Schitt's Creek

Where do I go from here?

This challenge feels particularly personal because Schitt's Creek ending has left a two-star motel-sized hotel star in my heart, so filling that hole and finding something that could rub me the same way might be a stretch. That's why it's called a challenge, right?

I wish that I had some sort of preparation for what I was getting into when I started down the path of Schitt's Creek. Someone could have told me that it would provide me with quotes for life, snort laughing in almost every episode, and tears that could fill the Schittiest Creek. This, my friends, is the perfect recipe for a show that creates a cult following.

This show will change your life, and I don't say this lightly. Whether it's realizing what you really need in life to be happy (hint: it's not a mansion), or that resiliency will get you far in life, that love doesn't need a label, or maybe that a bit of humility goes a long way, the lessons the Rose family will teach you are neverending.

Let's start with the character building. I have never watched a show with such a dynamic group of characters. They are all so brilliantly cast and each actor embodies the character to perfection. When you start a series a quick turn-off for me, is characters that are unbelievable. Like, one's where you think - this personality does not exist. Enter: The Rose Family. The characters are all so exaggerated but at the core, we can all name a Moira, a Johnny, a David, an Alexis. And then the town folk, oh the town folk. The cast of characters that make up the population of Schitt's Creek is mind-blowing. There's a good reason this show made Emmy history with a complete sweep in 2020. I have never sided so hard with the awards committee (am I the only one that always asks what the actual when these award shows announce winners? I am always like, "who?!", "what!?"). Okay, I digress. I needed to get this all out of the way so I could truly express my deep-rooted fan-girl-level adoration of this fine, fine piece of Canadian programming. The brilliant minds behind it are hard to compare to, but we have enjoyed several dysfunctional family shows in the past, so if you haven't watched these, get your blue-light blocking glasses ready.

Arrested Development

This show is much more of a mind maze than Schitt's Creek but there's some great writing involved, along with witty jokes you only catch if you are paying close attention, and quotes that you will use for the rest of your life. In this scene Lindsay (Portia de Rossi) and Gob (Will Arnett) simply delivering the most ridiculous lines will leave you in stitches never would I say that, gross. It will leave you questioning why you find this simple humour so funny, and if you, indeed are as intelligent as you believe.

Lindsay: Beads!

Gob: Bees?!

Lindsay: Beads.

Gob: Beads?!

There's always a clear-headed, practical character in every show, and Michael Bluth is the Johnny Rose of this cast.

Community

Community was a show that we would put on if we had zero emotional energy nor mental capacity for a show.

Another great cast of wacky characters, attending a community college. This hits way too close to home this year since I too, unfortunately, fell into the trap of a money-sucking, scammy, good-for-nothing community college. I don't know if I would enjoy the show more or less now, it may cause triggers, ha ha!

Jeff Winger is our Johnny Rose here, being a good-looking guy who considers himself "above grade" in comparison to his classmates. Sounds like a certain family being dumped in a Schitty little town. But, like the Roses, Jeff warms up and comes around to his hodgepodge crew of post-secondary weirdos. It's simple humour that is easy to watch and not a complicated plot to follow.

Ozark

This one is a bit of a dark addition to the malfunctioning family line-up but I couldn't leave it out because I also think, while Schitt's Creek is deemed a comedy, it has serious underlying issues woven into the storyline.

Our friend, Jason Bateman is making a reappearance as the head of the Byrde family. He's also suffering some mega legal and cash flow issues, just like Johnny Rose. If you are looking for a bit more of a drama, crime, intense, "great, now I can't sleep" series, check out Ozark.

Why do we love all these shows?

Besides the escape from reality, the hilarious punchlines, and clever writing, they make us realize that while we have been stuck in our houses for a year now with our families, it could be worse, the world could be falling apart around us and we could all be dying inside.