The End Of An Era: 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt'

The End Of An Era: 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt'

My review of "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt."

Lily Nichols
Lily Nichols Feb 13, 2019
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This article contains spoilers for "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt."

On January 25th, 2019, "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" released the second half of its final season, and I knew that I had to binge this for the next two days. Since the premiere of the show in April of 2015, I have found it hilarious, touching, and a show for my dad and I to bond over. From Titus' Pinot Noir song to his "Magic Boys" rap, the show has never failed to make me laugh or smile on the not so cheery days.

Kimmy Schmidt was an underrated show in my opinion. It had good political commentary, jokes that almost always landed, and the main character whose spirit was never broken.

Here's a refresher of the series if you need one:

After being in a bunker for 15 years, Kimmy and a few other girls are found by a SWAT team and have to adjust to life. The "mole women" become the talk around the country and end up on "The Today Show" where they're interviewed by Matt Lauer. After Kimmy is asked what she'll do next by Matt, she decides that she's going to live in New York City and start a new life. Kimmy ends up meeting Titus Andromedon, her new roommate, Lillian, her new landlord, and Jacqueline, a woman who has everything handed to her, that Kimmy ends up working for.

The way that the series ended was very full circle. Kimmy ends up creating a book universe that helps boys not grow up to creep like the Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne, the man who kidnapped her, Titus lands a role in "The Lion King" (the show he auditioned for when he first came to New York but didn't end up being cast) and ends up marrying Mikey, his love from the first season, Jacqueline ends up becoming a successful talent agent, something that she realizes she's actually good at in the third season, and Lillian becomes the voice of the New York City subway system.

This series was something special to me and I'm sad to see that it's time has ended. During high school, I told my dad one night that we should watch it during dinner. I had already watched the first season, but he hadn't seen anything of it yet. He thought that the series was funny and it soon became a show that we watched during dinner together.

The one thing that I loved about "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," was how it managed to stay pure, yet was still funny enough to be an adult show. Kimmy is stuck in an eighth-graders mindset through the whole series since that was the age she was kidnapped at. She hasn't been "corrupted" by the world yet and sometimes that mindset is helpful to her.

For example, in the last season in the episode "Sliding Van Doors," a man hops out of a van outside Titus and Kimmy's apartment where they're hanging out. The man says that he needs to come inside to give them some new free TV channels, but Kimmy figures out that the man is going to try and murder her and Titus because the van has no logo on it, the man doesn't say what cable company he's from, and he has an awfully large bag to carry equipment in for being a cable guy.

Finding a show like "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" that is so loveable and funny while being politically correct is hard. I'm sad to see that it's come to an end, but since it's a Netflix original, it will be able to binge over and over for forever so fans will never lose Kimmy.

And remember this: Females are strong as hell!

Lily Nichols
Lily Nichols Feb 13, 2019
At Western Washington University

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36 Rules Of Life From 'NCIS's' Leroy Jethro Gibbs

Sometimes we all need a smack on the back of the head.
Kelsey Hoffman
Kelsey Hoffman Jul 26, 2017
38854
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I have been watching "NCIS" since the show began back in 2003, and season 15 will be airing this September. It is one of the longest running series and for a good reason, even though a lot of your favorite characters die off in the show they somehow still keep it alive. Anyone who has watched an episode or more knows about the infamous Gibbs's rules. Here's the list that we can gather from the many episodes:

Rule 1: "Never let suspects stay together." - revealed in the Season 1 premiere episode, Yankee White (episode).

Rule 2: "Never screw over your partner." - revealed in the Season 4 episode, Blowback (episode). McGee also stated this rule to Ned Dorneget in Need to Know (episode). McGee also mentioned to Abigail Borin in Ships in the Night (episode) that rule number one has been taken twice, showing that he knows that there are two number one rules.

Rule 3: "Always wear gloves at a crime scene." - revealed in "Yankee White."

Rule 4: "Don't believe what you're told. Double check." - again revealed in "Yankee White."

Rule 5: "Never be unreachable." - revealed in the Season 3 episode, Deception (episode) although Gibbs has been known to be intentionally unreachable. The rule was shown in Rule Fifty-One (episode) in the background when Gibbs opens the box.

Rule 6: "The best way to keep a secret? Keep it to yourself. Second best? Tell one other person - if you must. There is no third best." - revealed in the Season 4 episode, Blowback (episode)

Rule 7: "You don't waste good." - revealed in the Season 8 episode, Baltimore (episode).

Rule 8: "Never say you're sorry. It's a sign of weakness." - This rule has been mentioned throughout the series, but it wasn't given a specific number until Flesh and Blood (episode). The rule is also a direct reference to John Wayne's catch phrase in "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon" (John Ford, Director). Wayne said: "Never apologize, mister, it's a sign of weakness." to subordinates in a military situation. DiNozzo notes the connection in Hiatus Part 1 (episode). Mark Harmon's career has paralleled John Wayne's. They both were quarterback of their southern California college football team, both went into acting. (Harmon's father, Tom Harmon, was a Heisman Trophy-winner and actor & announcer as well.) Note: This is continuously told to Tony, Ziva and Tim through a smack to the back of their heads.

Rule 9: "Always be specific when you lie." - revealed in the Season 1 finale episode, Reveille (episode).

Rule 10: "Never take anything for granted." - revealed in the Season 3 episode, Probie (episode) although Gibbs also quotes it as being "Never assume" during the Season 9 episode, Rekindled (episode).

Rule 11: "Never go anywhere without a knife." - revealed in the Season 1 episode, One Shot, One Kill (episode)although it's sometimes quoted as "Never leave home without a knife" or "Always carry a knife."

Rule 12: "Never get personally involved in a case." - revealed in the Season 7 episode, Obsession (episode) and again referenced by the new SECNAV Clayton Jarvis in the Season 9 premiere episode, Nature of the Beast (episode) as the number one rule in Washington politics.

Rule 13: "When the job is done, walk away." - revealed in the Season 6 episode, Semper Fidelis (episode).

Rule 14: "Never date a co-worker." - revealed in the Season 1 episode, Enigma (episode).

Rule 15: "Never, ever involve lawyers." - revealed in "Collateral Damage." Rule 51 is written on the back of the card containing Rule 13 in "Rule Fifty-One."

Rule 16: "Bend the line, don't break it." - revealed in Anonymous was a Woman (episode).

Rule 17: "Always work as a team." - revealed in Leap of Faith (episode).

Rule 18: "If someone thinks they have the upper hand, break it." - revealed in the Season 8 finale episode, Pyramid (episode).

Rule 19: "Never, ever interrupt Gibbs during an interrogation." - revealed in the Season 14 episode, Privileged Information (episode).

Rule 20: "It's better to seek forgiveness than ask permission." - revealed in Silver War (episode).

Rule 21: "Always look under." - revealed in The Artful Dodger (episode)

Rule 22: "Never ever bother Gibbs in interrogation." - revealed in Smoked (episode).

Rule 23: "Never mess with a Marine's coffee... if you want to live."- revealed during "Forced Entry."

Rule 24: "There are two ways to follow someone. First way, they never notice you. Second way, they only notice you." - Jack Knife (episode) and "Rule Fifty-One."

Rule 25: "When you need help, ask." - revealed during Blood Brothers (episode).

Rule 26: "Always watch the watchers." - revealed in "Baltimore."

Rule 27: "If you feel like you are being played, you probably are." - revealed in Nature of the Beast (episode).

Rule 28: "Your case, your lead." - revealed in Bounce (episode) placing Tony as temporarily in charge of the team, and also in Phoenix (episode) with Ducky as leader.

Rule 29: "There is no such thing as coincidence." - revealed in Obsession (episode) although DiNozzo states that Rule 39A is "There is no such thing as a small world" during Canary (episode).

Rule 30: "If it seems like someone is out to get you, they are." - revealed in Borderland (episode).

Rule 31: "Never accept an apology from someone who just sucker punched you." - revealed in Psych Out (episode).

Rule 32: "First things first, hide the women and children." - This rule number was mentioned in Patriot Down (episode) but was not stated until Rule Fifty-One (episode).

Rule 33: "Clean up the mess that you make." - revealed in "Rule Fifty-One" although it's also stated as "Never leave behind loose ends" in Hiatus Part 2 (episode).

Rule 34: "Sometimes you're wrong." - Created by Gibbs in Rule Fifty-One" by writing it on the back of the card containing Rule 13. It is unknown if his coworkers are aware of this rule.

Rule 35: "Always give people space when they get off an elevator." - revealed in Double Back (episode)

Rule 36: "Never trust a woman who doesn't trust her man." - revealed in Devil's Triangle (episode).



While some seem to deal with Gibbs only there are some very great life lessons present. If you haven's started watching "NCIS" I suggest you start soon, it is all on Netflix.

"A slap to the face is an insult - a slap to the back of the head is a wake-up call." Leroy Jethro Gibbs
Cover Image Credit: CBS TV / Twitter
Kelsey Hoffman
Kelsey Hoffman Jul 26, 2017
At Eastern University

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The Best Of The 'Real Housewives'

From the worst Real Housewives show to the best Real Housewives show.

Levi Smith
Levi Smith Apr 18, 2019
25
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In 2006, Bravo created the first real housewives series, Orange County, in 2006. It was a very successful show so a reality television media franchise born. Since then, Bravo has created spinoffs located in New York City & Atlanta in 2008, New Jersey in 2009, Washington D.C. & Beverly Hills in 2010, Miami in 2011, and Potomac & Dallas in 2016.

People who know me well know that I am a super fan of "The Real Housewives". I have literally seen every single series that the franchise has created in the United States and have been a religious watcher of most of the shows for many years so I thought I would be able to create a list of the worst to best Real Housewives shows.

9. The Real Housewives of D.C.

The series premiered in August 2010 and featured the lives of Cat Ommanney, Stacie Scott Turner, Mary Amons (above), Lynda Erkiletian, and Michaele Salahi. The series is probably best known for featuring Salahi and her then-husband Tareqi Salahi attending the 2009 White House state dinner which gained nationally controversy because they were never invited in the first place.

In my opinion, the show wasn't very good at all. Bravo also agreed and canceled the show after only one season which was a first in the franchise's history.

8. The Real Housewives of Miami

The series premiered in February 2011 and featured the lives of multiple women including Adriana de Moura, Marysol Patton, Ana Quincoces, Joanna Krupa, Lea Black, Karent Sierra, and Lisa Hochstein. I wasn't a huge fan of the show but I did love a few of the women including Krupa and season one cast member/close Kardashian friend Larsa Pippen.

The show aired for three seasons and mysteriously ended with no explanation. It is the second series in the franchise's history to not be renewed.

7. The Real Housewives of New Jersey

The series premiered in May 2009 and features the lives of several women including current cast members Jackie Goldschneider (left), Melissa Gorga (middle), Margaret Josephs (right), Teresa Giudice, Jennifer Aydin, and Dolores Catania. This show has given us some iconic reality television scenes like Teresa's famous table flip.

This is my least favorite of the Real Housewives franchise. I have watched this show off on throughout the years. I tend not to watch it as I do with the other current Real Housewives shows mostly because if I want to see a good New Jersey style fighting I'll go and watch old episodes of MTV's Jersey Shore.

6. The Real Housewives of New York City

The series premiered in March 2008 and features the lives of several women including current cast members (L-R) Tinsley Mortimer, Ramona Singer, Dorinda Medley. Bethenny Frankel, Luann de Lesseps, and Sonja Morgan.

The show has given reality television many good fight scenes like my favorite one involving former cast member Aviva Drescher when she said "The only thing that is artificial or fake about me is..." and then proceeds to take off her prosthetic leg.

I started really getting into the show during season nine. Personally, I like this version of the Real Housewives franchise because it reminds me of what The CW's Gossip Girl, one of my favorite shows, would be if it was real life people. The 11th and the current season is getting off to a great start so I'm excited to continue watching.

5. The Real Housewives of Potomac

The series premiered in January 2016 and features the lives of current cast members Karen Huger, Ashley Darby, Gizelle Bryant (above), Candiace Dillard, Monique Samuels, and Robyn Dixon. When the show first started, I had never heard of the town, Potomac. Normally, the shows are located in major cities. Once I found out where Potomac was, I was guessing that it was just a revamp of RHODC.

Once I started watching it, I instantly liked it. I liked how it was way less political than RHODC but still very classy for a Real Housewives show. The new season starting in just a few weeks, May 5th, and I'm sure it will be full of drama just like the others.

4. The Real Housewives of Orange County

The original Real Housewives series premiered in March 2006 and features the lives of several women including current cast members (L-R) Gina Kirschenheiter, Kelly Dodd, Shannon Beador, Tamra Judge, Vicky Gunvalson, and Emily Simpson.

The show has given reality television many good quotes from fight scenes like the meme-worthy moment when Judge yells "That's my opinion!" at Gunvalson in the season nine reunion episode which caused all the housewives and host Andy Cohen to have an awkward silence.

This show has always been so good. My favorite part about the show is the friendship drama that happened between Gunvalson and Judge since the latter joined the series in season three. Their drama has gone back and forth over the past eleven years and they brought their cast members all along with it. This show has also given me one of my favorite real housewife of all time Meghan King Edmonds who was a cast member from season ten to season twelve.

3. The Real Housewives of Dallas

The newest Real Housewives show premiered in April 2016 features the lives of current cast members Kameron Westcott, D'Andra Simmons, Brandi Redmond, Cary Deuber, Stephanie Hollman, and Leeann Locken. I was so excited when they announced this show because I had been waiting for years for a Real Housewives show in my favorite city in the entire world.

I find these women to be the most relatable, minus the whole rich and wealthy part, out of all the Real Housewives because Texas has always been like a second home state for me since a lot of my family lives here so I'm always in Dallas visiting them. I understand how they talk, the way they act, and their Dallas lifestyles.

2. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

The series premiered in October 2010 and features the lives of several women including current cast members (L-R) Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave, Lisa Rinna, Lisa Vanderpump, Kyle Richards, Erika Girardi, Dorit Kemsley, and Denise Richards.

The show has given reality television many good fight scenes like the ones between Richards and her sister/former cast member Kim Richards, the famous wine glass smashing after Lisa Rinna and Kim Richards argue, and the season one dinner party blowup with medium Allison DuBois.

This show has always been a favorite Real Housewives show because it gives me a good mixture of rich Beverly Hills women and celebrities going into a reality television world. This show has also given me some of my favorite real housewives of all time including Girardi, Rinna, Eileen Davidson (cast member from season five to season seven), and Yolanda Hadid (cast member from season three to season six). The 9th and the current season is getting off to a great start so I'm excited to continue watching.

1. The Real Housewives of Atlanta

The series premiered in October 2008 and features the lives of several women including current cast members Kandi Burruss, Eva Marcille, Porsha Williams (above), Shamari DeVoe, Cynthia Bailey, and NeNe Leakes.

This show has given us some of the most iconic reality television scenes like former cast member Shereé Whitfield and her party planner which she famously said "Who's gonna check me boo?", Whitfield pulling former cast member Kim Zolciak-Bierrmann's wig, and the blowout reunion fight between Williams and former cast member Kenya Moore.

This is my favorite Real Housewives show of all time because the women who have been on this show always have a big and over the top personalities. Their personalities have caused all of the iconic fights that this show has had over the past eleven seasons and eleven years.

This show has also given me some of my favorite real housewives of all time including Zolciak-Biermann, Burruss, Whitfield, Bailey, Williams, and Marcille. The 11th and current season turned out to be a good one so I'm excited for future seasons of my favorite Real Housewives show.

It's sad to say that creating this list was very hard for me because I love most of them all very equally. If you want to get started on any of the Real Housewives shows, I definitely recommend it. All of the shows are a for sure guilty pleasure when it comes to reality television so I know you will get addicted just like I am.

Levi Smith
Levi Smith Apr 18, 2019
At Missouri State University

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