Once upon a time, the Netflix wizards got together and discussed the perfect recipe for a new Netflix series. One brilliant wizard suggested equals parts of Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. Next, another wizard was like, "Ellie Kemper is totally adorable." They added a dash of that cute redhead, a hint of Jane Krakowski, some sprinkles of the legendary Carol Kane, and strategically placed Jon Hamm's good looks as the cherry on top. Their recipe resulted in an irresistibly charming show titled Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
I have no real knowledge of how Netflix original shows actually get produced. But what I do know is how rare it is to genuinely laugh out loud these days. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt has had me completely cackling more than a few times.
The premise is that four women have been held captive in an underground bunker by a doomsday preacher for 15 years. When they are saved and realize the world hasn't ended after all, one of the women, Kimmy, decides to move to New York City and start fresh. Settling into the city isn't easy for anyone, especially someone who has been hidden from the world for 15 years. She becomes friends and roommates with an aspiring Broadway actor, Titus Andromedon (a brilliantly named character to all Shakespeare scholars) and obtains a nanny job working for Jacqueline Voorhees (Krakwoski).
Creators Tina Fey and Robert Carlock know no boundaries. They have zero familiarity with the definition of outlandish and the result is truly delightful. The show is a daring comedy full of jokes that are relevant to the current world. In fact, the show thrives on acknowledging how laughable many issues in the world can be. The script pokes constant fun and spares no one in the process. The delivery is oftentimes innocent, making it even more effective.
From pop culture to race to religion to politics, very little ground is left uncovered. It is satire at its best, which can sometimes offend. The show is certainly not suitable for all viewers and Netflix subscribers should approach the play button with caution and an open mind.
The writers are veterans of comedy, the cast is star-studded and the content is nothing short of priceless. Next to series like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black, it is refreshing to see Netflix producing a side-splitting comedy full of truthful assessments of how this world works. Taste does vary, but Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt may just have something for everyone.
