Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Optimistic TV

I believe that the most common difference between British and American comedy is a simple one, it’s all about attitude. In many famous British sitcoms, we worship the downtrodden and love to watch them fail. Blackadder, Basil Fawlty, David Brent, Del Boy, Victor Meldrew…the list goes on. All these people don’t change, they aspire to be something else, something more, but, in the end, they always end up back where they started.

Of course, there are exceptions, but comparatively, the US celebrates success, almost failing but ultimately succeeding. Take Parks and Rec, for example, there is no show more upbeat and joyously positive than the story of Leslie Knope, which, despite her occasional failing is ultimately life-affirming whilst remaining funny.

Now, I’m not saying that one is better than the other, though I am accustomed to American comedy, I’d be perfectly happy watching the hapless lads of Red Dwarf staying exactly where they are as I would be watching Michael Scott walk off happily into the sunset.

I think It’s a matter of balance, I don't like to hear a word from people who snobbishly assume that British comedy is the best when America have made just as many brilliant shows as Britain nor do I want British comedy to be forgotten

This is why I want to highlight Netflix’s wonderful ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’, a show that makes Parks and Recs cheeriness look drab in comparison, being not just upbeat but almost sickly sweet with its boundless energy.

The second season has just been dropped on Netflix and it’s just as wonderfully silly and fizzy as ever, the comedy is still sharp and the strong cast continue to orbit around the whirlwind that is Ellie Kemper as Kimmy.

This is essentially a show about going it on your own and coming across adversity and making it out the other side, which is a trend so often used to describe many great American comedies. Parks and Rec, Community, Friends, all of them are bright, cheery and hilarious.

What makes Kimmy tick, however, is the acerbic heart it has beneath it’s bright and pink surface. No surprise that, from Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, two minds behind the mould-breaking 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt surpasses its straight-laced girl goes it alone in New York story and succeeds because of its smart attitude.

The bright sparkle is the shows badge of honor and is merely a cover for some whip-smart writing and ingenious comedy, perfectly matching the show’s lead actress.

Kimmy is designed around Ellie Kemper’s relentless perkiness and optimism, a move that gives one of the brightest comedy actresses of the era a much-needed voice. During her tenure on The Office I thought she was the MVP after Michael Scott had left, now she has her own show, it proves her talent and that she really needs to be on our screens more

I understand that there is no definite rule to comedy in any country but I do think there is a rough definition between comedy types on either side of the Atlantic. Whether celebrating failure or success, the best comedies come in all shapes and sizes, but if there were a poster girl for the brand of cheery US comedy, then Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is it.

Let me know your thoughts? :)