The first two seasons of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend are currently streaming on Netflix, and season three will begin airing on the CW on October 13. I’m telling you this upfront, because I can guarantee that by the time you’re done reading this article, you will want to know where you can watch this amazing spectacle of a TV show.
Crazy Ex-Girfriend was created by Rachel Bloom (aka: the awesome lady who writes and directs some of the funniest music videos YouTube has to offer), and Aline Brosh McKenna (aka: the brilliant woman who wrote the screenplay for The Devil Wears Prada). It’d be safe to assume a powerhouse team like these two would have delivered the smash hit that brings in ratings like candy, but– unfortunately– this is not the case.
While the show is adored by critics, and Rachel Bloom won a Golden Globe for best actress in a comedy/musical in 2016, the show is the CW network’s lowest rated. A part of me understands. The title is misleading. Why would anyone want to watch a show about a sexist stereotype?
But let me tell you what Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is really about. If you don’t want to watch it right away, you’ll be missing out.
This show is a musical comedy following Rebecca Bunch (played by Bloom), a successful yet miserable lawyer who works for a law firm in New York. The day she is offered a huge promotion, she spirals into a major panic attack and quits her job. While trying to calm herself down, she spots Josh Chan, her two week boyfriend from a summer camp years ago, on the street. After chatting for a few minutes, Josh tells Rebecca he is moving because he was finding the city too stressful, and he wants to live in a place where everyone was chill and happy. Realizing she needs a positive change in her life, Rebecca decides to follow him to his hometown: West Covina, California.
Oh. And it’s a musical. Did I mention this show is a musical?
Basically, this show is everything you’ve ever wanted and more. It portrays realistic characters dealing with serious mental health issues. It confronts and resists all the stereotypes presented in the title. It offers a diverse cast of women, all of whom have their own developed arcs that don’t always have to do with romantic relationships. There is even LGBT representation: an openly bisexual character who comes out to his co workers through song. (Yes– you read that right. The song is called Gettin’ Bi. I suggest you look it up on YouTube immediately. It’s awesome). Every toxic romantic or platonic relationship is called out. It challenges every stereotype and connotation the crazy ex-girlfriend label implies.
And it’s a freaking musical. With 2-3 original songs in each episode. I would name my favorite song, but I honestly can’t choose. (I highly recommend looking up the songs: “I’m So Good At Yoga,” “I’m a Good Person,” “Settle For Me,” and “Oh My God I Think I Like You.”) If nothing else, check out this show for the music alone. I can’t express how much more fun it is to walk to class while rocking out with this soundtrack in your ears.