Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

2019 sees the end of the Netflix series that began with such fanfare and acclaim but ends with a whimper rather than a bang.

Ellie Kemper plays Kimmy Schmidt, held hostage in an underground bunker for much of her twenties, by a doomsday cult. She's given a new lease of life following her rescue, so moves to New York. She moves in with Titus Andromedon (Tituss Burgess) a struggling actor who dreams of Broadway and gets a job as a nanny for Jaqueline White (Jane Krakowski) an uptown divorcee whose husband has left her with a young son and teenage daughter to look after.

For the first couple of seasons, I felt like "Kimmy Schmidt" was essential viewing. Shorn of the restrictions of Network TV, Tina Fey created a warm but hilarious series with characters specifically written for most of the lead actors but also able to use her star power to pull in some dynamite guest stars. It's a touch sad then that I feel the show has dropped off a bit with each of his subsequent seasons. I'm not sure, because although her specific writing credits remain a couple per season, whether Fey's general involvement has waned as the show has run on, or if some other creative force moved on but although the style of humour stayed the same, it just didn't seem to land as well.

I think, on the whole, if asked whether or not to recommend the show to someone, I'd still say that I would. There are only 51 episodes and of those the vast majority are very good - it's just a little unfortunate that it couldn't maintain the high standards that the early seasons set.

I've never been a big binge watcher, but I was so grabbed by this show right from the first episode that I just couldn't stop.

This show is full of beautifully gleeful charm, with a central character who can't stop smiling and no mean-spirited jokes anywhere in sight. The whole thing is just consistently happy and can really cheer you up within seconds.

I admit that the story does get a little tiresome at some points, where there isn't as much joking, but the series manages to keep reinventing itself in new and fun ways that brings back your interest immediately.

It's also a very subtly clever satire. Whilst the majority of it may seem like silly fun, the back story of the doomsday cult, the theme song and a whole host of other stuff is actually very intelligent, and of course, a lot of fun too.

You've got to watch this series, whether you want to binge it or not, because it's such a refreshingly happy show that stands out amongst the crowd of idiotic sitcoms and burning dramas.

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Honestly, the two reviews that have been written so far are unreasonable. Unbreakable Kimmy Schimdt is by no means average, poor or unfunny. It shines through in it's originality, tactful balancing of humour and satire and it's absolutely endearing. The premise is strange and does not suggest it's a comedy even for a black comedy it seems like a stretch. A woman escapes a cult after being imprisoned for 15 years and starts a new life in New York City. The pilot begins as the women are being rescued and brought back out to the world after 15 years of imprisonment. It's a very unconventional idea for a comedy yet it exceeds expectations. Ellie Kemper, the subject of this show, is wonderfully quirky, sweet and her performance is enjoyable to watch.

Tina Fey's writing is clearly asserted as the main character, Kimmmy, is a strong, powerful, determined and unbreakable. Co-writer and producer, Robert Carlock, also deserves some credit in this. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is not hidden in 30 Rock's shadow and does not attempt to duplicate results. It works in it's own right and is brilliantly executed. It's tone is gleefully upbeat and light-hearted yet it hints at darker themes and it's implementation of dark comedy is succinct and rewarding. So please don't be so quick to judge. Definitely give it a watch it's worthwhile.

While not as funny, binge worthy, or all together accessible as her first sitcom, 30 Rock, Tina Fey's second outing as head writer proves to have its own charms. The series may be slow at first, but give it three to four episodes and you'll be hooked. With a cast that gets better with age, writing that goes from zany and out of this world to surprisingly profound and sweet, and a stellar sense of humor, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is the kind of series that improves over time, much like Ms. Fey's first sitcom. The cast includes a zesty Carol Kane, the funny as always Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock Guest alum Tituss Burgess, and our lead Ellie Kemper; these four hilariously colorful players take the normal NBC formula for comedy and make it into something far smarter and much sharper. The writing also manages to succeed beyond my expectations. As a HUGE fan of 30 Rock, I know Ms. Fey can write up a storm. However, I thought it was the comedian perception of Television that made it so fresh. No… it's her perception of diversity and identity and all their wonderfulness that makes this show work so well. As I mentioned earlier, the show is funny yes, but also much deeper than the common person will perceive. I'm glad to know that Netflix went for the full two seasons, for this show demands at least that many to get into its full rhythm. Remember, 30 Rock wasn't a masterpiece till season 3… I can't wait to see where the shows is when it hits its third season… and trust me… there will be a 3rd season.

Firstly a heads up: I like Tina Fey. I like her way of seeing the world and her ability to make fun of very subtle things in a very blunt way. And I love 30 Rock. If you do too you'll appreciate Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. If you don't you'll fall in love with Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and watch all 7 seasons of 30 Rock in one sitting.

You'll know the story of Kimmy Schmidt by now, so I'll not get into that. What I'll rather talk about is the magnificent performance of Ellie Kemper as Kimmy. I've first seen and enjoyed her in The Office but that's the first time I've seen her as a lead actress. And I must say, she does a really good job as the girl who shields the cruelty of life with a big smile and an almost childish appreciation of the world.

As in 30 Rock there is no room for subtlety in the way the characters are portrayed. Apart form Kimmy, Jane Krakowski as Jacqueline plays the rich, pretentious snob (very similar to her role as Jenna Maroney in 30 Rock), Kimmy's room mate Titus is a giant singing gay man with an unfulfilled dream. It's not that the characters don't have depth, they do, but it's the almost comical exaggeration of character traits I've enjoyed so much in 30 Rock that carries this show as well.

But again, even if you weren't a great fan of 30 Rock, give this show a try. It's full of wit with a lot of social criticism between the lines. But what makes this show really fun is Kimmy's 90s humor and her naivety with which she approaches the world.

I've never felt so optimistic about a new sitcom since New Girl and it sure is one of the best new comedy shows in both 2014 and 2015 and after a whole lot of amazing drama series the first netflix comedy that is worth the watch.