Whether we like to admit it or not, the word “millennial,” and all it entails, has taken over. While they may have been overlooked in years past, today, young adults in their 20s and 30s are an important part of society. They are the main focus of many Buzzfeed articles, comedic tweets, and even popular TV shows. Without much pizazz, “Younger” came onto the television scene in early 2015 and as of Jan.13 of this year (with the start of its second season), the show has quickly become a favorite among millennials and non-millennials alike. Don’t let the fact that it airs on TV Land (the network) fool you—this show is modern and timely.
The focus of “Younger” is on the character Liza (Sutton Foster), a 40-year-old divorcee and the mother of a college-aged daughter. When the show begins, Liza has come to the realization that her increasingly monotonous suburban New Jersey life is taking a toll on her happiness. However, when she tries to get back into the working world after taking a 15-year hiatus, she is faced with the reality that many starting positions in the corporate world are targeted towards the tech-savvy, hip and fresh-out-of-college generation. On a casual night out in Brooklyn with her best friend, Maggie, Liza is mistaken for a woman in her 20s by Josh, a young, attractive tattoo artist. Rather than correcting the mistake and age herself, Liza decides to go with this false notion, considering the idea that maybe lying about her age will get her more than just attention at the bar.
With a little luck, ambition and a slight makeover, Liza lands a position as an assistant to the head of marketing at Empirical, a successful publishing house in New York City. Thrown into a world where 140 characters can make or break your reputation, “on point” is a commonly used phrase,
and on again/off again hookups are all the rage, Liza must quickly adjust to a new, more youthful lifestyle. With the help of her budding romance with Josh, along with her friendship with book editor and fellow coworker Kelsey (Hilary Duff), Liza appears to flawlessly blend into a world of people who are closer in age to her daughter than to herself.
Other prominent characters, such as Diana, Liza’s demanding boss, and Maggie, Liza’s longtime friend who’s an artist, provide the challenges and support Liza needs to gain respect both in and out of the office. Diana’s character is similar to a toned-down version of Miranda Priestly of “The Devil Wears Prada”; her humor shines through in her hopeless devotion to Charles, one of Empirical’s handsome, and also recently divorced, publishers. Meanwhile, Maggie plays a crucial role in Liza’s life since she is the only person who’s aware of Liza’s little secret regarding her age. Along with Liza’s daughter, Caitlin, Maggie is the glue that holds Liza to her real life, keeping her grounded at times when she needs it most.
Like many current shows directed towards millennials, “Younger” is impeccably witty, humorous, and conscious of what is #trending. There’s something mesmerizing about the characters that makes the audience relate to their struggles, applaud their accomplishments, and cringe at their most awkward moments. People are obsessed beyond belief with this show, and it isn’t difficult to see why. Turn on TV Land every Wednesday night at 10 p.m. and see for yourself what all the fuss is about.
Feature Image: The Huntingdon Photo, Courtesy of Flickr URL
