Mindy Kaling's New Show Fails to Be the Next Friends

Carmen López · 2026-06-02

Mindy Kaling has given us some great TV over the years. From *The Office* to *The Mindy Project* and *Never Have I Ever*, she knows how to create shows that connect with audiences. So when news broke about her latest series, *Not Suitable for Work*, expectations were sky-high. People were already calling it the next *Friends*. But here's the thing. It's not. The show tries really hard to capture that same magic — a group of young professionals navigating life, love, and career in a big city. But somewhere along the way, it loses its footing. The jokes feel forced. The characters lack depth. And the chemistry that made *Friends* so iconic? It's just not there. ### What Went Wrong? Let's break it down. *Friends* worked because it felt real. Even with its sitcom polish, you believed those six people actually liked each other. They had inside jokes, shared history, and genuine emotional moments. *Not Suitable for Work* tries to replicate that formula but ends up feeling like a carbon copy that forgot the soul. - The dialogue is clever but hollow. It sounds like a writer's room trying too hard to be witty. - The characters are archetypes, not people. You've got the quirky one, the ambitious one, the sarcastic one. But they never evolve beyond those labels. - The workplace setting feels generic. It could be any office in any city, which makes it hard to care about the stakes. Compare that to *The Office*, where the mundane became hilarious because the characters were so specific. Here, specificity is missing. ### The Problem with High Expectations Kaling is a talented writer. No doubt about it. But when you're compared to one of the most beloved shows in TV history, you're set up for failure. Critics and fans alike went in expecting lightning to strike twice. That's a heavy burden for any show to carry. And honestly, the comparison isn't fair. *Friends* aired in a different era. TV was different. Audiences were different. What worked in 1994 doesn't automatically work in 2026. > "You can't recreate a cultural moment. You can only create something new and hope it resonates." That's the lesson here. ### What Could Have Saved It So what would have made *Not Suitable for Work* better? A few things come to mind. First, more authenticity. The best comedies feel like they're letting you in on a secret. They're messy, unpredictable, and sometimes uncomfortable. This show plays it too safe. Second, stronger character development. Give us reasons to care. Let us see their flaws and vulnerabilities. The best TV friendships feel earned, not manufactured. Third, trust the audience. The show explains its jokes too much. It's like it's afraid we won't get it. But viewers are smart. Let us laugh without being told when to. ### The Bottom Line *Not Suitable for Work* isn't terrible. It's just not memorable. In a world overflowing with streaming options, that might be the worst thing a show can be. Mindy Kaling will bounce back. She always does. But this one? It's a miss. If you're looking for a workplace comedy that actually delivers, you're better off revisiting *Parks and Rec* or *Superstore*. At least those shows knew what they wanted to be. For now, the search for the next *Friends* continues.