Isn't 30 the new 20?

I have a question.  It doesn't have anything to do with parenting or kids or poop or puke or pregnancy.  All fine topics, but not what's on my mind at the moment.

Why does Hollywood/entertainment have such an obsession with the 30s?  No, I'm not talking about the Marx Brothers or the Golden Age of radio or any of that.  I mean one's chronological age.  What is it about turning 30 or being "in your 30s" that it is such an anathema; that the mere mention of it gives people the chills and causes them to scrounge for a cootie shot?  Honestly?  Is it really that bad?  I think mine were pretty good - married, two children, good job - damn, that really does suck.

I bring this up because VH1 is about to launch a new comedy series called I Hate My Thirties.  Oops, sorry, make that "an irreverent comedy."  Sidenote: if you have to tell people it's "irreverent," it usually ain't.  Just sayin'.  Anyway, so the network that brings you Flavor of Love and Scott Baio is 45...and Single, now brings you a comedy that will tackle the real issues facing our 30-something characters or, as the great copy writer who penned the show's description tells us, it's "TV as a tool for living" - wha-?  I do have to hand it to the copy writer though, his description for the show is so run through with cliches, pitch-speak and babble as to confuse the hell out of the guy who just quickly scans the five graphs.  Example: "The comedic tone comes from the absurd handling of relatable problems, matched with clever observation of the contemporary landscape. References to retro-storytelling will be minimal but maybe gratifying as occasional winks to the audience in the know."  Um...yeah.

But, haven't we seen this already?  Isn't this just The Big Chill with a laugh track?  thirtysomething, I believe, tackled many of the same issues this will, didn't it?  And, they were probably funnier than this will or could ever be.  What's that?  It was a drama?  C'mon - look at Peter Horton's mullet - that's funny.  High comedy at its best.  I like Friends, but wasn't it essentially about pretty people in their 30s dealing with relationships and jobs and babies?  Is there really anything else to deal with when you're in your 30s?

I'm sure there are many other shows, but I think you get my point.  Your 30s don't really suck, just Hollywood's interpretation of it.

Now, being 40?