Four shows to cure your Schitt’s Creek withdrawals!

2020 was the year of Schitt’s Creek. It was inescapable. Sweeping the Emmys, endless memes, and a message of inclusivity that resonated with audiences worldwide. It was hard to ignore the well-deserved hype.

I started watching the series last July and instantly felt comfort joining the Rose family on their adventures as the world appeared to be disintegrating around me. Tucked up on a Sunday with my partner, pizza on the way, and on the projector, Moira as Dr Clara Mandrake in The Crows Have Eyes III (one of my favourite moments on the show). The perfect bypass of unavoidable noise from the news.

The series concluded in April 2020, but the audiences were only just starting to discover the series as it launched onto Netflix. Viewers fell in love with each character on the show, yet, the series had already ended. Left wanting more! The ending of the series devastated me, as the cast stood outside the Rosebud Motel for one last time, I couldn’t contain the tears (a mark of an excellent series!).

Fortunately, we live in a world where hundreds upon thousands of series are at our fingertips. And if you are currently mourning the finale of Schitt’s Creek, here are four equally wholesome shows that I’ve found are the perfect antidote.

1. Superstore

Remedy: Ultimate comfort watch, bitesize storylines, positive inclusivity.

Personal Favourite Episode: Shots and Sales (Season 1, Episode 3)

Likeable characters fuel this sitcom about a group of supermarket workers. I flicked upon Superstore by chance and ended up binging the entire first five seasons in the space of a week. And I’ve already started re-watching again from the start!

America Ferrera (formerly Ugly Betty) leads the hilarious ensemble cast, which, just like Schitt’s Creek, is the driving force behind the success of the show. You will fall in love with Glenn and his open heart, with Dina and her large collection of birds, and with likeable Jonah that you’ll want to be your best pal.

The series also tackles relevant issues of race, sexuality, religion, with complete humour and openness. There’s no judgement. Characters don’t become their given circumstances, they are well-rounded and nuanced, there’s never a time a character has to explain themselves or who they are.

Switch your mind off and join the Cloud 9 gang for some wholesome fun!

2. The Simpsons

Remedy: Endless episodes, iconic characters, escapism at its finest.

Personal Favourite Episode: Bart Gets a “Z” (Season 21, Episode 3)

The Simpsons have just been renewed for two more seasons, meaning a confirmed 33rd and 34th season, with at least 750 episodes of the series commissioned. The news came to some critique boasting that the series peaked in its first ten seasons and has since declined. Yet, I never want The Simpsons to end.

Whilst everything is constantly changing in my life, The Simpsons have always been constant. There to be welcomed into Springfield with open arms when things feel overwhelming. I take comfort in that.

A morbid thought but for long-time fans like myself there is a fear that as Julie Kavner is in her 70’s, I hope they have already recorded some backup final episode. I’d hate for the series not to conclude in some way or another or for a character to just be replaced.

The show is still as funny and full of life as ever. The possibilities are endless. And every season is now on Disney+ so what are you waiting for?

3. The Good Place

Remedy: Creative storytelling, characters you want to be friends with, indulgent escapism.

Personal Favourite Episode: Michael’s Gambit (Season 1, Episode 13)

Different from the previous shows, The Good Place has to be watched in chronological order. I don’t want to spoil anything, but let’s just say I have never felt as deceived by a show as I have after the bombshell ending of the first season!

Light-hearted, yet utterly heart-warming, the series carries all the principles of why we loved Schitt’s Creek. It’s a perfect match! You will be as equally heartbroken as the series comes to a close. An incredibly well-written and poignant finale that left me weeping for days.

The creative vision of the show is glaring with colour and creativity. We are completed submerged into the concept and characters, it’s hard not to fall head over heels for Eleanor and the forking stellar cast. I promise you that by the end of episode one, it’ll be hard not to decide to binge all four seasons in one sitting. And I wouldn’t judge you if you did.

4. Desperate Housewives

Remedy: Outstanding performances, binge-worthy storylines, compelling mysteries

Personal Favourite Episode: Bang (Season 3, Episode 7)

Not a sitcom necessarily, but still hilariously funny and arguably one of the best television shows of all time.

Desperate Housewives has it all, the drama, the comedy, the mysteries, all led by powerhouse performances by the leading ensemble. Notably, Felicity Huffman steals every single scene, frame, line, that Lynette graces the screen. But all the leading performances are excellent, and not to be dismissed as a soapy drama.

Wisteria Lane has that comfort that all of the series on this list have. You want to move in on the lane and have muffins brought to you by Bree as a welcome gift.

Through personal heartache, Desperate Housewives has always been my go-to show. The characters are complex and layered and flawed, just like humans. But the storytelling has the same incredibly likeable energy of the Rose family, and just like all the shows on the list, will prevail through time.