Generational wars have long been a cliché in television and popular culture. However, no recent series has captured this kind of tension as cleverly as “The Z-Suite.” Created and written by Katie O’Brien, Tubi’s first original scripted comedy series follows Monica Marks (a stellar Lauren Graham), the CEO of the advertising agency Atelier. With numerous awards, accolades, and a 30-year career, Monica feels untouchable in the advertising world.
However, after a huge mistake on a major campaign gets her personally canceled, she and her right-hand man, Doug Garcia (a perfectly cast Nico Santos), are quickly ousted from Atelier and replaced by 24-year-old Kriska Thompson (Madison Shamoun), the company’s social media manager. What happens next is a quirky and hilarious fight between seasoned ad execs who think they know it all and a trio of Gen-Zers who have no sense for rules.
Stars: Lauren Graham, Nico Santos, Madison Shamoun
The eight-episode first season of “The Z-Suite” begins with a playful contrast. In her Brooklyn studio apartment, Kriska watches footage of Monica accepting yet another award for Advertising of the Year. Upset by her subservient role at Atelier (even though she’s had the job for less than six months), Kriska boldly declares that Monica is self-centered. She then immediately moves on to recording every aspect of her life for TikTok and Instagram, including her morning coffee order, a yoga class (where she holds her ring light and tripod), and, finally, the social media team’s virtual meeting. Atelier’s social media team includes Clem (Anna Bezahler), who can’t be bothered to do any actual work, and Elliot (Spencer Stevenson), who’s more concerned with his fashion and cool than he ever was working from the office. Finally, Minnesota Matt (Evan Marsh), the show's millennial representation, is a nuisance to the C-Suite and Gen Z.
During what seems like a normal day at Atelier, Monica calls on Kriska, Clem, and Elliot to be the youth representation at a long-time client's Super Bowl presentation. Kriska goes rogue, taking over the presentation and earning Monica's ire. Meanwhile, the backlash over Monica and Doug's most recent ad, which had been kept under wraps, begins to skyrocket. Unable to contain the bad press, the advertising veterans are ousted, and Kriska and her team are given the reins of the company.
It's not a smooth transition for either group. Monica refuses to acknowledge her ouster and tries everything she can to reclaim her role, including stalking the son of Atelier's president. Later, she and Doug come up with different ways to regain their former glory. At the office, Kriska, Clem, and Elliot, who have been appointed CEO, CFO, and COO, respectively, are full of ideas but have no real ability to execute them. Instead, they lean toward toxic positivity, which is ineffective when running a multi-billion dollar business. “The Z-Suite” works well because it shows that neither group has all the right answers. While Gen X has trouble accepting change and transition, Gen Z is also firmly disconnected from some of the realities of life simply due to their lack of experience.
There are several hysterical moments in the four episodes available to critics. The Gen Z team feels lost when presenting to a client for erectile dysfunction medication. Monica literally has no work-life balance. Plus, Elliot’s excuse for his constant lateness is typical TikTok medical jargon.
O’Brien’s brilliant writing and excellent performances by Graham and the entire cast make “The Z-Suite” a slick, bold comedy that walks the line of satire and never tries to take itself too seriously. Young and old alike come to blows because they try to get their points across without listening to understand alternative perspectives. As the show suggests, there’s often something to be learned from other people with different viewpoints, but we’re usually too busy shouting into the void to accomplish anything worthwhile.
The first two episodes of “The Z-Suite” premiere Feb. 6 on Tubi, with new episodes dropping weekly on Thursdays.
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