Complaints about millennials seem about as common as selfies at a tourist trap these days. It’s this ubiquity of generational hot takes that makes Search Party’s premise a little worrisome at first. TBS bills the new series—set for rapid release from November 21 to 25—as a dark comedy about a group of “self-absorbed 20-somethings” wrapped up in a strange mystery after an old college acquaintance unexpectedly vanishes. Co-creators Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers dubbed it a millennial satire. But it’s more playful than scathing, and has plenty on its mind.
According to movies and TV, at least, sex and journalism go hand in hand. It’s a recognizable stereotype—pop culture frequents the archetypical hard-hitting reporter who boinks their way to one big scoop after another—but it goes completely against the basic ethical principles to which real life journalists must hold themselves. Sure, a dedicated journo often needs to be pushy to get a tough source to crack, but it’s high crime to sleep one’s way through the red tape, even if it helps bring truths to the public.
Cooper Barrett’s Guide to Surviving Life begins with a conspicuously trite sitcom premise. Its titular Wonder Bread-white male lead (played by Jack Cutmore-Scott) speaks directly into the camera about how his life post-college has not exactly been what he envisioned.
Mike Epps sometimes lands a solid joke in Don’t Take It Personal, but his bits too often rely on misogyny to create humor, and the special ultimately falls flat.