The narrative of Mid-Century Modern “really expresses what everybody ultimately wants,’ says producer-writer Max Mutchnick, who created the sitcom with David Kohan. “Everyone, no matter who you are, wants a friend group that you love and adore, that you feel safe around. When it’s all over, the only thing that we’re going to have are the connections that we make with other people, and whether it’s blood relatives or your chosen family, you’ve got to make the most of it.”
Sitcoms, or situational comedies, originated as a form of serialised entertainment designed to bring humour and lighthearted storytelling into people’s lives. Their roots can be traced back to the golden age of radio in the 1930s and 1940s when radio comedies like Amos ‘n’ Andy and The Jack Benny Program became incredibly popular. These shows relied on humorous scenarios and engaging characters to keep audiences tuning in week after week. With the rise of television in the 1950s, sitcoms transitioned from radio to TV screens, gaining widespread popularity. Early television sitcoms like I Love Lucy and The Honeymooners set the template for the genre, featuring recurring characters, laugh tracks, and episodic plots centered around everyday situations. These shows emphasized relatable humor, which resonated deeply with audiences and evolved over time, experimenting with formats, styles, and themes.
The Mid-Century Modern TV series draws inspiration from the timeless aesthetic of mid-century modern design, which emphasizes clean lines, organic shapes, and functional elegance. The creators, Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, were inspired by the nostalgic charm of this design era and its ability to evoke a sense of sophistication and warmth. The show’s setting—a chic Palm Springs home—perfectly embodies the style, blending retro elements with contemporary themes.
The series pays homage to classic sitcoms like The Golden Girls, using humour and heartfelt storytelling to explore themes of friendship, loss, and reinvention. The creators aimed to create a show that feels both nostalgic and fresh, appealing to audiences who appreciate the enduring appeal of character-driven comedy.
The cultural impact of Mid-Century Modern lies in its ability to bridge nostalgia with contemporary storytelling. By drawing on the charm and camaraderie of classic sitcoms like The Golden Girls, while weaving in modern themes of ageing, identity, and friendship, the show appeals to a broad audience. It opens up conversations about life’s transitions, finding joy in unexpected moments, and embracing the complexities of relationships—topics that resonate universally.
Mid-Century Modern follows three gay best friends — Bunny Schneiderman (Nathan Lane), Jerry Frank (Matt Bomer) and Arthur Broussard (Nathan Lee Graham) — who, after an unexpected death, decide to spend their golden years in Palm Springs, where Bunny lives with his mother, Sybil (Linda Lavin).
All 10 episodes are available for streaming on Hulu
The writing process of Mid-Century Modern
When Max Mutchnick and David Kohan set out to craft each episode of their new comedy, Mid-Century Modern, they made sure to include plenty of laughs, but, at the same time, make it feel realistic and heartfelt, emphasising the emotional core of each episode.
To achieve this, they used a guiding principle in their writers’ room called “WITRA”—”What is this really about?”—to ensure that every story was rooted in truth and authenticity.
“In our writing room, we wrote across the top of the dry-erase board, ‘What is this really about?’ That’s the WITRA, and that’s what guides us. It’s about finding the emotional core of the story and when you’re using that as the jumping-off point, you’re pretty sure that you’re going to write something from a place of truth and that’s just the way that we have always written our shows,” says Mutchnick.
The duo has had previous success using this method including with their hit series Will & Grace, which ran for 11 seasons.
With Mid-Century Modern, they’re telling the story of three best friends — gay gentlemen of a certain age — who, after an unexpected death, decide to spend their golden years living together in Palm Springs, in the home the wealthiest one shares with his mother. The series stars Nathan Lane as Bunny Schneiderman, Matt Bomer as Jerry Frank, Nathan Lee Graham as Arthur Broussard, and Linda Lavin as Sybil Schneiderman, Bunny’s mother.
To keep foundational truthfulness in the story, while still injecting as much humor as possible, Kohan says that, “all of the writers are pretty honest with each other to keep anything from getting out of hand, like, we’ll say, ‘is this cringy? Is this too maudlin? Does this feel right tonally?’. When we see the rehearsal process, we can tell if anything feels dishonest and if you’re being hard enough on yourself, you know what you want to get out of a scene, and you know whether or not you are getting that.”
Mutchnick, being true to what Kohan has just said, interjects, ”You just write them all like a negotiation with the spouse, right? Meaning, you know, you’re trying to get what you want, and give them love at the same time, and make them laugh so you get what you want. That’s what every scene is, really.”
Balancing the serious with the funny, while telling a modern, relatable story makes the series both ‘new, but also familiar,’ says Kohan. “That, to me, is one of the strengths of our show. And I think sometimes sit-coms get a bad rap, but really they still work well, and they’re totally enjoyable.”
The team worked to balance the nostalgic charm of classic sitcoms with modern sensibilities, creating relatable and meaningful narratives. They also maintained a collaborative environment, where writers were encouraged to be honest and critical to ensure the tone and humor felt genuine. This approach allowed them to craft scenes that were both funny and emotionally resonant, staying true to the characters’ experiences.
The series also faced unique challenges, such as incorporating the real-life passing of Linda Lavin, who played Sybil, into the storyline. The creators honored her memory by writing her character’s journey with care and sensitivity, reflecting the impact of loss and the resilience of moving forward.
Working with the duo behind the camera is legendary director James Burrows, who’s helmed classic shows such as Cheers, Friends, Frasier, and the entirety of Will & Grace.
“We’ve had almost a 30 year relationship [with Jimmy] at this point. He’s kind of watched us grow up,“ says Kohan. “He always says, ‘I have a fun clause. I have to have fun and if I’m not having fun, I’m going. So our goal has always been to keep him around, and he stayed for all of the episodes so, yeah, he must have had fun.”
Kohan mentions that he and Mutchnick are actually a reflection of this ideal, saying, “I mean, we went to high school together, and we keep ending up working on shows together!”
The sitcom Mid-Century Modern was primarily written by Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, who also created the show. Other contributors to the writing include Suzanne Martin, Adam Barr, Dan Bucatinsky, Alex Herschlag, and Tracy Poust.
Producer and writer Max Mutchnick
Best known as the co-creator of the iconic sitcom Will & Grace, Max Mutchnick was raised by his single mother. Mutchnick graduated from Emerson College in 1987, and his career in Hollywood began with writing for game shows and sitcoms like Good Advice and The Wonder Years. Together with his creative partner David Kohan, Mutchnick created several successful TV shows, including Boston Common, Good Morning, Miami, and Will & Grace. The characters Will Truman and Grace Adler from Will & Grace are inspired by Mutchnick and his best friend. He has received numerous accolades for his work, including an Emmy Award and multiple Golden Globe nominations.
Mutchnick has been a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in media. Many of the themes and characters in his shows, like Will & Grace, reflect his personal experiences and his journey as part of the LGBTQ+ community. He is married to Erik Hyman, an entertainment lawyer, and the couple has twin daughters born via a surrogate. Together, they’ve been active philanthropists, supporting various charities and causes, particularly those related to LGBTQ+ rights and education.
Mutchnick has often spoken about the importance of telling authentic stories and creating spaces for diverse voices in the entertainment industry. His work continues to inspire and resonate with audiences around the world.
Producer and writer David Kohan
Celebrated for his contributions to the sitcom genre. David Kohan comes from a family deeply rooted in the entertainment industry—his father, Buz Kohan, is an Emmy-winning television writer, and his sister, Jenji Kohan, is the creator of Orange Is the New Black. Kohan is best known for co-creating the groundbreaking sitcom Will & Grace alongside his longtime writing partner, Max Mutchnick. The show, which debuted in 1998, was a trailblazer for LGBTQ+ representation on television and earned numerous accolades, including an Emmy Award. Kohan and Mutchnick have also collaborated on other series like Boston Common, Good Morning, Miami, and most recently, Mid-Century Modern, which premiered in 2025.
Kohan graduated from Wesleyan University, where he majored in English and philosophy. He has a reputation for blending humor with heartfelt storytelling, creating shows that resonate with audiences while addressing contemporary themes.
David Kohan’s career reflects his skill in creating heartfelt and impactful television. Beyond his work on Will & Grace, which brought LGBTQ+ stories to mainstream audiences, Kohan has been praised for his talent in developing relatable characters and sharp, engaging dialogue.
He has collaborated with Max Mutchnick on several other shows, including Boston Common and Good Morning, Miami. Their latest project, Mid-Century Modern, showcases their ability to balance nostalgia with contemporary storytelling, drawing comparisons to classic sitcoms like The Golden Girls. Kohan’s creative process often emphasizes humor as a way to explore universal themes, making his work resonate across generations.
Additionally, Kohan’s philosophical background from Wesleyan University has influenced his storytelling approach, often blending comedy with deeper human truths. His ability to adapt and innovate has cemented his place as one of television’s most influential creators.
