“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” is a critically acclaimed musical-comedy television series that aired on The CW from 2015 to 2019. The show was created by Rachel Bloom and Aline Brosh McKenna and starred Bloom in the lead role of Rebecca Bunch.
The series follows Rebecca, a successful but unhappy lawyer in New York City who impulsively quits her job and moves to West Covina, California, in an attempt to rekindle a relationship with her ex-boyfriend, Josh. The show is known for its clever writing, catchy original songs, and its portrayal of mental health issues and female empowerment.
Throughout the series, Rebecca navigates her new life in West Covina, forming new friendships and romantic relationships while also struggling with her own mental health and obsessive tendencies. The show also tackles a range of social issues, including gender and sexuality, race, and class, often using humor and satire to make its points.
“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” was praised for its originality and the talent of its cast, particularly Bloom’s performance as Rebecca. The show received several Emmy nominations during its run, including wins for Bloom and the show’s songwriters. Its portrayal of mental health issues was also widely praised for its honesty and sensitivity.
Overall, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” is a unique and engaging television series that defies genre conventions and tackles important social and personal issues with wit, heart, and plenty of musical numbers.
Cast
The main cast of “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” includes:
- Rachel Bloom as Rebecca Bunch
- Vincent Rodriguez III as Josh Chan
- Santino Fontana as Greg Serrano (seasons 1-2)
- Donna Lynne Champlin as Paula Proctor
- Pete Gardner as Darryl Whitefeather
- Vella Lovell as Heather Davis
- Gabrielle Ruiz as Valencia Perez (seasons 1-2)
- Scott Michael Foster as Nathaniel Plimpton III (seasons 3-4)
- David Hull as White Josh (recurring in seasons 1-2, main in seasons 3-4)
Other notable cast members include Michael Hyatt, Burl Moseley, Rene Gube, and Esther Povitsky in recurring roles. The show also featured several guest stars throughout its run, including Tovah Feldshuh, Patton Oswalt, Brittany Snow, and Skylar Astin.
Production
“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” was produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Warner Bros. Television. The show was created by Rachel Bloom and Aline Brosh McKenna, who also served as executive producers alongside Marc Webb and Erin Ehrlich.
The show was filmed primarily in Southern California, with many scenes shot on location in West Covina, the show’s fictional setting. The series featured original music and choreography, with Bloom and Adam Schlesinger serving as the primary songwriters.
Throughout its four-season run, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” received critical acclaim for its innovative approach to storytelling, its use of music, and its exploration of mental health issues. The show was also known for its diverse cast and its willingness to tackle complex social issues through humor and satire.
Despite its critical success, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” struggled in the ratings throughout its run and was ultimately cancelled after its fourth season. However, the show remains a beloved cult favorite among fans and has been praised for its impact on the representation of mental health issues on television.
Reviews
“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” received widespread critical acclaim throughout its run, with many reviewers praising its unique blend of comedy, drama, and music, as well as its exploration of mental health issues and its diverse representation of characters.
The show holds a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the site’s consensus describing it as “a clever musical comedy with a strong cast and a unique premise, perfect for viewers in the mood for something a little different.” The series was also praised for its willingness to tackle difficult social issues, with NPR’s Linda Holmes noting that “it’s rare to see a show that is so good and so successful that’s also so specifically about a woman’s experience.”
The show’s performances also received acclaim, particularly Rachel Bloom’s portrayal of Rebecca Bunch. In a review for Variety, Maureen Ryan wrote that “Bloom infuses every aspect of Rebecca with the kind of infectious energy that makes you want to go on this journey with her,” while Entertainment Weekly’s Kristen Baldwin praised Bloom’s “gift for physical comedy and a seemingly endless supply of endearing awkwardness.”
Overall, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” was praised for its originality, its music, and its willingness to take on complex social issues in a way that was both entertaining and emotionally resonant. Despite its cancellation, the show remains a favorite among fans and critics alike.
Where are they now?
Many of the cast and crew of “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” have continued to work in the entertainment industry since the show ended. Here are some updates on where some of them are now:
- Rachel Bloom (Rebecca Bunch) has continued to work in television and film. She has had guest roles on shows such as “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “What We Do in the Shadows”, and she co-wrote the songs for the 2020 film “Trolls World Tour”.
- Vincent Rodriguez III (Josh Chan) has appeared in several television shows and films, including “The White Tiger” and “Insatiable”.
- Donna Lynne Champlin (Paula Proctor) has appeared in several television shows, including “Law & Order: SVU” and “The Blacklist”. She also starred in the 2020 film “The Kitchen”.
- Santino Fontana (Greg Serrano) has appeared in several television shows and films, including “Frozen II” and the upcoming Netflix series “Brand New Cherry Flavor”.
- Pete Gardner (Darryl Whitefeather) has continued to act in television shows and films, including “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and the upcoming film “Rosaline”.
- Vella Lovell (Heather Davis) has appeared in several television shows, including “Mr. Mayor” and “The Big Sick”.
- Gabrielle Ruiz (Valencia Perez) has appeared in several television shows, including “Orange Is the New Black” and “Better Things”.
- Scott Michael Foster (Nathaniel Plimpton III) has appeared in several television shows, including “Crazy for You” and “The Good Doctor”.
Overall, the cast and crew of “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” have continued to make their mark in the entertainment industry since the show ended, and fans of the show can continue to follow their careers and enjoy their work in other projects.
Fun facts
Here are some fun facts about “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”:
- Creator and star Rachel Bloom originally pitched the show as a half-hour comedy, but The CW suggested that it be expanded into an hour-long musical-comedy series.
- The show’s title song, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”, was written by Bloom and Adam Schlesinger in just 15 minutes.
- Many of the show’s cast members had musical theater backgrounds, including Bloom, Donna Lynne Champlin, and Santino Fontana.
- Several famous musicians made cameo appearances on the show, including Josh Groban, Brittany Snow, and Nia Vardalos.
- The show’s musical numbers were choreographed by Kathryn Burns, who also worked on “Community” and “Key & Peele”.
- Rachel Bloom won a Golden Globe for her performance in “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” in 2016.
- Many of the show’s songs have become fan favorites and have been released as full-length versions on the show’s official soundtrack albums.
- The show’s writers and producers often took inspiration from classic musicals and movies, including “West Side Story”, “Singin’ in the Rain”, and “When Harry Met Sally”.
- The show often included references to other TV shows and movies, such as “The Wire”, “Mean Girls”, and “The Silence of the Lambs”.
- The series finale, “I’m in Love”, features several cast members from throughout the show’s run, including several actors who had previously left the series.
Box office
As “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” is a television series, it does not have a box office. However, the show did generate revenue through advertising and streaming deals, as well as merchandise sales such as soundtracks and DVDs. The show’s success on streaming platforms like Netflix helped to increase its popularity and audience beyond its original airing on The CW. While the show’s ratings were not high during its original broadcast, it has gained a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim, and its impact on the representation of mental health issues and diversity in television has been widely praised.
