Emmy Award-sweeping ‘Schitt’s Creek’ was uniquely Canadian
A week ago Sunday night, Daniel and Eugene Levy showed the world one of Canada’s most powerful exports: a beautiful story.
Their co-creation, the wonderfully warm and genuinely funny “Schitt’s Creek,” swept the Emmy Awards. Nine trophies. It made Emmy history as the first program to win every award in its category. Daniel Levy is the first to win Emmys for acting, writing and directing the same show, all in one night. Ever.
Creating a program is such a vulnerable, risky affair. When one show then connects with audiences around the world, it’s magic. So, bravo to everyone who worked so hard to make this happen. Canadians, too, should take a bow.
This great show exists because of Canada — a country that values ideas like decency and acceptance; a country that provides financial support to Canadian shows through the Canada Media Fund; and yes, a country that has a national public broadcaster whose mandate is to find, invest in and promote these stories.
There is a golden rule in social media: if you want to keep any hope in humanity, never read the comments. “Schitt’s Creek” is breaking that rule, too. Read them. They burst with pride, joy and love: “each award was a win for anyone who’s ever felt alone & found solace in community. anyone who saw themselves in david’s learning to trust or alexis’ slow vulnerability or patrick’s coming out journey.” (@stevierosebudds)
“Your message of love and inclusivity prevailed! Your family spearheaded an amazing movement that has touched thousands of diverse lives” (@soci51)
“What you actually did was give us a glimpse of what a better family and a better world could look like and we are very very grateful that you did.” (@Lsaaustralia)
This is Daniel and Eugene’s beautiful creation. I’m not sure it could have been made anywhere else. In Canada, it found great actors, including Catherine O’hara, Annie Murphy, and Dan and Eugene — Emmy winners all. It found a public broadcaster, CBC, and a head of programming, Sally Catto, who said “yes” to commissioning a groundbreaking comedy when many others said “no.” In return, it brought six seasons of good jobs and benefits to Goodwood, Ont. — where the exteriors were shot — and across the country. And it brought joy to people everywhere.
It’s popular in some quarters today to say that Canadian culture doesn’t really matter anymore; that there are so many choices out there, we’ll always be able to find Canadian shows somewhere. Well, you would not have found this show, and this possibility saddens me. “Schitt’s Creek” exists, and is being celebrated, because it was nurtured and supported here. By Canadians.
In the glow of his historic win, Daniel wrote, “A gentle reminder that TV shows need time and space to lay foundation, to develop and to grow. In the wrong hands, this show would have been yanked off the air in Season 1 for ‘underperforming.’”
He’s right. His celebration is Canada’s, too.