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pop tv

In the first episode of Schitt's Creek—the Canadian sitcom created by Eugene Levy and his son Daniel—the unfathomably wealthy Rose family loses everything and, in an ironic twist of fate, must uproot their lives to move to the show's titular podunk town. It's one of the most hilarious pilots of all time, from the plaintive screeches of matriarch and former soap star Moira (Catherine O’Hara) as the IRS attempts to seize her wig collection to her son David's (Daniel Levy) nauseated reaction to their kitschy new motel home.

The show began as quintessential rich people schadenfreude, but it has, over the course of four seasons, evolved into a heartwarming small-town comedy about class, family, community, and queer love. And the town of Schitt's Creek has become a sort of unexpected utopia where the Roses have (gradually) become better people, built new businesses, and made deep connections. Last year at the Vulture Festival, Daniel Levy explained why no homophobic storylines will ever exist in Schitt's Creek: “I have no patience for homophobia. As a result, it’s been amazing to take that into the show. We show love and tolerance. If you put something like that out of the equation, you’re saying that doesn’t exist and shouldn’t exist.”

I can't really shame anybody who hasn't heard of Schitt's Creek; there's so much TV out there, and the name isn't exactly enticing. I only found out about it last month, then proceeded to binge the first four seasons on Netflix over the holidays. However, I would strongly urge anybody who likes shows like 30 Rock and Parks and Rec to watch. The fifth season premiered in the US last week (you can stream new episodes on Pop TV's app, Pop Now), and based on the greatness of the season's first episode—which includes a ropes course, David's fear of businesswomen in sneakers, and a spreadsheet of Moira's wig wall—Schitt's Creek is entering its golden age.