5 Hilarious Movies & TV Shows to Watch if You Can't Get Enough of Steve Carell's 'Rooster'

Rooster, the new series from Scrubs and Ted Lasso creator Bill Lawrence, is streaming on HBO. Steve Carell plays a writer who visits his daughter, a college professor, to support her after her divorce.

He then discovers that the students perceive him as the cool character from his books – the cheeky, witty Rooster.

The story of adults trying to recapture their youth provides fertile ground for comedy. Here are five more projects where middle-aged people desperately cling to the fleeting energy of youth.

1. 'Hacks', 2021-...

IMDb Score: 8.2/10

Deborah Vance is a legendary stand-up comedian who performs in Las Vegas. However, her jokes are becoming less and less funny, which could cost her her job.

Comedy writer Ava Daniels suddenly joins her entourage, but she's also struggling – she's been banned from working because of an inappropriate social media post.

Unlike the others in her entourage, Ava isn't shy about telling Vance the truth, so she becomes her new writer.

2. 'The Last One for the Road', 2025

IMDb Score: 7.2/10

Doriano and Carlobianchi are shabby, middle-aged friends who use any excuse to drink and have no desire to grow up.

The duo travels to Venice to meet an old friend who has returned after a long absence. En route, they pick up Giulio, a shy student, and convince him that he needs to gain experience and courage.

Francesco Sossai's movie is unusual in that the younger characters seem wiser than their older counterparts. However, Doriano and Carlobianchi aren't portrayed as unpleasant people – they simply remain teenagers their whole lives.

3. 'Mrs. Fletcher', 2019

IMDb Score: 7.1/10

Eve Fletcher is raising her son, Brendan, alone after her divorce. She works in a nursing home and is struggling with the decision to remove a patient who is prone to public masturbation.

After Brendan leaves for college, Eve is on her own for the first time in years. She enrolls in a creative writing course and develops a close friendship with a classmate.

Gradually, she begins to discover the world of sexual pleasure. Meanwhile, Brendan adapts to college life, learning to be independent, study, and form new relationships.

4. 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty', 2013

IMDb Score: 7.3/10

Walter Mitty is a photo editor at Life magazine. He has never dared to do anything daring in his life – his only escape is his imagination. In his dreams, he sees himself as an explorer or a secret agent.

Everything changes, however, when management announces the closure of the print version of the magazine. To create the perfect cover for the final issue, they need one shot from photographer Sean O'Connell.

Since Sean shoots on film, Walter must urgently travel to Iceland to retrieve the negative. Unexpectedly, Walter begins to make his long-held dreams come true.

5. 'Californication', 2007-2014

IMDb Score: 8.3/10

Hank Moody is a renowned writer, but in recent years he has been struggling with writer's block and mired in alcoholism. This is due to many factors, from a breakup with his girlfriend to the unsuccessful film adaptation of his latest novel.

Hank doesn't resist his vices: he engages in casual sex and uses illegal drugs. However, Moody still tries to remain a good person, cares for his daughter, and dreams of reuniting his family.