There is no question — the touching, enchanting tale about grandmothers coming together to bring a restaurant to life has won the hearts ofNetflixusers. Directed byStephen Chboskyand written by Liz Maccie,Nonnasgracefully sidesteps the mature themes that the streaming platform usually showcases and instead finds solace in the story of an Italian eatery in Staten Island, New York. The comforting cinematic experience not only faithfully captures the authentic feel of Enoteca Maria by bringing in generational actresses like Talia Shire and Brenda Vaccaro, but also by showcasing an impressive performance by Vince Vaughn as the son who brings it all together.Nonnasis a charming little movie, which makes it all the more surprising that Chbosky was one of the creators, writers, and executive producers behind a dark series on CBS.
Chbosky only has two major TV credits — a WB sitcom calledBrutally Normalthat premiered in 2000 (and was canceled after just five episodes), and a full-fledged post-apocalyptic drama calledJerichoabout six years later.Even though this post-apocalyptic show initially ran for only 22 episodes, it quickly became a cult hit among fans and gained enough traction to warrant a second season two years later. If that wasn’t enough, this Stephen Chbosky creation was given a continuation through IDW Publishing (a comic book publisher) in 2009 and 2012. During the show’s run, there were online miniseries, promotional websites, and even an alternate reality game! All of this was based onJericho’s epic and cataclysmic plot.
‘Jericho’ Is One Apocalypse Show You Shouldn’t Miss
The story involves 23 major cities in the United States simultaneously being destroyed by nuclear bombs, and the people of Jericho, Kansas, are left to defend themselves. Need I remind you that all of this comes from the same mind that brought usNonnason Netflix? While the show’s ultimate climax leadsto the second Civil Waron American soil,the slow and ever-growing tension on the way there setsJerichoapart from other dramas at the time.
The opening is much like Prime Video’sFallout— mushroom cloud explosions way off in the distance — but without the nuanced comfort of a time jump. Characters like Skeet Ulrich’s Jake Green and Ashley Scott’s Emily Sullivan are there to show you what happens immediately after a nuclear attack. While Jake quickly becomes one of the town’s leaders to aid during this perilous time, Emily’s story has a more dramatic tone, filled with emotion and heartbreak. As you can see, this network show is very different fromwhat Chbosky is known for today.
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This is one for the nonnas out there, and it is bring plenty of feel-good vibes to Netflix’s action-dominted chart.
Throughout the first season, events inJerichowent from bad to worse. At first, some moments brought the community together and brightened each other’s spirits. But soon enough, acid rain and electromagnetic missiles stopped the town from recovering its losses. A nearby vicinity that is also affected, called New Bern, ends up pointing the finger at Jericho for all their problems. There had been somesporadic violence beforehandcaused by disagreements or escaped prisoners, but this feud between towns turned into a full-fledged armed assault. Between this, the tension between townspeople, and the overall conspiracy about who’s attacking the United States, it’s no wonder thatJerichowas put on a Top Cult Show list (along withTwin PeaksandDoctor Who).
‘Jericho’ Was Inspired by Real Events
You would think creating a show likeJerichowould be easy enough. All you have to do is think about theeffects of the apocalypseon a smaller, isolated society. But just likeNonnas, which takes great inspiration from an event that unfolded in real life, this mid-2000s TV series did the same thing.During the 2007 William S. Paley Television Festival, fellow producers Jonathan E. Steinberg and Josh Schaer told a sprawling audience that September 11th, 2001, and Hurricane Katrina helped shape whatJerichowould become. “After 9/11, we saw some of the best of people, and after Katrina some of the worst of people, and both would be included inJericho.”Admittedly, that is a striking statement, but also a great one sinceJerichodeals with how people instinctively react in the worst situations.
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I’ve got spurs, that jingle-jangle-jingle!
Believe it or not, Stephen Chbosky was the one who added the more lighthearted side to this otherwise gripping story about a bleak American future. Initially starting as a character study type of film that hada nuclear apocalyptic background, Steinberg and Schaer agreed that a two-hour big screen window wasn’t big enough forJericho. Once Chbosky was added to revise the treatment, he added “some girls, a little kissing, and some laughs." 20 years ago and today, a more relaxed motif seems to be his specialty.
Nevertheless, the comedy-drama film about Italian food and the dystopian CBS show are entertaining watches, even if they are for two entirely different audiences.Nonnasis streaming onNetflix, andJerichois available to watch onParamount+.
