Superstore is a must-watch for fans of workplace comedies. Despite flying under the radar for some, this show deserves recognition as one of the best sitcoms of the past decade.
Warning: Spoilers for multiple sitcoms (that aired years ago, so if you chose to read an article explicitly containing the word ‘sitcoms,’ they shouldn’t come as too much of a shock).
Since its debut in 2015, Superstore, the underrated gem of modern American sitcoms, has steadily gained a loyal fanbase. Set in a branch of a fictional Cloud 9 superstore, the show offers an entertaining yet insightful glimpse into the lives of its diverse group of employees as they navigate workplace dynamics, personal struggles, and the absurdities of retail culture.
Superstore stands out among other sitcoms through its ability to balance laugh-out-loud moments with meaningful reflections on real-world issues. The setting itself seems unfathomable for non-American audiences. The quirky, relatable characters, led by America Ferrera, create a captivating ensemble dynamic.
The Context of Workplace Sitcoms
In the 1990’s, sitcoms often focalized a particular group of friends or family (think Friends, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, or Arrested Development). The shows also tend to center around a particular location. Viewers were left wondering if these characters ever even went to work. Be it HIMYM’s Shaw’s Bar, Friends‘ Central Perk, or even the Bluth family’s model home in Arrested Development, the locations of business and leisure were separated.
But with the gradual disappearance of third spaces, people found themselves spending more time at work, rather than with friends or family. Naturally, sitcoms had to follow this trend.
In came shows like Brooklyn 99, The Office, Abbott Elementary, and of course, our beloved Superstore. These shows all form part of a rich tradition of workplace comedies that combine humor with heartfelt moments. The workplace dynamics of these shows capture the quirks and tensions of daily work life. They present a dysfunctional yet endearing group of employees who grow closer despite the mundane nature of their jobs.
Much like the NYPD’s 99th Precinct in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Cloud 9 is a place where comedy thrives on coworker dynamics. But unlike B99, Superstore employees maintain the balance between personal and professional lives. Like The Office, Cloud 9 also becomes a breeding ground for disputes and (mostly) well-intentioned pranking. Like Abbott Elementary, the employees of Cloud 9 address social issues through a comedic lens. They highlight the corporate greed of their employees in the context of their own financial or personal struggles. This mix of humor, heart, and timely social themes makes Superstore a standout among workplace comedies.
Workplace Romance Etiquette in Superstore
“You watch one sitcom, you’ve watched them all, right?” Wrong! To me, Superstore absolutely nails the balance of romantic dynamics. Too often in television, especially in long-running shows that allow viewers prolonged exposure to the characters, protagonists tend to be paired off, as if they have no social lives outside each other.
Two-thirds of the Friends gang end up with each other. The show even has an episode dedicated to uncovering how many different pairings have occurred between them across the show. Brooklyn 99‘s Jake and Amy are clearly destined for each other from the pilot (like Superstore’s Jonah and Amy). But during Brooklyn 99‘s eight-year run, Jake and Amy, Charles and Gina, Charles and Rosa (albeit unrequited) all form minor romantic arcs — similar to HIMYM and The Office, where the characters of all these shows spend inordinate amounts of time together. In real life, however, people rarely pair off so conveniently.
How Is Superstore Different?
Conversely, in Superstore, some major long-running comic gags is that half the employees barely even like each other. Despite focalising on a range of characters outside the ‘core group,’ their dynamics seem natural. Not everyone is invited to post-work activities or major personal life events. As employees, for the large part, they come into work and do their jobs. Their interactions with co-workers drastically decrease the minute they walk out of those egregiously large sliding doors.
Additionally, any workplace flings that do happen amongst minor characters are relegated to offhand comments or background moments rather than having dedicated B-plots. In this way, Superstore achieves a more natural, relatable dynamic. Despite being a workplace sitcom, everyone is not best friends. They all have lives outside of each other.
Another effective aspect is the recurring side plot of unionizing. The characters come from a range of backgrounds, but ultimately, working in the same store means that they all get minimum wage. The show’s most compelling scenes come from moments of camaraderie. Characters band together to unionize, campaigning for each other’s jobs, pay raises, or immigrant rights.
Naturally, Superstore’s political climate allows it to undertake these narrative arcs with more ease than others. (Consider Brooklyn 99 battling copaganda allegations). However, they add a layer of relevance to Superstore that elevates the show beyond a simple sitcom.
Superstore’s Finest Moments
Although part of this article denigrates sitcom romantic tropes, admittedly, Amy and Jonah’s relationship is one of the show’s finest elements. Their rocky start in the pilot episode only promises a blossoming friendship built off mutual respect, though Jonah spends the first half of Season 1 desperately trying to earn it. This begins a ‘will-they-won’t-they’ arc that is as frustrating as it is satisfying when they finally get the timing right.
Other standout moments have to include Dina’s running Halloween costume gag, Garrett’s store-wide announcements, Cheyenne and Mateo’s catty but still somehow endearing personalities, and of course, Glenn’s well-meaning, high pitched and scatterbrained shenanigans across the seasons.
Superstore’s Place in Sitcom History
From the comedic competitions, teasing, and comradeship that comes from being trapped (literally, in multiple episodes) in a dead-end job at a superstore to the occasional betrayals, backstabbing, and general underhandedness, Superstore may not have garnered the widespread recognition of its peers, but it certainly deserves to be considered among the best.
Superstore highlights the humor found in everyday challenges while creating a sense of community within a seemingly mundane setting. It is clear that Superstore’s relatable characters, wit, and meaningful themes have left a lasting mark on the genre. Its ability to tackle complex topics such as corporate exploitation, immigration, and healthcare without losing its comedic core makes it a unique gem in the world of modern American sitcoms. For fans of smart, heartwarming workplace comedies, Superstore is truly the unsung hero, deserving of both praise and a rewatch.
