The β€œUnbreakable” Cult of Tina Fey

"Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," Fey's new Netflix sitcom about a former cult member, marks the latest digital extension of the "SNL" comedy legacy.

The hoopla surrounding last month's "Saturday Night Live" 40th anniversary party included celebrations of the show's impact on television and the movies. Not near as much attention was garnered by the late night staple's latest gift (in a box): its growing digital legacy.

Sure, the show's "Digital Short" segments and other filmed bits have provided funny fodder that often plays as well online as on TV (latest case in point: the daring ISIS spoof this past Saturday). Will Ferrell brought some of the "SNL" spirit to his Funny or Die site. Adam Sandler is set to bring his brand of cinematic silliness to Netflix.

But overall, "SNL" and its extended family's digital grade is incomplete. The latest – and perhaps most important – test comes Friday when Netflix begins streaming "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," a new Tina Fey-produced sitcom. The show, starring Ellie Kemper as a former doomsday cult member re-entering society after living underground for 15 years, may turn out to be more about the cults of Tina Fey and "SNL."

It's been just over two years since Fey's fast-and-funny "30 Rock," the best post-"SNL" and most "SNL"- like sitcom, left the air. But Fey has remained a media mainstay, from movies (including an amusing turn in "Muppets Most Wanted") to her recent third and final strong Golden Globes hosting performance with Amy Poehler. The duo's "Weekend Update" reunion – along with "SNL" original player Jane Curtin – marked the high point of last month's 40th anniversary special.

It also marked a reminder of the potent combination of smart and quirky comedy that Fey – and few others – excel at. Poehler just capped her six-season run "Parks and Recreation," a former NBC Thursday night neighbor of "30 Rock." Another part of that lineup and genre, the surreal sitcom "Community," returns this month, getting a new life on Yahoo!, much in the same way Fox's "Arrested Development" earned a second shot on Netflix.

Building an audience can be tough these days, on TV or elsewhere. "Kimmy Schmidt" originally was produced for NBC, which reportedly let Fey take the show to Netflix, by mutual agreement.

The new comedy arrives with some promising elements, besides Fey's involvement and the offbeat premise. Kemper, who emanated ditsy-with-depth on another departed NBC Thursday night staple, "The Office," can light up a screen like few other young performers. Jane Krakowski, one of the breakout performers of "30 Rock," co-stars. Fey's "30 Rock" producing partner Robert Carlock is her co-creator on "Kimmy Schmidt."

The sitcom world feels like it's been revolving more slowly since "30 Rock" came to a halt. "Kimmy Schmidt" seems likely to help pick up the pace, so binge-watch at your own risk. In the meantime, check out a preview of what could be Netflix's – and Fey's – next cult comedy.

Jere Hester is founding director of the award-winning, multimedia NYCity News Service at the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism. He is also the author of "Raising a Beatle Baby: How John, Paul, George and Ringo Helped us Come Together as a Family." Follow him on Twitter.
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