Unhinged Comedy in FX's Adults: A Madhouse of Excellence, Examined herein
No doubt, FX serves up some crackin' comedy series that'll leave ya laughin' and sometimes with a trophy too! One of their latest offerings, Adults, is a bloody gem that's more the exception than the rule. This FX and Hulu collaboration follows five 20-somethings navigating adult life in New York City like a wild rodeo.
We've seen this premise a million times, but Adults ain't just another carbon copy of sitcoms with this ol' concept. Instead, it's an evolved version, tailor-made for Gen Z. The protagonists might be relatively unknown actors, but they quickly steal your heart with their charming performances in the first ten minutes.
Adults is a bloody charismatic show, but not just 'cause it's got a great cast. It's laugh-out-loud funny and outrageous, making it a must-watch.
You'll Question Your Own Sanity After Watching Some Episodes, But In A Good Way
Take, for instance, Adults Season 1 Episode 3, "Have You Seen This Man?" It revolves around Anton (Owen Thiele) unintentionally befriending a serial killer he met on public transportation. Sounds nutty, right? But that's just one of the insane things this show does that'll make ya think, "Could this kinda crazy sh*t happen?"
The episode also delves into Anton's desperate need to be liked by everyone he meets. That's probably more of the issue than the serial killer, if ya ask me. It becomes an episode about the peril of people-pleasing, and blimey, it's bloody brilliant.
The pilot episode starts the series off with a bang, as Samir (Malik Elassal) worries he might've accidentally sexually assaulted someone because he heard a statistic. This theme tackles the topic of consent in an outlandish way, but it nails it (and it's funny as all hell). I reckon Samir's story arc sums up Adults well – it addresses relevant, important issues, but in a way that's uncomfortable, and laugh-out-loud hilarious.
Sometimes You'll Nearly Throw Up, But That Just Speaks Volumes About The Show
There are a couple of gross scenes in Adults – one of them almost gave me mental trauma just watchin' it. The other had me physically gagging alongside the characters. Now, I ain't no snob about comedy, but potty humor can be a bit disagreeable at times. But the fact that I was invested enough in the show to have a strong reaction (either way) shows that it's a bloody good series.
It shows it's wiling to go the distance (or rather, take a dump on the floor) in the name of comedy. I might not have wanted to witness those gruesome scenes, but I still appreciate that it made me react, even if it was disgustin'. Some of the funniest comedies challenge you to be a bit horrified for humor's sake.
So, thanks for that, Adults. You really showed me what you're made of.
The Show Is So Bloody Queer, And I Bloody Love It
Representation on the telly is always a winner, especially for LGBTQ+ communities that don't always get a fair shake. Adults stands out for having a diverse cast, with at least three of the five main characters identifying as queer. Anton (Gay), Paul Baker (Fluid), and Billie (Open to experimentin') all bring unique perspectives to the show.
Compare this to classic comedies about friends, like Friends, New Girl, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and countless others – rarely you'll find more than one queer character in the main cast. Adults proves that funny, relatable shows can feature diverse and queer characters without sacrificing any laughs.
Moreover, Adults doesn't shy away from exploring queer love stories. One of the series' most heartwarming plotlines unfolds between two queer characters and is as delightful as some of the best LGBTQ+ rom-coms.
Adults Tackles Issue That Resonate With 20-Somethings – In Ways You'd Never Expect
Adults doesn't just laugh at the challenges young adults face – it embraces and explores them with wit and humor. Billie's struggle to pay a major medical bill leads to a realistic solution that shows young adults watching the show that dealing with unexpected expenses doesn't have to be full of anxiety.
Samir's search for a job becomes a major plot that eventually resolves in a believable way. Adults flips classic comedy storylines on their heads, injecting them with fresh ideas that make ya laugh while makin' ya think.
Don't get me wrong; Adults ain't afraid to go to some dark, gross places for laughs, but the best comedies challenge you while making you laugh. And Adults sure as hell does that.
If you're looking for a show that's funny, smart, and, at times, vile, then Adults is the show for you. Stream it on Hulu.
The riveting comedy-drama, Adults, offers a daily blend of entertainment that seamlessly incorporates movies-and-tv tropes with a fresh, Gen Z twist, making it an unmissable watch. Each episode explores relatable and timely issues faced by young adults, such as concern over consent and people-pleasing, pushing boundaries to deliver laughter and thought-provoking moments. Its queer representation and willingness to tackle challenging topics make it more than just another sitcom, but a refreshing, must-watch addition to your entertainment lineup.
