She highlights the enriching experience of interacting with established writers and the excitement of supporting fellow authors (04:22). Additionally, Olivia shares a humorous anecdote about her stick figure drawing of a character, which gained unexpected attention, making her feel both thrilled and humiliated (06:07).

Becca’s Low

Becca discusses feeling under the weather, experiencing mild symptoms and uncertainty about her health, which impacts her energy levels (10:29).

Olivia’s Low

Olivia expresses her frustration with persistent winter weather, particularly dealing with snow and ice that disrupt her daily life (08:01). She laments the "endless winter" but remains optimistic about surviving it (08:43).

Main Discussion: Analyzing “Younger”

The core of the episode revolves around dissecting the portrayal of the publishing industry in Younger, assessing its accuracy and entertainment value.

Initial Impressions and Nostalgia

• Wardrobe and Era Depiction: Olivia is struck by the show's wardrobe, finding it reminiscent of her late college days. She remarks, “I cannot believe we dressed this way” (14:44), highlighting the nostalgic elements of the characters' fashion choices. Becca concurs, noting that the show felt chic at the time of its release (15:48).

• Cheesiness and Writing Quality: Both hosts acknowledge the show's cheesiness, especially in its first season. Olivia mentions, “I was like, wow, it was pretty bad,” referring to certain dialogues and character interactions that felt forced (17:44). Becca reflects on the show’s trajectory, suggesting that the emotional depth and dialogue improve over time (17:51).

Realism in Portrayal of the Publishing Industry

Office Environment

• Aesthetic vs. Practicality: Becca critiques the show's portrayal of the publishing office as light, bright, and minimalist, contrasting it with her real-life experience of publishing offices being more cluttered and utilitarian. She notes, “There wasn't very much book clutter in this office. It was just, like, light and bright and pretty minimalist” (29:00).

• Roles and Responsibilities: Olivia questions the depiction of roles within the publishing house, particularly the portrayal of Diana Trout, the head of marketing, and her interactions. They discuss the ambiguity of job titles and responsibilities, leading to some confusion about the actual dynamics in a publishing office (20:35).

Slush Pile and Manuscript Handling

• Inaccurate Representation: Both hosts critique the show's representation of the slush pile, noting that major publishing houses typically require manuscripts to be submitted through agents, rather than having a physical slush pile of unsolicited manuscripts. Becca explains, “Big five publishing houses don't accept unagented manuscripts” (29:33).

• Role of Agents: Olivia emphasizes the importance of literary agents in the submission process, arguing that the show's portrayal overlooks this crucial aspect, making the discovery of authors directly by editors unrealistic (30:42).

Marketing Campaigns

• Exaggerated Marketing Efforts: Becca points out that the show's marketing campaigns, such as grandiose authorship promotions and viral marketing stunts, are more exaggerated than what typically occurs in real-life publishing. She contrasts this with actual industry practices focused more on professional gatherings and book fairs (25:13).

• Merchandising: They discuss the reality of branded merchandise in publishing, agreeing that while the show incorporates elements like T-shirts, the scale and integration of such marketing efforts are overstated (26:19).

Author-Publisher Relationships

• Portrayal of Authors: The discussion touches on how the show often depicts authors as either difficult or engaged in unethical behavior, which Becca finds unrealistic. She mentions, “every author is either crossing a really bad line or, like, at one point, they plagiarize a story” (35:09).

• Professional Boundaries: Olivia raises concerns about scenarios where editors and authors cross professional boundaries, questioning the show's handling of such relationships and its implications for real-life publishing ethics (32:23).

Character Dynamics and Plotlines

• Main Characters: Becca and Olivia analyze the relationships between characters, especially focusing on Kelsey (Becca's character) navigating her role in publishing while maintaining her facade as a younger individual. They debate the credibility of her motivations and financial decisions, suggesting that her pursuit of a lower-paying job might not align with realistic career progression (19:38, 22:39).

• Romantic Subplots: The transition from Kelsey’s relationship with Josh to Charles is discussed, with both hosts expressing preferences and critiques about the chemistry and dialogue associated with these relationships. Olivia favors Charles due to his natural chemistry with Kelsey, while Becca supports Charles’ more age-appropriate relationship dynamics (48:09, 49:02).

Comparison with Other Industry Portrayals

• The Bold Type vs. Younger: Becca briefly compares Younger to other industry-focused shows like The Bold Type, suggesting that Younger might offer a less realistic but more dramatized portrayal of the publishing world (44:26). Olivia expresses interest in watching The Bold Type to compare its accuracy.

• Historical Publishing Depictions: Becca reminisces about vintage portrayals of the publishing industry, mentioning figures like Sunny Meadow and their infamous office parties, suggesting that Younger could benefit from incorporating more historical or realistic elements (33:24).

Insights and Conclusions

Realism vs. Entertainment: Becca and Olivia conclude that while Younger offers an entertaining and engaging narrative, its portrayal of the publishing industry leans heavily towards dramatization and simplification. Elements such as office dynamics, manuscript submissions, and author-publisher relationships are often exaggerated or inaccurately represented for the sake of storytelling.

Potential Improvements: The hosts suggest that future seasons of Younger could benefit from a more nuanced depiction of publishing practices. Topics like celebrity book clubs, the intricacies of book tours, and genuine internal office politics would add depth and authenticity to the show's representation of the industry.

Character Development: They emphasize the importance of natural chemistry and realistic dialogue in portraying professional relationships within publishing. Improved character interactions, especially regarding professional boundaries and ethical considerations, could enhance the show's credibility.

Overall Verdict: Younger serves as a "TVified version" of the publishing industry, striking a balance between reality and fiction. While it may not offer an accurate depiction of the intricacies of publishing, it succeeds in providing an entertaining narrative that resonates with audiences through relatable characters and engaging storylines.

Additional Discussions

Beyond the main topic, Becca and Olivia share updates on their personal lives, including current TV show obsessions like Lost and Severance, and their ongoing reading habits. They also discuss upcoming book club selections and ways for listeners to engage with them via social media and newsletters.

Notable Quotes

• Becca Freeman: "I want it to exist everywhere because it scratches such a specific itch of wanting to hang out with your friends but not eating or drinking." (02:38)

• Olivia Mentor: "I cannot believe we dressed this way." (14:44)

• Becca Freeman: "Everyone except for the big, big authors would probably be grateful that Diana wants to do anything for them." (35:31)

• Olivia Mentor: "I don't think every big author is that way. I think there are a few CANs." (35:53)

Conclusion

This episode of Bad On Paper offers a comprehensive and insightful critique of Younger's portrayal of the publishing industry. Through thoughtful analysis and personal anecdotes, Becca Freeman and Olivia Muenter provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the show's strengths and shortcomings in representing the realities of the literary world. Whether you're a fan of Younger or interested in the intricacies of the publishing industry, this episode delivers valuable perspectives and engaging dialogue.

Note: Timestamps in square brackets reference the corresponding times in the transcript for easy navigation.