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Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

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Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
GenreComedy
Created by
Starring
Opening theme"Unbreakable" by The Gregory Brothers and Mike Britt
ComposerJeff Richmond
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
Editor
  • Ken Eluto
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time22–28 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseMarch 6, 2015 (2015-03-06) –
present

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is an American sitcom created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, starring Ellie Kemper in the titular role, that has streamed on Netflix since March 6, 2015.[1] Originally set for a 13-episode first season on NBC for spring 2015, the show was sold to Netflix and given a two-season order.[2]

The series follows 29-year-old Kimmy Schmidt (Kemper) as she adjusts to life in New York City after her rescue from a doomsday cult in Indiana where she and three other women were held by Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne (Jon Hamm) for 15 years. Determined to be seen as something other than a victim and armed only with a positive attitude, Kimmy decides to restart her life by moving to New York City, where she quickly befriends her street-wise landlady Lillian Kaushtupper (Carol Kane), finds a roommate in struggling actor Titus Andromedon (Tituss Burgess), and gains a job as a nanny for the melancholy and out-of-touch socialite Jacqueline Voorhees (Jane Krakowski). With their help, Kimmy struggles to adapt to an unfamiliar world and jump-start the adult life that had been taken away from her.

Since its premiere, the show has received critical acclaim,[3] one of which named it "the first great sitcom of the streaming era".[4] On July 16, 2015, the series was nominated for seven Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series.

Production and development

The genesis of the show was Tina Fey and Robert Carlock being asked to develop a show for Ellie Kemper.[5] Fey has stated that they found an "innocence" about her face, but also noted there was a "strength" to it.[5] One idea was for the show to center on Kemper's character waking up from a coma, although this was ditched in favor of the cult survivor storyline.[5]

The show was initially under development for NBC under the title "Tooken."[6] However, this was later changed to the current title.[7] Eventually NBC sold the series to Netflix.[1] Fey has stated that this was in part due to NBC "not feeling confident about watching comedies." Prior to the network switch, NBC planned to air the series as either a mid-season replacement or as a summer series.[5]

Casting announcements on the remaining roles began in March 2014, with Tituss Burgess cast in the role of Titus, Kimmy's roommate, an extremely talented singer who works odd entertaining jobs such as dressing up like a robot in Times Square or as a singing waiter at a theme restaurant.[8] Shortly afterwards, Sara Chase and Lauren Adams joined the series. Chase signed onto the role of Cyndee, Kimmy's closest friend during their years in the cult; while Adams was cast in the role of Gretchen, a 10-year member of the cult, who believes everything that they were told.[9] Jane Krakowski was later cast in the role of Jacqueline Voorhees, a wealthy Manhattanite who hires Kimmy as a nanny. The role was originated by Megan Dodds before she was replaced with Krakowski.[10]

Music

The show's theme song, "Unbreakable," was a tribute to the trend of auto-tuned news interviews becoming viral videos. It was produced by The Gregory Brothers and written by Jeff Richmond. Richmond also wrote "Pinot Noir," a song performed by character Titus Andromedon during season 1, episode 6 of the series.[11]

Cast

Main cast

Recurring cast

  • Dylan Gelula as Xanthippe Lannister Voorhees, the pretty, popular and seemingly bratty stepdaughter of Jacqueline, who is later revealed to be hiding her high achieving, 'good girl' personality.[13]
  • Ki Hong Lee as Dong Nguyen, Kimmy's GED study buddy and love interest.
  • Adam Campbell as Logan Beekman, an upscale man from a wealthy family who was interested in Kimmy and briefly dates her.
  • Sara Chase as Cyndee Pokorny, Kimmy's best friend from the cult.
  • Lauren Adams as Gretchen Chalker, a willing member of the cult, who believes everything she was told.
  • Sol Miranda as Donna Maria Nuñez, a cult member who pretends to not speak English, and is revealed to be using the "Mole Woman" name to advertise products.
  • Mike Britt as Walter Bankston, a witness to the raid on the Bunker, whose remixed interview (set to music by The Gregory Brothers) serves as the series' theme song. Walter Bankston is loosely based on Charles Ramsey, one of the rescuers of the captives of the Ariel Castro kidnappings.[14][15]
  • Tanner Flood as Buckley Voorhees, Jacqueline's son.[16]
  • Andy Ridings as Charles, Buckley's tutor, who has a crush on Kimmy.
  • Susanna Guzman as Vera, Jacqueline's housekeeper.
  • Tim Blake Nelson as Randy, Kimmy's stepfather, a very incompetent state trooper who met Kimmy's mother while searching for and failing to locate the missing Kimmy.[17]
  • Jon Hamm as Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne, the man who imprisoned Kimmy, Cyndee, Gretchen and Donna in an underground bunker for fifteen years and led them to believe that they had survived the end of the world.
  • Tina Fey and Jerry Minor as Marcia and Chris, incompetent prosecutors in the case against "the Reverend". They are based on Marcia Clark and Christopher Darden, the lead prosecutors in the OJ Simpson murder case.[18]
  • Sheri Foster and Gil Birmingham as Fern and Virgil, Jacqueline's Lakota parents seen in flashbacks.

Guest stars

  • John McMartin as Grant, a friend of the Voorhees' and the owner of a theme restaurant. ("Kimmy Goes on a Date!")
  • James Monroe Iglehart as Coriolanus Burt, Titus' rival. ("Kimmy Goes to the Doctor!")
  • Martin Short as Dr. Grant (pronounced "Franff"), Jacqueline's plastic surgeon. ("Kimmy Goes to the Doctor!")
  • Brandon Jones as Brandon, Cyndee's childhood crush and later boyfriend. ("Kimmy Kisses a Boy!")
  • Richard Kind as Mr. Lefkovitz, Kimmy's GED teacher. ("Kimmy Goes to School!")
  • Mark Harelik as Julian Voorhees, Jacqueline's adulterous husband. ("Kimmy Goes to a Party!")
  • Amy Sedaris as Mimi Kanasis, an acquaintance of Jacqueline's who suffers from her divorce. ("Kimmy Is Bad at Math!")
  • Kiernan Shipka as Kymmi, Kimmy's half-sister. ("Kimmy Has a Birthday!")
  • Christine Ebersole as Helene, Xanthippe's biological mother. ("Kimmy's in a Love Triangle!")
  • Dean Norris as M. Le Loup, a coach to helps Titus to pass as a heterosexual in order to improve his chances with casting ("Kimmy's in a Love Triangle!")

Episodes

Main article: List of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
113March 6, 2015 (2015-03-06)
213April 15, 2016 (2016-04-15)
313May 19, 2017 (2017-05-19)
4126May 30, 2018 (2018-05-30)
6January 25, 2019 (2019-01-25)
SpecialMay 12, 2020 (2020-05-12)

Reception

The first season of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt received critical acclaim.[3] On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has a rating of 94%, based on 47 reviews, with an average rating of 7.5/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Blessed with originality and a spot-on performance from Ellie Kemper, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is as odd as it is hilarious."[19] On Metacritic, the first season has a score of 78 out of 100, based on 29 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[20]

Scott Meslow of The Week called the series "the first great sitcom of the streaming era", praising its wit, edge, and feminist tone.[4] Brian Moylan of The Guardian noted that it is "the sort of show that could benefit from multiple viewings, because the jokes are so packed in you’re sure to miss something while laughing."[21] TV Guide named it the "best new comedy of 2015".[22] IGN reviewer Max Nicholson gave the first season an 8.3 out of 10 'Great' rating, saying "Tina Fey and Robert Carlock's Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is another winner in Netflix's original series catalog. Not only is it charming and funny, but it's unabashedly kooky, and Ellie Kemper nails the lead role."[23]

The series' first season was nominated for seven Primetime Emmy Awards, including one for Outstanding Comedy Series.

Accolades

The series has been nominated for seven Primetime Emmy Awards.

Year Category Nominee Result
Webby Awards
2015 Webby Award for Best Actress Ellie Kemper Won
2015 Webby Award for Best Actor Tituss Burgess Won
Critics' Choice Television Award
2015 Best Supporting Actor Tituss Burgess Nominated
Television Critics Association Awards
2015 Outstanding Achievement in Comedy Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards
2015 Outstanding Comedy Series Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Tituss Burgess Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Jane Krakowski Nominated
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Tina Fey Nominated
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series Jon Hamm Nominated
Outstanding Stunt Coordination Jill Brown Nominated
Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series Jennifer Euston and Meredith Tucker Nominated
EWwy Awards
2015 Best Actress Ellie Kemper Nominated
Gold Derby TV Awards
2015 Best Comedy Series Nominated
Best Comedy Actress Ellie Kemper Nominated
Best Comedy Supporting Actor Tituss Burgess Won
Best Comedy Supporting Actress Jane Krakowski Nominated
Best Comedy Guest Actress Tina Fey Nominated
Best Comedy Guest Actor Jon Hamm Won
Best Comedy Episode Tina Fey, Robert Carlock and Tristram Shapeero for "Kimmy Goes Outside!" Nominated

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Wallenstein, Andrew (November 21, 2014). "Netflix Nabs 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' from NBC". Variety. Penske Business Media. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  2. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (May 11, 2014). "NBC 2014-2015 Schedule: 'Parenthood' Renewed; 'State of Affairs' & 'Marry Me' To Air Post-'Voice'; 'The Blacklist' Moves Midseason + 'Parks and Recreation' Final Season Benched". TV by the Numbers. Tribune Digital Ventures. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  3. ^ a b "'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' Has Two Native American Actors. It Needed Three". Indian Country Today Media Network. March 11, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  4. ^ a b "'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' Is the First Great Sitcom of the Streaming Era". The Week. The Week Publications. March 11, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  5. ^ a b c d D'Alessandro, Anthony. "'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt's Tina Fey & Robert Carlock On Netflix And Their Modern Princess Tale". Deadline. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  6. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 31, 2013). "NBC Picks Up Comedy Series From '30 Rock's Tina Fey & Robert Carlock Starring Ellie Kemper With 13-Episode Order". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  7. ^ "Development Update: Tuesday, May 6 – NBC Gives "Tooken" New Moniker of "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"". The Futon Critic. Futon Media. May 6, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  8. ^ a b c Andreeva, Nellie (March 1, 2014). "'30 Rock's Tituss Burgess Joins Tina Fey & Robert Carlock's NBC Series 'Tooken'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
  9. ^ "Development Update: Wednesday, March 19". The Futon Critic. Futon Media. April 5, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  10. ^ a b Reed, Kayla (May 12, 2014). "'Jane Krakowski joining Tina Fey's New NBC Sitcom'". The A.V. Club. The Onion, Inc. Retrieved March 20, 2015. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ Villarreal, Yvonne (March 31, 2015). "'Kimmy Schmidt' composer Jeff Richmond on the show's viral-friendly songs". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  12. ^ "Netflix to Premiere Globally in March 2015 the New Tina Fey and Robert Carlock Comedy Series Starring Ellie Kemper". The Futon Critic. Futon Media. November 23, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  13. ^ "Giacomo Gianniotti Joins ABC's 'Selfie'; Andy Ridings & Dylan Gelula In NBC's 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. August 15, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  14. ^ Harris, Aisha (March 11, 2015). "The Creators of Kimmy Schmidt's Theme on Sending Up the "Hilarious Black Neighbor" Meme". Slate. The Slate Group. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  15. ^ Rosenberg, Alyssa (March 10, 2015). "'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' mines comedy out of sexual abuse". The Washington Post. Nash Holdings LLC. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  16. ^ "Tina Fey's "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" starring Ellie Kemper on Netflix March 6th". The Laugh Button. January 7, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  17. ^ Levine, Daniel S (April 17, 2015). "'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' recap 9: 'Kimmy Has A Birthday!'". The Celebrity Cafe. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  18. ^ Virtel, Louis (March 11, 2015). "Weird Crush Wednesday: Tina Fey's Idiotic 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' Character". HitFix. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  19. ^ "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt – Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. March 6, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  20. ^ "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt – Season 1 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  21. ^ Moylan, Brian (March 6, 2015). "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Tina Fey's joyous new creation". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  22. ^ Eng, Joyce (March 5, 2015). "Netflix's Sunny, Dark Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Is the Best New Comedy This Year". TV Guide. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  23. ^ Nicholson, Max (March 6, 2015). "Unbreakable Kimy Schmidt: Season 1 Review". IGN. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
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