Canadian television series Schitt’s Creek aired for six seasons from 2015 to 2020. Shown on CBC Television, it gained a cult following before achieving widespread fame on Netflix. Created by Dan Levy and Eugene Levy, the series revolves around the wealthy Rose family, who loses everything after their business manager embezzles all their money. Johnny (Levy) and Moira Rose (Catherine O’Hara) and their adult children, David (Dan Levy) and Alexis (Annie Murphy), move to the small town Johnny once purchased as a joke for his son David.
Now, the customarily pampered Rose family must adjust to living in the Rosebud Motel in the small town of Schitt’s Creek. The critically acclaimed series became a massive hit outside Canada and won numerous PrimeTime Emmy awards. The series produced some of the funniest and best episodes of television in the history of sitcoms, with our favorites listed below.
1. Happy Anniversary (Season 2, Episode 13)
Since arriving in Schitt’s Creek, there is one thing Johnny and Moria wanted to do more than anything: leave Schitt’s Creek. The Roses enjoyed a lavish lifestyle before moving to the small town and find it hard to adjust. In the season two episode, “Happy Anniversary,” Johnny and Moria learn an important lesson.
When Johnny and Maria go out for their anniversary, they run into old wealthy friends, allowing them to relive their glory days briefly. The old rich life and new life in a small town collide when Roland and Jocelyn Schitt show up. Surprisingly, the Roses are furious when their old friends mock the Schitts, leading to the ordinarily calm Johnny standing up for his new friends. The Roses and Schitts head to Mutt’s barn party to end the heartwarming episode.
2. Meet the Parents (Season 5, Episode 11)
The season five episode, “Meet The Parents,” tackles the issue of Patrick coming out to his parents later in life. The episode perfectly balances the serious and complex topic with humor and silliness. Since Patrick hates surprise parties, David plans a surprise party for Patrick’s birthday. David invites Patrick’s parents but is unaware that he has yet to come out to his parents.
When Johnny mentions Patrick and David’s relationship, Patrick’s parents are shocked and hurt. They’re not upset that their son’s gay, but hurt that he felt he couldn’t tell them. Patrick has a heart-to-heart with his parents in a touching scene that will have the tears flowing.
3. Grad Night (Season 3, Episode 13)
Schitt’s Creek fans often rank “Grad Night” as one of the series’ best. It features several classic highlights and milestones. It’s a perfect storm when David’s birthday and Alexis’ graduation land on the same day, and everyone has scheduling conflicts. Even though Alexis spent the entire season trying to graduate high school, she acts like it is not a big deal. Ultimately, she’s moved when her mother, Moria, and Ted both show up.
Since showing up in town, it was apparent Patrick and David had chemistry. That shines through when Patrick takes David out for an actual date, not a friend date, to celebrate his birthday. The charming couple even shares their first kiss, kicking off one of the most memorable love stories in the series.
4. Merry Christmas, Johnny Rose (Season 4, Episode 13)
Johnny Rose remembers the good old days when the Rose family would throw elaborate and elegant Christmas parties. In the season four episode, “Merry Christmas, Johnny Rose,” the sometimes optimistic Johnny thinks a party will pull the family out of their yearly Christmas blues.
The family isn’t as confident and is not feeling the festive spirit, meaning the party and the Christmas tree are a giant disappointment. Johnny ends up at the cafe trying to eat away his sadness when the family comes through for him. The heartwarming episode ends with Johnny getting the party he wanted.
5. Single Week (Season 4, Episode 12)
In the season four episode “Singles Week,” Alexis Rose suggests bringing tourism and money to Schitt’s Creek with a singles event like no other. She works with her mother, former soap star Moira Rose, to host some activities. Things take a right turn when Moria has to take Jocelyn Schitt (Jennifer Robertson) to the hospital after she goes into labor.
Left solo, Alexis proves to everyone, including herself, that she’s more than capable of running the event. During the touching episode, Alexis realizes she’s still in love with Ted, causing her to give him a passionate kiss. Alexis’s strength and courage to pull off the event and show Ted how she feels even inspires the other characters to speak their truths.
6. Open Mic (Season 4, Episode 6)
Schitt’s Creek is a master at presenting realistic but silly storylines with heart. The season four episode “Open Mic” is one of the best examples. In an attempt to bring business to the Rose Apothecary, David and Steive decided to host an open mic night. While David is against improv comedy, amateur poetry, and singing, he goes along with the idea. He’s then shocked to discover that Patrick plans on performing.
In one of the series’ best moments, Patrick sings a touching and sweet acoustic rendition of Tina Turner’s “Simply The Best” dedicated to the love of his life, David. David’s overcome with emotion and can’t hold back the tears of happiness. The sentimental episode includes other classic moments, such as Moira discovering Roland and Jocelyn’s sonogram.
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7. The Hike (Season 5, Episode 13)
Love is in the air in the season five episode “The Hike.” Each of the characters in the series has a revelation about their loved ones. Patrick takes David on a hike to execute a picnic and proposal, but Patrick gets injured. This slows them down so David carries Patrick the rest of the way. Getting to the spot is quite an adventure but they finally arrive and Patrick gets down on one knee to pop the big question in one of the episode’s many highlights.
While that’s happening, Alexis plans to go away with Ted but realizes how much she loves her family and will miss them. Also, Stevie Budd admits she is not the loner she thought she was when she worries about life without Johnny when he ends up in the hospital.
8. Moira Rosé (Season 6, Episode 7)
The former Soap Opera star, Moira Rose (portrayed by Catherine O’Hara), finally gets a taste of her old fame in the season six episode “Moira Rosé.” Herb returns to town and wants to name a wine after Moria due to her success in the Crows Have Eyes III. There’s only one problem: Moria and David can’t find a wine they like. They get drunk during the process and Moria has a drunken heart-to-heart with David about how to treat their quieter half.
At the same time, Moria and David are wine tasting, Johnny has a stern talk with Patrick about treating his son right. There’s only one problem: Johnny’s too nice, so Patrick has to take over. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and hilarious.
9. Life Is a Cabaret (Season 5, Episode 14)
Since the Roses first arrived in Schitt’s Creek, Stevie Budd has been part of the family. Known for her stoic deadpan, Stevie was a happy loner before she met David and the rest of the family. While she mostly plays a supporting role, the season five episode “Life is a Cabaret” shines the spotlight on Stevie.
As she struggles to find herself, she admits feeling left behind as everyone’s life changes. With a pep talk from Moria, Stevie delivers the performance of a lifetime in the town production of Cabaret.
10. Happy Endings (Season 6, Episode 14)
The series finale, “Happy Ending,” is a happy ending in more than one way. David and Patrick’s wedding is off to a rocky start when it rains and there is a forced venue change. Thankfully the wedding succeeds, with Moira officiating the proceedings in the ultimate costume.
The finale features several calls back to past moments from the series, notably the Tina Turner “Simply The Best” renditions and other classic jokes. The closing shot is a reference to the inappropriate “Welcome to Schitt’s Creek Sign” from season one. As a gift from Roland Schitt, the town sign now features Moria standing behind Johnny with the kids in the background.
11. The Barbecue (Season 4, Episode 7)
As David and Patrick’s four-month anniversary approaches, the Roses insist on throwing the couple a barbecue to mark the milestone. Consistently pessimistic, David is worried about jinxing the relationship with a celebration.
While everyone assures him he’s overthinking, David ends up being right when Patrick’s ex-fiancée Rachel attends the event. David had no idea she even existed. He’s shocked and hurt that Patrick never mentioned this to him before. It’s an intensely emotional episode that features great performances from Dan Levy and Noah Reid.
12. The Olive Branch (Season 4, Episode 9)
The season four episode “The Olive Branch” follows up on from the events of “The Barbecue.” Patrick lavishes David with gifts to make up for lying to him about Rachel. However, David refuses to accept his apology. It’s not that he’s still upset, as he is over the whole Rachel thing, it’s just that he loves getting showered with gifts.
Once Patrick finds out, it’s David’s turn to apologize, using the classic lip-sync apology. Also in the episode, Moria accidentally steals Alexis’ pitch for a singles event in Schitt’s Creek, something that quickly becomes a massive undertaking.
13. Don’t Worry It’s His Sister (Season 1, Episode 3)
The later seasons often overshadow the first season. The first season sets up many of the running gags and jokes the series continues to tell to the very last episode. In “Don’t Worry It’s His Sister,” Johnny is stunned that nobody in town sees a problem with the crude “Welcome To Schitt’s Creek” sign. Everyone else sees an innocent sign.
Johnny gets Mayor Roland Schitt (portrayed by Chris Elliot) to see things his way. Unfortunately, his solution adds to the problem. The episode features David struggling to find a job, Alexis making a new friend, and Moria teaching acting to kids.
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