Superstore is using comedy to break taboos and stereotypes about sex and women’s bodies

Vulture

The NBC comedy has always been one of TV's "most consistently and quietly revolutionary sitcoms" that has "always foregrounded its politics," says Rachel Dunphy. "But over the last three years," she says, "the show has eschewed the popular issue-of-the-episode approach, instead injecting its commentary into character, theme, and story with ever-increasing intelligence and sophistication." Dunphy adds: "In its fourth season, much of Superstore’s political commentary has come through its relentless revision of established female character tropes. Via a series of interconnected story lines revolving around Cloud 9 floor supervisor Amy (America Ferrera) and assistant store manager Dina (Lauren Ash), Superstore has assuredly and deftly used comedy to break taboos and stereotypes about sex and women’s bodies. In doing so, it’s not only managed to underscore the competence and complexity of its female leads, but also showcase the specific and myriad difficulties women face in the workplace."