When I tell people that I am watching the show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, they are usually surprised. There are many problematic things inherent in that title. First of all, “crazy” is a derogatory term for those with mental illness and I do not endorse its use. Also, the whole trope of the “crazy ex-girlfriend” is misogynistic and paints women as overly emotional and unstable. However, this show does not shy away from these problems; it does the exact opposite. The genius of this show is that it confronts what is problematic. It looks at stereotypes and societal norms head on and confronts them.
Created by and starring Rachel Bloom, the T.V. show, airing on The CW, follows the adventures of Rebecca Bunch. The show opens with Rebecca, a young and successful lawyer, unhappy with her job in New York. After a chance meeting with her high school ex-boyfriend, Josh Chan, Rebecca decides to follow him and move to West Covina, California where she hopes to find happiness. The show details Rebecca’s wild schemes as she tries to find happiness and love—mostly love.
The show confronts its problematic title head on in the title sequence. As cartoon versions of the characters surround Rebecca, they sing “She’s a crazy ex-girlfriend” to which Rebecca responds “That’s a sexist term.” Later in season 1, Bloom sings the “Sexy Getting Ready Song.” The song details the process Bloom’s character goes through to get ready for a party in order to impress her ex-boyfriend. The song addresses head on societal norms of beauty which women seek to obtain and the means to which they go to achieve them. The show does not hide from problems of gender inequality, mental health stigmatization, racism, and more. It portrays them in an intentional way—not to perpetuate, but to reveal.
Having recently completed its third season, this show is quite popular. By portraying commonly occurring things, such as calling ex-girlfriends “crazy,” this show attempts to point at the ridiculous nature of them. However, for the viewer to pick up this irony, they must have a rather nuanced outlook that takes the perspective of the show into account. While I really appreciate the attempts of Bloom to reveal societal inequities, I do wonder if by portraying them in the media, this show is unintentionally perpetuating them. Is it okay for the media to portray problematic stereotypes if they are being used to prove a point? Does it matter if the audience may or may not pick up on the point being proven? Would some members of this show take these stereotypes at face value and not pick up on the implied cynicism? By portraying problematic themes in society, is this show part of the problem or part of the solution? While I eagerly await the premier of season 4, I can’t help but think about these questions. Is Crazy Ex-Girlfriend a “problematic fav,” or just straight-up problematic?