Despite the many negatives of COVID, over the span of this year, we’ve all been left to hone our domestic prowess, making the most of the joys to be found inside the home. As we’ve embraced our inner introverted nature, regardless of our previous preferences, it’s no surprise that many of us have found new hobbies, and gone some-what square-eyed watching Netflix, gaming and other screen-based pockets of joy. The same is true for my fiancée and I. Though there are exceptions, there’s a general rule in our relationship, I love cinema, so I recommend the films we watch, and my fiancée who has a long-running love of TV shows, recommends new series’! So it was hardly surprising when, to pass this tedious time, my fiancée started trialling new shows. Within days of first name dropping Schitt’s Creek, hints became outright and somewhat insistent recommendations that the show was to be watched. As soon as possible! 

At the time, its imminent 6th and final season was due to be released in mere days. Six seasons, not one of which had ever crossed my radar. I was deeply surprised then, when she presented me with this gem of a show that has, without a doubt, dethroned Friends as the best (comedy) tv show I’ve ever seen. Hail the new King of Comedy Shows: Schitt’s Creek! Yes, that’s the actual name of the show, and it gets far funnier from there! If you ever catch any interviews with the cast in talk shows, it’s highly amusing the lengths they’ve had to go to, holding up printed signs to not receive censorship. It adds to the tongue in cheek wittiness and general joviality of the cast, show and anyone who comes into contact with them.

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For me, minutes into the show and before I even had time to get my bearings, the positivity began with the outstanding casting (which little over a week of preparing this post, Schitt’s Creek received their first Emmy award for). Having the iconic Catherine O’Hara playing the fabulous female lead, Moira Rose and Eugene Levy as husband, father and entrepreneur Johnny Rose, was a fantastic start. On-set son, as well as in real life, Dan Levy’s character David has endeared this actor to me for years to come, despite the fact that I was not familiar with him previously. I have to say this, his first directorial, screen-writing and production debut is truly wonderful! Last but not least, was the very talented Annie Murphy, who went through an on-screen glow-up, going from a relatively unknown, struggling actress to a dearly beloved comedic character, as daughter Alexis Rose.

In the chaos of the opening scene, setting the riches to (albeit still designer) rags story, this impossibly wealthy family ends up finding themselves falling from grace due to a fraudulent tax accountant. After the money misplacement, the government seized all of their assets leaving them with only one thing: a town deemed worthless by the state, and previously purchased as a joke, where they can “live for next to nothing”, keeping little but the designer clothes on their back. If you are going to live in the gutter, do it in style, right? 

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Passing the first episode and some comedy clichés, this show takes a fairly well-known idea, but then works absolute magic on it. You will get absolutely hooked on this story about rediscovering family values, optimism and learning to appreciate the little things. 

The show is outstandingly well written, as previously mentioned, first-time show writer Dan Levy has taken what had the potential to be simple or even shallow, and created something intelligent, compassionate and sharply witty. On the topic of clever writing, and as a lover of language, I was blown away with the vocabulary that was shown in particular by Moira, as she showcased a range of words that would make a linguaphile proud. Very impressive for a comedy sitcom!

Watching, you will become invested in the growth of these characters, laughing and crying at some of the most hilarious, heartwarming TV moments. All in all, Schitt’s Creek created a story, truly worthy of their 15 Emmy Nominations this year, and record-breaking nine awards, excluding the other, numerous awards the show has already won.

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Each character is a representation of different stereotypes, but these slowly get broken down and built back up, as the characters find a deeper, life-long meaning. Perhaps the biggest changes happen to the kids, Alexis and David, who learn true meaning to life and how to fend for themselves, while letting go of insecurities and societal rules. 

I’m not going to give you spoilers but this is a show about love in every sense, be it romantic, as friends, as a community, and above all as a family. It’s deeply touching to watch, and this juxtaposed against the sharp humour makes the show a delight to watch. I’d recommend it to friends, family, followers and just about anyone I came into contact with!

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I wish I could have included everything I loved about the show in this post, but not only would I be here for months, without giving away plot or character development this was hard to achieve. So, in the future it’s my aim to write more posts about Schitt’s Creek, delving into the impact the show has made on the LGBTQIA+ community and its open approach to representation; also, something I’m deeply excited about especially for this blog, a post dedicated to all the incredible fashion on the show. 

For now, please watch Schitt’s Creek! I promise you’ll have a good laugh.

xoxo