PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE:PALEYFEST FALL TV PREVIEWS 2015: THE CW: CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of seminars presented as part of The Paley Center for Media's 2015 Fall Preview PALEYFEST events in Los Angeles. This evening celebrates "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend," the musical comedy series about a troubled and eccentric young lawyer who goes to extreme measures to reconnect with a former flame. Host Rene Reyes (director of public programs and festivals, The Paley Center for Media) offers opening remarks and introduces the series premiere, "Josh Just Happens to Live Here!" (For synopsis and credits, see ACCNUM 123930. Episode shown is not the final version scheduled to air on television.)
After the episode, Rob Moynihan (senior writer, TV Guide Magazine) moderates the following panelists: executive producer/co-creator Aline Brosh McKenna; executive producer/co-creator/cast member (Rebecca Bunch) Rachel Bloom; and cast members Donna Lynne Champlin (Paula) and Santino Fontana (Greg).
The conversation touches on such topics as: McKenna's "blind date" meeting with Bloom after viewing her comedic YouTube videos and their eventual creation of the series; the disappointment of being turned down by many networks, including Showtime, for which it was originally developed; The CW's interest in shows with a "buoyant," joyful tone, like that of their hit series "Jane the Virgin"; the autobiographical elements of the show, including the story of how Bloom "lowered herself" to pursue an undeserving suitor in college; the relatability of Rebecca's self-denial and desperate behavior; Champlin's own "stalker" history, including making mixtapes containing "clues" for her paramour; the casting process and McKenna's funny misunderstanding about Fontana's famous voiceover role in the Disney film "Frozen" (2013); Standards & Practices' very specific rules about what can be said and shown on the show; the show as a "happy Walking Dead" in which all of the characters find themselves "infected" with Rebecca's wacky behavior and musical interludes; the use of musical motifs and recurrent themes; and the maternal friendship between Paula and Rebecca as "the real love story" of the series.
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics, among others: plans to make the show's songs available on iTunes; the choice of West Covina, California for its "newness" and "incredibly diversity"; debate about its real-life proximity to the beach; Bloom's decision to be "true to herself" and risk going broke for her YouTube videos; the benefits of being able to communicate directly with one's audience through Internet media; hints about upcoming musical performances featuring Josh (Vincent Rodriguez III); reshoots and changes to the cast, including the departure of Michael McDonald, who was replaced in the role of Rebecca's odd boss Darryl by Pete Gardner; the show's rare use of a live-recorded score; their interest in accurately reflecting West Covina's racially-diverse community in casting; and why Rebecca's "journey" must lead her to self-love before she can find a romantic partner.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: November 30, 1999 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:16:30
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 123837
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Rene Reyes … Host
- Rob Moynihan … Moderator
- Donna Lynne Champlin … Panelist
- Santino Fontana … Panelist
- Rachel Bloom … Panelist
- Aline Brosh McKenna … Panelist
- Pete Gardner
- Michael McDonald
- Vincent Rodriguez III