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The new television sitcoms "Poppa's House" and "Shifting Gears" present thoughtful takes on the crossroads many millennials may face as they inch closer to middle age. "Poppa's House" debuted on CBS last October. Emmy-nominated comedian Damon Wayans stars as Poppa, a cynical yet easygoing father and grandfather who is savoring the success of his decadeslong radio show and his ability to still "kick it" with listeners. Wayans' real-life son Damon Wayans Jr. portrays his son, Damon, on the show, which makes the family humor even more relatable for audiences. Damon is 35 and happily married with two beautiful children, but he is dealing with a major life disappointment of not fulfilling his dream of becoming a film director. ABC's "Shifting Gears" boasts a star-studded cast of Tim Allen and Kat Dennings, who play Matt and Riley, a father and daughter trying to mend their broken relationship. Like Poppa, Matt is skeptical about many things, mainly due to the untimely death of his wife. However, Matt is more of a curmudgeon, as he has shied away from social activities and believes younger generations lack discipline and a firm work ethic. When Riley returns home to her father as a divorced and broke single mom with two kids, Matt agrees to help her get back on her feet, but he is frustrated with his daughter's choices.

I've watched "Poppa's House" and "Shifting Gears" with a particular focus on Damon and Riley. Although they are not 40 yet, they, like many millennials, are making critical decisions that determine the trajectory of their futures. From a financial standpoint, Damon is in a much better position than Riley. He has a well-paying job, but it was given to him by his father-in-law, J.J., played by "Cosby Show" alum Geoffrey Owens. J.J. constantly holds his reluctant generosity over Damon's head, and Damon feels stuck because he needs money to support his family, which requires him to pause his directing aspirations. Riley has no immediate job prospects and ends up working temporarily for her father, who reminds her that he was willing to put her through law school.

Damon and Riley are experiencing what many therapists consider a different mid-life crisis for millennials. Unlike some baby boomers and Gen Xers before them, many millennials are not going on lavish spending sprees or buying luxury cars to ease the anxiety of aging. Some millennials are financially strapped because they are paying off student loan debt or paying more for milestone purchases such as a home due to rising inflation. An article by the editorial team for BetterHelp, which provides global services of licensed therapists, describes how many millennials feel "trapped" because they work multiple jobs to make ends meet and feel the stress of less time to achieve their goals. Because of these economic pressures, "Millennials may believe they are stuck in their current lifestyles," the article reads.

Thus far, the storylines surrounding Damon and Riley depict that they feel wedged between their life responsibilities, and although they are still young, they frequently fight off feelings of regret. For example, in one episode, Damon stands up for himself and his wife when a friend who has a directing career, albeit not a hugely successful one, tries to make him feel guilty for getting married and having children. Riley battles her emotions of failure when learning that a former high school classmate is the assistant principal of the school her son attends.

As I continue to follow "Poppa's House" and "Shifting Gears," I am curious to see if a storylines with spiritual encouragement are written for Damon and Riley. "Poppa's House" is geared toward an African American audience, and the church is still a vital part of many Black communities, so this is perhaps a script option. In a "Shifting Gears" episode, Matt makes a reference to "Jesus taking the wheel," but Riley smirks at her dad's comment. In contemplating the possibility of a spiritually themed episode for these shows, I reflected on my conversations with friends, pondering what we would tell our thirtysomething selves. I had ambitions similar to Damon's when I was younger, wanting a career in sports broadcasting. However, God placed me on a different path in teaching and writing. I've told my friends that if I could go back in time, I would pray more for direction in aligning my desires with God's plan for my life.

Watching Damon and Riley navigate their lives at pivotal junctures has probably caused many older viewers like me to think about past mistakes and successes. It will be interesting to see how the story arcs of these characters turn out as they mature.

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Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at Ohio State University's Lima campus. Email her at smojc.jj@gmail.com. Follow her on X: @JjSmojc. To find out more about Jessica Johnson and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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