Tell-Tale TV Series Premiere Panels: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

The CW only has one new show debuting this fall, and it’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

The story centers around Rebecca, who picks up and leaves her job and moves from New York to California all because she ran into her old camp boyfriend Josh. Yeah, it sounds a little crazy, doesn’t it? Rebecca spends most of the premiere trying to track down Josh and convince herself that she’s not crazy. She didn’t move cross country for Josh! That would be crazy talk…right?

Our panelists are:

• Alice Walker, contributing writer for Tell-Tale TV
• Christine Laskodi, contributing writer for Tell-Tale TV
• Caralynn Lippo, contributing writer Tell-Tale TV
• Allison Nichols, contributing writer for Tell-Tale TV
• Carissa Pavlica from TV Fanatic
• Taylah Gonzalez from Taylah Talks TV

Give it to me straight, did you like the premiere?

Carissa: No. No, I did not. There were a few moments when I thought perhaps I might change my mind on that, but in the end all was lost.

Christine: Yes! However, I can see how others would not have liked it. They’re trying to reach a very specific target audience, which could end up being the downfall of the show.

Allison: I actually really did. I didn’t have high hopes for it, but I absolutely adored it. I fell in love with Rebecca immediately. I agree with Christine in that the show is aiming for a very specific audience, so it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea.

Alice: I am with Allison, I completely adored it. It was smart, funny, interesting and I love a good musical number – especially when they have  range. The show rests on the shoulders of Rachel Bloom as Rebecca and she really shines. Relatable, funny and totally different. There are a few small issues to suss out, but I am on board.

Taylah: I loved it! I thought that it was very self-aware, which is important for a show like this where characters can feel a bit too over the top sometimes. I think The CW did a great job pairing it with Jane The Virgin. They’re very different shows on the surface, but ultimately neither takes itself  too seriously, which is exactly why you’re willing to suspend your disbelief and just enjoy the crazy ride.

Caralynn: I totally loved it! Rebecca was such a quirky but engaging lead, and Rachel Bloom is so talented. I was drawn in right away and loved basically every single character except for bland old Josh.

What’s the show’s biggest problem?

Carissa: Unlikability. Yes, I knew going in Rebecca was moving to West Covina to follow her ex boyfriend. I didn’t know he was her ex boyfriend in the loosest terms from summer camp when she was a teenager, and she was a successful adult. It’s incredibly insulting to women that this show was even made. Of course, it appears she’s a medically treated mentally unstable person. Maybe.

Christine: The musical aspects. I feel like a lot of people who hated Glee might try to watch this show and immediately be turned off. The songs are original, have some good character exposition, and are very funny (It’s the sexy gettin’ ready song…I gotta apologize to some bitches!) but I feel like they could be omitted in favor of more story. I mean, the main character is a mentally unstable woman. That’s a heavy story that they can be focused on spending some serious story time with. Also, 3 songs an episode could end up being a bit much, and if they can’t keep up the humor, that aspect could be bland very quickly. It’s my biggest worry about the show.

Allison: Overcoming the title. It’s not the best thing in the world. Some people may immediately see the title and rule the show out completely. I almost did, but then I was bored and figured I might as well give this show one episode to prove itself to me.

Alice: I think continuing to walk with the fine line of balancing humor with any sort of mental illness. Obviously Rebecca was deeply unhappy in her life before the move, and her (horrible sounding) mother alluded to previous suicide attempts. They will need to treat those issues with respect, without disregarding them completely since her emotional and mental state is a big part of Rebecca’s character (right now).

Taylah: I think Christine brought a great point before: the show has a very specific audience.  I think once it works out its quirks, it can become a cult show. It should embrace its nature and not try to appeal to the masses, because it’s not going to and in The CW, as long as the critics love it and it has a loyal, weekly following, it will be fine. I agree that delving into Rebecca’s issues is necessary, but I also think they did just fine for the first episode. It never felt like what she was doing was the right thing, but she was relatable enough that I could see why she was doing it.

Caralynn: I’m actually not as worried about the musical numbers as I would be. I looked up tons of Rachel Bloom’s videos after watching the premiere and she’s really hilarious and creative, so I don’t see her running out of steam with the musical numbers any time soon. My biggest worry is the mental health issue. It’s obviously very darkly humorous to balance the quirky/fun musical numbers with the idea that this woman is actually experiencing a mental breakdown. I’m concerned because I can’t tell where the show is going to go with that aspect of Rachel’s personality.

What’s the show’s greatest strength?

Carissa: Wow. Um. Hmmm. Paula. She was the bright light in an otherwise dark room. The character was the only one who truly brought a smile to my face.  

Christine: Originality. Whether you liked it or hated it, I have to applaud The CW for taking a chance on a certifiably insane heroine rather than another vampire, superhero, doctor, or cop.

Allison: Rebecca! You immediately fall in love with her, and she nails those musical numbers. If I could sing, I would sing while getting ready, but I’ll just let my iPod supply the music for me. If Rebecca weren’t immediately likable, then it would be difficult to watch this girl try to delude herself that she’s not the crazy ex-girlfriend.

Alice: Again, I’m with Allison. This show lives and dies with Rebecca and Bloom absolutely nails it. It’s winking humor, feminism and fantastic musical numbers also help.

Taylah: I agree with Allison and Alice, Rebecca is an amazing character and ultimately she carries the show. The music however was what made me tune in! I thought it was insanely catchy. Sexy Gettin’ Ready Song? On my iPod. And as my morning alarm, probably.

Caralynn: I agree with everyone else. Rachel Bloom is so funny and so great in this role, and the songs are so damn catchy. She’s unlike anyone else on TV and that had me hooked right away.

Who or what do you want to see more of?

Carissa: Again, Paula. The antics at the office in general, I suppose. When Rebecca walked in there it finally felt right. There is promise if they spend a good portion of the time at the office, but given the title, I don’t see that happening.

Christine: Greg! That’s Hans from Frozen, guys! I need more of him, most definitely! Additionally, Greg is a funny character. I love a good self-deprecating guy. Rebecca’s boss Darryl was also a highlight for me. Who doesn’t love a good ⅛ Chippewa?

Allison: I liked all the supporting characters, and I was glad that Paula didn’t turn out to be a bitch. I would love to see more of the bartender, Greg, and more of Rebecca and Paula being partners in crime.

Alice:   The characters just existing in this world. I believe that once this  show moves past  the premise (unstable lady pulls a Felicity and lightly stalks her ex boyfriend!) and allows these character to grow, interact and develop it will really hit its stride. I’m all for adorable bartender/Evil Hans and I’m already excited for his first musical number.

Taylah: Greg was a sweetheart and I am most definitely here for a cute bartender with a sweet smile, but I’d also like to see more of Josh. I mean, we know Rebecca loved high school Josh, but who is he now? Is he funny? Is he smart? Is he a jerk?

Caralynn: I loved Greg, so I want to see more of Rebecca and Greg developing a relationship. The show is totally gonna go there, and they have great chemistry, so I really want to see that.

Who or what needs to go away and never come back?

Carissa: The singing and dancing. I hate song and dance. I also know I am in the minority.

Christine: I don’t think that you’re in the minority Carissa! I, personally, LOVE the singing and dancing, but I think the show could easily stand on its own without it. I’d like to see it somehow worked in that the musical sequences are related to her mental breakdown. And again, like I said above, I’d hate for people to be turned off by the show because they compare it to Glee. It’s most definitely not Glee. One Google search of Rachel Bloom’s stand-up will show you that.

Allison: I can’t decide how I feel about Josh. I sort of want to punch him in the face. I’m going to need to see the lovable side of him for there to be any chance at me shipping him and Rebecca. Right now, I’m kinda loving Greg.

Alice:  I think that’s the whole point of Josh – he’s just this average dude living an average (to possibly below average, we don’t know) life that Rebecca idealizes because he represents her brief brush with happiness. I doubt he’ll stay on a pedestal for long.  The one issue I really had with the premiere was Paula. She was insecure, aggressive and kind of a bully. What kind of woman goes through a coworkers computer just because she feels like she was maybe lied to – about something that has nothing to do with her?  She stalked Rebecca to that party just as much as Rebecca stalked Josh (lot of stalking going on here) and I did not buy her sudden flip to best friend. It seems like they are quickly moving on to having Paula be the sidekick, but man that was a rough introduction.

Taylah: Like I said before, I think getting to know Josh will be important. I don’t think he’ll be revealed to be some sort of evil jerk, but I am sure he’ll be just a regular guy that’s really not that much of a catch beyond his pretty looks. I kind of thought her boss Darryl was a bit of a caricature. I don’t know if I’d go as far as to want to get rid of him, because he seems nice, but he was almost a bit too much for me, which is saying a lot because all of these characters are already pretty out there.

Caralynn: I agree with Alice, the Paula stuff was a bit rough. Her total 180 from weird aggressive nosy co-worker to Rebecca’s new BFF was a little off. I did like the character though, so I’m going to reserve judgment. I just think the build-up to their friendship was kind of off.

Favorite quote/moment from the premiere?

Carissa: When the credits rolled. Oh, how utterly delightful!

Christine: The entire Sexy Gettin’ Ready Song sequence. When the blood hit the bathtub, and that rapper realized what women do to get ready, that was the moment I was all in.

Allison: I’m apparently in the minority because I loved the musical numbers. They were such a delight, and it was a great way to see inside the quirky mind of Rebecca. If I had to pick a favorite number, it would be the sexy getting ready song.

Alice: Good lord, so many quotable: as someone who once lived in the Inland Empire I loved the ode to West Covina and the running gag that it is 2 hours from the beach (4 with traffic). I laughed out loud numerous times during all the musical numbers, and you could really see hints of the originals Showtime pilot when her boss was being racist, or when they indirectly referenced her giving Greg a sad BJ at the party. And yes. Sexy Getting Ready song, I’m just going to leave this right here.

Taylah: So many! I loved Rebecca yelling “GOOD GOD SHUT UP YOU STUPID BITCH” at her mom while telling Josh that she was not dramatic. “You wanna drive by his house?” “You know where he lives?” “Oh this is going to be SO MUCH FUN!” I absolutely loved the end tag, too. And of course the songs, the songs! Put them in my ears, repeatedly!

Caralynn: The Sexy Getting Ready Song! So many moments from that song. And it’s so damn catchy, I think I’ve listened to it at least 5 times since watching the premiere. And I totally loved the rap interlude turning into a feminist awakening moment for the rapper, hahaha.

What did you think of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend? Will you be sticking around? Join in on the discussion by leaving us a comment!

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend airs Mondays at 8/7c on The CW.