Hilarity Thy Name is Kimmy

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Season 1

Remember the days when Netflix only mailed out DVD’s to you through the mail? The company who singlehandedly destroyed video rental stores across the world, has turned into one of the leading outlets for amazing original programming. Now being hailed as the killer of HBO, Netflix has produced shows like Orange is the New Black, House of Cards, and Hemlock Grove. On March 6^th, Netflix added to its original programming with a new sitcom from the creators of 30 Rock, titled Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

The plot of the show is actually quite simple. After being held captive in a bunker by a crazy ‘preacher’ for 15 years in Indiana, Kimmy Schmidt (Ellie Kemper The Office) is out to reinvent her life. Kimmy decides to start fresh in New York City after being interviewed by Matt Lauer (played by himself) of The Today Show. Kimmy must now figure out how to make it in the big city and reinsert herself into today’s society.

For someone that NEVER found 30 Rock funny, I thought that this show was hilarious. I watched this show with very low expectations and I was pleasantly blown away by the comedy and acting of this show. I am so baffled on why NBC would let this show slip through their fingers. I mean it’s not like NBC is at the top of its game right now, so taking a chance on this show (especially when 30 Rock did so well) would have been a low risk/high reward scenario for the network. Instead it went to Netflix with a two season guarantee and I am almost positive that this show will last a lot longer than that.

Headlining Kimmy is Ellie Kemper, who is truly brilliant. Kemper has such amazing comedic timing and brings such genuine purity to Kimmy. She meshes well with her supporting cast without ever letting one of them take her limelight. This even goes for comedic veteran Jane Krakowski (30 Rock) who plays Kimmy’s employer Jacqueline Voorhees, a snooty upper-class woman who is way too rich for her own good. Krakowski is magnificent in this role and has great presence, but Kemper is just a little better. They both are so wonderful together on screen that I kept wondering when they would have more scenes together. The rest of Kemper’s supporting cast is just as good, especially Carol Kane (Gotham) as Kimmy’s landlord Lillian Kaushtupper. Besides Kemper, I think Kane has some of the best lines in this first season.

Kimmy is one of those “breath-of-fresh-air” shows like Modern Family. One of those shows amongst all of the drama and depressing stuff on TV that reminds us to just sit back and laugh at life or ourselves. The show has a quick wit and hysterical situations and I recommend Kimmy to anyone that just wants to laugh out loud.

The Verdict: Worth Your Time