Lauren Graham Is Hysterical in Tubi’s First Original Comedy ‘The Z-Suite’: TV Review

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As a film critic, I’ve seen my fair share of generational conflicts in media, but none have been as cleverly executed as “The Z-Suite.” Penned by the brilliant Katie O’Brien, this Tubi original scripted comedy series stars Lauren Graham as Monica Marks, a CEO with a 30-year career and numerous accolades under her belt. She’s been untouchable in the ad world, but a blunder on a major campaign lands her a personal cancellation and forces her, alongside her trusted right-hand man Doug Garcia (played by Nico Santos), out of Atelier Advertising agency. The newcomers to take their place are none other than 24-year-old Kriska Thompson, the company’s social media manager. What follows is a riotous and satirical battle between the old guard who believe they hold all the answers and a trio of Gen-Zers who seem to have little regard for the rules.

The initial season of “The Z-Suite” kicks off with an entertaining juxtaposition. In her small Brooklyn apartment, Kriska critiques Monica receiving yet another AdWoman of the Year award on screen, expressing frustration over her secondary position at Atelier despite only being there for a short while. Determined to prove Monica’s self-centered nature, Kriska decides to document every detail of her life for TikTok and Instagram, from her daily coffee routine to her yoga class (where she sets up her ring light and tripod) and even the virtual meetings with the social media team. This team consists of Clem (Anna Bezahler), who seems uninterested in actual work, Elliot (Spencer Stevenson), who is more preoccupied with his style and vibes than office duties, and Minnesota Matt (Evan Marsh), a character representing millennials that often causes trouble for the executive suite and the Gen-Zers.

One day at Atelier, Monica asks Kriska, Clem, and Elliot to stand in as the youthful team for a Super Bowl presentation to an established client. However, Kriska takes charge of the pitch, causing Monica’s displeasure. Simultaneously, the controversy surrounding the latest ad from Monica and Doug escalates rapidly. With the negative publicity spiraling out of control, the experienced duo is forced out, leaving Kriska and her team to take over the company.

The transition isn’t easy for either party. Monica stubbornly denies her dismissal and resorts to various methods to reclaim her position, even going as far as stalking the son of Atelier’s chairman. Eventually, she and Doug come up with different strategies to restore their former status. Meanwhile, at the office, Kriska, Clem, and Elliot – now CEO, CFO, and COO respectively – are brimming with ideas but lack the means to implement them. Instead, they focus on empty optimism, a strategy that falls short when managing a multi-million-dollar business. The term “The Z-Suite” is fitting because it highlights that neither group has all the solutions. Although Gen X struggles to adapt to change and transition, Gen Z is equally detached from some life realities due to their limited experience.

Throughout the four episodes shown to critics, there are numerous humorous scenes that stand out. The Gen Z team struggles to keep up when presenting to a client in the erectile dysfunction medication industry. Monica’s work and personal life seem severely unbalanced. Furthermore, Elliot’s explanation for his chronic tardiness is reminiscent of common medical jargon often found on TikTok.

In “The Z-Suite,” O’Brien’s masterful writing and impressive acting by Graham and the entire cast create a clever and daring comedy that balances on the edge of satire without pretending to be overly serious. Characters, both young and experienced, clash due to their failure to listen and consider different viewpoints. The production subtly implies that valuable insights can frequently be gained from individuals with diverse perspectives, yet we’re often too engrossed in our own shouting matches to achieve meaningful progress.

The initial installments of the show “The Z-Suite” will debut on February 6th, exclusively on Tubi. Fresh episodes will be released every Thursday thereafter.

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2025-02-06 17:17