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I admit it: I’m a sucker for a good musical. From the first time I saw Rent in theaters I couldn’t get enough of people breaking into song to describe their inner feelings. Broadway musical? Take me to New York, stat! Movie musical? I’ll be front row on opening night. Television musical? My series recording is good to go! That’s why I was so excited when I heard about Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Originally conceived for Showtime, the series soon ended up on The CW.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend tells the story of Rebecca Bunch, a lawyer in New York who just can’t shake the feeling that something (or is it someone?) is missing from her life. After running into her ex-boyfriend from camp, Josh Chan, Rebecca makes the impulsive decision to follow him to his new home in West Covina, CA in an attempt win back his love and affection. Along the way, Rebecca navigates her life’s twists and turns through song.
The situation’s a lot more nuanced than that (trust me) but here are a few reasons why you should be watching Crazy Ex-Girlfriend:
THE CAST
Led by stellar Golden Globe winner Rachel Bloom as Rebecca, the Crazy Ex-Girlfriend cast is made up of some of today’s most talented up-and-comers. Vincent Rodriguez III plays Josh Chan with goofy perfection; Santino Fontana, who you may know from a little movie called Frozen, sprinkles more charm than you can count as Greg Serrano; Donna Lynne Champlin brings the laughs as Rebecca’s best friend and sidekick, Paula; and Pete Gardner brilliantly portrays Darryl Whitefeather as he explores his sexuality – and that’s just the beginning! There isn’t a weak link on this show and the cast’s rapport makes watching all that more enjoyable.
THE SONGS
Every musical, whether on stage or screen, is only as good as the songs it includes. Luckily, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend has a variety of music with something for absolutely everyone. From the hilarious (The Sexy Getting Ready Song) to the heartbreaking (You Stupid Bitch) the show is lifted up by its selection of songs that help pause for laughs or help move the story forward. They’re catchy, clever, and will keep you coming back for more!
THE ROMANCE
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend — “I Hope Josh Comes to My Party!” — Image Number: CEG103b_198.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Rachel Bloom as Rebecca and Vincent Rodriguez III as Josh — Photo: Lisa Rose/The CW — © 2015 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved.
TV today is all about ‘ships and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is full of ‘em. West Covina’s citizens experience plenty of romantic entanglements throughout the first season and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. The will they-won’t they of Rebecca and Josh is captivating and complicated and everything in-between, but you might just find yourself rooting for Rebecca and Greg along the way. Besides Rebecca’s love woes, the blossoming love story between Darryl and White Josh is as groundbreaking as it is tender. While those relationships may be important, none is more so than Rebecca’s own journey to self-love. It’s relatable to anyone who’s ever struggled with accepting themselves for who they are.
Convinced yet? Time to pack those bags and head to West Covina, California – the pride of the Inland Empire. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend will return for its sophomore season October 21 on The CW.
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