Are 'Superstore's' Jonah And Amy The Next Jim And Pam?
By Josh Sorokach Twitter @joshsorokach Mar 22, 2017 at 4:00pm	 3656 Shares
Photos: NBC ; illustration: Dillen Phelps
If you have yet to stumble upon NBC's charming workplace comedy Superstore, you are missing out on one of the most enjoyable sitcoms on television. Airing on NBC Thursday nights where iconic Must-See shows like Cheers, Seinfeld, and Boston Common once yada yada yada-ed their way into our hearts, this plucky series about a group of eccentric employees at a Walmart-like retail store (Cloud 9) has evolved into a worthy recipient of the venerable "Must-See" moniker. Created by Justin Spitzer, who previously worked as a writer/producer on NBC's The Office, the offbeat comedy makes the inexact science of sitcom alchemy look easy by combining relatable characters, sharp writing, and a comedically volcanic ensemble cast to craft a 22-minute delight.
Superstore also just so happens to have two of the most inherently endearing characters on television: Amy and Jonah.
Portrayed by Ben Feldman and America Ferrera, Jonah and Amy's slow-simmering workplace flirtation will resonate with anyone who's ever harbored a secret work crush. The often-quarreling twosome exude some very palpable will they/won't they vibes that remind us of another pair of flirty co-workers who used to work at a tiny paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania: Stanley and Phyllis.
Kevin is just chilling in the background LOVING EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF IT. Oh, and I suppose Amy and Jonah are also reminiscent of Jim and Pam.
Much like Halpert and Beesly before them, Jonah and Amy attempt to thwart the relentless doldrums of the nine-to-five by squabbling with their wacky co-workers, going on off-site adventures, and engaging in prank wars that go wonderfully awry. Another obvious similarity between the duos is the romantic obstacles that act as roadblocks to their happily ever afters. Just as Pam was once engaged to Roy, Amy is married (but is currently seeing a marriage counseling with her husband). Season 2 has heightened the potential relationship between Jonah and Amy by subtly (and sometimes not so subtly) acknowledging the romantic elephant in the room.
One of the many reasons Jim and Pam's relationship resonated with so many people is because it's a realistic portrayal of the way actual romantic feelings develop. True intimacy is forged through a continuous cascade of small moments. Innocuous flirtation doesn't evolve into genuine feelings overnight. It's a collection of slow simmering occasions — gleefully destroying Valentine's Day decorations, singing songs from the musical Rent, bonding over your mutual admiration for Party of Five star Scott Wolf — that culminate in the realization that flirting has developed into authentic devotion.
Also, let's take a moment to acknowledge the restorative powers of the work flirt. Jim and Pam making eye contact after Michael or Dwight say something absurd is so much more than stealthy flirting. It's vital to have someone at work who's on your wavelength. Those small, silent glances are bonding moments; an indication of a real connection. Finding someone who instinctively knows which kind of remarks demand some type of "this dude is bonkers" acknowledgement is basically like 80% of a successful relationship.
What makes Superstore such a smile-inducing charmer is that the sitcom tackles the endless drudgery of clueless bosses, annoying co-workers, and jobs we accept out of necessity with humor and heart. That type of warmth and humanity is what makes shows like The Office and Parks and Recreation such a joy to rewatch. Instead of reacting to the never-ending slog of aggravation a career in retail engenders with cynicism, Superstore, and by extension Jonah and Amy, choose to embrace the chaos with cheerful aplomb.
"It's not your responsibility to make sure that everything goes well for everybody else," Jonah told Amy during last week's episode. It was a rare moment of sincerity between the two that highlighted the idea that the people you spend 40+ hours a week with are often the ones who, for better or worse, know you the best. Maybe these two star-crossed Cloud 9 employees will end up like Jim and Pam, or maybe they're destined to remain in the cozy bubble of harmless work flirts.
The future is unknown, but in the present, sometimes it's just nice to have a kindred spirit you can make eye contact with when a colleague says something ridiculous.
Where to stream Superstore
This story has been shared 956 times. 956
Will 'Crash Landing On You' Get a Season 2?