Adults

Summary

Pop Culture Happy Hour: "Adults" Episode Summary

Release Date: June 4, 2025
Host: Aisha Harris
Guests: Candice Lim, Kiana Fitzgerald

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Introduction

In this episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour, hosted by Aisha Harris, the discussion centers around the Gen Z-centric sitcom "Adults." The show, which premiered on Hulu, portrays a group of friends navigating their twenties while cohabiting in Queens, New York. The conversation delves into character dynamics, thematic elements, and the show's reception among the hosts and guests.

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Overview of "Adults"

"Adults" follows five main characters:

• Anton (Owen Thiel): Highly sociable with a job he lacks passion for.
• Billy (Lucy Frayer): The group's hustler.
• Issa (Amita Rao): A flighty goofball.
• Paul Baker (Jack Innon): Issa's kind-hearted and ditzy Canadian boyfriend.
• Samir (Malik Alassel): The messiest member, living rent-free with friends while his parents are away.

The show explores the challenges of adulthood, including financial struggles and personal relationships, often infused with humor and relatable scenarios.

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Hosts' and Guests' Perspectives

Initial Impressions and Cringe Factor

• Candice Lim (Co-host of Slate's ICYMI Podcast & Former Producer): Described the show as initially "excruciating" and "cringy," especially in the first two episodes where the portrayal felt forced. (07:01) However, she acknowledged improvements in later episodes, highlighting "callbacks" and character development that added depth.

• Kiana Fitzgerald (Author and Freelance Writer): Expressed skepticism about the show's authenticity, questioning whether it serves as a "recession indicator" due to its timing alongside similar shows like "Overcompensating." She felt the characters seemed written from a distance rather than from genuine Gen Z experiences. (05:27)

Comparison to Other Sitcoms

• The hosts compared "Adults" to classics like "Friends," "How I Met Your Mother," and "Broad City," noting similarities in group dynamics and humor. However, they also highlighted differences in tone and character development, especially with the inclusion of serious themes like sexual assault.

• Aisha Harris likened parts of the show to "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," particularly in how characters confront and question their actions, such as Samir's introspection about his relationships post-accusation of sexual assault. (08:00)

Socioeconomic Themes and Representation

• Kiana Fitzgerald pointed out the show's depiction of privilege and "stealth wealth," noting that the characters live rent-free, implying financial stability that might not resonate with all viewers. She questioned the authenticity of friendships when one member, like Samir, benefits from others' generosity without apparent strain. (12:06)

• The discussion touched on the lack of socioeconomic diversity, with characters appearing to be from upper-middle-class backgrounds. This absence of struggle could alienate some viewers who seek more relatable hardships in adulthood.

Handling of Sensitive Topics

• The show addresses issues like sexual assault and abortion. Aisha Harris praised the episode handling a teenager seeking an abortion, noting it was "handled so well" and effectively merged different tonal elements. (18:32)

• Conversely, some character interactions and storylines were seen as inconsistent or abrupt, such as the neighborhood stabber subplot, which seemed to blend various comedic and dramatic elements in a way that felt unearned to some hosts. (17:46)

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Character Dynamics and Development

• Anton’s interactions, especially his flirtation with a neighborhood stabber, were highlighted as both humorous and concerning. This plotline was seen as an attempt to introduce drama but may have lacked proper development. (16:34)

• Paul Baker's character was well-received for his fluidity and charm, making him a favorite among the hosts. His storyline involving visa issues added timely political undertones to the show. (15:26)

• The chemistry among the cast was initially questioned but gradually improved, with hosts acknowledging that the characters found their "groove" as the season progressed. (07:48)

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Production and Casting Choices

• Kiana Fitzgerald appreciated the inclusion of relatively unknown actors, citing Owen Thiel as the most recognizable due to his podcast. The decision to cast less famous actors was seen as a risk that ultimately paid off in terms of natural chemistry among the cast. (19:39)

• The show's marketing strategy, including uploading the first episode in segmented parts on TikTok, aimed to engage the Gen Z audience effectively. This approach reflects a shift in how traditional sitcoms are promoted and consumed in the digital age. (12:03)

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Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The episode concluded with the hosts expressing a generally positive outlook on "Adults," despite initial reservations about its cringy moments and inconsistent tone. They acknowledged the show's attempt to blend humor with serious themes and appreciated its reflection of Gen Z's unique challenges and perspectives.

• Aisha Harris: Emphasized the importance of intergenerational conversations to better understand and critique contemporary media. (21:27)

• Candice Lim: Highlighted the show's ability to connect with viewers once they acclimated to its rhythm and humor. (20:47)

• Kiana Fitzgerald: Remained cautiously optimistic, noting that while the show has potential, its success hinges on character development and maintaining authentic relationships among the cast. (20:40)

Overall, "Adults" is portrayed as a sitcom that attempts to capture the essence of modern adulthood among Gen Z, balancing humor with real-life issues. While it may not resonate with everyone initially, its evolving dynamics and relatable themes offer a promising addition to the friendship sitcom genre.

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Notable Quotes:

• Candice Lim (07:01): "I just had to cover my face and not look at what was going on. I was like, I can't do this."

• Kiana Fitzgerald (12:06): "I think this show is about not feeling bad for a friend group who I think are pretty much variations of the exact same person and ethos."

• Aisha Harris (18:32): "I thought that was just handled so well. That's the best of them."

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For more insights and discussions on the latest in pop culture, tune into Pop Culture Happy Hour on NPR.

Transcript

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[Aisha Harris]

Every generation gets its own versions of a 20 somethings Hank out and make mistakes Sitcom Living Single Friends How I met your mother, Broad City and now Gen Z's got Adults, a silly new series about a group of friends cohabitating in Queens, New York. As always, trying to be responsible while being young, dumb and barely able to afford health insurance is a challenge. But it also makes for fun and possibly all too relatable TV fodder. I'm Aisha Harris and today we're talking about Adults on Pop Culture Happy Hour from npr.

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[Candice Lim]

Podcast this message comes from Square. You probably know Square from your favorite local spots, but you might not know that there's a lot more to Square than meets the eye. What started as a little white card reader is now being used to rapidly scale, build loyal followings, cover cash flow gaps and expand to new locations. Wherever your business is growing, Square meets you there. Go to square.com go NPR to learn more.

[Aisha Harris]

I'm Tonya Moseley, co host of Fresh Air. At a time of sound bites and short attention spans, our show is all about the deep dive. We do long form interviews with people behind the best in film, books, tv, music and journalism. Here our guests open up about their process and their lives and in ways you've never heard before. Listen to the Fresh Air podcast from NPR and WHYY.

[Candice Lim]

On the latest Pop Culture Happy Hour monthly bonus episode. We're talking about some of the video games and board games we like to play in our free time. If you want to hear this episode or other episodes about things like movie theater etiquette or about how we make the show sign up for Pop Culture Happy Hour. Plus, it's a great way to support us and listen to the show sponsor free at the same time. Find out [e-mail] Happy.

[Aisha Harris]

Joining us today is co host of Slate's ICYMI podcast and former Pop Culture Happy Hour producer Candice Lim. Welcome back, Candace.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

Hello, Aisha.

[Aisha Harris]

Great to have you. We've got basically a little PCHH mini reunion of alumni. Also with us is author and freelance writer Kiana Fitzgerald, who also worked on Pop Culture Happy Hour as a producer once upon a time. Hey, Kiana. Welcome.

[Candice Lim]

Hello. Thank you so much. So happy to be here.

[Aisha Harris]

It's so great to be here and to talk about this show, of which I think we all have many, many thoughts. And it's gonna be fun. We're gonna. It's gonna feel like an episode of Adults here. We'll all get the vibe. So there are five main friends in Adults. Owen Thiel plays Anton, who's highly sociable and has a job he barely cares about.

[Candice Lim]

Okay, can you guys do this in truly any other part of the house? I have to go off mute in a second and say, uh huh. Or else I get an email. Yeah.

[Aisha Harris]

Lucy Frayer plays Billy the type, a hustler of the group.

[Candice Lim]

I literally sent myself to the hospital because of a work email. I mean, that is mortifying.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

It's not good.

[Candice Lim]

I'm done. I'm unclenching.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

Yeah, yeah.

[Candice Lim]

I'm starting from scratch with a looser freer.

[Aisha Harris]

Amita Rao is Issa a flighty goofball. Her hookup turned new boyfriend is the kind hearted and ditzy Canadian Paul Baker, played by Jack Innon.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

So are you living chastely?

[Aisha Harris]

Yes, super chastely. Chastity. Chastity Chaste. The rainbow.

[Candice Lim]

No, that's what's going on with you.

[Aisha Harris]

No, that's not true, Father. We have sex all the time. Well, that is true.

[Candice Lim]

Thank you.

[Aisha Harris]

To conceive.

[Candice Lim]

No.

[Aisha Harris]

Yes. And finally there's Samir, played by Malik Alassel. I'd say he's probably the messiest of the bunch.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

Social Security number.

[Candice Lim]

Um.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

You don't know your social.

[Candice Lim]

No, I do.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

It's just that my mom, she knows.

[Aisha Harris]

The out of it. Been there, been there. But at least, at least he's saving money by living in his childhood home with all these friends while his parents are away on a very, very long trip. It's like Gilligan's Island. I don't know. It's like a three hour tour turns into weeks, months. It's strange, but good for them. The series touches on a lot of things 20 somethings face, including sexual assault radio, which will come up in the conversation today. Adults is streaming on Hulu now. And Candice, I'm going to start with you. Tell me, are you an adult?

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

And I turn it back to you by asking, is this show a recession indicator? Because. Okay, so here's ideal. I like this show enough. I think it is interesting that this show is coming out around the same time as another show on prime called Overcompensating, which has like similar DNA. Overcompensating. It stars Benito Skinner. It takes place in college. This show is kind of post college. This show is not as good as Overcompensating. I do think it's better than sex lives of college girls. But I wonder if part of my middling okayness with it is the fact that Ben Cronengold and Rebecca Shaw, they are the creators of the show. They kind of came from the Tonight show with Jimmy Fallon world. They are one year older than me. We technically are in Gen Z, but I am at the tippy toppy of Gen Z. So they are like tippy toppy plus one. Is it possible that this show is written about people from a distance versus from a lived experience? There's something, something not fully connecting with me there. But I will say, if anything, I do like the chemistry. It reminds me a lot of sitcoms. I love that you listed. I think it's most like how I met your mother, but I don't cringe at it. I'm kind of okay with the comedic, like, timing of it all. Mm.

[Aisha Harris]

Mm. That's interesting that you say you don't cringe at it because, Kiana, we were talking before we started taping and you said this was a very cringy show for you. Tell me more.

[Candice Lim]

Oh, my goodness. It was excruciating for me. I'm not gonna lie.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

Yeah.

[Candice Lim]

Toward the later part of the season, I started to kind of feel better about it, but when I watched the first episode, I was like, okay, that's what I'm in for. Sure. And then I started the second episode and I was like, I can't. I need a break. I just, I couldn't handle two episodes in a row. That said there are some really fun, like, small moments throughout that make it worth it. There are a lot of, like, callbacks that run throughout the show that I think are really special and tie everything up together. But I don't know if it was worth it for me to experience as much as I did. There were so many where I just had to cover my face and not look at what was going on. I was like, I can't do this. So it's so interesting that Candace didn't feel cringy at all.

[Aisha Harris]

Well, wait, can I pull on that a little bit more? Like, is it the sense of humor? Is it just too relatable? Like what? Like, does it hit too close to home? Like, what?

[Candice Lim]

That's a good question.

[Aisha Harris]

I.

[Candice Lim]

You know, we've all been in our 20s. We've all experienced some BS. So, you know, there are some relatable moments, especially when I think about, ironically enough, my NPR crew. When I first started as an intern, we were a hot mess. I feel bad saying that publicly, but we were. And it reminded me a lot of that in some moments. But for the most part, it was the length and the depth of the cringe. It was just. That was intentional, and that's the point and the purpose. But I don't know if everybody enjoys that kind of content. But I still feel like I connected better with the show toward the end.

[Aisha Harris]

Yeah, I think I lie kind of in the same general area as both of you. I felt. And this is, I think, just common for most sitcoms like this in any TV show that's first starting. But, like, especially if it's a show where it's like, we're all gonna hang and we have to expect, like, these characters have been friends for a very long time. And it's like, that chemistry has to be there out the gate. Like, it has to be there from the beginning. And for me, it did feel. I've listed all those TV shows. I also was getting, to some extent, like, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. I feel like it has some similar vibes going on there, especially because the very first episode is focused on a character, a side character who's not, like, part of the main group, but a side character who is accusing someone else of sexual assault. Which leads Samir to question whether he has ever gone too far with some of the women he's dated, and to search and literally ask them, like, have I gone too far?

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

Hey, you don't think I've ever, like, what, like, crossed the line?

[Candice Lim]

What, sexually? Shabir? No, obviously not. I mean, when would you have crossed the line?

[Aisha Harris]

I don't know.

[Candice Lim]

You just said that men don't realize.

[Aisha Harris]

Half the time, so half the time I wouldn't have realized. That premise itself feels very. We're throwing you in the deep end right from the beginning. And you're gonna learn to swim or you're not. You're either swimming with us or you're not. I wanted it to feel a little bit less derivative of all these other shows that I was thinking of, especially. I mean, I think Issa Amita Rao, she's very funny, but she also. I feel as though someone could have told her, you're going to be the Ilana Glazer of this show. And I don't think it's her so much as it is, like, the dialogue and what is written. I'm having, like the worst time at this hospital today. And I know that sounds cringe. Cause there are like cancer kids here, but I'm just like, my friends just weren't taking me seriously. But it did feel. Oh, man, I wish you could find your own groove. And I do think by the end of the season, it finds its own groove in a way. I know the people who, as you said, Candace, the people who wrote the show, they are like cuspers, I guess, just on the edge of Gen Z. But it kind of pushes back on this idea that Gen Z doesn't go for cringe humor or doesn't go for that. But I'm curious what you think about. Does this feel like a Gen Z show? Like, does it feel specific to the times? Yeah.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

So this is me talking about my community. Thank you so much. So I think the main question I ask when walking into a sitcom surrounding a friend group, and let's be very specific, they are also housemates, is would I hang out with these people? I'm going to say no, because I think this show is trying to be different for a few reasons. The first one is that marketing wise and you know, they put the first episode on TikTok broken up into like 13 parts. That's what Paramount did when they put mean girls on TikTok. And so a part of me was like, okay, they're clearly trying to get at Gen Z. They're trying to get at the audience that the show is about. That's allegedly who wrote the show as well. I do want to talk about the socioeconomics and the dynamics of the show, because I think four to eight years ago, if this show had come out, I would hate it for a million reasons. One being like, it's so politically insensitive. The way that they have no background boundaries with each other is wild. The way they're going to the restroom is wild.

[Aisha Harris]

What's wrong? Period Cramps? No, she's two weeks out. Oh, I'm sorry.

[Candice Lim]

Bills okay. Open up. What? Yeah, I'm gonna pee between your legs. You've been in here, like, all day.

[Aisha Harris]

No, you're the best at that.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

But the other thing is that, like, four years ago, I think the biggest criticism would be the fact that none of these people seem below upper middle class. I think this show has, like, a stealth wealth hidden underneath it, which is that I think this show is about not feeling bad for a friend group who I think are pretty much variations of the exact same person and ethos, and not feeling bad that they grew up without struggles. I mean, for example, Samir doesn't have a job. He, like, falls into a fintech job, and he actually bunks the interview for a very valid reason. Yeah, but he just becomes a gig worker just because the fact that his parents own the home in Queens that he lives in with his friends and they don't pay any rent. I mean, the question that they never bring up is, like, if I was Samir, I would spend every single day of my waking life asking, are my friends really my friends because they want to be my friend or is it because I give them free rent? I'm. I'm their landlord. I'm their landlord. And doesn't really come up. But on top of that, I think this is a group of friends who started on second base and they don't have the ambition or energy or grit to even try to go to home base. And the question is, can you live with that? Or is that cringe to you, or do you know people like that? Or is that you?

[Aisha Harris]

Mm.

[Candice Lim]

Ah.

[Aisha Harris]

Candace. Dropping gems and not like they're uncut. I wanna. I wanna come back to those uncut gems. But, Kiana, can you respond to that? Like, what does that make sense?

[Candice Lim]

Yeah. I mean, I really appreciate Candice for being so, like, in depth and specific about the optics of it, because watching it, I was just like, you know, in hindsight, yes, they are privileged. Like, it's very clear. Like, every step of the way, they are displaying their privilege in great, great amounts. So it does feel as though they are not pretending, but they're moving through life in a way that they're acknowledging that they do need help. Candace, you are. You're on point.

[Aisha Harris]

You seem stunted in a way.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

I mean, my whole thing too is. I think the show is willing to say, just because you have friends does not mean you have community or accountability.

[Aisha Harris]

Okay, so I see your point, and I absolutely think you. Again, you have blown my mind in ways that I haven't really thought about. But I also do think, and maybe this is part of the, like, Trojan horsing. It's the stealth wealth thing. Like, this show, to me, stood out because, a, you do have all these people living in the same house who, like, most of them, are not paying well. None of. I don't think any of them are.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

None of them are.

[Aisha Harris]

I mean, if you were in your 20s. If I was in my 20s, and I could do that, I absolutely would do that. Come on, now. It's expensive. I guess what I think is interesting is the fact that they are, you know, living in Queens, and they do seem to struggle a little bit. Like, there's an entire episode dedicated to one of them maybe not having health insurance or, like, rushing to do the health. So, like, it's a tricky balance to strike. But I also do understand your point, Candice.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

No, no, no. Go in, go in.

[Aisha Harris]

I guess what I'm curious about is one of the things that comes up is that Paul Baker is Canadian and his visa is coming up, and that also feels very, very timely. What of that? Like, what.

[Candice Lim]

In.

[Aisha Harris]

In general, just, like, what do you make of the political tones that this show tries to strike? Kiana?

[Candice Lim]

Yeah, I feel like they're definitely trying to inject a lot of perspective and opinion into it. You know, Paul Baker's character is notoriously fluid. He has some moments with another character on the show that are surprising. But toward the end, we kind of see how it all comes together.

[Aisha Harris]

I feel like I saw that coming from a mile away, but maybe that's just me.

[Candice Lim]

Yeah, I mean, I guess I was just. I saw it in motion, but I was like, are they gonna do this? And then, of course, I should have known that they would because they did everything else. So, yeah, I think the Paul Baker character, he's probably my favorite. I think he's incredibly adorable. He's the least stressful. I think that's probably why I gravitate toward him in terms of the way that they kind of not shoehorn, but the last two episodes feel like they take a sharp turn and. And we just kind of start getting all of this information that we didn't have before. So, yeah, there is kind of like a transition at the end of the season that I feel was not quite earned.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

Mm, I agree. I think this show changes, like, its tone every two episodes. There are times that I'm like, oh, this is Girls. No, it's Broad City. No. Is it like Search Party? Is it edgy New Girl? And the thing is, the benefit of a show like this which historically has been on networks like ABC and Fox is like, because it's on fx, they can be edgy. They can have storylines where a girl who's about to get an abortion says, take me to where they filmed a 9 11, which was a joke that killed me. But I think it's like, that's the toad. That's the toad of, like, this show, which is that you're. You have friends who are offensive sometimes and they just kind of roll with it. But I think in terms of, like, who I gravitated towards, I love Owen Thiel as Anton. He's also an overcompensating, which is also really interesting. But the episode that I think kind of hit for me the most was episode three. It's when this neighborhood stabber starts, yes, yes, this neighborhood stabber is being looked for, and Anton finds out that he has been texting with him. And the entire episode is like, Anton kind of flirting with the neighborhood stabber.

[Candice Lim]

Seriously, Anton, you can't just soul bond with every person you meet. It's not normal.

[Aisha Harris]

Why not?

[Candice Lim]

Because some people stab people.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

I loved that episode because it went into classic ABC storyline. The A was like Anton, you know, flirting with a stabber, and B was Paul Baker and Samir trying to sell a gun. Like, it's so. It's so wild. But that stuff reminds me of, like, Modern Family, right? Where, like, everything starts way out here. It comes together at the end and you're like, oh, my God. Finally they. They. Finally they landed the plane and you're so happy. But I have to admit, I don't think the show ever picked it up to that point. I'm not so faithful in, like, a next season just because I don't think these characters are ever gonna change. I think this is who they are.

[Aisha Harris]

I do wonder if this was like a traditional network sitcom and had more time to flourish if we, like this show might have benefited to that point. Though I do think, for me, the last two episodes were the ones where I was like, okay, I think I could continue on with this show. I especially loved, as you've already mentioned, the abortion story, which is not even actually really about abortion, but, like, they basically take in for the weekend a teenager who has come to New York specifically to get an abortion because she can't get it where she lives. I thought that was just handled so well. That's the best of them, trying to meld all of those different tones together.

[Candice Lim]

I hate you two. I wish I was having this abortion at Sarah Jessica Parker's.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

House.

[Candice Lim]

Okay. Annabelle, we all wish we were having this abortion at Sarah Jessica Parker house. Okay. With Matthew and Andy and Brooke Shields and Marcy blind.

[Aisha Harris]

You.

[Candice Lim]

You are the least interesting gaze I have ever met. Hey, he is fluid. That's when it got funny to me. Oh. Because before I was distressed, but I was able to kind of like, see the. See the humor between them and see the moment that they were creating. Yeah.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

I don't know if we've had a cast that's been largely unknown like this in like a year. 2. I mean, Owen Thiel is actually, to me, the most famous person on the show.

[Aisha Harris]

Owen Thiel was the only one I knew because of theater camp.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

Yeah.

[Aisha Harris]

A very small role in theater camp. And I was like, oh, I remember this kid.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. The only person I know is Owen because he, like, has a podcast and everyone else was super unknown to me. And I mean, the fact that they were able to get Julia Fox in one of their episodes, to me was super keying in of like, ah. Like, this is very much Instagram to book like a bunch of unknowns and then to kind of bet on their chemistry, which I do think works, is a jump and a risk, and I like that. And so, if anything, I don't think the friendship sitcom is dead. I wonder if the friendship sitcom just will not be viewed in the traditional way it has been before. And all I mean by that is like, maybe it's like vloggers who end up making the new friendship sitcom, you know?

[Aisha Harris]

Yeah. The chemistry seems to be there. It goes down easy, I think. Cringy, but easy.

[Candice Lim]

Once I got into it, I was like, okay, I get it now. I get the rhythm. So I would agree.

[Aisha Harris]

Yes, we are mostly pro adults, safe to say. Well, we want to know what you think about adults. Find us at facebook.com bchh that brings us to the end of our show. Candice Lim, Kiana Fitzgerald, thanks so much for being here. And honestly, like, you helped me me to code and, like, understand the show on a completely different level. This is why we need more intergenerational conversations happening.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

Yes. Yes. We should have booked a 70 year old on this pod. Yes.

[Aisha Harris]

Thanks so much for being here, y' all.

[Kiana Fitzgerald]

Thank you.

[Candice Lim]

Thank you.

[Aisha Harris]

And this Sunday in our podcast feed, we're going to have another monthly mailbag bonus episode for our pop culture happy hour. Plus, supporters, we'll be answering very important questions about summer. Your questions, in fact, what's better, the beach or the pool? And what are our favorite summer cocktails? We had so many thoughts on thoughts. Sign up for pop culture happy hour [e-mail] happy and we'll also have a link to that in our episode description. This episode was produced by Liz Metzger and Mike Katsif and edited by our showrunner, Jessica Reedy. Hello. Kamin provides our theme music. And thank you for listening to Pop Culture Happy Hour from npr. I'm Aisha Harris, and we'll see you all next time. Do you ever look at political headlines and go, huh? Well, that's exactly why the NPR Politics Podcast exists.

[Candice Lim]

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[Aisha Harris]

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[Candice Lim]

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[Aisha Harris]

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[Candice Lim]

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[Aisha Harris]

Come explore these connections on the shortwave podcast from NPR.