After binge-watching the first few episodes of TV Land’s “Younger,” I was left feeling disappointed, much like that heavy sensation after indulging in too much greasy diner fare—the kind that Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda used to savor during their brunches.
To be completely transparent, I approached the series with high expectations. Adapted from a well-received novel by Pamela Redmond Satron, I was particularly excited to see Debi Mazar as Maggie, Liza’s (played by Sarah Foster) lesbian best friend. Liza, a 40-year-old newly single mother, pretends to be 26 in order to secure a job in publishing. Having just interviewed Mazar for a magazine article promoting the show, I was eager to see how her charisma translated on-screen.
As someone in my 40s with a background in publishing who transitioned to freelancing after my second child, I resonated with Liza’s struggle. However, I’m finding it nearly impossible to re-enter the workforce full-time, and I can’t help but wonder if my years of experience are overlooked because I didn’t keep up with the latest digital trends. Perhaps younger professionals feel threatened by my presence? The show’s premise hit home in unexpected ways, making the message clear: the times have changed, and older professionals may not have a place in this new landscape.
Settling in to watch Liza and her friends unfold, I was disappointed by the show’s portrayal of both millennials and Gen-Xers. The twenty-somethings are depicted as shallow and obsessed with online trends, while the older characters are shown as out-of-touch and incompetent. Diana, Liza’s 43-year-old marketing boss played by Miranda Shaw, is particularly frustrating. Instead of showcasing intelligent, capable women who excel in their fields, the script reduces her to a caricature of ignorance.
What could have been an engaging dynamic between Liza and Diana—two women with different life choices navigating the publishing world—turned into a missed opportunity. Their contrasting paths could spark discussions about work-life balance, motherhood, and the evolving landscape of careers. Imagine if Diana had been savvy enough to discover Liza’s secret! That twist could have added depth and drama, exploring whether she would protect Liza’s deception or confront her.
Additionally, the romantic scenes with Liza’s youthful love interest—a charming tattoo artist—could have been more authentic. If Liza had simply confessed, “Hey, I’m actually 40, but I’m interested in you,” it could resonate with many women in their forties who are learning to embrace their age rather than hide from it.
Overall, the series highlights an unhealthy obsession with youth, asking viewers to root for Liza to relive her twenties while portraying younger women as frivolous and submissive. Sure, our twenties were fun, but they were also filled with challenges, heartbreaks, and uncertainty, just like our forties.
Ultimately, “Younger” is a missed opportunity to explore the richness of life at any age. For a deeper dive into related themes, check out this insightful post on intracervical insemination and learn more about the journey of couples seeking parenthood at Make a Mom. For those expecting, March of Dimes offers excellent resources to guide you through your pregnancy journey.
In summary, “Younger” had the potential to break stereotypes and provide a nuanced look at age and career, but instead fell into tired clichés.