Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy goes outside.
March 9, 2015 4:41 AM - Season 1, Episode 1 - Subscribe

Kimmy Schmidt, and Indiana cult member gets freed by police. She decides to try living in New York City.
posted by drezdn (51 comments total) 13 users marked this as a favorite
 
unBREAKable!

They alive, dammit!

It's a MIRacle!


Trying not to binge watch this all the way through in one or two sittings, need to savor it.
posted by doctornecessiter at 5:20 AM on March 9, 2015 [17 favorites]


I'm glad to see episode by episode discussion. The whole series -- with lots of spoilers -- was discussed on Mefi here.

I think the series overall is great. If you liked 30 Rock, you should love this. In fact, I think this series shines the best when it goes for those crazy non sequiturs that made that show great. Which is why the early episodes of UKS are a little strange, because you worry about where she's going to live and money and all that. But she's going to be fine, she is Unbreakable, after all!
posted by Catblack at 5:47 AM on March 9, 2015 [4 favorites]


They had me at mole women.
posted by Atreides at 6:31 AM on March 9, 2015 [3 favorites]


They had me at Matt Lauer saying in his best Today show host voice: “I’m always amazed at what women will do because they’re afraid of being rude."

(Actually, they had me at "Tina Fey and Ellie Kemper are involved in a show." but that line was just amazing in context.)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 6:37 AM on March 9, 2015 [20 favorites]


I just binge watched the first four episodes at the gym. I learned from the mistakes of my friends, who watched the whole series at once and are sad now they have no more Kimmy to watch.

Fortunately, I was alone, so I could howl with laughter - the first few moments are densely packed with the finest jokes.
posted by louche mustachio at 7:35 AM on March 9, 2015


Of the first three episodes (which is as far as I've watched yet), the first seems the most like later era 30 Rock, with the crazy mash-up of nearly non-sequitur moments (neither show is as disjointed as Family Guy, with it's mostly random "this reminds me of .." jump cuts).
posted by filthy light thief at 7:43 AM on March 9, 2015


Like all pilot episodes, this one hadn't quite figured out what was going to be funny about the show, and the first few episodes seem to have Kimmy interacting with a relatively realistic New York. That's dumped pretty quickly in favor of a much madder satiric version of the town, which personally tickles me a lot more. In particular, Carole Kane, playing a sort of avatar of a 1980s vision of New York as urban decay, comes into much sharper relief in later episodes.

But Kimmy is absolutely solid in these first episodes. Ellie Kemper's facial reactions are a national treasure.
posted by maxsparber at 8:00 AM on March 9, 2015 [3 favorites]


Kimmy could easily be overdone or annoying but Ellie Kemper makes her an absolute joy to watch. She is quickly moving into the place in my heart that used to be reserved only for Leslie Knope and Liz Lemon.
posted by futureisunwritten at 8:40 AM on March 9, 2015 [8 favorites]


White dudes hold the record for creepy crimes
But females are strong - as - hell

Is this not the best theme song ever?
posted by roger ackroyd at 10:39 AM on March 9, 2015 [11 favorites]


You know, I have just realized that an ongoing theme in the show is that there are a lot of men who are predatory monsters. Now that I think about it, there are sort of relentless jokes to that effect.
posted by maxsparber at 10:45 AM on March 9, 2015 [8 favorites]


I won't be able to go back on Twitter until I've finished the series, so I'm working through it as fast as I can manage.

This show is what happens when 30 Rock takes Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 behind the middle school and gets it pregnant, and I'm finding that I'm ok with that.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 12:55 PM on March 9, 2015 [5 favorites]


Here's the full song if you, like me, want to listen to it over and over again.
posted by everybody had matching towels at 2:06 PM on March 9, 2015 [12 favorites]


Are there any other TV shows that have a theme song that's part of the story (I guess the word for it is diegetic)?
posted by zixyer at 2:46 PM on March 9, 2015 [1 favorite]


Good question, zixyer. Hmm. Larry Sanders? Technically the HBO show per se doesn't have a theme, but it has the same name as the show-within-a-show, which does. Very often the opening of a show would serve duty towards the beginning of an episode, even though the real show credits had run earlier. Anyway, someone should probably add TUKS to TVTropes here, which sort of, but not exactly, answers your question (if you ask me, only a few examples really are "part of the story", although many fit the category diagetic musical instances within the story, more like winking references though).
posted by dhartung at 4:22 PM on March 9, 2015


zixyer:
  • Steven Universe—the theme song is sung by the titular character in the pilot.
  • The Muppet Show—the theme is the intro to The Muppets' stage performance every night.
That's... all I've got.
posted by books for weapons at 4:30 PM on March 9, 2015 [1 favorite]


Which is funny cause I always thought the appeal of 30 Rock is how it feels like a successor to the zany music hall feel of the muppet show
posted by The Whelk at 4:50 PM on March 9, 2015 [8 favorites]


Are there any other TV shows that have a theme song that's part of the story (I guess the word for it is diegetic)?

Here's the story of a man named Brady...
posted by nathan_teske at 5:18 PM on March 9, 2015 [4 favorites]


Which is funny cause I always thought the appeal of 30 Rock is how it feels like a successor to the zany music hall feel of the muppet show

30 Rock has the best intro. Here are some jokes, here's some set up, ok here come the horns sit down and watch teevee let's do this! I never thought of the Muppet Show similarity before, but that's dead on.
posted by jason_steakums at 5:27 PM on March 9, 2015 [3 favorites]


Who is the guy in the intro? An actor? This keeps bugging me.

Anyway, I'm obsessed with this show. As someone pointed out in the other thread, it's very much about survival but also about triumph. It's hopeful but fair. I love that.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 6:01 PM on March 9, 2015


Someone post one of these every day ok?
posted by Potomac Avenue at 6:02 PM on March 9, 2015 [1 favorite]


Who is the guy in the intro? An actor?
Do you mean Mike Britt?
posted by unliteral at 6:25 PM on March 9, 2015 [2 favorites]


Ok, I caved and watched them all..... No spoilers but..... The end episodes are great! Wonderful show!
posted by pearlybob at 10:46 PM on March 9, 2015


Mike Britt's IMDb credits.

How often are new UKS FanFare posts going up? Any plan? Other "entire seasons posted at once" net-based shows have been posted at varying speeds, from all at once to one a day, and more stretched out.
posted by filthy light thief at 11:55 PM on March 9, 2015 [1 favorite]


Are there any other TV shows that have a theme song that's part of the story (I guess the word for it is diegetic)?

The theme song to New Girl is the song Jess makes up in the first episode as her theme song.
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 12:25 AM on March 10, 2015 [4 favorites]


Is there anyone from Don't Trust the B involved with this? There are a couple jokes/situations that seem "in that style."
posted by drezdn at 5:48 AM on March 10, 2015


I know I'm in the minority but I am not impressed by the early episodes of this show (which is all that I've seen so far — maybe it gets substantially better later?). The premise is really interesting but they just use it as the basis for a formulaic sitcom. It has very little substance, which is ok if you know that's what you're getting but I was hoping for something with more rounded characters à la Parks and Rec.

Also, Titus's character (so far) seems like a regressive stereotype. Most of the jokes involving him center around the fact that he's gay, and he reminds the audience that he's gay multiple times per episode. I'm honestly surprised to see such a stereotypical character on a TV show made in 2014.

That said, the theme song is ridiculously catchy.
posted by Librarypt at 7:22 AM on March 10, 2015 [2 favorites]


I've only watched the first two episodes but I'm with you Librarypt. I'm finding the show to be a messy mix of sweet/smart/funny vs. broad stereotyping/schlocky sitcom.
posted by plastic_animals at 7:54 AM on March 10, 2015 [2 favorites]


Are there any other TV shows that have a theme song that's part of the story

The song Suicide is Painless is sung and performed on guitar by one of the characters in the movie M*A*S*H during a funeral scene. An instrumental version of the same song would go on to be the theme song to the TV show.

This is a pretty good question.
posted by bondcliff at 10:58 AM on March 10, 2015 [5 favorites]


The Archies theme song, "Sugar Sugar," was also frequently performed by them in the show.
The Partridge Family would likewise sing their own theme song in the show ("C'mon Gte Happy.")
The cast of Fame acted out the theme song in the pilot episode, as I recall, which was then integrated into the opening credits.
The Snuffbox theme song appears throughout the show, sung by Matt Berry in a million different incarnations.
posted by maxsparber at 11:54 AM on March 10, 2015 [5 favorites]


Based on some of the comments here I thought I'd give this a try. I couldn't make it through the whole of the first episode. Really grating, over the top, cliched sitcom, peopled with annoying characters.
posted by unliteral at 3:59 PM on March 10, 2015 [3 favorites]


Okay, I've just watched the third episode and there is a huge improvement. All of a sudden the background and motivation for a couple of the characters gets much more fleshed out.
posted by plastic_animals at 5:21 PM on March 10, 2015


cliched sitcom

Which Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt did you watch?
posted by crossoverman at 7:29 PM on March 10, 2015 [2 favorites]


People are entitled to their opinion. There are a lot of shows I don't like.

I demonstrate it by not discussing them in threads about them.
posted by maxsparber at 7:41 PM on March 10, 2015 [11 favorites]


Which Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt did you watch?

The pilot. Which I gather from the other comments here is not representative of the whole season (and I've seen many other shows that got insanely better after the first couple of episodes: Community! Parks & Rec! Buffy!), but I saw it last night and, look, the characters are just not fully formed.
posted by psoas at 8:20 AM on March 11, 2015


I watched the pilot last night and it definitely had some laugh out loud moments (Dancing is all about the butt now Titus!) but I am unsure about the Titus character. I laughed enough that I will watch a few more episodes. Ellie Kemper did an excellent job with her character and I have to appreciate a show that hires Carol Kane.
posted by Julnyes at 9:54 AM on March 11, 2015 [1 favorite]


The Archies theme song, "Sugar Sugar," was also frequently performed by them in the show.
The Partridge Family would likewise sing their own theme song in the show ("C'mon Gte Happy.")
The cast of Fame acted out the theme song in the pilot episode, as I recall, which was then integrated into the opening credits.
The Snuffbox theme song appears throughout the show, sung by Matt Berry in a million different incarnations.


All in the Family, too.
posted by jason_steakums at 2:43 PM on March 11, 2015


And kind-of-sort-of Laverne & Shirley, at least the intro to the theme song.
posted by jason_steakums at 2:45 PM on March 11, 2015


Yeah, it's a good question, but unless Kimmy ends up singing that theme song herself, the opening is only loosely "diagetic".

As to this show, you know, it's still a bit of a mess (I'm on E2), but that can be good. The thing about 30 Rock that was so good and means I'm giving Fey plenty of leash was that even though it started out being an excellent sitcom about the zany people making a TV show, it very quickly morphed into a brilliant comedy that was only in the slightest sense tied to that "situation". You can hardly imagine MASH without the hospital, Cheers without the bar, or Friends without the apartments across the hall (Central Perk recedes more and more into the background, despite seeming like the glue or premise at the start), but 30 Rock ended up showing very, very little of The Girly Show/TGS with Tracy Jordan. So I think the idea of sitcom as jumping-off-point is certainly more along what I expect this to turn into.

I share concerns others have expressed about ethnic stereotyping; I think it's a weakness of Fey's writing and she's falling behind the audience on this. So far I think it's funny regardless, but it retains the possibility of grating.
posted by dhartung at 3:39 PM on March 11, 2015


I believe the show Suburgatory had the theme song sung on it during the third season.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:02 PM on March 11, 2015


Anyway, I'm watching it right now and am enjoying it. It's a liiiittle bit too perky and manic-ish, but I can deal given that she just busted out of a bunker and is running around happy.

I loved her expression right after the "weird sex stuff" revelation. The "Duhhhh!" face.

Also great: Kimmy finding the rat--both in NYC and in the bunker.

Unbreakable, indeed.

Also slightly disturbing with Gretchen, the fact that nobody learned Spanish or English after 15 years, and the fact that they were all being brainwashed as "dumdums" all. the. time. Terrifying, that.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:04 PM on March 11, 2015 [1 favorite]


Carol Kane can do no wrong.

We're four episodes in and pretty in love.
posted by rtha at 9:00 PM on March 11, 2015


My favorite lines:
[Cult leader Richard Wayne Gary Wayne, AKA Methuzalophsteron]
"What had happened was, I was outside cutting up tires for my grandson..."
"Fall salad mistakes"
"Like a wonderful french roll, but black."
"I pronounce you ridiculous!"
"...what is clearly a wig."
"Am I!? Shes my favorite American girl doll!"
"I haven't had a clock since my tamagotchi died."
"Savior Rick's Spooky Church of the scary-pocalypse."
"What are you doing here Amelia Bedelia?"
posted by sweetmarie at 12:54 PM on March 17, 2015 [2 favorites]


OH MY GOD GUYS

THIS IS SO GOOD

SO VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY GOOD

also Kimmy looks like my now-former therapist to an uncanny degree
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 11:31 PM on April 15, 2015 [3 favorites]


Would the theme from, "It's Garry Shandling's Show" count as diegetic? That show constantly broke the fourth wall.
posted by Chrysostom at 7:26 AM on May 11, 2015


*cough* Gilligan's Island
posted by bq at 10:42 PM on June 24, 2015 [1 favorite]


I was hoping to like this, but I couldn't get through the first episode. (Even though I loooove Carol Kane.) The first 15 minutes did not beckon me to go all in. I can understand its appeal, but, ah well!
posted by not_on_display at 8:26 AM on November 4, 2015


The first episode is all setup. If you can, make yourself watch eps 2 and 3. If it's still not grabbing you, no harm no foul--I can totally see how the first episode isn't grabby for everyone.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:04 AM on November 4, 2015 [1 favorite]


There are a few episodes that I have no seen repeatedly. Definitely try and push through the first episode if you can. If it pays off, you'll thank your stars.
posted by Atreides at 9:44 AM on November 4, 2015


I knew this show would be a keeper when I just barely caught one of the Mole Women saying "Thank you, Bryant," to Matt Lauer. Subtle and perfect.
posted by gatorae at 11:44 AM on November 21, 2015 [2 favorites]


(we just got Netflix)

My admiration and affection for this show is totally unreasonable. The density of the humor, the craziness of the crazy parts the richness of the whole of it is so - everything that tv does well.
posted by From Bklyn at 8:20 AM on March 15, 2016 [4 favorites]


Matt Lauer's line "I’m always amazed at what women will do because they’re afraid of being rude," sure reads differently in 2017, given what we now know about Matt Lauer.

I'd like to think Tina Fey (and/or Robert Carlock?) did that on purpose.
posted by Spathe Cadet at 12:23 PM on December 28, 2017


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