Alex, Inc.
Alex, Inc. is an American comedy television series created by Matt Tarses that aired on ABC from March 28 to May 16, 2018. Based on Gimlet Media, Inc.'s StartUp, the series stars Zach Braff, Tiya Sircar, Hillary Anne Matthews, Elisha Henig, Audyssie James, Michael Imperioli, and Alex Keener.
Alex, Inc. | |
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Genre | Comedy |
Created by | Matt Tarses |
Based on | StartUp by Gimlet Media, Inc. |
Starring |
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Composers |
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Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 10 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Producers |
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Cinematography | Eric Edwards |
Camera setup | Single-camera |
Running time | 21–22 minutes |
Production companies |
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Release | |
Original network | ABC |
Picture format | 720p (HDTV) |
Audio format | 5.1 surround sound |
Original release | March 28 – May 16, 2018 |
External links | |
Website |
Premise
The series follows Alex Schuman, a radio journalist, husband, and father of two, who decides to quit his job and start his own company.
Cast and characters
Main
- Zach Braff as Alex Schuman,[1] a radio journalist, Rooni's husband, and father of Ben and Soraya, who has left his old job to start his own podcast company
- Tiya Sircar as Rooni Schuman,[1] a lawyer, Alex's wife, and mother of Ben and Soraya
- Hillary Anne Matthews as Deirdre, a producer at Alex's old job who left with him for his new company
- Elisha Henig as Ben Schuman,[1] Alex and Rooni's son
- Audyssie James as Soraya Schuman,[1] Alex and Rooni's daughter
- Alex Keener as The AirThruster CEO, an inter-office rival constantly at odds with Alex
- Michael Imperioli as Eddie, Alex's cousin and an investor in the new company
Notable guest stars
- Natalie Morales as Serena Bans (episode: "The Rube Goldberg Contraption")
Production
Development
On August 29, 2016, it was announced that ABC had ordered Start Up, a single-camera comedy television series, as a put pilot. Matt Tarses, Zach Braff, John Davis, John Fox, Chris Giliberti, Alex Blumberg, and Matt Lieber serve as executive producers. Zach Braff also serves as director. The series is a production of Davis Entertainment and is based on the podcast StartUp.[2] On January 25, 2017, it was announced that a pilot for the series was officially picked up.[3] On May 11, 2017, it was announced that the series was officially picked up. The series is further a production of Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios.[4] On May 16, 2017, it was announced that the series was renamed to Alex, Inc.[5][6] On January 8, 2018, it was announced that the series would premiere on March 28, 2018.[7][8] On May 9, 2018, it was announced that the series was canceled after one season.[9]
Casting
On August 29, 2016, it was announced that Zach Braff was cast in the series.[2] On February 15, 2017, it was announced that Tiya Sircar was cast in the series.[10] On March 8, 2017, it was announced that Michael Imperioli was cast in the series.[11] On March 14, 2017, it was announced that Hillary Anne Matthews was cast in the series.[12] On March 22, 2017, it was announced that Chris Sacca would play himself in the series.[13] On May 11, 2017, it was announced that Elisha Henig and Audyssie James were cast in the series.[4] On February 8, 2018, it was announced that Sophia Bush would guest star in the series.[14]
Episodes
No. | Title [15][16] | Directed by | Written by | Original air date [15][16] | Prod. code [15] | U.S. viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "The Unfair Advantage" | Zach Braff | Matt Tarses | March 28, 2018 | 100 | 4.60[17] |
Guest stars: Chris Sacca as himself, Austin Pendleton as Wesley Harman, Ashleigh Murray as Melissa | ||||||
2 | "The Wax Museum" | Zach Braff | Matt Tarses | April 4, 2018 | 101 | 3.73[18] |
Guest star: Morgan Krantz as Jack Miller | ||||||
3 | "The Butterfly Pavilion" | Richie Keen | Vanessa McCarthy | April 11, 2018 | 103 | 3.53[19] |
Guest stars: Kelly Perine as Marion, Candice Azzara as Aunt Louise, Jill Johnson as Teacher | ||||||
4 | "The Nanny" | Alisa Statman | Juliet Seniff | April 17, 2018 | 106 | 4.85[20] |
Guest stars: Robert Clendenin as Dave Felix, Philip Anthony Rodriguez as Nelsen Munoz | ||||||
5 | "The Mother-in-Law" | Michael Patrick Jann | Dan Rubin | April 18, 2018 | 102 | 2.76[21] |
Guest stars: Anjali Bhimani as Joya, John Patrick Jordan as Harley, Courtney Richards as Emile | ||||||
6 | "The Cop Car" | Zach Braff | Andy St. Clair & Paul O'Toole | April 25, 2018 | 104 | 2.94[22] |
Guest star: Sophia Bush as Vanessa Stanhope | ||||||
7 | "The Grande Apologano" | Zach Braff | Lisa McQuillan | April 25, 2018 | 107 | 2.49[22] |
Guest stars: Matt Walsh as Detective Phipps, Joel Kelley Dauten as Jeremy | ||||||
8 | "The Internet Trolls" | Phil Traill | Joshua Corey & Brian Kratz | May 2, 2018 | 105 | 3.06[23] |
9 | "The Fever" | Chris Koch | Morgan Beck & Dan Rubin | May 9, 2018 | 108 | 3.03[24] |
Guest star: Anjali Bhimani as Joya | ||||||
10 | "The Rube Goldberg Contraption" | John Putch | Joshua Corey & Brian Kratz | May 16, 2018 | 109 | 3.24[25] |
When Alex unexpectedly becomes successful, his investors ask him to create five new podcasts. This leads to Alex employing famous podcast producer Serena Bans, which in turn leads to conflict within the office. Meanwhile, Alex is worried he and Ben are drifting apart. Special guest star: Natalie Morales as Serena Bans Guest stars: Sam Lloyd as Dr. Gibbs, Dean Cameron as Bruce |
Reception
Critical
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the series has an approval rating of 40% based on 15 reviews, with an average rating of 4.46/10.[26] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 49 out of 100 based on 10 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[27]
Overall
Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired | Avg. viewers (millions) | 18–49 rank | ||
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Date | Viewers (millions) |
Date | Viewers (millions) | ||||
1 | 10 | March 28, 2018 | 4.60[17] | May 16, 2018 | 3.24[25] | 3.42 | TBD |
Season 1
No. | Title | Air date | Rating/share (18–49) | Viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "The Unfair Advantage" | March 28, 2018 | 1.1/4[28] | 4.60[17] |
2 | "The Wax Museum" | April 4, 2018 | 0.9/4[29] | 3.73[18] |
3 | "The Butterfly Pavilion" | April 11, 2018 | 0.9/4[30] | 3.53[19] |
4 | "The Nanny" | April 17, 2018 | 1.3/5[31] | 4.85[20] |
5 | "The Mother-in-Law" | April 18, 2018 | 0.6/3[32] | 2.76[21] |
6 | "The Cop Car" | April 25, 2018 | 0.7/3[33] | 2.94[22] |
7 | "The Grande Apologano" | April 25, 2018 | 0.6/3[33] | 2.49[22] |
8 | "The Internet Trolls" | May 2, 2018 | 0.8/4[34] | 3.06[23] |
9 | "The Fever" | May 9, 2018 | 0.7/3[35] | 3.03[24] |
10 | "The Rube Goldberg Contraption" | May 16, 2018 | 0.8/3[36] | 3.24[25] |
References
- "Alex, Inc. Show Bios". Disney ABC Press. Archived from the original on February 12, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- Nellie Andreeva (August 29, 2016). "ABC Nabs Start Up Comedy Starring & Directed by Zach Braff as Put Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
- Nellie Andreeva (January 25, 2017). "Zach Braff Comedy Start Up, Mayor Show from Daveed Diggs Get ABC Pilot Orders". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
- Nellie Andreeva (May 11, 2017). "Zach Braff Comedy Pilot Gets Series Order at ABC". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- Nellie Andreeva (May 16, 2017). "ABC Fall 2017 Schedule: Once Upon a Time Moves to Friday, Black-Ish to Tuesday, S.H.I.E.L.D. Held". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
- "ABC Unveils 2017–18 Primetime Schedule" (Press release). ABC. May 16, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2018 – via The Futon Critic.
- Nellie Andreeva (January 8, 2018). "ABC Slates Midseason Premiere Dates for Grey's Anatomy Spinoff, For the People & More, Sets American Idol Air Pattern". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- "ABC Unveils Midseason Schedule" (Press release). ABC. January 8, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018 – via The Futon Critic.
- Nellie Andreeva; Erik Pedersen (May 9, 2018). "Alex, Inc. Canceled After One Season on ABC". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- Denise Petski (February 15, 2017). "Start Up ABC Comedy Pilot Casts Tiya Sircar; Jeanine Mason Joins The CW's Searchers". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
- Nellie Andreeva (March 8, 2017). "Michael Imperioli Cast in ABC Startup Comedy Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
- Denise Petski (March 14, 2017). "J. August Richards Joins The Gospel of Kevin ABC Pilot, Startup Comedy Adds Hillary Anne Matthews". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
- Denise Petski (March 22, 2017). "Chris Sacca to Play Himself in ABC Start Up Comedy Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
- Liam Matthews (February 8, 2018). "Chicago P.D.'s Sophia Bush to Guest Star on Alex, Inc.". TV Guide. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- "Alex, Inc. Episode Listings". The Futon Critic.
- "Alex, Inc. Episode Guide". Zap2it.
- Mitch Metcalf (March 29, 2018). "Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.28.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- Mitch Metcalf (April 5, 2018). "Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.4.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- Mitch Metcalf (April 12, 2018). "Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.11.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- Mitch Metcalf (April 18, 2018). "Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.17.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- Mitch Metcalf (April 19, 2018). "Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.18.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- Mitch Metcalf (April 26, 2018). "Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.25.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
- Mitch Metcalf (May 3, 2018). "Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.2.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
- Mitch Metcalf (May 10, 2018). "Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.9.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
- Mitch Metcalf (May 17, 2018). "Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.16.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
- "Alex, Inc: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- "Alex, Inc Season 1 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- Rick Porter (March 29, 2018). "SEAL Team Adjusts Down: Wednesday Final Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- Rick Porter (April 5, 2018). "Empire, Survivor, Goldbergs Adjust Up, Designated Survivor & Life Sentence Down: Wednesday Final Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- Rick Porter (April 12, 2018). "Empire, Survivor, Goldbergs Adjust Up, CW Adjusts Down: Wednesday Final Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 13, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- Rick Porter (April 18, 2018). "NCIS, Alex, Inc., Lethal Weapon, The Flash Adjust Up, For the People Down: Tuesday Final Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 19, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- Rick Porter (April 19, 2018). "Empire and The Voice Adjust Up: Wednesday Final Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 19, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- Rick Porter (April 26, 2018). "Empire Adjusts Up: Wednesday Final Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 26, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
- Rick Porter (May 3, 2018). "Modern Family Adjusts Down to Series Low: Wednesday Final Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 4, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
- Rick Porter (May 10, 2018). "The Blacklist Adjusts Up: Wednesday Final Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 11, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
- Rick Porter (May 17, 2018). "Survivor and The Blacklist Finale Adjust Up: Wednesday Final Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 18, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
External links
- Alex, Inc. at IMDb