Written by Meg Aki, Image sourced from SCAD aTVfest
Before the final season of the beloved NBC sitcom comes to an end, the cast of “Superstore” stopped by SCAD aTVfest to reflect on their past six years of working on the show following a screening of the first episode of season six. The post-screening panel featured key members of the ensemble cast including Ben Feldman, Mark McKinney, Lauren Ash, Colton Dunn, Nico Santos, Nichole Sakura and Kaliko Kauahi.
Many television shows during this time were hesitant to bring the COVID-19 pandemic into their universe, likely because it causes episodes to lose any sense of timelessness and ultimately becoming exclusive to 2020-2021 (and hopefully none beyond that). “Superstore,” however, has never been one to shy away from sensitive issues as exhibited in season four’s ICE raid finale and the discussion of systemic racism this season. Ben Feldman, who plays Jonah on the show, believes that the show contains enough relatability to remain relevant down the road despite its discussion of current events.
“On one side, it is this timeless sort of evergreen story, but also ‘Superstore’ feels in some way to be kind of a time capsule for our time, and it tells a lot of current stories and a lot of what is happening in the current American zeitgeist,” said Feldman, “It makes us almost forever current and also it’ll be like this weird period piece when you go back and revisit it years from now.
“Superstore” uses its satirical voice to comment on the changing aspects of our lives such as how corporations reacted to the Black Lives Matter protests, the nonstop zoom calls, the scarcity of essential items in stores, and current safety protocols as well as the people who refuse to follow them. Lauren Ash, who plays Dina, understands that is a great responsibility to be vocal during this time when a virus has become a polarizing issue.
“I think getting the chance to continue to represent the characters we all love and remind people that this isn’t over yet is a great opportunity and honor,” said Ash.
Although “Superstore” is not exactly an escape from the news cycle that some people may be desperate for during this time, it certainly helps to provide plenty of laughs in this time where that is definitely needed.
