FX's Adults single-handedly revived the sitcom genre for the modern audience

FX's Adults is quietly reviving the sitcom genre for a modern audience. The platform's 2025 sitcom just returned with its sophomore season and is all the rage right now. Although the comedy flew under the radar when it premiered in May 2025, it has quietly found its audience, with Season 2 earning a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

With prestige dramas, limited series and reality television competing for audience attention, the traditional sitcom formula can sometimes feel like a relic from another era. While classic sitcoms like Friends, The Office and New Girl have stayed with audiences long after their conclusions, modern sitcoms have failed to recreate that magic and have struggled to stay relevant in an era with endless options.

However, FX's Adults makes a strong case for why the genre still has plenty of life left in it. The platform's comedy series stars Malik Elassal as Samir Rahman, Lucy Freyer as Billie Schaeffer, Jack Innanen as Paul Baker, Amita Rao as Issa Damani and Owen Thiele as Anton Evans, five twenty-something friends who navigate the challenges of adulthood while living together in Samir's childhood home.

Here's how Adults has revived the sitcom genre.

FX's Adults is the new comfort watch for a modern audience

Many modern sitcoms attempt to reinvent the genre completely but FX's latest comedy understands what made the format so appealing in the first place. Its greatest strength lies in its ability to turn ordinary experiences into genuinely funny stories, evoking nostalgia for classic shows like Friends and Seinfeld.

Adults' premise might sound like a reinvention and a modern take on Friends. Five twenty-something friends living in Queens, New York, while navigating love, career and the challenges of adulthood together. But the sitcom does not shy away from paying homage to its roots.

In an interview with TV Insider, executive producer Stefani Robinson acknowledged the influence of classic sitcoms:

''We’re not trying to hide the fact that it’s a sitcom about friends. It’s not high concept. We’re not trying to trick anybody. There is no twist. There’s a reason these shows are so special and so important to so many different people, and that they can be watched over and over and over again, there’s a comfort factor.”

FX's latest sitcom tackles familiar themes but it approaches them with messy honesty that feels particularly suited to its generation. With many modern sitcoms embracing the workplace or romantic setup, Adults prioritizes friendships. The sitcom explores the chaos & uncertainty of a closely-knit group that lives together but is constantly moving in different directions. For seasoned sitcom genre fans who find comfort in rewatching the classics, FX's comedy promises a fresh take on friendship, tailor-made for the modern generation.

Adults embrace the chaos of growing up

In addition to a nostalgic-yet-modern premise, the sitcom thrives through its perpetually confused characters. Robinson believes that the five central 'stupid' and 'awkward' characters make up the sitcom's heart:

“You’re awkward, you’re stupid, you don’t know what you’re doing, you don’t know how to communicate with people around you, you feel like you’re an adult, you’re told that you’re an adult, yet you still feel like around other adults your infantilized.”

What makes Adults stand out from modern sitcoms is its refusal to make adulthood and the process of growing up look polished. The five central characters are reckless, immature, confused, financially anxious and often make questionable choices that land them in problems. But the sitcom refuses to treat these traits as character flaws, suggesting that unresolved conflict is often part of growing up.

Trending

Seasons 1 and 2 of the sitcom are streaming on FXX and Hulu.

For the latest scoops on your favorite TV shows and movies, follow SoapCentral.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback