Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a show as nuanced and complicated as its protagonist. It is just as hard to define as the lovable but flawed Rebecca Bunch (Rachel Bloom). When it ended after four seasons, fans were sad but understanding. The show ended when it was still going strong and thus didn't stretch itself out or outlive its heyday.
Although it will be hard for another show to come close to what Crazy Ex-Girlfriend did, the show opened the door for others. But, what makes the show unique?
Structure: Musical With Original Songs
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend features Rebecca relating to the world through song. The songs are often parodies of particular genres or even of common pop songs. For instance, when Rebecca and Paula are wedding-planning, the two go into the headbanger "What a Rush to Be a Bride." It works so well because it's an unexpected genre for the context.
Also, the show had reflective songs like, "Tell Me Okay (Patrick)," where Rebecca asks the deliveryman to tell her she's normal, "cause I think I'm fine, Patrick. But I'm only, like, 43% sure." The show features over 100 original songs, all of which are unusual and memorable.
Cast: Diversity
There are many shows that take place in urban or suburban centers that lack diversity or only have one or two characters present to represent that diversity. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is not one of those shows. The group of friends realistically represents the setting. On top of this, the male lead is Filipino-American (Josh), not often seen in mainstream media.
Rene Gube, who starred as Father Bruh, also is Filipino-American and a writer on the show. When an episode from season one featured a Filipino-American family celebration, Gube said in an interview with Slate, "I was encouraged every step of the way to make it truthful and accurate. That's something I've never felt the agency to do by my previous bosses."
Playful Critique: Old Musicals
Rebecca loves musicals, so she's excited when there are auditions for a community theater production of a classic great playwright. She and other friends audition and get roles. However, Rebecca realizes how sexist many of these old musical numbers are. This is most apparent when Valencia performs, "I'm the Bride of the Pirate King," singing at one point, "he hits me, but he don't mean no harm. Those slaps are part of his pirate-ish charm." This critique allows the audience to think of many old musicals that don't stand the test of time.
Use of Meta Moments: New Characters and Greg
In season two, fans meet the new guy, Nathaniel. Characters in the legal office act as the audience when they sing, "who's the new guy? I don't trust him. What's his purpose going to be? Do we really need a new guy this far into the season?" This is a charming and meta way to introduce a new character.
Then there was the reintroduction of Greg. Unfortunately, the original actor who played Greg (Santino Fontana) was only on the show for a short time. So, the actor, Skylar Austin, was recast. Delightfully, the show meta-called this out as well when Rebecca says, "That's not Greg. That's a completely different person."
A Flawed Protagonist: Rebecca
Rebecca is the "crazy" ex-girlfriend who uproots her life to pursue Josh. Her journey follows a familiar trope in romantic TV shows and movies where the heroine chases after a guy (i.e. Felicity). Rebecca goes far in some of her schemes, but not far enough that she loses the audience.
Rebecca is also very charming and smart. She begins to care about the people she meets, finding the home/community that she wants. Throughout it all, Rebecca reflects about her flaws, leaving fans to understand and care about her even more.
Characters: Age and Grow
The other characters, even side characters like Tim and Jim, are allowed their own storylines. All of the characters age and grow. They aren't just meant to be Rebecca's friends. Their lives just don't center around her. While Rebecca is important to them, the other characters have their own desires and challenges.
For instance, Paula, Rebecca's best friend, wants to be a lawyer. At the start of the show, she dealt with low self-esteem, a history of being put-down by her father, and a life that seemed to not let her get her heart's desire. In the end, through her friendships, marriage, and own perseverance, she achieves her goal.
Representation of Female Friendship: Squad Goals
Rebecca develops three strong friends in Paula, Heather, and Valencia. While she may not have started out as strong friends with all—especially Valencia—she nurtures those friendships. When she is at rock bottom, she says some pretty horrible things to them, and she expects them to abandon her. However, she's proven wrong. The three still love her and are more worried about her than hurt by her words.
In an earlier season, Valencia sang about women needing to build each other up... as she tore them down in the song. In the end, these four friends do build each other up. They want each other to succeed.
Representation of Sexuality: Bisexuality
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend features a few characters who are bisexual. One of them is Darryl, Rebecca's boss and friend. At first, this discovery surprises him. He is a divorced father and had previously identified as straight. However, he happily realizes that he's bisexual, and this leads to a great and iconic song, "Getting Bi," where he joyfully sings, "it doesn't take an intellectual to get that I'm bisexual." There are few honest and positive representations of bisexuality in mainstream media, but Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a good start.
Sex and Reproductive Health: Honest Discussions
In the show, there are a number of songs and conversations about reproductive health. For instance, there is Darryl discovering that his sperm is healthy. Then there is Paula singing a very blunt song about childbirth. Rebecca also sings about having period sex.
In addition, there is a character who has an abortion. This is something not often seen in mainstream media. The character has the support of her husband in this decision, and later, she discusses her choice with her best friend.
Mental Health: A More Honest Representation
Throughout the series, Rebecca comes to learn that she needs help with her mental health. Her friends are supportive, but she needs help beyond what they can offer. She gets a therapist, a diagnosis, a group, and medication. Fans see her work through it. There is no easy treatment, and the show is candid that this journey is one of ongoing work.
Rarely has TV addressed mental health in such a way. Rebecca has to go through many struggles, but some of the hardest ones are inside of herself.