As a comedy centered on 20-somethings in New York City, FX’s *Adults* was inevitably compared to *Friends*. Creators Rebecca Shaw and Ben Kronengold welcomed these comparisons.

“Ben and I grew up watching *Friends*. We adore that show. We also have a fondness for *Living Single*, *Seinfeld*, *Broad City*, and *Girls*,” Shaw shared with Mashable during the *Say More* interview series. “We don’t pretend to be the pioneers of a 20-somethings-in-New-York comedy… But those comparisons are genuinely flattering.”

Drawing inspiration from *Friends* and other iconic comedies, Shaw and Kronengold consulted *Friends* creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane prior to filming *Adults*. The experienced showrunners provided valuable guidance.

“They were incredibly generous with their time and offered insights on writing and maintaining a show like this, forming an ensemble, and fostering healthy cast dynamics,” Shaw noted.

The *Friends* creators also assisted *Adults* in finding a new title. Originally pitched as *Snowflakes* in 2021, the name was reassessed.

“People frequently mentioned ‘special snowflakes,’ and we thought, ‘What if we take that back?'” Shaw remarked. “Rather than ridiculing these young adults for their sensitivity, we aimed to demonstrate they are more resilient than they appear.”

However, as the term “snowflake” became outdated, it risked diminishing the show’s significance. Kauffman and Crane voiced doubts about the title.

“When they express that, you certainly need to pay attention,” Kronengold stated.

Selecting *Adults* as the new title arose from discussions with Kauffman and Crane. Growing up with *Friends*, Shaw and Kronengold perceived it as a show about adults. Kauffman and Crane regarded it as “a study of young people,” Kronengold remembered.

This viewpoint reminded Shaw and Kronengold that although their generation would watch the series, other age groups—both older and younger—might also engage with it.

“We revisited our memories of watching these shows, feeling that it was about adults. That’s why *Adults*, despite its simplicity, felt appropriate,” Kronengold expressed.

“And [Adam] Sandler got to *Grown Ups* first,” Shaw quipped.

For more insights on *Adults* from Shaw and Kronengold, check out the full interview on *Say More*’s YouTube channel.

**How to watch:** All episodes of *Adults* are currently available for streaming on Hulu.