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'm a little late to the party as I've only watched Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt this year, but I figured it was time to watch it since I'm a fan of Tina Fey and 30 Rock. I like all of the characters, with my favorite being Titus since he has some of the most memorable and hilarious lines of the show. I quickly binge watched seasons 1 and 2 in the matter of days, but it took me a few weeks to get through season 3. I wanted to like it and I was very excited to watch it, but it was honestly a big let down compared to the previous two seasons. The jokes felt forced and I was very unhappy with some of the plot decisions. It felt like major story lines were built up only to be torn apart and it was disappointing to see that happen after spending so much time invested in them. The season 3 finale was a little better and I was relatively happy with how they set up the plot for season 4, but I'm worried they'll just repeat the same mistakes as this time around. Overall, this show is an amusing, feel good comedy and it does bring a smile to my face, I just hope that the writers will have some more focus and direction in the coming seasons.

After watching the first episode, I was disappointed but wanted to give it a couple more episodes. The show felt empty and oh so clichéd. If you watched the first episode and didn't laugh a single time, don't give up. After the very mediocre first episode, the quality increased exponentially throughout the season. The second through forth episodes are decent, but everything after #4 is pure gold. If I was rating solely based on the first episode, I would give this show a 5/10. If I was rating solely based on the first four episodes, I would give this show a 7/10, but the rest of the season is strong enough to give it an 8. The show is approachable enough for basically anyone, but quirky enough to keep you interested. This is a good example of how to make a family-friendly comedy show with some bite, it would be a perfect PG-13 if it was a movie.

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.