“I don’t know. That’s probably more of a question for you, guys,” said Superstore executive producer, Justin Spitzer when asked about positive change in critics reviews during the Television Critics Association NBCUniversal Winter Press tour on Tuesday. “We do the best that we can. How do you account for it? I am very proud of the show and I am hoping that some people are discovering more and excited about it. I think it’s also season one, you have everyone reviewing and as you go on, you have more people excited to write another article and give it another shot. A little more selected group. We are excited about the reviews.”
Spitzer was joined by the rest of the panel, including Superstore cast members Ben Feldman, America Ferrera, Lauren Ash, Nichole Bloom, Colton Dunn, Nico Santos, and Mark McKinney.
The cast and creative touched on the relatability of the show, but Spitzer wants the audience to know that their storylines aren’t influenced by society.
“I don’t think we’ve changed the way we’ve break the show or write the show,” said Spitzer. “It’s hard not to know how we’re influenced by society at large. I think we’ve mentioned Trump once during the election. There is a line, but I don’t think we come at him.”
Ferrera added, “I think people are looking for conversations that feel, in any way, honest and authentic and sane about what is happening in the world around us. I think Justin and the rest of our writers so masterfully are able to address those things without it feeling like they are picking a side and saying who is wrong or right.”
The series has touched on issues regarding the problems of maternity leave and undocumented workers that have resonated with the audiences. Ferrera mentioned the comments she received when she posted a video of her character, Amy, being called into work 48 hours after giving birth.
“I posted the clip of Amy finally reaching her max – having her breakdown – having to come back to work 48 hours after having a child, and the comments that I received from all throughout the country and women from all around the world who described their experience of laughing and crying, and not being sure if they were laughing because they were crying or crying because they were laughing, because of how much the experience resonated with them,” explained Ferrera. “They [have] never have seen the reality of their situation being portrayed. The fact that in comedy, you can hit truth that does bring someone to tears and they are not sure what they are feeling they are feeling more in that moment. The comedy of recognition or the tragedy of recognition. That’s golden.”
Santos shared the response he received during his character’s story arc of Mateo being found out as an undocumented worked.
“It’s been tremendous actually,” said Santos. “I never thought I’d be in a project that celebrated my identity of being queer and Asian. Being Filipino, I know many that are undocumented. I had a lot of messages who stop me where I go who appreciate the issue because they’re undocumented or a family member is undocumented. I am glad we are able to portray this character with dignity and respect.”
Dunn added, “It’s great to have an example of a character that is living through his time through this. He’s just trying to be a floor supervisor.”
This season will see the characters battle a blizzard and time jump to celebrating Amy’s daughter’s quinceañera. The series will still celebrate their characters’ diverse stories, including the extended cast.
“I think one of the strongest things about the show, when we say diversity, and when we say diversity for the sake of diversity is good, we believe that, but it’s more about what diversity allows us to do,” said Ferrera. “For instance, when we talk about the women on the show. There isn’t just one woman on this show which means one woman doesn’t have to represent all women. We all get to address all issues to whatever it is – sexuality, womanhood, race, or economy – through our own individual lens. So Dina, Cheyenne, and Amy each don’t carry the burden of being the final word of what Superstore thinks what a woman’s experience is.”
“I don’t think it’s a competition that one show is more diverse than another,” said Ash. “It’s just something to be proud of.”
