Generational wars have long been a trope in television and popular culture. Yet, no recent series has captured this type 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 Atelier Advertising agency. With numerous awards, accolades and a 30-year career, Monica feels untouchable in the ad world. However, after a massive flub 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 an outlandish and hilarious tussle between the seasoned ad execs who think they know it all and a trio of Gen-Zers who have no use for rules.
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The eight-episode first season of “The Z-Suite” begins with an amusing contrast. In her studio apartment in Brooklyn, Kriska watches footage of Monica accepting yet another AdWoman of the Year award. Annoyed by her subordinate role at Atelier (though she’s had the job for less than six months), Kriska boldly declares that Monica is self-centered. She then immediately transitions into recording every aspect of her life for TikTok and Instagram, including her morning coffee order, a yoga class (where she props up her ring light and tripod) and finally, the social media team’s virtual standing meeting. Atelier’s social media team includes Clem (Anna Bezahler), who can’t be bothered to do any real work, and Elliot (Spencer Stevenson), who is more concerned with his fashion and vibes than ever working from the office. Finally, Minnesota Matt (Evan Marsh), the show’s millennial representation, is a nuisance to The C-Suite and the Gen-Zers.
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During what appears to be a typical day at Atelier, Monica calls in Kriska, Clem and Elliot to be the youthful representation in a Super Bowl pitch for a long-time client. Kriska goes rogue, taking over the pitch and earning Monica’s ire. Meanwhile, the backlash from Monica and Doug’s most recent ad, which had been kept under wraps, begins skyrocketing. Unable to contain the bad press, the ad veterans are kicked to the curb, and Kriska and her crew are given the reins to the company.
It’s not a smooth transition for either group. Monica refuses to acknowledge her ouster and tries everything she can to regain her role, including stalking the son of Atelier’s chairman. Later, she and Doug devise different ways to reclaim their prior glory. At the office, Kriska, Clem and Elliot, who have been named CEO, CFO and COO, respectively, are full of ideas with no actual ability to execute them. Instead, they lean toward toxic positivity, which is ineffective when running a multi-million-dollar business. “The Z-Suite” works well because it shows neither group has all the correct answers. Though Gen X has trouble accepting change and transition, Gen Z is also firmly out of touch with some of life’s realities simply due to their lack of experience.
There are several hysterical moments across the four episodes made available to critics. The Gen Z team finds themselves out-of-depth when presenting to an erectile dysfunction medication client. Monica has literally no life/work balance. Also, 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 skillful and bold comedy that skates along the line of satire and never tries to take itself too seriously. The youth and the more experienced come to blows because they try to get their points across without listening to understand alternative perspectives. As the show suggests, there is often something to be learned from others with varied viewpoints, but we’re typically too busy screaming into a 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.
