Oh, David! A Schitt’s Creek appreciation.

Schitt's Creek

By Joanna Langfield

This little show that could (and did) did not start out to be the warm embrace everybody needed. Back some six years ago, Dan Levy just wanted to spin a comedy around the concept of a rich American family losing their money. Privilege meets pauper. Could be fun.

But something happened. The cast, delicious from day one, made sure we knew not just the screwy, but the sweet of each and every character. And the story? Well, that grew. And went deeper. And found a heart, a purpose. And viewers around the world, many of whom already felt lost, or that the rug of their lives had just been pulled from beneath them, discovered this Canadian show and found themselves a home.

Maybe not everybody could relate to the wealthy Roses, but then again, the Roses often couldn’t relate to each other, either. Eugene Levy, reteaming with his old SCTV and Christopher Guest co-star Catherine O’Hara, brought so much context to the surprisingly strong marriage of Johnny and Moira. Sure, Johnny lost his fortune. Sure, Moira can’t get another acting job. But even down in the dumps (and oh, boy, the motel they wind up in sure is the dumps), these two, ultimately, have each others’ backs. We may not think the same of their children, David (played wonderfully by creator Dan Levy) and Alexis (the delightful Annie Murphy), brother and sister now forced to share a shabby room after having gallivanted all over the world. But, as the show grew its roots, so did they, creating an intertwined, irrevocable bond. But this love story isn’t just about one, immediate family. It’s about the family you find. And supporting actors, including a fabulous Emily Hampshire, an hysterical Chris Elliott and a completely winning Jenn Robertson, bring color and joy.

Under Daniel Levy’s guidance, this is not an overtly political or socially relevant show. It’s too sweet for all that. And yet, its points are made. Gay people find love. Silly women have purpose. And so do silly men. Money isn’t everything; success has a lot of definitions. And somehow, if we treat each other okay, we’ll be okay, too. How could we possibly ask for anything more?