Is
the comedy bug genetic? Is it nature or nurture? It’s probably both, but in
this case, I like to think it’s genetic. Daniel Levy is the co-creator/writer
behind the genius Schitt’s Creek – he’s the son of legendary Eugene Levy, who
most of you probably recognize best from the dad in American Pie. But Eugene is
sooooo much more, oh yes. Dip into the resplendent pond of director Christopher
Guest’s iconic mockumentaries and you’ll see him in every one. As I know him,
Eugene started at SCTV in Canada (with his soulcastmate Catherine O’Hara) and
grew his recognizable stardom from there. His son was no doubt influenced by
the keen comedic genius of his father. Daniel Levy shines as the quasi-straight
character (in every way) semi navigating his formerly rich family through a
treacherous and devastating loss of their fortune, their “things”, their
understanding of the world – their lives.
After this one-percenter family takes
the biggest possible fiscal loss from a crooked financier family member, they
are left with nothing but the town Dad jokingly purchased for his son on one of
his adolescent birthdays. (“You actually bought that town?? You could have just
Photoshopped the deed!” “Yes, I bought it, that was the joke!! Owning the town
was the joke!!”) The Rose family is forced to move to Schitt’s Creek as an
interim – resisting a cultural understanding in a Podunk town where everyone
knows your name. This is a cliché trope; we have all seen it before. Rich
family becomes poor and is forced to adjust accordingly. I’m mostly thinking of
Arrested Development here, and one cannot ignore the comparison. The tale is
old as time. Schitt’s Creek manages to inject a newness and freshness to the
expected clichés. Much of the comedy in the show can be described as people not
taking hints. Social cues are missed, the clash of the classes is clear in the
lack of understanding social cues. This goes both ways, too. Personally I feel
this is a focus of the comedy, and why the class on class trope can always be
funny. I mean, that’s what this show is based on, clearly. Differences in
class.
Catherine O’Hara is a scene-stealer with her consummate strut and refined
acting style. Full disclosure – this is my favorite actress of ALL TIME. YES. I
SAID IT. And I’m not afraid to. Catherine commands and sells in a way no others
do. She shines in shrillness. The more upset her characters get, the better she
performs. If you can’t stand a woman shrieking, avoid this show. Catherine
masterfully envelops a persona in her voice, diction, posture, and character
flaws. She is possibly the most unique actress of our time. Where Meryl is
bound to an expected display of abilities, Catherine has room to stretch. Allegedly
she did the show as a favor to Eugene, and I am FOREVER GRATEFUL, because Moira
Rose is one of the best characters on television today. A snobby ex-soap star,
she married John Rose and became eternally comfy. (“I asked ‘who’s the eyebrows
buying everyone’s drinks??”) Catherine has developed a way of delivering a line
that is so distinctly hers. She takes her time to say what she says exactly as
she wants to. Her emphasis in choice syllables belongs to her and her
character(s) only. Part of the humor in her is her pace of delivery. I can’t do
it justice, but a highlight is when John is trying to fix a door to their motel
room – Moira says “Oh for the love of God
Daviiiid!!, pick up a hammer and nail…this…coffin…shut!!” (A great example of
joke writing, too!) Eugene is John Rose – some sort of video supplier magnate.
This is a strong point of the show – they never truly reveal what John’s business
was, just that it was huge and lucrative. (I’m lead to believe he was a sort of
B&H Photo Video type…to all you filmies out there.) The lack of information
with where their money came from and how is a welcomed element to the show.
It’s not relevant, so it’s not touched on. Another strong point – the lack of
conflict in John and Moira’s marriage. An un-clichéd approach, John and Moira’s
marriage is so strong they actually question a potential boyfriend of their
daughter by immediately asking “are your parents still together??” - clearly an
explanation of a person’s entire being just by uncovering that one fact. The two
are so practiced in their marriage they know precisely how to handle each other’s
problems and moods. As someone sick of the ‘Dad’s an idiot’ trope, I encourage
the freshness of an unquestionably eternal marriage. I can only beg they keep
it this way…
David Rose is one of the most unique characters on TV today. Daniel
Levy uniformly balances the conflicting characteristics of being both
obliviously rich and sensibly sarcastic all while maintaining a questionable
sexuality. His standout moments come from genuine cluelessness that turns aware
and sarcastic once his comically ignorant questions are answered by the equally
dry motel desk worker – Stevie. Daniel’s talent is truly in his writing and
creativity. He has written a lot of the show, and the writing is so
entertaining, from the plots to the characters to the jokes and lines. Daniel’s
delivery is so on point, I can’t even, ya’all. This kid needs an Emmy. Acknowledgement
where it’s due – Alexis Rose (by newbie Annie Murphy) is the current Lindsay
Bluth Funke. When played properly, the dumb rich girl will never not be funny. I
find it utterly important to own this archetype through physicality: showing one's
snobbiness via strut and an ever-present contrapposto stance. Alexis up talks
like a valley girl, has a clueless charm about her, and says “nooooouhhhhh!!!”
when she is upset. Her coping mechanism is men; she shows little sign of
despair with her new residential anguish. She simply throws herself at men and
flirts with whoever sticks. Or repels – for sport, of course.
As a major fan of
fashion, I gotta shout out to the costumes in this show. From John Rose’s
perfectly tailored I’m-a-multi-millionaire suits (those mile high collars tho)
to Alexis’ faux hippie flouncy hats and fluttery skirts, to David and Moira’s
cohesive strictly black and white wardrobes occasionally resembling cliché
fugitive stripes, these costumes give me LIIIIIIFE. I would literally wear
every single thing Moira Rose dons on the show. I want her trumpet skirts and
fingerless gloves, I love her dark nails and weighty rings. With Moira, more is more. She occasionally sports a pair of bracelets poignantly resembling a sophisticated set of handcuffs. Her penchant for wigs assists in her display of moods. The
woman can DRESS.
Schitt’s Creek is the best show on TV that you’re not
watching. I beg you to. The show is out of Canada, and I’m not sure what
channel it airs on, but you can watch Season 1 for free on Amazon Prime and
Season 2 will cost you a few, BUT IT IS SO WORTH IT. For the love of comedy, go
watch Schitt’s Creek.
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