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Alex, Inc.

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Alex, Inc. is an American sitcom 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 and Michael Imperioli.

Alex, Inc.
GenreSitcom
Created byMatt Tarses
Based onStartUp
by Gimlet Media, Inc.
Starring
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Patrick Kienlen
  • Paul O'Toole
  • Andy St. Clair
CinematographyEric Edwards
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time21–22 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseMarch 28 (2018-03-28) –
May 16, 2018 (2018-05-16)

Premise

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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

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Main

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  • 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 Arunima “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
  • Michael Imperioli as Eddie, Alex's cousin and an investor in the new company

Notable guest stars

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Production

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Development

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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

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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

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No.Title [15][16]Directed byWritten byOriginal air date [15][16]Prod.
code [15]		U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"The Unfair Advantage"Zach BraffMatt TarsesMarch 28, 2018 (2018-03-28)1004.60[17]

Radio journalist Alex Schuman has tired of only being allowed to do feel-good stories, so he quits his job and decides to instead create his own podcast through which he believes he can change the world. The sudden death of his intended first interviewee (a supposedly wrongly convicted murderer) and continuous problems with financing make Alex drop the project, but Ben's magic show makes Alex change his mind, and he successfully pitches an idea to Chris Sacca: a podcast about Alex and his family's everyday lives.

Guest stars: Chris Sacca as himself, Austin Pendleton as Wesley Harman, Ashleigh Murray as Melissa
2"The Wax Museum"Zach BraffMatt TarsesApril 4, 2018 (2018-04-04)1013.73[18]

Alex has barely begun working on his podcast, but is already feeling the pressure of trying to juggle his private life and work. Meanwhile, Deirdre and Eddie are arguing and eventually sabotage each other by scheduling two important meetings at the same time; both of which Alex has to attend. All of this makes Alex doubt himself, but Ben's wax museum project makes Alex change his mind, and he successfully convinces advertisers and a major interview subject to support his podcast.

Guest star: Morgan Krantz as Jack Miller
3"The Butterfly Pavilion"Richie KeenVanessa McCarthyApril 11, 2018 (2018-04-11)1033.53[19]

Eddie ignores a decision by Alex and installs a recording booth at the office. Alex feels his authority is being undermined by this (and Eddie's behaviour in general), and the two have an altercation which quickly turns physical. Meanwhile, Rooni chaperones Soraya's school trip to the Butterfly Pavilion, where Rooni accidentally commits a murder.

Guest stars: Kelly Perine as Marion, Candice Azzara as Aunt Louise, Jill Johnson as Teacher
4"The Nanny"Alisa StatmanJuliet SeniffApril 17, 2018 (2018-04-17)1064.85[20]

With Alex having started his own company and also having to hire an assistant, he and Rooni need to cut down on expenses. As a result, they fire their beloved babysitter Rosalba and instead hire Ben to look after Soraya; a job Ben proves utterly incapable of doing. Due to a misunderstanding, Rosalba believes she instead has gotten the assistant job; a job she proves utterly incapable of doing.

Guest stars: Robert Clendenin as Dave Felix, Philip Anthony Rodriguez as Nelsen Munoz
5"The Mother-in-Law"Michael Patrick JannDan RubinApril 18, 2018 (2018-04-18)1022.76[21]

Alex struggles to name his company while also having to deal with his judgmental mother-in-law Joya. He eventually gives up and hires a branding agency to name the company. But after Joya tell him about her childhood experience of being sent to the market alone for the first time and overcoming her fear of "ajana," the unknown, Alex decides to name the company Ajana.

Guest stars: Anjali Bhimani as Joya, John Patrick Jordan as Harley, Courtney Richards as Emile
6"The Cop Car"Zach BraffAndy St. Clair & Paul O'TooleApril 25, 2018 (2018-04-25)1042.94[22]

To promote his podcast Our Family's Business, Alex goes on the raunchy Vanessa Stanhope Show where he is baited into revealing he had sex with Rooni on their first date. Rooni gets angry but when Alex eventually apologizes to her, she reveals her anger stems from Alex paying attention only to his company and not to his family. Meanwhile, Deirdre's former employer offers her a job, and Ben realizes his bandmate has a crush on him.

Guest star: Sophia Bush as Vanessa Stanhope
7"The Grande Apologano"Zach BraffLisa McQuillanApril 25, 2018 (2018-04-25)1072.49[22]

Alex's company Ajana is looking for potential podcasts to produce, but none of the pitches they receive seem quite right. After Rooni makes a great teaser for a true-crime podcast, Alex decides to produce the podcast but cut her out of the process since he finds her too controlling in work situations. This leads to a row between the two, making Alex leave the project and the inexperienced Rooni take over. Meanwhile, Ben's relationship with Emily is getting crowded by her friend Lauren, and Deirdre goes out on a date with a prospective podcaster.

Guest stars: Matt Walsh as Detective Phipps, Joel Kelley Dauten as Jeremy
8"The Internet Trolls"Phil TraillJoshua Corey & Brian KratzMay 2, 2018 (2018-05-02)1053.06[23]
Rooni and Ben work hard on Soraya's diorama for school, but only get a B. Meanwhile, Ajana's teaser for their Our Family's Business podcast is met by a barrage of trolling, deeply hurting Alex's feelings and making him worry he will let down his family and employees. He decides to stay home, rather than go to the launch party, but a talk with Rooni makes Alex change his mind and attend the party.
9"The Fever"Chris KochMorgan Beck & Dan RubinMay 9, 2018 (2018-05-09)1083.03[24]

Alex has put an expensive focus group on Ajana's new podcast, but Deirdre accidentally deletes all the feedback. To avoid Alex finding out, she creates her own, free focus group to get new data. Meanwhile, Alex's mother-in-law is visiting. Alex worries she is badmouthing him whenever she talks in Bengali, so he downloads a translating app which accidentally reveals a big secret. In addition, Alex discovers Soraya is pretending to be sick for reasons she won't reveal.

Guest star: Anjali Bhimani as Joya
10"The Rube Goldberg Contraption"John PutchJoshua Corey & Brian KratzMay 16, 2018 (2018-05-16)1093.24[25]

Our Family's Business unexpectedly becomes the most downloaded podcast in the US, so main investor Chris Sacca wants Ajana to create five new podcasts with the help of famous podcast producer Serena Bans. This in turn leads to conflict within the office. Meanwhile, Alex worries he and Ben are drifting apart and tries to rectify that by making a live podcast about Ben.

Special guest star: Natalie Morales as Serena Bans

Guest stars: Sam Lloyd as Dr. Gibbs, Dean Cameron as Bruce

Reception

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Critical

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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. The site's critics consensus reads, "By failing to establish the credibility of its lead, Alex, Inc loses sight an appealing premise and strands a likable Zach Braff in a sea of wasted potential."[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]

Ratings

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Season 1

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Viewership and ratings per episode of Alex, Inc.
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]

Overall

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Viewership and ratings per season of Alex, Inc.
Season Episodes First aired Last aired Avg. viewers
(millions)
Date Viewers
(millions) 		Date Viewers
(millions)
1 10 March 28, 2018 (2018-03-28) 4.60[17] May 16, 2018 (2018-05-16) 3.24[25] 3.42

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Alex, Inc. Show Bios". Disney ABC Press. Archived from the original on February 12, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Nellie Andreeva (August 29, 2016). "ABC Nabs Start Up Comedy Starring & Directed by Zach Braff as Put Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 30, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  3. ^ Nellie Andreeva (January 25, 2017). "Zach Braff Comedy Start Up, Mayor Show from Daveed Diggs Get ABC Pilot Orders". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Nellie Andreeva (May 11, 2017). "Zach Braff Comedy Pilot Gets Series Order at ABC". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 18, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  5. ^ 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. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  6. ^ "ABC Unveils 2017–18 Primetime Schedule" (Press release). ABC. May 16, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2018 – via The Futon Critic.
  7. ^ 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. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  8. ^ "ABC Unveils Midseason Schedule" (Press release). ABC. January 8, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018 – via The Futon Critic.
  9. ^ Nellie Andreeva; Erik Pedersen (May 9, 2018). "Alex, Inc. Canceled After One Season on ABC". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  10. ^ Denise Petski (February 15, 2017). "Start Up ABC Comedy Pilot Casts Tiya Sircar; Jeanine Mason Joins The CW's Searchers". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  11. ^ Nellie Andreeva (March 8, 2017). "Michael Imperioli Cast in ABC Startup Comedy Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  12. ^ Denise Petski (March 14, 2017). "J. August Richards Joins The Gospel of Kevin ABC Pilot, Startup Comedy Adds Hillary Anne Matthews". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 6, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  13. ^ Denise Petski (March 22, 2017). "Chris Sacca to Play Himself in ABC Start Up Comedy Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  14. ^ Liam Matthews (February 8, 2018). "Chicago P.D.'s Sophia Bush to Guest Star on Alex, Inc.". TV Guide. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  15. ^ a b c "Alex, Inc. Episode Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  16. ^ a b "Alex, Inc. Episode Guide". Zap2it.
  17. ^ a b c Mitch Metcalf (March 29, 2018). "Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.28.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  18. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (April 5, 2018). "Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.4.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 6, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  19. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (April 12, 2018). "Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.11.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 12, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  20. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (April 18, 2018). "Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.17.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 19, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  21. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (April 19, 2018). "Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.18.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 20, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  22. ^ a b c d Mitch Metcalf (April 26, 2018). "Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.25.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 27, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  23. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (May 3, 2018). "Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.2.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 4, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  24. ^ a b Mitch Metcalf (May 10, 2018). "Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.9.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 11, 2018. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  25. ^ a b c Mitch Metcalf (May 17, 2018). "Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.16.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 18, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  26. ^ "Alex, Inc: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  27. ^ "Alex, Inc Season 1 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  28. ^ 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.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ 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.
  32. ^ 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.
  33. ^ a b 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.
  34. ^ 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.
  35. ^ 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.
  36. ^ 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.
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