There's No Such Thing as a "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend!"

I first came across "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" in a Buzzfeed article titled: "18 Times "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Was The Wokest Show on Television". I immediately thought, "Yeah, I'm woke! I'm gonna watch this show and bask in all its progressive juices." My first experience with the show was the theme song, in which the protagonist, Rebecca, does not shy away from blatantly calling out sexism, exclaiming that the term 'crazy ex-girlfriend' is a sexist term.

But through the plot, the show further explores the importance of modern feminism, especially intersectional feminism. It highlights the importance of female relationships which do not tear one another down, and instead celebrate each other. The entire show is a hyperbole. Rebecca moves from New York to a nothing town in California to follow her high school camp boyfriend, Nick and win him back. Now, clearly, no women do that. It is laughable. She is juxtaposed with Nick's current girlfriend, the ultimate "sexy mean girl."

In case anyone is confused, this does not happen in real life! But this is more than just comedy. There's political commentary spattered in the dialogue, and the show often breaks into musical numbers exploring the social stigma against women, their sexuality, and more. The show offers a refuge for women who just cannot seem to catch a break. Caught in an incessant patriarchy, women are barraged by ogles and catcalls and labels (oh my!).

One of many satirical musical numbers in "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"

Perhaps the hyperbole makes it a satire. Perhaps it is just another comedy that women watch on their couches. Either way, there is commentary in the comedy. The topics range from feminism, to hyper-masculinity, to racism, to healthcare. This show tackles it all. Because sometimes it can be laughable. Nearly 300 years into this country's existence, and we are still plagued with racism and sexism and all kinds of "isms" that no one asked for. How did we get here? How can we leave it behind?