Sharon Horgan’s HBO Comedy ‘Youth’ Is a Light, Breezy Take on Middle Age: TV Review

Sharon Horgan’s latest HBO series, “Youth,” is generating buzz for its refreshingly honest portrayal of middle age. The show follows Alex, a 50-year-old book agent navigating the challenges of her empty nest and perimenopause. Beneath this relatable premise lies a more profound insight: that this stage of life has been woefully underserved by comedy.

Horgan’s decision to write about middle age is no accident. As she notes, it’s a phase often mythologized or marginalized in popular culture. We’re accustomed to seeing protagonists either struggling through their 20s or embracing the freedoms of empty nesting. But what happens in between? Horgan fills this gap with “Youth,” creating a nuanced and often hilarious exploration of one woman’s attempts to find her place in the world.

One striking aspect of “Youth” is its refusal to mythologize middle age as a transformative experience. Instead, it presents us with a character who is struggling to make sense of her life – not because she’s facing some grand crisis, but because she’s simply trying to figure out what comes next. This portrayal is relatable and realistic, acknowledging the uncertainty and self-doubt that often accompanies this stage of life.

Horgan’s own background and experiences are woven throughout the series. Her trilogy of sorts – “Pulling,” “Catastrophe,” and “Youth” – maps closely onto her own biography, with each show tackling a different aspect of her life. This auto-fictional approach lends an intimacy and authenticity to the characters and storylines, making “Youth” feel both deeply personal and universally relatable.

The series’ portrayal of sex and dating in middle age is particularly noteworthy. Alex’s relationships are complex and multifaceted, often blurring the lines between romance and exploitation. This nuanced take on a subject that’s often handled with a heavy hand – or not at all – shines a light on the ambiguities and contradictions of middle age.

The stakes in “Youth” are modest but compelling. Unlike many TV comedies, which often rely on high-stakes plotlines and over-the-top humor, this show is content to focus on the minutiae of everyday life. The result is a series that feels both grounded and aspirational – a reflection of Alex’s own struggles to find meaning in her life.

As “Youth” premieres on HBO and HBO Max, it’s worth considering what this series says about our cultural attitudes towards middle age. By tackling this often-marginalized stage of life with humor and sensitivity, Horgan challenges us to rethink our assumptions about what it means to be 50 – or any age, for that matter.

“Youth” is a comedy that feels both timely and timeless. Its portrayal of middle age as a complex and multifaceted experience is both refreshing and necessary. As we watch Alex navigate the challenges of her empty nest and perimenopause, we’re reminded that this stage of life is not just about decline or transition – but about growth, exploration, and self-discovery.

Beneath its gentle humor and witty dialogue lies a more profound critique of our culture’s ageism. By refusing to mythologize middle age as some kind of transformative experience, Horgan forces us to confront the ambiguities and contradictions of this stage of life. And it’s in these complexities that we find the true comedy – and the true humanity – of “Youth.”