Schitt's Creek: How Abandoning the Original Premise Saved the Show

The Origin of Schitt's Creek

Schitt's Creek, created by Eugene Levy and Dan Levy, centers on the affluent Rose family: Johnny (Eugene Levy), Moira (Catherine O'Hara), David (Dan Levy), and Alexis (Annie Murphy). After their family fortune is embezzled, the Roses are forced to relocate to a small town called Schitt's Creek and live in a motel. This premise sets the stage for the comedic and heartfelt journey of the Rose family as they adapt to their new modest lifestyle and the neighboring townspeople.

The Rose Family sit on a fancy sofa in front of a family portrait in the pilot episode of Schitt's Creek.

The sitcom ran for six seasons, allowing the Levys the rare opportunity to end the show on their own terms rather than getting canceled. The enduring appeal and long-term success of Schitt's Creek can be attributed to the character growth within the Rose family, which played a significant role in the show's evolution into a touching series.

The cast of Schitt's Creek at David and Patrick's wedding in the series finale.

The Original Premise of Schitt's Creek

The original premise of Schitt's Creek was that the Roses owned the titular town, which was the reason for their relocation. However, once the Roses arrived, their ownership of the town became less central to the story. The show's focus shifted to the formerly wealthy family's struggle to adapt to a small town after their fall from grace, rather than their ownership of the town specifically.

The Roses' privileged and entitled personalities made them unlikable characters at first. Abandoning the original premise allowed the show to avoid an imbalanced power dynamic between the Roses and the townspeople, leading to the Roses learning important values and becoming proud members of the community over time.

How Abandoning the Original Premise Saved the Show

The decision to abandon the original premise of Schitt's Creek was ultimately for the best. It allowed the character arcs of the Rose family, as well as their collective arc as a family, to evolve in a way that resonated with the audience. Had the Roses' ownership of Schitt's Creek been central to their stories, the show might have struggled to gain traction due to the unlikable nature of the characters at the beginning.

By abandoning the original premise, Schitt's Creek was able to focus on the humor and heartwarming moments of the Rose family's journey in Schitt's Creek, leading to the show's enduring success and widespread acclaim. The evolution of the Roses from privileged individuals to proud members of the community was a key element in the show's appeal, and abandoning the original premise allowed this transformation to take center stage.