'Minimum Wage' Review: Netflix's Format-Breaking Hangout Series
By Daniel Fienberg
Chief Television Critic
The FienPrint
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October 26, 2026 10:35am
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Netflix's 'Minimum Wage' stars (L-R): Aidan Micho, Grace Reiter, Hyde Healy, Julia Dicesare, Luke Burke, Ryan Micho, Tommy Armstrong, and Randall Park
There were plenty of reasons why Quibi, the short-form streaming platform, failed within eight months of its 2020 launch.
There was the poor timing, obviously: A streamer intended to offer viewers quick bites of programming perfect for wedging into a commute or office lunch break launched as a global pandemic was temporarily halting commutes and office lunch breaks.
The Bottom Line
Not much substance, but fast and likable.
Airdate: Monday, October 26 (Netflix)
Cast:
- Aidan Micho
- Grace Reiter
- Hyde Healy
- Julia Dicesare
- Luke Burke
- Ryan Micho
- Tommy Armstrong
- Randall Park
Showrunners: Jeremy Garelick and Will Phelps
There was the silly, mispronounced name. (Though is “Quibi” actually sillier than “Tubi” or “Mubi?)
Then there was the decision to offer a forward-looking format, which the streamer entrusted to a bunch of behind-the-curve showrunners who couldn’t distinguish between “actual micro-programming” and “traditional programming cut into 10-minute chunks.”
Remember that Quibi *and its like-minded rivals are long gone, but their legacy lives on in shows like Netflix’s Minimum Wage.
This adaptation of the web series of the same name from production company American High is fast-paced, likable, and ultimately, a testament to the potential of short-form storytelling.
The Fien Print
In the world of streaming *series, Minimum Wage is a game changer. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a format-breaking hangout series that makes good on the promise of shorter episode running times.