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Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt was always supposed to be an NBC comedy. The Peacock had ordered the series from 30 Rock producers Tina Fey and Robert Carlock and it was intended to be one of the sitcoms to put NBC comedy back on the map. However, because of business and politics, the show wound up with a two season order over at Netflix. Why? Well, as NBC’s Robert Greenblatt himself told the New York Times, “Nothing would have made us happier than to have Tina’s next show after 30 Rock, but I also would rather see it go to Netflix than put her in a position to not succeed due to our limitations at the moment.”
Netflix has produced original comedies before, and while it brought back Arrested Development for a fourth groundbreaking season, it had never taken a show that was specifically written, cast, and shot for primetime. There was some skepticism over whether or not a show designed for NBC would do well on Netflix. As it turns out, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt works better on Netflix than it ever could have on traditional TV. In fact, it might be the perfect show for Netflix.
The Episodes Are Short, Sweet, and Super Easy To Binge
This might seem dumb and obvious, but it’s far easier to burn through three 23 minute long episodes of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt than it is to sit through three 55 minute long episodes of House of Cards (or even three 30 minute long episodes of Arrested Development). Because Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt was written and paced to accommodate commercial breaks, it zooms by at a faster clip than Netflix’s other original shows. So, when it’s 11:10 pm on a Monday, and you’ve just finished two episodes in 45 minutes, it’s a lot more tempting to say to yourself, “Okay, let’s watch another one,” than it would be if you had just sat through a single 55 minute long episode of House of Cards. It’s not just psychology, it’s math.
The Narrative Works Better In Binge Form
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt‘s episodes work fine as single stand alone stories, but the first 13 episodes are written with so many overarching narratives, carefully timed flashbacks to character backstories, and callbacks that the show really makes more sense if you watch it in one go or three or four big chunks. For instance, based on the pilot, you wouldn’t consider Jane Krakowski’s character, Jacqueline Voorhees, to be anything other than a one dimensional trophy wife, but if you keep watching up to episode three, you discover that she’s a Native American who whitewashed herself to fit the so-called “American Dream.” The whole show is full of these revelations that only serve to enhance the plot and provide deeper (and stranger) context to the jokes, and so it’s better if you do binge Kimmy Schmidt than if you take it in small single episode doses.
The Writing Is Edgy, Quirky, And Controversial
Like HBO, Showtime, and FX, Netflix has established itself as a home for edgy programming. Its slate boasts shows that feature smart writing, morally ambiguous characters, and controversial themes and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt fits in with that group perfectly. Ellie Kemper‘s infectious optimism might give the show a candy-colored gloss, but Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is about the daily struggles and unspeakable horrors that meet us in everyday life. The show’s entire concept is a touchy one: a woman has finally escaped a cult and must deal not only with modern life, but her PTSD. As idealistic as Kimmy is, she is constantly haunted by nightmares and frequently exhibits violent outbursts of fear.
The show also has already courted controversy for its depiction of minorities. As warm as Kemper is as a performer, the show is not meant to make you feel comfortable. You may feel uplifted after watching Kimmy overcome the odds week after week, but Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is built on a foundation of pain and suffering. Every episode features situations where women, gay people, and minorities are thwarted by sexism, homophobia, racism, classism, and sheer unfairness. This is not a fun show that would have brightened up NBC’s line up, but this is a deceptively complex comedy that belongs on Netflix.
It’s The Perfect Antidote To 'House Of Cards' Fatigue
Is it just me or are you kind of dragging on season three of House of Cards? I love the Underwoods as much as the next person, but between the tedious politicking and the dim lighting, House of Cards can be a tiny bit of a drag to watch. Which is why it was so lovely for Netflix to release Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt right after it. Its bright colors, quick pace, and huge laughs are the perfect alternative to when you just aren’t in the mood to watch yet another scene of Frank Underwood stabbing someone in the back. In short, it’s great counter-programming for the streaming service.
There Are Only 13 Episodes (So Far)
Circling back to our first point… You can binge-watch all of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt in less than four and a half hours. That means you can physically do it in one sitting if you have exemplarily bladder control. It’s the binge-watch equivalent of a delightful amuse-bouche (you know, those fancy one bite appetizers they sometimes make on Top Chef). It’s also perfect for the casual Netflix-viewer.
Of course, this is also a problem because once you race through all 13 episodes of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, you’re going to desperately want more. Good thing Netflix has already ordered a second series. [Watch Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt]
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