Not quite “Friends”—but close

Trying to recreate the magic of one of the great sitcoms of all time, “Friends,” is no easy task.

It would be like a boxer trying to follow Muhammad Ali, a basketball player filling the shoes of Michael Jordan, or a football quarterback trying to replace and/or become the next Tom Brady.

Tough shoes to fill, indeed.

Hulu’s new comedy “Not Suitable for Work,” written by Mindy Kaling, tries to follow a similar storyline to “Friends.”

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Does it match up? Does it come close? Again, without unfairly comparing “Not Suitable for Work” to the legendary “Friends,” it does come pretty darn close.

The show attaches to you like glue on wood. Not a total bond at first. You won’t be wowed or overwhelmed right from the start, and it won’t instantly become your favorite TV show, but give it time. It kind of has a slow boil effect, eventually, over a few episodes, winning you over as you start to get the feel of the show and the chemistry between the actors.

“Not Suitable for Work” revolves around five twentysomethings, all entrenched in their individual work worlds, all with romantic and career difficulties.

Individually, they are good, but collectively, even better as the episodes develop.

Will Angus is truly hilarious as Davis, the sometimes suave, more often stumbling young executive with major crush issues on fellow worker and across-the-hall friendAJ, played by Ella Hunt.

Definitely some Ross and Rachel stuff going on here asAJ crushesDavis, both at work and by looking at him only as a “friend.”

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Avantika stars as Abby, a model agency assistant to the boss, who is just starting to spread her own wings and take on more authority. Nicolas Duvernay, oozing in natural screen charisma, stars as Kel, an aspiring (but failing) actor wannabe whose parents see him finishing college and going on to become a doctor or lawyer. The conflict there is clear, but what is not clear is if there will be any romance between him and Abby.

The fifth member of the group is Josh, played by Jack Martin, a likeable guy struggling after a breakup with a serious girlfriend. Martin has a definite charisma factor and holds up strong as the fifth cog in the ensemble.

The comedy is mostly subtle, with the exception of a few Will Angus scenes (laugh-out-loud good!), but the writing by Kaling and the build of the story lines aresuperb.

Again, trying to match “Friends”? Forget about it. But taken by itself, standing alone as a comedy in the world of sitcoms? It rises above many of the others.

Bottom line? “Not suitable for Work” on Hulu is well worth the watch—with maybe greater things ahead.