From elaborate Survivor viewing rituals to an unexpected Broadway performance and a disastrous attempt at becoming a pop star, Adults Season 2 is packed with references that reflect the personalities of its characters.

The FX comedy has continued to make an impact on pop culture in its own right, but its latest season also draws inspiration from the shows, music and experiences that have influenced its creative team. Series co-creators Rebecca Shaw and Ben Kronengold recently opened up about the real-life ideas behind some of Season 2’s most memorable moments.

Why Survivor Was the Perfect Show for Billie

One of the season’s recurring pop culture references comes from Billie, played by Lucy Freyer, and Issa, played by Amita Rao, who share a love of the long-running reality competition Survivor.

According to Shaw, the choice felt particularly fitting for Billie’s personality. She explained that many of the “Billies” in her own life are fans of Survivor, suggesting that the show’s structure and competitive social dynamics naturally appeal to that type of character.

For Shaw, Billie’s love of organized fun also connects with the appeal of Survivor, where strategy and constantly shifting social rules are central to the game.

The characters’ unusual viewing routine — watching the show in bed while wearing leis and drinking from plastic margarita glasses — was also influenced by the creative team behind the episode.

Kronengold said moments like these often reflect the interests of the writers’ room at the time. The songs playing during lunch and the television shows the writers are currently watching can eventually find their way into the series.

Sarah Naftalis, who wrote the episode, is a particularly enthusiastic Survivor fan, Kronengold noted. Her knowledge of the show even inspired the joke about recognizing where a hidden immunity idol might be based on the direction of the camera.

However, the creators also try to make sure their references remain connected to the characters rather than simply chasing whatever is popular at a particular moment.

Shaw said the team avoids tying the series too closely to a specific period such as 2026, knowing that references rooted too heavily in a brief cultural moment could quickly feel dated. A long-running phenomenon like Survivor, on the other hand, gives the show a reference that can feel more enduring.

The Personal Story Behind Issa’s Broadway Moment

Another standout moment in Season 2 sees Issa take the spotlight with a performance of “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables during Carly’s single launch.

The decision to include the song had a particularly personal connection for Shaw and Kronengold.

Amita Rao, who plays Issa, previously sang the song at Shaw and Kronengold’s wedding after-party. Shaw recalled that Rao’s performance brought the room to life, convincing the creators that her singing talent had to be incorporated into the show somehow.

Season 2 ultimately gave them the opportunity to do exactly that, turning Rao’s real-life vocal ability into one of Issa’s memorable moments onscreen.

Carly’s Pop Star Dreams Were Inspired by a Familiar Type of Friend

Carly, played by Rachel Marsh, also gets her own musical storyline in Season 2 through her unsuccessful K-pop ambitions and the single “Hiccups (Body Go Crazy).”

Kronengold said the storyline grew out of the writers’ shared interest in musical comedy, which they wanted to explore more directly this season.

As the writers discussed possible ideas, they realized that many of them had known a similar person in high school or college — someone who appeared to be following a stable path before unexpectedly changing direction and releasing a pop single.

That shared experience became the inspiration for what Kronengold described as the “pop girlie” phenomenon.

Carly’s musical ambitions also become an important challenge for her relationship with Samir, played by Malik Elassal. Initially comfortable with the idea of having a stable girlfriend and taking on a supportive role, Samir finds himself facing a very different reality as Carly begins moving in an unexpected direction.

The creators saw the storyline as an opportunity to explore “boyfriend Samir” and test how he would respond when the person he loves appeared ready to dramatically change her life.

Ultimately, Carly’s ambitions become one of several obstacles that Samir and Carly struggle to overcome before the season comes to an end. But the storyline also produced one of Adults Season 2’s catchiest additions to its growing pop culture footprint.

With references ranging from Survivor to Les Misérables and musical comedy, Season 2 shows how the personal interests and experiences of the writers continue to shape the world of Adults — while still keeping each pop culture moment closely tied to the characters at the center of the story.

Adults Season 2 is now streaming on Hulu.

Source: https://www.tvinsider.com/