Welcome To SCHITT’S CREEK: One Of The Most Clever Comedies Of The Decade

In contemporary television, there are A LOT of family-centered television shows. The audience has a variety of titles to choose from – Shameless, The Goldbergs, Modern Family, etc. And then, there is Schitt’s Creek. This Canadian series created by Eugene and Dan Levy will steal your heart from the beginning and keep it forever.

Meet the Roses – Johnny (Eugene Levy), Moira (Catherine O’Hara), Alexis (Annie Murphy), and David (Dan Levy). The plot line follows this once-wealthy family after they crash with the reality of ordinary people – living paycheck to paycheck. Their manager steals all their money and escapes to Caymans. The Roses have to lay low for a while and move to a little town called Schitt’s Creek. The city with a graceful name is managed by Roland Schitt (Chris Elliot) with the help of his wife, Jocelyn (Jennifer Robertson). The family has to deal with the hard reality and living in a country town as they try to stand up on their feet and find jobs.

As we all know, even the most phenomenal script is nothing without the excellent cast. In this case, however, the cast and the plot line are beyond remarkable. That makes Schitt’s Creek one of the best and brightest shows of this decade.

“You are blind to reality, and for that, I am most proud.”

The sentence above said by Moira Rose (Catherine O’Hara) perfectly depicts the Rose family. Although they try, they cannot shake the traumatic events. In the first opening scene, the audience witnesses the collectors who are taking all their belongings. “Did you put Kristen with Robin? They don’t like each other!”, Moira exclaims while the servants are packing her wigs. Yes, all wigs have names.

If you think it’s only Moira whose attitude and fancy vocabulary make Schitt’s Creek an awarded success, you’re mistaken. It’s all the characters who are exceptionally well-crafted and multi-dimensional. Moira is the matriarch of the Rose clan. She’s a squeaky clean lady who wears only the most expensive, black, and white clothing (usually with sparkling elements). But what makes Moira’s character unique is her harmless haughtiness and refined vocabulary.

Her accent, as well, is pompous and unrecognizable – it’s something between Downtown Abby tone mixed with the way of speaking by the stage actress (which Moira used to be): “I say, it’s how people speak when they want to reinvent themselves over and over again!”, Catherine O’Hara revealed in the interview with the journalist Marc Snetiker for Entertainment Weekly. That may be the reason for her character to speak this way. And thank you for that because her bombastic, gaudy accent altogether with melodramatic facial expressions and furry clothing make a fantastic mix.

Her most precious things in life are not Alexis and David, as you may think. It’s her wigs. Each with the carefully selected name, they hang on the wall of Schitt’s Creek motel nailed to the scruffy wall. As a former stage actress, Moira joins Jazzagals – the singing group created by Jocelyn. As the plot progresses, the audience sees the real personality of O’Hara’s character. The woman is a loyal and helpful person. Although she has trouble in manifesting love, she will confirm it with her actions.

Her husband, Johnny, on the other hand, is a more affectionate man. Rose Video was the best Canadian video business, created by him from the ground. The experience and knowledge in economics help him to be a realist. Thanks to this, the man walks firmly and, unlike his wife, bravely faces the new reality. Although he’s not used to eating in the small diner and sleeping in the motel room where there is no room service, Johnny tries to make it better for his family. He’s an honest, loyal man who just may have a little problem with his temper because, in almost every episode, the audience can hear his loud “Moira!”

Both kids (the kids in their 30s, just to be precise), Alexis and David, have a hard time to adjust to their new situation. Although spoiled, brother and sister have a good heart, which shows as the plot progresses. Annie Murphy masterfully portrays bubbly, energetic Alexis. Her legendary catchphrase is “Ew, David!” The character exclaims the line in almost every scene when her brother says or does something outrageous – and David does something silly virtually all the time, which makes it even more hilarious.

Dan Levy‘s character, too, possesses a wide range of unusual vocabulary regularly combined with narrowed eyes and waving hands. But, as the time passes by, they get used to their new reality. They both go from spoiled brats to successful young people with serious relationships – Alexis with Ted (Dustin Milligan) and David with Patrick (Noah Reid).

Topics related to contemporary society

Alongside remarkable and smart humor, the characters of Schitt’s Creek present more serious matters: the portrait of sexuality is one of them.

After arriving at the motel, the Roses meet Stevie Budd (Emily Hampshire). The girl is a front desk receptionist and takes care of the building and its guests. Right from the start, viewers can see the bond that David and Stevie quickly create. Even though it manifests itself through spiteful and stinging remarks alongside a sarcastic tone, they both help each other out in various situations. The pair becomes friends with benefits, and although it lasts for a moment, it ends as quickly as it started. Even though David enters the relationship with Patrick, he and Stevie remain great friends throughout all seasons.

On the basis of the two characters, Schitt’s Creek shows the beauty of pansexuality. In the past, as well as in today’s society, this sexual orientation seems to be the “most controversial”. According to many, a person in relation with the same sex “is clearly more attracted to this sex” and conversely. This statement is hurtful to the members of LGBTQ+ community as well as for other people who deserve to be better informed. Television and film should aim to positively influence the audience. And that’s what Schitt’s Creek and Daniel Levy‘s character do. As David starts seeing Patrick, his on and off-screen friend, Emily Hampshire‘s Stevie is cheering for both of them.

Another factor that’s important in the series is illustrating the similarities between people. The Roses couldn’t be more different than The Schitts. However, as we dive deeper into the plot, we observe that they are not so much different from one another. Although both families are from entirely different backgrounds and social classes, they have comparable problems in their lives, which means they can help each other. Jocelyn and Roland help the Roses and try to make them feel as comfortable as they can in a small town. In return, Moira and Johnny educate them on the ways in the economy and assist in every day life.

What more could you want?

There are many factors to the success of this Pop TV series. It has all the elements that the comedy series should have. It’s not only the immaculately chosen cast but also the aforementioned smart humor. Schitt’s Creek is hilarious but not in an offensive way. It’s a satire that portrays a wealthy and ordinary way of life in which both are valid. As the audience has a chance to see flaws of Moira and Johnny and their kids, they also have a chance to meet Roland and Jolecyn Schitt, who, although very ordinary and sometimes without manners, have both a big and kind heart.

In this series, everyone will find a character and a topic related to them. Each one is unique, different from the other, and, furthermore, exceptionally well-written. Stevie has a sarcastic and dry sense of humor. David – similarly. Moira is elegant, often overreacting in particular moments, but that only makes the audience more engaged with her. Johnny’s temperament amuses viewers to tears, and Alexis’ big heart overshadows her spoiled behavior.

Schitt’s Creek dazzled not only the spectators but also critics. With its 90% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer, and 96% from the average audience, the series received eighteen Canadian Screen Awards.It’s the first television series from Pop TV to receive Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series. That said, stop acting like a disgruntled pelican and watch Schitt’s Creek!

Are you a fan of family-centered comedy sitcoms? What are your favorites, and why? Tell us in the comments!

Schitt’s Creek was released on CBC Television on January 13th, 2015. The show airs on the cable network Pop TV in the US and on 4Music in the UK.