New Mindy Kaling show plays it safe
AV Club • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Mindy Kaling’s new Hulu show, Not Suitable For Work, follows five twentysomething New Yorkers navigating early careers and relationships, aiming to be a hangout sitcom for Gen Z akin to Friends or Seinfeld.
- The series struggles with ensemble chemistry and character development, focusing more on individual professional issues than on interpersonal dynamics, resulting in a disjointed feel.
- Standout moments include strong performances by Avantika and Ella Hunt as the central female duo, and the male characters showing more distinct personalities and emotional arcs.
- The show lacks a clear comedic tone, failing to deliver the sharp humor or unique voice typical of Kaling’s previous hits, though there are promising slow-burn storylines and character bonds.
- Not Suitable For Work offers an aspirational, lightly entertaining look at young adulthood but falls short of being relatable or consistently funny, leaving room for improvement in future seasons.