On March 6, 2015, Netflix released the entire 13-episode first season of “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”, a comedy set in New York written by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. In less than 72 hours, I had finished the first season and was ravenous for more. Unfortunately, I’ll have to wait a little less than a year to get this request.
The show is charming and hysterical with a cavalcade of fantastic side characters, from Titus Andromedon played by Tituss Burgesss to eccentric individuals played by actors that range from Jon Hamm to Nick Kroll to Jane Krakowski. However, it’s Ellie Kemper’s role as Kimmy Schmidt that steals the show and carries it into the upper echelon of sitcoms.
What makes the show so unique is how optimistic the main character is. The show may start and revolve around Schmidt’s stint in a cult and her attempt to overcome this obstacle, however she carries herself with such grace and hope that you can only hope that she succeeds.
It’s so rare that a main character is so upbeat and positive and as her attitude washes off on the more cynical people, the show becomes great. From the opening theme song (linked at the bottom), the show is steeped in the drive to persevere and overcome, however this time it doesn’t force the protagonist to destroy people along the way.
In a television landscape filled with Don Drapers, Walter Whites, Frank Underwood and John Thackerys, from “Mad Men”, “Breaking Bad”, “House of Cards” and “The Knick” respectively, it’s nice to see a show where the hero doesn’t have to terminate their foes to accomplish his or her goals.
Taking a page out of the “Parks and Recreation” playbook, Kimmy Schmidt is a strong, empowered female character that makes her own way in the world, without relying on a mentor. Furthermore, like Amy Poehler’s Leslie Knope, Schmidt is fueled by a need to do well, help others and find her way in the world. Her enthusiasm is a drug that powers the show and without it, it would fall apart.
Now… this positivity is good and all, but is the show funny?
As Schmidt would say, “Heck yes”.
Fey and Carlock’s trademark one-liners and hidden sight gags that were prevalent in “30 Rock” are at their peak once again. Furthermore, Schmidt’s struggle to adjust to a new generation, after being stuck in a bunker provides many laughs and is a running subplot throughout the series.
However, as you’re laughing with (and sometimes at) the characters, there are moments where you are actively rooting for them to get past struggles, especially in the last few episodes, where the season culminates with Schmidt and her former cult leader in a one-on-one battle.
It’s getting to that point where Netflix makes better television than the channels it takes series from. Stunningly, Netflix has created a catalogue of fantastic self-owned programs from “House of Cards” to “Orange is the New Black” to now “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” that has taken the TV world by storm and has forced network TV to adjust or else.
There’s only 13-episodes and it’s a binge-watch type of show, thus my advice to you is to wait until a rainy day and savor it. Or, as long as you don’t have finals, take a you-day and laugh along with “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”.
The show is charming and hysterical with a cavalcade of fantastic side characters, from Titus Andromedon played by Tituss Burgesss to eccentric individuals played by actors that range from Jon Hamm to Nick Kroll to Jane Krakowski. However, it’s Ellie Kemper’s role as Kimmy Schmidt that steals the show and carries it into the upper echelon of sitcoms.
What makes the show so unique is how optimistic the main character is. The show may start and revolve around Schmidt’s stint in a cult and her attempt to overcome this obstacle, however she carries herself with such grace and hope that you can only hope that she succeeds.
It’s so rare that a main character is so upbeat and positive and as her attitude washes off on the more cynical people, the show becomes great. From the opening theme song (linked at the bottom), the show is steeped in the drive to persevere and overcome, however this time it doesn’t force the protagonist to destroy people along the way.
In a television landscape filled with Don Drapers, Walter Whites, Frank Underwood and John Thackerys, from “Mad Men”, “Breaking Bad”, “House of Cards” and “The Knick” respectively, it’s nice to see a show where the hero doesn’t have to terminate their foes to accomplish his or her goals.
Taking a page out of the “Parks and Recreation” playbook, Kimmy Schmidt is a strong, empowered female character that makes her own way in the world, without relying on a mentor. Furthermore, like Amy Poehler’s Leslie Knope, Schmidt is fueled by a need to do well, help others and find her way in the world. Her enthusiasm is a drug that powers the show and without it, it would fall apart.
Now… this positivity is good and all, but is the show funny?
As Schmidt would say, “Heck yes”.
Fey and Carlock’s trademark one-liners and hidden sight gags that were prevalent in “30 Rock” are at their peak once again. Furthermore, Schmidt’s struggle to adjust to a new generation, after being stuck in a bunker provides many laughs and is a running subplot throughout the series.
However, as you’re laughing with (and sometimes at) the characters, there are moments where you are actively rooting for them to get past struggles, especially in the last few episodes, where the season culminates with Schmidt and her former cult leader in a one-on-one battle.
It’s getting to that point where Netflix makes better television than the channels it takes series from. Stunningly, Netflix has created a catalogue of fantastic self-owned programs from “House of Cards” to “Orange is the New Black” to now “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” that has taken the TV world by storm and has forced network TV to adjust or else.
There’s only 13-episodes and it’s a binge-watch type of show, thus my advice to you is to wait until a rainy day and savor it. Or, as long as you don’t have finals, take a you-day and laugh along with “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”.