Welcome to our era of generational navel-gazing and angst at growing older. Since the Boomers decided to produce Thirtysomething in the 1980s, we’ve had to look at generational hubris interpreted through network sitcoms or dramas.

Up to this point, the only TV show to cover these areas for my age range was How I Met Your Mother, of which I’m a fan. It covers the generic experience of 20s and 30s living in an urban environment. The show has mixed reactions among my friends, but situations on the show have actually happened to me in real life.

Will these shows be successful? More and more Millenials are getting rid of their TVs and only watching shows online, so I’m curious to see what ratings will be like. As you’ll see, Thursdays appear to be the only night people my age watch TV.

My Generation (Thursday, ABC)

This should could be interesting. My Generation appears to be a faux documentary that follows up a group of students who graduated in 2000 to see where they are now. That is the same year that I graduated from high school (actually tomorrow is the 10th anniversary of my graduation), so how accurate will it be?

As the trailer shows, we’ve had a lot thrown at us. President Clinton taught us about sex, our first election was one of the most contentious in American history, we woke up one morning in college to see the Twin Towers fall, we lost all faith in the stock market and corporate America, and our friends and relatives are fighting two controversial wars on the other side of the world. Will it actually explore how world events have shaped us or just reinforce existing stereotypes? Unfortunately, the trailer looks like the latter (with an emphasis on the smart chick who works in DC).

$#*! My Dad Says (Thursday, CBS)

Based on the popular Twiter account, this show put’s Captain Kirk as the father of 29-year-old Twitterer who shares the crazy stuff his dad says with the world. To my knowledge, this will be the first network sitcom based on a real person’s social media account. Justin Halpern, who at 29 comes just under the Millenial category, exhibited very Gen Y behavior by moving back home with his dad. Will the show be funny? Who knows. Halpern has scored a book deal and probably has a comfortable lifestyle based on his boomerang existence. That is the ultimate Millenial goal: amass a huge fortune by over-sharing your life.

Look for this show to spawn countless numbers of obnoxious copycats on Twitter trying to score fame.

Friends With Benefits (Mid-season replacement, NBC)

Because people in their twenties need one more show about navigating relationships and dating. To me, this looks predictable. It was also written by the author of 500 Days of Summer, which tried to be art house and pretentious but actually sucked. Another twist on Friends since the main couple could be Ross and Rachel. You know at some point they’ll try dating, break up and then ultimately end up together after a series of funny hijinks and heartfelt confessions.

Possible Millenial Shows

Off the Map (Mid-season, ABC)

Off the Map, a medical drama from Grey’s Anatomy creator Shondra Rhimes, could also fall into this category, but it’s unclear from the descriptions. Per the official description:

…the new medical drama that revolves around the young doctors of a remote medical clinic in the tiny South American town of La Cuidad de las Estrellas (the city of stars). While they may have fled the bright lights and big cities of America, they soon discover it’s not easy to leave your baggage behind, as they grapple with new relationships and past secrets.

Nothing says Millenial more than getting hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt for your education and then devoting your life to relative poverty to prove you aren’t a middle class sellout like your parents.  (I do have a lot of respect for people engaged in working in developing countries or missionaries. It just depends on your motivation. I don’t respect people who go into the Peace Corps to make political statements or appease middle class guilt.)

Love Bites (Thursdays, NBC)

Love Bites seems to be an edgier version of Friends with Benefits. It’s also unclear who it’s aimed at. Judging by the apartments in the trailer, no one in their twenties can afford to live that way, but realistic housing doesn’t exist on TV. That would be far too depressing. Until the show premieres, I can’t tell if it’s a younger Sex and the City or aimed at the post-Gossip Girl crowd.

Good cause, but it makes you wonder what ideas were left on the drawing board. Guys, if you’re looking for the perfect gift for your significant other this holiday season, stick with the toaster or blender over the CBS suggestion.

I’m not heartless, and pap smears are important since cervical cancer is completely preventable. However, that’s just not a smart gift for your female loved one.