By Kelyn Struiksma
Tina Fey continues to push her way through the comedic field and is refusing to let her influence on “30 Rock” be her end. On March 6, Netflix released “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” a new comedy series produced and written by Fey and Robert Carlock.
The series was intended to air on NBC, but due to timing and content issues the show was instead was picked up by Netflix. Days after reviewing episodes from the first season, Netflix agreed to a second season.
“It’s incredibly funny, in the same kind of rhythm of ‘30 Rock,’ but also totally original,” Chief Content Officer of Netflix Ted Sarandos said in an article by the New York Times. “It was a completely unexplored area for television comedy, and that’s what I get excited about.”
Netflix has allowed Fey and Cardock to extend the length of each episode longer than 22 minutes, which is the regulated time for broadcasted shows. This extension will give the producers more time for plot development, which the limitation proved to be constraining on the set of “30 Rock.”
NBC regrets not being able premiere the show, but is excited for the unique opportunity that Netflix provides. “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” is hoping to be the next top comedy series after the ending of “Parks and Recreation” earlier this month.
Netflix, the lead streaming networking reaching millions of people across the world, is truly addictive and offers a handful of their own TV series, including “Orange is the New Black” and “Arrested Development.”
I have yet to be consumed by Netflix originals, but after watching the pilot, am willing to give “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” a chance.
The show follows the life of Kimmy Schmidt, a 15-year survivor of an underground apocalyptic cult in Indiana, who is trying to rebuild her life in New York City. Schmidt, wearing light up sneakers and hot pink pants, moves in with an eccentric roommate named Titus and quickly becomes employed as a nanny for Jacqueline Voorhes, a high-society, pretentious mother of two. The show is centered on Schmidt’s confidence, determination and positivity in her pursuit to become normal along with her humorous inexperience in today’s world.
Schmidt is played by Ellie Kemper, who was recommended by NBC, because of her recent success in both “The Office” and “Bridesmaids.”
The series began production after “30 Rock” concluded its seven-year stint on NBC and features three members from its cast; Jane Krakowski (Jacqueline Voorhes), Tituss Burgess (Titus) and Carol Kane (Schmidt’s landlady).
Schmidt’s believes that you can always get through the next 10 seconds and repeatedly counts to 10 to bear any struggles that comes her way. Unlike Schmidt, viewers will instead need to endure 15 seconds before they can continue their binge-watching.
In the pilot, Titus finally questions Schmidt on who she is and why she moved to New York City. As she tries to explain her 15-year stretch as a captive, Titus cuts her off the moment she says claims to be from Indiana and says, “Oh O.K. that explains why you are so basic.”
Hopefully, this show proves to be far better than just basic.