Hilarious Comedy Series On Hulu Is The Most Accurate Representation Of Working Customer Service
At this point, the classic workplace sitcom has taken audiences everywhere, from a paper office in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to a police precinct in Brooklyn’s 99th district, to a bar in Boston where everyone knows your name. So it may come as a shock to learn that it wasn’t until 2015 that NBC decided to greenlight a series satirizing the workplace conditions of superstores like Walmart, since these stores are the largest employers of Americans in the modern economic landscape. The series in question, aptly titled Superstore, provides a hilarious and cringe-inducing look into the world of customer service at a big box store, and is currently streaming on Hulu.
Superstore Takes On Capitalism In A Hilarious Way
For those who have never seen Superstore, the series centers around employees working at a fictional chain called Cloud 9. The chain seems innocuous enough from a consumer perspective, offering a wide array of groceries and everyday products alongside liquor, firearms, ammo, and just about anything else you might find in a real-life Costco. Beneath the surface, however, Cloud 9 corporate is shown to be quite draconian, in a skewering satire of modern capitalism that will leave you with as much laughter as it does frustration.
The Cloud 9 superstore does not offer any of its employees health insurance, paid maternity leave, or even overtime, regardless of the grueling hours demanded by the employee handbook. Employee bathroom breaks are also strictly monitored and charted, in a clear jab at real headlines regarding the treatment of Amazon workers who may have been forced to urinate and defecate in bottles and bags while actively working.
While Superstore showcases a number of hilarious and relatable workplace struggles, it also delivers some fascinating character adventures with its high-quality cast.
Despite being hooked on the show today, I had never actually seen an episode of Superstore until after the series concluded in 2021. I was first enticed by a hilarious YouTube compilation that showcased the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it interstitial moments, which often highlight random customers doing something completely unhinged when they believe nobody is looking. From there, I began binge-viewing the first season, and the rest is history.
One Of The Best Sitcoms Of The Past Decade
Audiences and critics alike seem to agree that Superstore was one of the best shows on TV when it was airing, making it a real shame that some viewers like myself weren’t on board sooner. Today, the series touts a near-perfect 93 percent critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, along with a flurry of excellent reviews.
Like many comedy series, Superstore takes a little while to really hit its stride, though its first season is still very good when compared to other classic sitcoms that had rocky starts, such as The Office or Parks and Recreation.
Every Episode On Hulu
REVIEW SCORE
Whether you’re interested in checking out Superstore for the very first time, or you’re a long-time fan simply looking for an excuse to begin a rewatch, the entire 113-episode run of the series is currently streaming on Hulu. Just be sure to get all your shopping done before settling in for a long binge-viewing session, as the show’s well-stocked shelves just might make your stomach growl.
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