This is too rich: CBS makes a sitcom mocking whiny, oversensitive millennials–and whiny, oversensitive millennials start to whine.
War broke out today between millennial media and the cast and creators of CBS’ new comedy series The Great Indoors, in which Joel McHale stars as an adventure reporter who becomes boss to a group of millennials in the digital department of their magazine.
It started when EP Mike Gibbons, who noted that 40 is the new 80, mentioned that CBS focus-grouped the pilot, and the millennial in the group said he did not like it because of the jokes about millennials being coddled, too sensitive and thin-skinned. The woman running the focus group, Gibbons said, clarified: “So, you were offended by millennials being portrayed as too sensitive.”
A Millennial Media Member interrupted Gibbons. “I’m a millennial myself. How are we so coddled, and what about our overly politically correct workplace bothers you?” she asked, like she meant it to sting.
Stephen Fry, who co-stars as the charismatic founder of The Great Outdoors magazine, who is a world traveler, explorer and adventurer, jumped in to note there is “an element of coddling” and “an element in which you have it tougher than the generation before.”
“Yeah, no shit,” Millennial Media Member snarked at Fry, whose family “generations before” includes relatives sent to Auschwitz and other concentration camps.
The Millennial Media Member wanted her question answered by Gibbons, not Fry, and said so in no uncertain terms.
“A great example is how you interrupted my answer,” Gibbons shot back.
Sounds like a show I can't wait to watch! But sadly, the CBS showrunners immediately felt obliged to….coddle the snowflakes after all:
Christine Ko, for example, explained that the show’s millennials are represented positively for their embracing of diversity and being “the most inclusive generation” and promised they would make fun of McHale’s character “a whole lot.”
Sigh!