ALEX, INC.: THE UNFAIR ADVANTAGE {SERIES PREMIERE} (TV)
Summary
The first in this comedy series about a frustrated radio journalist who impulsively launches his own company, inspired by Gimlet Media founder Alex Blumberg and his show "StartUp."
In this episode, Alex Schuman nervously pitches his idea for "the Cadillac of podcast companies" to billionaire investor Chris Sacca. He explains that, one month earlier, he abruptly quit his longtime job at the "Cheer Up!" show, wishing to explore more serious and thoughtful journalism stories by starting his own company. His wife Rooni encouraged him to follow his dreams, though reminded him not to touch their 401(k) account. Alex assembled his "dream team": eccentric producer Deirdre Riordan, though she is somewhat obsessed with him, and his second cousin, salesman Eddie LaGuzza. Eddie found them an office space in an "incubator" alongside other entrepreneurs, and Alex guiltily dipped into the 401(k) to pay the rent. Alex convinced his skeptical family that the image-less world of podcasting is a compelling way to tell stories, like the tale of accused – and possibly framed – murderer Wesley Harman, though his plan to intervene Harman as his first story fell apart when Harman suffered an unfortunate medical emergency. Rooni was upset to find out about the 401(k).
When Sacca asks Alex what "unfair advantage" sets him apart from a million other would-be CEOs, Alex cannot think of an answer. Later, however, he is inspired by his son Ben's brave sleight-of-hand performance at his school's talent show, and he rushes off to Teterboro Airport to catch Sacca before he boards his private jet. He informs Sacca that he himself is the "unfair advantage" because of his talent and creativity. He declares that his first story will be about his own American Dream-inspired story to start his own company from nothing; Sacca is impressed by his reckless passion and agrees to invest in the company. Alex celebrates with his family – before being arrested for trespassing at the private airport. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: November 30, 1999 8:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:22:01
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 132889
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Entrepreneurs; Business; Podcasts
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 2018
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Matt Tarses … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Zach Braff … Executive Producer, Director
- John Davis … Executive Producer
- John Fox … Executive Producer
- Alex Blumberg … Executive Producer
- Chris Giliberti … Executive Producer
- Matt Lieber … Executive Producer
- Jill Footlick … Producer
- Mike Stein … Co-Producer
- Kabir Akhtar … Co-Producer
- Deen Dioria … Associate Producer
- Rob Simonsen … Music by
- Zach Braff … Cast, Alex Schuman
- Tiya Sircar … Cast, Arunima "Rooni" Schuman
- Hillary Anne Matthews … Cast, Deirdre Riordan
- Elisha Henig … Cast, Ben Schuman
- Audyssie James … Cast, Soraya Schuman
- Michael Imperioli … Cast, Eddie LaGuzza
- Chris Sacca … Cast, Himself
- Austin Pendleton … Cast, Wesley Harman
- Ashleigh Murray … Cast, Melissa
- Eleanor Koski … Cast, Chloe
- Sarah Dacey Charles … Cast, Boss
- Weston Allen Kemp … Cast, Nerdy Intern
- Tuffy Questell … Cast, Landlord
- Veronica Reyes-How … Cast, Teacher
- Catherine Davis … Cast, Chef
- Wayne Chang … Cast, Shushing Parent
- Angelo Pizza … Cast, Boy Singing
- William Key Wilde III … Cast, Tough Kid