One of the hottest topics you can discuss now is Gen Z in the workplace. Are they too lazy or too ambitious? Why are they so sensitive? And what is quiet quitting, anyway? Enter the brand new Tubi Original series The Z-Suite, created by sitcom vet Katie O’Brien (Teachers), which capitalizes on this zeitgeisty subject in all the best ways.
The series stars Gen X icon Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls) as Monica Marks, current head of Atelier Ad Agency, and Nico Santos (Superstore) as her right hand man, Doug. The dynamic duo are at the top of the advertising game, but get kicked to the curb after a PR nightmare. (More on that in a sec.) This power vacuum paves the way for long ignored social media manager Kriska (Madison Shamoun) to take over the company, along with her fellow Gen Z besties. Disgraced yet determined, Monica plots to get her career back and tear down the newly instated youngsters. It’s a battle of generations. Episodes 1 and 2 of The Z-Suite debuted on February 6, 2025, with subsequent new episodes airing every Thursday on Tubi.
Episode 1 (“Pilot”) show opens with Monica delivering an egotistical speech after winning the Women In Creative Advertising Award, with Doug bumbling around at her side. Cut to Kriska Thompson — not Crisco, Kriska — Monica’s social media manager. Kriska’s disdain for Monica is quickly made apparent. “And last, but not least, I’d like to thank my social media manager Kriska Thompson, who I have constantly overlooked and not given the opportunities she deserves,” Kriska says to herself, watching the coverage of Monica’s acceptance speech. As we get a glimpse of a day in Kriska’s life in New York City — with her ring light, hot yoga and continuous vlogging — it’s obvious Kriska can be just as obnoxious as the boss she despises.
Kriska tracks down her social team to begin working from home, never ever the office. (Honestly? Relatable.) Non-binary Clem (Anna Bezahler) lives with three people in a studio apartment. (“Three people sharing a studio in New York? It’s giving morgue.”) And Elliot (Spencer Stevenson) can’t decide even to decide what coffee to order without checking in with his social media followers first.
The C-Suite, or chief officer executives, don’t allow the social team to work on actual campaigns, including the recently completed Vibezz Headphones campaign, and the Gen- Zers are done with it.
Meanwhile, Monica and Doug are preparing to launch a Super Bowl ad for one of their biggest clients, Boppin’ Burger. The duo are determined to get a Super Advo Award, the last advertising prize they have yet to win. Boppin’ Burger’s president, George (Mark McKinney), wants the ad to focus entirely on attracting Gen Z, but he isn’t convinced Monica can grasp “the youth of it all.” Doug counters, “I might be bisexual, that is very Z.”
Monica is instructed to bring in youthful eyes, and reluctantly tasks the social media team with brainstorming pitches. After debating on what’s hip and happening in pop culture, the ethical dilemma of the word “girlboss” and bringing back the word “cheugy,” Kriska proposes featuring Olivia Rodrigo (not Kylie Jenner because Zoomers are anti-billionaire) as the face of the Boppin’ Burger campaign.
In a conversation highlighting the generational differences in the workplace between Z and older age groups, Kriska believes she is ready for more responsibility, but is harshly denied after asking to help pitch the idea. Monica is appalled at the gusto, and the social team is told their involvement on the ad is simply for appearances, not to contribute.
“I didn’t look my boss in the eyes for the first two years,” Monica asserts. Doug adds, “ I refused to ask to go to the bathroom. I went in water bottles at my desk.”
Monica’s attempt at using Gen Z jargon to present the pitch to George’s 14-year-old daughter fumbles, and her misunderstanding of social media fails to impress Mr. Boppin’ Burger. A recreation of the ice bucket challenge, but with french fries, fo shizzle isn’t the best idea. Kriska jumps in and saves the meeting. Berating her after the fact, Monica slams the whole generational population. “Your generation’s sense of entitlement astounds me. Your desire to do something does not constitute your ability to actually do it.”
At the campaign party for the Vibezz Headphones ad, the social team watches in horror. The commercial shows a pair of headphones being passed around to people from all walks of life inspiring dancing and delight, before the tagline “All Vibezz Matter” appears on the screen. (Cringe.)
Monica’s boss, Oliver, confronts her the next day. The public is outraged, and Vibezz publicly ends their working relationship with the company. Citing how all the clients want is Gen Z, Oliver fires Doug and Monica and promotes the social team. Kriska Thompson is now CEO of Atelier, and Monica is out on the streets, though already planning her reascension to the top.
Claire Waheed is a recently graduated freelance writer currently based in Texas. She loves all things pop culture and new adventures.
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