Netflix series offers unbreakable comedy

Jay L. Clendenin, Los Angeles Times, MCT

Ellie Kemper arrives at the 72nd Annual Golden Globe Awards show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015.

With the rising popularity of Netflix comes the rising popularity of Netflix original series, programming only available through the popular on-demand streaming media company. Dramas such as “Orange is the New Black” and “House of Cards” have left fans binge watching entire seasons in one sitting, but as of 2015, a truly entertaining comedy has yet to incite the same reaction.

Well, that is, until the introduction of “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.”

The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt follows Kimmy (Ellie Kemper), a woman who was forced to join a doomsday cult at the age of fourteen by a bogus reverend. Following her rescue 15 years later, Kimmy attempts to normalize her life once again in New York City, with the help of her roommate, Titus Andromedon (Tituss Burgess), her eccentric landlady, Lillian (Carol Kane), and her wealthy boss, Jacqueline (Jane Krakowski).

Kimmy’s bubbly and somewhat oblivious outlook on the world past 1999 gives the show a quirky sense of humor, unique and refreshing. Her misunderstanding of the advancement of technology is constantly intertwined throughout the show in a clever manner, whether it be hashtagging on social media or attempting to take the perfect selfie.

A fan favorite and by far the most interesting character in the entire series is Titus Andromedon, a Broadway hopeful with a flamboyant personality. Throughout the show, Andromedon is desperately trying to “make it big” in some shape or form, hoping to one day see his name in shining lights. What makes Andromedon so likeable, though, is his tendency to speak the truth (or his version of it), giving the sassiest of answers in a way that only he knows how.

The scenery of the show also serves vital to the storyline. Set in the Big Apple, Kimmy is able to once again start her life and become anew. In a city as big as NYC, Kimmy has no problem finding the opportunities she so desperately needs to start over. Also, with the vast contrast of Lillian, who is quite poor, to Jacqueline, who is terribly affluent, the city provides a wide variety of characters for the viewing pleasure.

One issue with the series is the lack of a set-in-stone storyline in the first three-fourths of the season, just several mishaps and adventures in the life of Kimmy Schmidt. Though this might not be an issue to all who watch the show, viewers who crave a deep and ongoing plot might be disappointed with the series.

For those who are looking for a serious or realistic storyline, then “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” is not the show to watch. However, if you’re looking for a fun, lighthearted comedy to binge watch in a single sitting, then make the effort to watch this show.