I am hoping the majority of people who saw this article title took it for the “clickbait” it is. Although One Mississippi is one of the best, most honest shows on the streaming services today, it isn’t for everyone. For instance, if you’re a bigot, you might not like it. But, I still recommend you watch it because you need as much exposure to other cultures as possible. If you don’t like looking at screens, you might also not like it because it’s on Amazon Prime, which is currently exclusively available on screens. I still recommend you check it out. The rest of you, well, you’ll absolutely love it.
What Is One Mississippi?
Despite the name, One Mississippi is not a counting show for children. It is loosely based on the life of Tig Notaro, an amazing comedian who you may have heard on the hit podcast This American Life. Tig has been through a lot. She had a double mastectomy while battling cancer (after which she performed a powerful comedy special topless), she’s dealt with C. difficile infection, and during all of this, her mother died.
One Mississippi is loosely autobiographical and takes place after these events. It is about her coming back from the verge of death, losing one of the closest people to her, falling out of love, falling in love, and doing all of it with a sense of humor.
What Makes One Mississippi So Great?
Tig is a lesbian. And, she is unabashed about it. This is what makes her show so important, especially to ignorant white dudes like myself, though the show is more geared toward marginalized individuals. One Mississippi has taught me a lot about compassion. I’ve had a fairly charmed life, and the show helps me at least catch a sliver of a glimpse at the traumas that are common for women in general as well as lesbians specifically.
I wish I could say Tig was my favorite character on the show. I’ve been a big fan of hers for halves of decades. But, I absolutely love her step-dad, Bill (John Rothman). Mostly because I am him. I am the undiagnosed Asperger’s dad who needs to have family meetings about how the dishwasher was loaded incorrectly (pro-tip: just load it yourself: everyone will be happier). I don’t want to say more because ever since The Sixth Sense, I’ve stopped spoiling stuff.
Anyway, words cannot do this underappreciated show justice. But, if anything I have written above has at least piqued your interest or if you already have Amazon Prime, I strongly suggest checking out a few episodes. Season 2 just came out, and I think it may be even better than the first.
Have you watched One Mississippi? What are your thoughts? Tell us below.
