Alex, Inc tells the story of a 37-year-old father and husband who quits his job at a company called Cheer Up because they constantly enforce a positive based product. The series is based on a podcast called "StartUp" from Gimlet Media. The show follows Alex Schuman, played by the charming and talented Zach Braff, as he makes the decision to start his own podcast company while maintaining his personal life as a husband and a father to two children. Zach Braff is at the helm of this series not only as an actor, but as a director and an executive producer as well. Prior to the series airing, Braff's passion and love for the series was clear from his constant support on his social media accounts. After watching the first three episodes of the series, it is no surprise as to why Braff is proud of the series. In a time where a lot of negativity has been going around and a lot of struggle, Alex, Inc offers a refreshing break from all of that. It is charming, funny, heartwarming, and creative. Fans of Zach Braff can gain that sense of Scrubs familiarity as Braff incorporates his voice-over narration through the episodes like he used to do as J.D. Dorian.
Braff's humor is also familiar to Dorian's. Rather, his portrayal of Alex Schuman is pretty much effortless as if the character was someone he was born to play. In any scene, Braff is natural, fun, and genuine. Schuman is a lovable father, husband, and friend who has a great sense of humor and a wonderful outlook on life. Not only does Braff's talents light up the screen and make this show special, but the cast he is surrounded by add to the greatness of this series.
Tiya Sircar plays Alex Schuman's wife, Rooni, a lawyer and a fierce woman. It's refreshing to see Sircar portray a female lead that represents not only a supportive partner for Alex, but one that challenges him and believes in him. Sircar offers a sense of grace to the role as well as assertiveness that is not so overpowering. The first three episodes already also prove the heart of the series comes from Schuman's kids, Ben and Soraya, played by Elisha Henig and Audyssie James. Alex Schuman, in the past three episodes, has found a lot of inspiration from his children, making the relationship between his kids and himself all that more special to watch. Braff's family man persona is warm and lighthearted and the strength of the show is apparent whenever the entire family is on screen.
To balance out the family aspect of the series, Alex Schuman works at his podcast office alongside his two teammates, Deidra and Eddie, played by Hillary Anne Matthews and Michael Imperioli. Deidra is a producer and appears to keep Alex more on the ground, offering up ideas that are reasonable and beneficial to the podcast. She also has an adorably and slightly creepy infatuation with Alex, but who wouldn't? Zach Braff has always been a charming fellow. Meanwhile, Alex's second cousin, Eddie, is a bit more extreme. He is the one who challenges Alex and sometimes makes his job tougher. There is always a necessity for someone to push a lead into doing things that they normally wouldn't do and Eddie is that catalyst for Alex. This is apparent when Eddie builds a booth to record the podcast in since the office they work in is noisy and has multiple start-up businesses.The show offers a subtle humor that isn't trying too hard to be funny. Each character is written so well that they hold their own without needing to steal from another character's energy or spotlight. Zach Braff truly has something to be proud of along with creator Matt Tarses.
Alex, Inc is a refreshing break from all of the regular television on air right now. While superhero shows are great and the surplus of cop shows, medical dramas, and sitcoms that seem too hard to be like each other are filling up the time slots, this isn't a show that should fall behind on ABC. In fact, it should be considered at the forefront of most currently. Fans can find a lot of familiarity with a mid-life crisis, but also develop a genuine connection with these characters as they are your neighbors, friends, and family. While one great reason to watch the series is the at-home feel of Braff's monologue narrations and his light, genuine humor, it is truly the heart in this show that makes it worthwhile. ABC has a winner on their hands with this show and here's to hoping that they do not make the mistake in letting this one go. And might I say, the dad look looks great on you, Mr. Braff!
You can unwind from your stress and troubles by tuning into Alex, Inc at 8:30 PM EST on ABC every Wednesday night.
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