Movies

Review: Lauren Graham shines in Tubi’s generational comedy ‘The Z-Suite’

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On Thursday, you can catch me enjoying “The Z-Suite,” streaming on Tubi. In this movie, I, as a seasoned advertising agency head named Monica, find myself out of work after a misguided slogan for headphones, “All Vibes Matter,” sparks a social media uproar. To keep the agency relevant, my boss decides to let go of me and my creative partner Doug (played by Nico Santos), and brings in a new team, the youthful Gen-Z social media squad, to take over.

In this team, the recently appointed CEO is Kriska (Madison Shamoun), a vibrant 24-year-old who often jokes about being “24½.” She’s full of energy, driven, and eager; after just 168 days with the company, including 43 spent in the office, she believes she’s earned a promotion. Clem (Anna Bezahler) is her more leisurely supporter, while Elliot (Spencer Stevenson), with his captivating flair, tends to be easily distracted.

In practical terms, the appointment seems misguided; they lack the necessary skills to manage effectively, despite their academic backgrounds in communication. They often rely heavily on Annabelle (played by Dani Kind) for advice and direction, as she serves as Monica’s/Kriska’s former/current secretary.

However, it should be noted that this is a comedy series, and while it may not always adhere strictly to reality, it was crafted by Katie O’Brien (“Teachers”). For instance, how did Ted Baxter manage to keep his job as a news anchor on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”, given the unrealistic circumstances? Or, in the case of “Bewitched”, did Darrin Stevens ever come up with a feasible campaign idea, even with Samantha’s assistance?

It’s common knowledge that younger generations excel in navigating social media platforms, and the advertising industry is brimming with talented individuals under the age of 30. However, it’s also worth noting that those who run businesses sometimes make regrettable decisions, and individuals without obvious skills can still find themselves in influential positions.

Recently, there’s been a lot of discussion about the behavior of younger workers, often referred to as “Zoomers,” in the professional sphere. Topics such as their perceived sense of entitlement, tardiness, lack of initiative, poor social skills, and inappropriate attire have been raised. While “The Z-Suite” doesn’t necessarily endorse these views, it does touch upon them (Elliot, for instance, admits to having time blindness by often arriving late).

However, it’s important to empathize with the financially struggling young adults in a world where stability seems elusive. Self-centeredness might be a coping mechanism they use to navigate such challenging times. After all, society and the world appear to be on the brink of collapse.

Instead of saying “Work, on the other hand, is so essential to Monica that she maintains an identical work space in her home,” you could rephrase it as “Monica values work tremendously and has a duplicate office set up at her apartment.”

On the flip side, Doug’s hobby involves Christmas figurines; he seems to have overdone it collecting them. Meanwhile, the young adults are having fun exploring their novel environment (equipped with a company credit card, Elliot transforms the office into a playground with a churro stand, ball pit, slide [for decoration purposes only] and a llama). Monica, who appears to be excluded from opportunities, is strategizing her way back into the professional sphere.

A significant part of the humor in this show lies in the generational misunderstandings between different age groups. For instance, one character might ask, “What’s the deal with what your generation enjoys, other than correcting others?” while another might struggle to understand modern slang. This intergenerational clash is a recurring theme, with Gen-Z finding Gen-X insensitive and Gen-X finding Gen-Z too sensitive. However, these generational differences can make the humor seem obvious or uninteresting to some viewers, depending on their own age. For example, one joke might revolve around an elderly character’s body odor, while another might focus on a younger character’s choice of “ethically made adult sleep sack.

As someone who’s grown fond of the series, I must admit that the youthful characters sometimes feel a bit monotonous, a trait that the show hasn’t entirely shaken off. However, it could be argued that their convincing performances are the very reason for this feeling – they’ve truly immersed themselves in their roles.

Additionally, at the agency we have Evan Marsh portraying Minnesota Matt, an enthusiastic yet not-so-young character often teased by both the young and old. He’s a role primarily designed for mistreatment. Meanwhile, Nadine Djoury takes on the HR character, Natasha, who is concerned that the phrase “Oh, God” might upset those who believe in a higher power, or “trigger the deists.

Additionally, Mark McKinney delivers a commendable performance as an Atelier client who yields to the preferences of his 14-year-old daughter, while Rhys Darby brings a touch of mischief as a free-spirited ex-colleague. His interactions with Graham are pleasantly rhythmic, leaving us eager for future appearances.

One of the standout aspects of “The Z-Suite” is Graham, an actor whose authenticity shines through in every role, making the show feel even more genuine. She possesses a subtle charm reminiscent of actors like Jean Arthur and Irene Dunne, who everyone should recognize. No matter what character she’s portraying, she’s the one you’d most want to engage with in any given scene. Despite her character being unexpectedly underdogish and seemingly self-absorbed or unstable, she is undeniably the central figure of the story.

Based on just four episodes, it’s unclear whether the show is teaching lessons or not. Maybe Monica and Kriska will find they have more similarities than differences despite their experiences. Since Tubi’s initial scripted series, it seems likely that the story won’t conclude with this season. I’m fine with that continuation.

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2025-02-06 23:31

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