The Santa Clarita Diet: Who Is The Real Jerk?

who is the jerk from santa clarita diet

In the Netflix horror-comedy series Santa Clarita Diet, suburban realtor Sheila Hammond, played by Drew Barrymore, discovers that she has become a zombie. As she and her husband, played by Timothy Olyphant, navigate her new undead state and cravings for human flesh, she describes her boss as a jerk in the 2018 episode Suspicious Objects. The show received positive reviews for its cast, humour, and premise, but some criticized its level of gore.

Characteristics Values
Name of the character Sheila Hammond
Relation Joel's wife and Abby's mother
Occupation Real estate agent
Lives in Santa Clarita, California

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Sheila Hammond's boss

In the Netflix horror-comedy series *Santa Clarita Diet*, Sheila Hammond is a realtor who lives in suburban Santa Clarita, California, with her husband Joel and their daughter Abby. The series begins with Sheila becoming undead and developing a craving for human flesh.

Sheila's boss at the real estate company is Carl Coby, played by Andy Richter. Carl is described as obnoxious, and his character appears to serve as a source of stress for Sheila. In one instance, Sheila blacks out and worries that she has killed Carl. However, she later discovers that she had instead attacked a different character, AJ, and killed him.

As Sheila's condition as an undead person progresses, she undergoes a radical transformation in her personality and behaviour. She loses her impulse control and becomes more impulsive and primal. This leads to a series of darkly comedic events, including her accidental killing and consumption of her co-worker Gary, and the Hammonds' entanglement with their neighbour and sheriff's deputy, Dan Palmer.

While the show explores the challenges faced by Sheila and her family as they navigate her new undead state, it also incorporates elements of satire and social commentary. The setting of Santa Clarita, with its middle-class residents and the forced friendliness of the real estate profession, adds a unique layer to the story.

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Sheila's transformation into a zombie

In the first episode of the Netflix horror-comedy series *Santa Clarita Diet*, Sheila Hammond, a suburban realtor in Santa Clarita, California, undergoes a metamorphosis and becomes a zombie. Unlike the zombies typically depicted in movies and TV shows, Sheila looks and feels healthy and vibrant. However, she now craves human flesh and has a more primal and impulsive personality.

As Sheila and her husband, Joel, try to navigate her new lifestyle, they must also maintain a low profile and deal with their neighbours and cultural norms. Sheila's transformation into a zombie empowers her, improving her sex life and social life and giving her a new "Live your best life" mantra. She becomes a motivational force for her friends and family, subverting ingrained zombie stereotypes.

While the show does not pathologize Sheila's flesh-eating habits or portray her as a traditional object of horror, her new diet does present some challenges. Sheila and Joel must find people for her to feed on, selecting what they consider to be the worst kind of people. Sheila also turns others into zombies, including a woman she delivers Meals on Wheels to, a convicted felon, and a classmate of her daughter, Abby.

Throughout the show's three seasons, Sheila and her family continue to adjust to her new life as a zombie, seeking a cure while also embracing the positive changes her transformation has brought about.

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Sheila's cravings for human flesh

In the Netflix horror-comedy series *Santa Clarita Diet*, Sheila Hammond, played by Drew Barrymore, develops a craving for human flesh after she dies and comes back to life as a zombie. Sheila and her husband, Joel Hammond (played by Timothy Olyphant), are real estate agents in Santa Clarita, California, whose lives take a dark turn when Sheila undergoes this transformation.

As Sheila's cravings for human flesh become more intense, she and Joel decide that they need to kill people so that she can eat. They rationalise this decision by seeking out the "worst kind of people" to murder for Sheila to consume. Despite their unconventional methods, the couple tries to maintain a sense of normalcy in their everyday lives, including continuing their work as realtors.

Sheila's new appetite leads to a radical change in her personality, making her more primal and impulsive. This creates challenges for Joel and their family as they attempt to manage her condition while navigating their suburban surroundings and adhering to cultural norms. The show also delves into the potential mythological mysteries surrounding Sheila's metamorphosis.

While the show presents Sheila's cravings as a physical need, it also explores the ethical implications of her new diet. For example, in one instance, Sheila is shown eating intestines without any apparent aversion, raising questions about the consumption of non-human tissue. Additionally, the show addresses the impact of Sheila's cravings on her mental state, suggesting that a lack of food could cause her to become feral or go on a murderous rampage.

The show received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its cast, humour, and engaging premise. However, some viewers criticised the advertising for the show in Germany, where Netflix promoted it with posters depicting a human finger sliced like a currywurst, a popular German fast food dish. Despite sparking some controversy, the show developed a dedicated fan base, with many expressing disappointment when it was cancelled after its third season.

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Sheila and Joel's suburban life

Sheila and Joel Hammond are everyday suburban real estate agents in Santa Clarita, California. They are married and have a teenage daughter, Abby. Their lives are turned upside down when Sheila suddenly dies and becomes a zombie. Despite her undead state, Sheila looks and feels healthier than ever. However, she develops an uncontrollable craving for human flesh.

As Sheila and Joel navigate this bizarre new reality, they must keep up appearances and deal with their neighbours and cultural norms. They also seek a cure for Sheila's condition while trying to satisfy her new appetite. This often involves them seeking out the "worst kind of people" to kill and feed to Sheila. Their suburban life and work as realtors selling upscale homes create a stark contrast with the gory and morbid aspects of the show.

The show received generally positive reviews, with critics praising the cast, humour, and engaging premise. However, some viewers found the show too graphic and disgusting. The first season holds a 78% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 67 out of 100 on Metacritic. The show's blend of comedy and horror, along with the chemistry between the lead actors, contributed to its appeal.

Despite its positive reception, Netflix decided to cancel the show after the third season, disappointing many fans who felt the show had more potential.

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The Hammonds' profession as realtors

The Netflix horror-comedy series Santa Clarita Diet features the Hammonds, a husband-and-wife team of realtors living and working in the middle-class suburb of Santa Clarita, California. Joel and Sheila Hammond are described as "everyday, suburban real estate agents" who find their lives turned upside down when Sheila becomes a zombie and starts craving human flesh.

The choice to make the Hammonds realtors was a deliberate one by creator Victor Fresco, who explained that the profession "gets them out into the world" and also requires a "forced friendliness" that would be inherent to the characters. The show's premise allowed Fresco to explore the concept of narcissism through the lens of the undead, who he saw as the "ultimate narcissists".

As realtors, the Hammonds face a series of challenges, including dealing with difficult clients and the pressure of keeping their listings. In one memorable scene, Sheila projectile vomits in front of their clients during a listing tour, an incident that could potentially cause them to lose the listing. The Hammonds' profession also brings them into contact with their co-worker Gary West, played by Nathan Fillion, who becomes Sheila's first victim and later turns into a zombie himself.

The choice of setting and the Hammonds' profession as realtors was influenced by Fresco's own experience growing up in the San Fernando Valley. Santa Clarita was chosen for its middle-class residents, with Fresco specifically wanting to depict a community of "teachers and cops and firefighters" rather than wealthy individuals. The show's blend of horror, comedy, and social satire received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising its excellent cast and engaging premise.

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Frequently asked questions

Sheila Hammond's boss is the jerk in the series.

Drew Barrymore plays Sheila Hammond.

Sheila is a real estate agent.

Sheila Hammond becomes a zombie and starts craving human flesh.

In the first episode, Sheila Hammond vomits during a showing and loses her job. She later eats her first human meal.

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