A glorious send up of movie musicals; a witty and insightful dramedy about human relationships; whatever you choose to call it, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend had me from the first episode. I laughed out loud at the funny dialogue and relished the elaborate and often hilarious musical numbers. I got to know and like the characters and invest in their lives. I looked forward to seeing the show eah week and there are precious few programmes that fall into that category. In the end, I'm going to miss Rebecca and all the denizens of West Covina.i hope to see tham again.
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destinyawest19 December 2015When I first started watching Crazy Ex Girlfriend it was not at all what I expected, especially when they kept breaking into song all the time. But after the 2nd episode I was completely invested and in love with this show and the characters.
Such a funny show, every episode puts a smile on my face. A Cast of great actors, all funny in their own right.
Though this show might not be everyone's cup of tea, especially due to the musical side of it. I think it is definitely worth having a go. I watch it faithfully every week and can't wait for the mid season break to be over. -
RockyMtnVideo13 October 2015. but I enjoyed this. Yes, it has some (well done, IMHO) musical numbers. If this makes your eyes roll back in your head, then nothing else that anyone says will probably make much difference to you. Is it different? Yeah, sure it is. As someone else already proclaimed, it is "refreshing". With so many other "attempts" at comedy programming, which simply retread the same formula (ad infinitum), it's enjoyable to see someone do something completely different. I also thought that the premise of the show was clever, as well, and thought that the initial musical presentation of that "plot" enhanced it, instead of detracting. (It pretty much "enhanced" and legitimized, the craziness of it all, which I assume to have been 100% intentional.) As I'm only one episode in, it's hard to know how the writing will hold up. I'm far more concerned about the fact that (in most parts of the country) it's head to head, with three, double-digit ratings, "big network" programs. That may say more about its ability to survive, than future scripts, musical numbers, or anything else. It feels a lot like the CW has simply offered it up (from the get-go) as nothing more than a sacrificial lamb. In fact, it's probably the absolute worst possible time slot, in that it's up against two reality shows, one involving singing, and the other dancing. If there's an audience that might have actually been "the most likely to enjoy" a comedy that folds in full (singing and dancing) musical numbers, it's probably the folks that are already invested in two of those three double-digit (ratings) programs! Anyway, if you are interested in trying a "different comedy flavor", at least give this a try.
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AlbertCinefilu12 May 2021It's been several days since I've finished the series and oh man... I feel emotionally exhausted (in a good way). I think I've experienced the entire specter of human emotions in a very short time and I am so proud of (Rachel Bloom) Rebecca's journey, a journey filled with a rare kind of character growth that one does not see often, almost like a metamorphosis if you want to say so.
The other character arcs are pretty nuanced as well and the show... well, the show surely doesn't lack wits, quality satire, music, drama, romance, psychology or a certain sense of mockery towards negative stereotypes while ironically making use of them (See Love Kernels, I'm Just a Girl in Love etc.) . It's also ironic that I became obsessed with a show that advocates not being obsessed after all. That's how great it is. -
rkwrkb3 September 2018Just finished watching season three. I enjoyed season one because it was fun and Rebecca was OTT. I was fascinated by the way she took other characters with her. And as series two and three went on I realised this isn't a show about following up on a teenage crush. It's a complicated and textured show about human relationships and the sliding scale that is mental health. It's smart, funny, painful and rewarding. I can not recommend this show enough.
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jalaguier22 November 2015Clever, hilarious, original, refreshing..
I can't wait to see each episode every week.
I don't normally watch American comedies because they are usually made for teenagers and family so this one is a far cry from the banal sitcoms with their laugh tracks
The writing is superb. The acting is excellent. It's diverse and the characters on the show are unique and extremely funny. I love all of them from Greg, Paula (Pamela haha) Tim, Whitefeather, Josh, Valencia etc. All of them are hilarious.
This is one of the best shows on TV right now. -
jjjamesor27 October 2015Please give this show a chance. It is original and willing to take some risks. If you ever wished your own life were sprinkled with musical numbers about your neurotic tendencies, well...let this be your model. It let's you embrace your inner-nut-case, feel good about your quirky habit of imagining your life is a Broadway show, and brings you out of the surreal moment in history we now inhabit by plunking you down in Rebecca's wonderland.
I laugh and feel hopeful when I watch this show. It is pure entertainment, which a bit of a comforting message that no matter how crazy or unattractive you may feel at your worst, there are people who will love and support you..and possibly enable you in your neurotic pursuits, instead of helping you find a good shrink...but ya gotta love them.
So few shows can say that they bring joy to the viewer...and let's face it, the soundtrack to "Crazy Ex Girlfriend" is random and FUNNY! For the love of God, watch this show already! -
immiecharnley2 February 2019Like musicals? Like comedies? Then Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is everything you need in a tv series. It's addictive, endearing and funny.
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The songs, the actors and the comedy is just so good. Though it first seems like an ordinary cliche romcom, as you watch you see it's much more than that. The only thing I'm critical of is that the story and characters are so realistic and, at the same time, sooo unrealistic as well. It shows how destructive untreated mental illnesses can be and how that can turn you into a terrible person towards people around you. Although Rebecca is the protagonist, you do not root for her all the time, because the show shows her for what she is. But after all the terrible TERRIBLE things she does, she barely bears the consequences of her actions. People still seem like to lover her, no matter what she does or what she says. She hurt Greg and Nathaniel so many times, did soooo many bad things especially to Greg, but she still is the "love of his life". Still. She creepily stalked Josh for a very long time, and GOD, she literally tried to assassinate Nathaniel's girlfriend. And what happened when Nathaniel learnt? He just decided that he loves Rebecca so much that he needs to dump his girlfriend. No one actually judges her, and even if they do, one episode later they just forgive her so easily. Rebecca is toxic. I mean, SO toxic. But I can't remember a single time she lost a person because how inconsiderate she is, everyone is just already ready to forgive her for everything she does.
I like the ending, in a particular way. I liked that how she did not end with someone, but I hate that she was the one who turned all 3 men down. It's just so unrealistic. You may still love a person even after they do so many bad things, but you do not chase that person and literally beg them to choose you. It would be MUCH better if they confronted her about what she did to them and in this way she would understand she needs some time alone to focus on herself and healing.
But no. Everyone just has to be crazy for Rebecca. -
fallenangel-55-71952815 February 2018This show may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it truly is one of a kind and amazing. Though musicals would not be the preferred genre for everyone, everyone that loves comedy would enjoy this show.
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The first 3 seasons are full of funny musical songs and cringey but entertaining situations.
But season 4 just loses its charm and has a darker tone. It could've been funnier but overall season 4 is just more serious. If it wasn't for season 4 I would've given this show 9 stars. -
lilmonkeyman25 November 2021It is uproariously funny, while tackling serious issues like mental health, suicide, abortion, gender equality, and others. The show never makes light of the issues, nor does it punch down. The jokes are never at anyone's expense and that is the type of comedy I appreciate because it is timeless. This show inspired me to seek therapy and confront my own issues.
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burakuytun20 October 2018We loved this show at first, felt in love with the characters, storyline and performances. I don't know what changed but it turned to disaster in last episodes. Rebecca character became unbearably annoying and irritating, Josh's face expressions literally gives us the chills... At this point we force ourselves to endure the epsiodes and hoping the good vibes comes back.
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jleeharris-3699112 January 2019I hate to give this 3 stars. I would give it 1, but Season 1 was awesome, clever, funny. They killed it on the musical numbers. Seasons 2 and 3 were pretty good but the void left by Santino Fontana's Broadway voice and moves was noticeable. Season 4 is unwatchable. The writing is horrendous and boring. My kids could write more interesting dialogue. Rebecca has not evolved. In her quest to become a better person, she doesn't mind ruining everyone else's life and who wants to stay in prison? Skylar Austin (Fontana's replacement) cannot act and is just dull. Scott Michael Foster acts like he can't wait for this disaster to end and put everyone out of their misery, including the viewers. The one good thing about this season was Burt Moseley's musical number, "Don't Be a Lawyer". What started out as a clever, witty, fun musical comedy has evolved into an unwatchable mess. I can't even finish this final season. I just wish this great idea had ended on a high note.
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"Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" is one of the best television shows on today....so why is it I never heard about this? Only when my oldest daughter came home for a visit did I learn about this one...after the second season?! Fortunately, the show is supposed to return for season 3...and you should binge on them like I am in order to catch up and be ready once the show returns.
Rebecca (Rachel Bloom) is a super-well educated and successful young lawyer. After all, she went to Harvard AND Yale and now is working a great job in New York City...and is about to be offered a partnership in her firm! Yet, she just ain't right in the head. When she sees an old boyfriend from summer camp a decade before, she learns that he's moving back to his old home town in California...she impulsively quits her job and moves to this city!! Why? Because she is highly delusional and imagines he'll soon fall in love with her and they'll live happily ever after! What's next? See this very weird and surreal show and find out...and it's a show that always keeps you guessing...and is filled with some of the funniest songs I have ever heard.
The writing for this show is amazing. While the show COULD lose its momentum quickly, episode after episode it keeps your interest...and features some of the strangest and most screwed up characters on TV. Well worth seeing...and there is nothing like it!! -
I am thrilled I stumbled on this. It has a very unpredictable fast comedy style, much like Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. It may not last long because it doesn't hold to the generic boring sit com standards that make me want to throw the TV like Mike & Molly or 2 Broke girls. You can say the joke before it comes out of their mouths with those shows. No filming studio family room or terrible NBC/ABC sets with this show. I never know what joke is coming with Crazy ex girlfriend and that's the best part. They don't lay the jokes out for you like an idiot. They rely on body language and facial movements to bring the awkward joke moments. To get the belly laughs (very rare in TV comedy) you may have to watch it a little more closely and listen to the fast writing style with a little more attention. Its been years since I've been excited for the next episode of a comedy. Love it, but it won't be for everyone. PLEASE give it a try.
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cherold14 May 2018For two seasons, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend was one of the funniest things on TV. The musical numbers were catchy, ingenious, and hilarious. The characters were goofy and fun. Rachel Bloom was terrifically fun and funny as the title obsessive.
As the series went along, it increasingly felt the understandable need to deal with its main characters mental issues. That worked well at first, as she continued her insanity and just rolled a therapist into it.
But then Crazy Ex-Girlfriend did what the brilliant comedy series You're the Worst had done a couple of years earlier; it decided it wanted to to be a seriocomic exploration of the difficulties of dealing with serious mental illness. And just as with You're the Worst, what happened was, it stopped being funny.
Some people actually really liked that change, but if you watched the show because it was funny, well, suddenly it was less so. Even the songs were less jokey, and every light moment was counterbalanced with a heavy one.
I made it through season 3, but it's like having a really funny friend who does a lot of therapy and then when someone tells a joke says, "I understand, I used to lash out in pain just like you."
The fourth and last season was a mixed bag. It had a lot less angst and more actual comedy, but it also had the least musical numbers of any season, and most of the numbers it did have where unmemorable. And while it was funnier than season 3, it still wasn't near as funny as the first two seasons (except for the hilarious "other Rebecca" gags).
Rating: Season 1: 9. Season 2: 9. Season 3: 6. Season 4: 7. -
samba-9791323 June 2018I'm delighted to see so many glowing reviews of this show. A lot of the focus is on Rachel Bloom, and for good reason. Aside from her great singing, acting, and dancing, she's a real risk taker-not afraid to let the audience see her ugly, crazy side.
The entire cast is musically talented, but Donna Lynne Chamblin in particular blew me away with her beautiful, powerful voice.
Folks who don't enjoy musicals might not dig this, but it's a shame, because the songs are incredibly funny. The humor goes by at lightning speed sometimes; I wish the lyrics were available. If you DO like musicals, you're gonna love the parody of "Pool" from "The Music Man." Likewise a parody of a song from "Chicago." Very smart song writing, indeed.
A very quick joke about Cornell University almost made me spit coffee on my screen. I won't tell you the joke-don't want to spoil it. -
Dr_Sagan17 October 2015Some might already know Rachel Bloom from a song called "F-me Ray Bradbury" (The F-word fully visible and audible in the lyrics) which was nominated in 2011 for a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form.
Anyway this is a TV-series created and starred by Bloom in about the same concept and style as the previously mentioned song. Literally, since the show is actually a ...musical, with songs and dancing numbers that are mixed with the plot.
It is about a successful young female lawyer who gives up a promising job in a big N.Y. law firm, and moves to California, in a small town, pursuing happiness with her first boyfriend who left her 10 years ago.
I was expecting more awkward moments with such a premise but the show (at least the pilot episode) saves us from such clichés scenes and it does it wittily. There are also some "political" statements seemingly mixed in the script that maybe give the show a little more substance (like the things women suffering just to be beautiful for men).
To summarize: It is a fantasy dramatic comedy musical, that is different from other series out there. Some people will like it or love it, some will look for entertainment elsewhere. See it, and decide.
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This show is bold,quirky and has genuinely enjoyable songs and jokes at times. But what makes me detached from this show and makes me unable to give it a higher rating is the awfulness of the actual characters.
Rachel Bloom is a fantastic actress, extremely likable but her character is nothing short of horrid at times. She is selfish, ridiculous and even her best moments are motivated by stupid reasons. Her 'love interest' Josh, played by Vincent Fernandez III, is lacking in both charisma and acting skills and their chemistry is basically non-existent. The actor that plays Greg, Santino Fontana is the best out of the bunch by a long shot (other than Ms.Bloom).
The shenanigans played by the main character and her friend are worthy of a restraining order and not in a cute sense. They're adults and it just does not transcend as likable in any sense.
With better character development this show could be really special, but currently the mental plot holes and bad acting just make it less than mediocre. -
Going into this show I had my doubts but in a small period of time, I must say that I fell completely crazy in love with this show. I have built such a profound connection that I can proudly say that it also tops my list as my personal all-time favourite Tv show. It's cleverly written, hilarious, unpredictable, it has intriguing storylines and remarkable character development. Most of all I admired watching the strength it holds in the destigmatization of mental illness and how it tackled important issues in our society. A huge well done goes out to all the amazing talented cast, particularly Scott Michael Foster as Nathaniel Plimpton who I adored for his character's growth and evolution and to Rachel Bloom as Rebecca Bunch who single-handedly broke the stigma for mental illness on television.
With catchy songs that will make you laugh and cry and a storyline that will put you on a journey in finding yourself and that fills you with hope and courage, I strongly recommend this show to everyone to at least give it a chance.
Thank you for all the joy and happiness that you filled my heart with and for making me feel less alone and entertained. I'm going to miss this show so much but I will forever cherish it close to my heart forever. -
natalieyates-4862729 April 2020I loved this show it got crazier and weirder but i loved it and how it viewed and showed mental health and how it shows the reality of depression and her other mental disorders. it highlights mental physical and general health. the love story always kept me on my toes. i recommend this!!
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atlasmb15 October 2015Should you watch this new show on The CW? I would love to draw you a decision tree here, but the formatting on IMDb just won't permit it. This is the best I can do:
1. Do you like musical numbers? If yes, then watch. Especially if you like off-beat humorous musical numbers ("Gallivant", "Little Shop of Horrors" or "F**k Me, Ray Bradbury").
2. Do you like Steve Carrell, Sarah Silverman, or Tina Fey? Then watch it, because I think the lead, Rachel Bloom who plays Rebecca Bunch, is like a cross between those people...and maybe Kristin Chenoweth too, because the girl can sing. She is also the star of the music video "F**k Me, Ray Bradbury". I will forgive her unintentional slight of Isaac Asimov.
3. Do you like the song "Somewhere that's Green"? Well, Rebecca sings a song called "West Covina, California" that reminds me of that song. She celebrates her new home, just after moving from New York City, where she had a high-paying job in real estate law. She is not sure why she moved, but it certainly had nothing to do with Josh Chan, the guy she had a summer fling with ten years ago. I mean, that would be crazy.
If by now you have decided this is the quirky show for you, let me tell you about another character, Paula Proctor (Donna Lynne Champlin), head paralegal in the law firm in West Covina. She comes across as passive-aggressive, then surprisingly morphs into a kind of Fairy Godmother to Rebecca, which makes Rebecca a kind of Cinderella/Princess character, right?
The jokes are sometimes irreverent and (praise the comic dieties!) are not filled with political commentary. At least not in the pilot.
By the way, I love musicals. So I will be watching.
Update 11/5/15: I am upping my grade to "9" because this show is reliably excellent, the cast is crazy talented, and the musical numbers are excellent. With modification, I could see this show being on Broadway. -
SnoopyStyle12 April 2019Rebecca Bunch (Rachel Bloom) is a driven New York real estate lawyer working in a high power law firm. She's offered the partnership. She starts to stress and runs into childhood camp friend Josh Chan. All of her romantic happiness comes rushing back and she follows him to his hometown of West Covina, California. She gets a job at a small firm run by Darryl Whitefeather and befriends co-worker Paula Proctor. Josh Chan is dating controlling girlfriend Valencia Perez. Rebecca befriends cool young neighbor Heather Davis. In season 2, she falls for arrogant new boss Nathaniel Plimpton III.
The title started out as a tongue in cheek joke. Crazy ex-girlfriend is a trope. It's fun to call Rebecca that since it's mostly light-hearted. She's a flustered single gal trying to find love. Some of the songs are actually hilarious. Bloom's bodied humor is funny. It's not unlike many other sitcoms throughout history. Somewhere along the line, the show dives head first into the trope. It's probably her suicide attempt where the show pass a point of no return. It may be brave but it's harder to see the fun in the humor. It stops being a joke and becomes much more real. I appreciate the attempt and the show never cheapens it. In a way, this is way better than the standard single gal sitcom and it is a harder watch after the transition. -
mitchmcc11 March 2017I have never been as mixed up about a title as I was with this one. On the plus side of the ledger, Rachel Bloom has true star quality. You cannot take your eyes off of her, and she has great hooters. The other cast members are also extremely talented. But the premise is, even giving it slack for its inventiveness, "crazy". Nothing about Josh made it seem like he would be the object of such non-stop stalking, other than the fact that he was her teenage summer romance at camp.
But the thing I found most objectionable was that in every single situation, the so-called comedy went so far over the edge to pain that it was: not funny.
Listen to what I am saying. I feel like they took a plot and songs that could have been edgy and *cute*, and made it painful to watch.
I am pretty sure I would not be the only one who feels this way, so I am just forewarning anyone else.
Because of this, although we finished watching all of Season 1, we are not going to continue. Life is too short, and it is really too bad, because I wanted to like this.