Workplace comedies tend to revolve around white-collar office environments (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Office, 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, etc.). Superstore, instead, revolves around the staff of Cloud 9, a big box retailer that sits somewhere between Wal-Mart and Target in terms of reputation. The show’s deep bench and diverse cast are largely, and appropriately, focused on the jokes, but much of that comedy revolves around the relatable situation of working a job that demands both commitment and a happy, smiley attitude in the face of both entitled customers and obnoxious bosses.
About mid-way through the series, America Ferrera’s Amy sets out to climb that corporate hierarchy to become store manager, an astute arc which sees her face racism, sexism, and nepotism before being expected to place herself above her old friends, both in terms of power and salary. She’s got it good in the world of Superstore (and in real-life): Unionization efforts are consistently thwarted, and greeter Myrtle is considered so expendable that she’s replaced by a hologram. There’s no bottom in retail.
Where to stream: Hulu, Peacock, Fubo
