10 Powerful Lessons Schitt’s Creek Taught Us for a Life-Changing Experience

Summary

Schitt's Creek's success was not just due to its humorous episodes, but also its focus on character development and finding humor in relatable experiences.

Son of a Critch, a show connected to Schitt's Creek, draws its humor from its characters while also keeping an emotional aspect that is both relatable and humorous.

Distinguishing itself from others, Son of a Critch is inspired by the genuine life encounters of comedian Mark Critch. It opts for a predominant focus on lighthearted sentimentality rather than relying heavily on a large number of jokes, possibly influenced by the triumph of Schitt's Creek.

Schitt’s Creek, the beloved sitcom that features Dan Levy, Eugene Levy, Annie Murphy, and Catherine O'Hara as the Rose family who go from riches to rags, is a true Canadian success story. Originally airing on CBC, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Schitt’s Creek gained immense popularity in the United States when it became available on Netflix. With a total of six seasons and 80 episodes, the show became a force in the awards scene, winning multiple Emmys in 2020 and solidifying its place as a timeless classic.

While the funniest episodes of Schitt’s Creek highlight the show's comedic brilliance, there's more that contributed to its top-tier status. In a recent interview with Screen Rant, Schitt’s Creek executive producer Andrew Barnsley reflected on the valuable lessons he learned from the show while discussing another CBC-to-U.S. program called Son of a Critch. Here's what he had to share:

Andrew Barnsley: We have gleaned valuable lessons from Schitt's Creek and similar shows, understanding that comedy thrives not solely on the quantity of jokes in an episode, but rather on the depth of character development and heartfelt moments. Humor can be discovered in authentic and relatable experiences, which is precisely how both of these shows established their distinct identities and built a strong foundation.

How Son of a Critch Follows in Schitt’s Creek’s Footsteps

Son of a Critch, another project by Barnsley, draws similarities to Schitt's Creek beyond just a clever title. Barnsley highlights that the humor in Son of a Critch stems from its characters, an aspect that keeps the show grounded in its emotional core and makes it relatable as well as entertaining. Similar to Schitt's Creek, the characters in Son of a Critch may be exaggerated, but they also evoke sympathy. Schitt's Creek succeeded in turning wealthy individuals into inspirational figures by investing time in developing their humanity; similarly, Son of a Critch delves into the lives of its main characters, exploring their inherent human qualities.

Son of a Critch stands out because it is inspired by the actual experiences of Canadian comedian Mark Critch. In 2018, Critch released a memoir with the same title as the series, which offers a wealth of stories for the show to draw from. The decision by the writers and creators of Son of a Critch to prioritize lighthearted and sentimental moments over a high volume of jokes may be influenced by the success and influence of Schitt's Creek.