If you haven’t seen it yet, you absolutely, positively must watch “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” Netflix’s newest original gem. It is bright, it is funny, and it is infused with a bubbling hope that we can all use in our lives.
Briefly, (and as I typed ‘briefly,” I realized how insane the rest of this sentence is going to sound), Kimmy is one of a group of women held in an underground bunker for fifteen years, and when she gets free, she decides to start a new life in New York. Starring Ellie Kemper, Tituss Burgess, Carol Kane (!) and Jane Krakowski, the incredible cast is only a fraction of what makes this show amazing. It’s also co-created by Tina Fey, so, you know, it’s got the hilarity baked right in.
While not even harboring a whisper of a lecture, there is an encouraging vibe to “Unbreakable,” the non-judgmental undertone that if Kimmy can dust herself off, time and again, maybe you can as well. It’s a bright show in all senses of the word: it’s intelligent; it’s optimistic, and it’s visually upbeat.
Can you tell I liked it?
I’ve read that Netflix mines its considerable data when creating original content. For example, with “House of Cards,” Netflix knew that users enjoyed the work of both director David Fincher and Kevin Spacey. Using that and viewership data for the original British version, and Netflix knew exactly what it had when it bought it.
I can’t decide if it’s genius or creepy. Maybe a little bit of both. Though Netfix is collecting the data regardless, I suppose we viewers might as well benefit.
The choice to buy “Unbreakable,” no doubt, came from the same wealth of information. Of the shows that Netflix actually produces, there’s only been one, I think, I didn’t like. Does that mean I’m on my way to being placated by the talking screen in my living room? On the doorstep of a Ray Bradbury world?
If I’m being honest, I probably went through the door, got myself a beverage, and found a comfortable seat a long time ago. Instant entertainment has become a way of life so prevalent, children no longer take a car ride without a show or a movie at their disposal.
Sure, Netflix could probably take over the world with its data. But at least it’ll give us great programming while it does it.
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A Bit to Read 