The Crazy Ones

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The Crazy Ones
Genre Sitcom
Created by David E. Kelley
Starring
Composer(s) Erica Weis
Orr Rebhun
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 22 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
Camera setup Single-camera
Running time 22–24 minutes
Production company(s) David E. Kelley Productions
20th Century Fox Television
Distributor 20th Television
Release
Original network CBS
Picture format 1080i (16:9 HDTV)
Original release September 26, 2013 (2013-09-26) – April 17, 2014 (2014-04-17)
External links
Official website

The Crazy Ones is an American sitcom created by David E. Kelley, and stars Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar. The single-camera series aired for one season on CBS, from September 26, 2013, to April 17, 2014. It was part of the 2013–14 American television season as a Thursday night 9:00 pm Eastern / 8:00 pm Central entry.[1][2][3] Bill D'Elia, Dean Lorey and Jason Winer served as executive producers for 20th Century Fox Television. The episodes are loosely based on the life experiences of John R. Montgomery while he worked at Leo Burnett advertising in Chicago.

On October 18, 2013, CBS gave the show a full season order.[4] On February 27, 2014, the series switched timeslots with Two and a Half Men and started airing at 9:30 pm Eastern / 8:30 pm Central.[5] CBS cancelled the series on May 10, 2014,[6] marking Robin Williams's final television role nearly four months before his death on August 11, 2014. The series became available to stream via Netflix on April 1, 2015.

Production

The series was executive produced by David E. Kelley, who had previously created the TV series Picket Fences, Chicago Hope, The Practice, Ally McBeal, Boston Public, Boston Legal and Harry's Law, and by Jason Winer. It starred Robin Williams as Simon Roberts, an executive at the Chicago advertising agency Lewis, Roberts + Roberts, who worked with his tightly wound daughter and protégée, Sydney, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar. The series represented Williams' first series regular role since Mork & Mindy 31 years earlier, and the first series for Gellar since Ringer, which was cancelled by The CW in 2012 after one season. Williams' part was written with him in mind. When Gellar learned that Williams was making a television comedy, she contacted her friend Sarah de Sa Rego, the wife of Williams' best friend, Bobcat Goldthwait, in order to lobby for a co-starring role.[7]

The series was filmed on Soundstages 11 and 14 at the 20th Century Fox studios in Los Angeles, which had previously housed the production for the medical drama House.[7]

Actual big brand names were referenced in episodes in order to evoke a sense of realism, though the companies who own the brands did not pay for this, nor did they get script approval. In the pilot, singer Kelly Clarkson performed a modified version of the McDonald's slogan "You deserve a break today".[7]

Cast

Main

Recurring

Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code
U.S. viewers
(million)
1"Pilot"Jason WinerDavid E. KelleySeptember 26, 2013 (2013-09-26)1AXB7915.52[8]
Simon and his team try to persuade Kelly Clarkson to sing a jingle for their biggest client, McDonald's, which backfires.
2"The Spectacular"Jason WinerJoe Port & Joe WisemanOctober 3, 2013 (2013-10-03)1AXB0211.71[9]
Andrew is jealous of Zach's relationship with Simon, as he believes Simon favors Zach more than him. After he makes his feelings known, Andrew receives an assignment from Simon that Zach is at first happy to give up, but later makes him jealous. During Sydney's pitch to Windy City Coffee, Simon suggests a "Spectacular" – a particular marketing technique – meaning Sydney has to conjure up a new, bigger pitch, which backfires.
3"Bad Dad"Jason WinerCorey NickersonOctober 10, 2013 (2013-10-10)1AXB019.69[10]
A focus group for an Allstate commercial dredges up old memories of when Simon taught Sydney to drive. Lauren comes to realize that Zach's and Andrew's relationship is like that between a shark and a remora.
4"Breakfast Burrito Club"Michael P. JannRob SudduthOctober 17, 2013 (2013-10-17)1AXB049.37[11]
The group tries to do a campaign for breakfast food, but end up getting distracted with their personal lives.
5"She's So European"Jason WinerDean LoreyOctober 24, 2013 (2013-10-24)1AXB058.69[12]
A Cosmo client excites Simon, Sydney, and Zach, and subsequently get competitive in trying to impress her. However, things go south when they realize the models know more things than they do.
6"Hugging the Now"Fred SavageRyan RaddatzOctober 31, 2013 (2013-10-31)1AXB038.06[13]
Simon is up against Sydney's high school crush, Josh (Michael Landes), for Advertiser of the Year.
7"Sydney, Australia"Bill D'EliaTracy Poust & Jon KinnallyNovember 7, 2013 (2013-11-07)1AXB068.00[14]
Sydney's ex-coworker Danny Chase (Josh Groban) writes a song about her, but it has a stalker feel to it. Meanwhile, Simon has difficulty coming up with a pitch for the Australian Tourism Board. In the end, Danny decides to help Simon.
8"The Stan Wood Account"Jason WinerLaura KrafftNovember 14, 2013 (2013-11-14)1AXB078.59[15]
Gordon, Simon and Sydney's partner, wants Simon to cut ties with an old client. Meanwhile, Sydney entertains an old client (Edward Asner).
9"Sixteen-Inch Softball"Alex HardcastleAmy HubbsNovember 21, 2013 (2013-11-21)1AXB088.60[16]
The agency's annual softball game is held, which brings back memories for Simon. However, he must practice with help from Zach when he has to fire someone in his creative field should he lose.
10"Models Love Magic"Fred SavageDean LoreyDecember 5, 2013 (2013-12-05)1AXB107.58[17]
Simon and Gordon clash over ignorance pursuing a highly client. Meanwhile, Lauren tries on the Million-Dollar Victoria's Secret bra and is unable to get it off. Real life Victoria's Secret model Adrianna Lima guest starred as herself.
11"The Intern"Fred GossJoe Port & Joe WisemanDecember 12, 2013 (2013-12-12)1AXB097.87[18]
Sydney's confidence is tested when a client's obnoxious daughter Kelsi Lasker (Ashley Tisdale), becomes an intern.
12"The Face of a Winner"Jason WinerMason SteinbergJanuary 2, 2014 (2014-01-02)1AXB128.20[19]
Sydney becomes a video game addict when Simon puts her and Lauren to the task.
13"Outbreak"Bill D'EliaRob SudduthJanuary 9, 2014 (2014-01-09)1AXB139.52[20]
Lauren finally gets her big break when all the coworkers come down with the flu.
14"Simon Roberts Was Here"Steven TsuchidaRyan RaddatzJanuary 30, 2014 (2014-01-30)1AXB148.25[21]
Simon loses a creativity contest to a research analyst, so Zach and Andrew try to help him refocus and get his confidence back. Elsewhere, Sydney bonds with a cat, causing her to worry if this will stifle her future relationships.
15"Dead and Improved"Bill D'EliaDavid E. KelleyFebruary 6, 2014 (2014-02-06)1AXB117.48[22]
Simon must deliver a eulogy to a fellow client whom many people have disliked.
16"Zach Mitzvah"Jason WinerTracy Poust & Jon KinnallyFebruary 27, 2014 (2014-02-27)1AXB157.41[23]
Simon throws a Bar Mitzvah for a client's son, but the celebration goes south when Zach encounters a past love interest.
17"Heavy Meddling"Alex HardcastleBill KunstlerMarch 6, 2014 (2014-03-06)1AXB166.96[24]
Simon interferes with Sydney's new relationship because he wants to become a grandfather. Elsewhere, Zach and Andrew pair up with other coworkers.
18"March Madness"Linda MendozaLaura KrafftMarch 13, 2014 (2014-03-13)1AXB176.71[25]
Andrew's sisters arrive to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, which displeases Simon because he disapproves of the holiday.
19"Danny Chase Hates Brad Paisley"David KatzenbergAmy HubbsApril 3, 2014 (2014-04-03)1AXB196.53[26]
In trying to land an account to represent the makers of Simon's favorite barbecue sauce, Zach over-promises and tells the company reps he can get Brad Paisley to sing a jingle for them. While he and Simon ultimately do land the country star, they then have to convince jingle writer Danny Chase (Josh Groban) to work with Paisley, whom he hates. Meanwhile, Sydney fears she will lose her "perfect" new assistant Allie (Tiya Sircar) after Andrew dates the woman once, then dumps her.
20"Love Sucks"Bill D'EliaMason SteinbergApril 10, 2014 (2014-04-10)1AXB186.87[27]
Simon has a new budding romance, but then it turns south after Gordon is heartbroken when his boyfriend Timothy breaks up with him. Simon's romantic partner, Lily, was played by Williams' Mork & Mindy costar Pam Dawber.
21"The Monster"Jason WinerDean LoreyApril 17, 2014 (2014-04-17)1AXB216.19[28]
Simon's team comes up with a crazy way to save the town's library, and Gordon serves as the poster boy when he refuses to help the team. Meanwhile, Lauren and Andrew are troubled when Zach hangs out with Sydney's boyfriend, both unaware that the man is gay.
22"The Lighthouse"Matt SohnTracy Poust & Jon KinnallyApril 17, 2014 (2014-04-17)1AXB205.23[28]
Paige Roberts (Marilu Henner), Simon's ex-wife and Sydney's mother, comes to town and is the deciding vote to save the agency from a sale that Gordon supports and Simon opposes. Meanwhile, after advice from her parents, Sydney kisses Andrew, who in turn seemed to have mixed feelings about it.

Reception

The show received mixed reviews from critics. The first season received a score of 58 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[29]

Morgan Jeffery of Digital Spy wrote that "Williams can't resist falling back on his old bag of tricks on occasion – cartoon voices, gurning, rambling wordplay – but there's a decent amount of pathos to his performance as part-buffoon, part-genius Simon Roberts too and the comedy veteran shares a warm, genuine chemistry with his on-screen offspring Gellar."[30] Rob Owen of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote, "Whether The Crazy Ones can come together as a series over time remains an open question, but the pilot offers enough charm and humor to warrant future consideration."[31]

The Washington Post wrote that the pilot "leaves you wanting more", and gave the pilot a grade of B-.[32] According to Ross Bonaime of Paste, "I don’t know how it does it, but The Crazy Ones continues to be one of the most boring comedies with one of the most amazing casts on the air today." He continues to say "The entire show is just treading on 'meh.' It also feels like this show just exists in a vacuum, with nothing in any prior episode really having an effect on anything that comes after it. There are no continuing story arcs, nor any real characters to really bond with."[33] The Boston Herald gave the show a negative review, noting that "Williams seems exhausted."[34] The 'pilot' episode's positive reviews were also for guest star Kelly Clarkson; website 'ET Online' claimed she was a 'front runner' for an Emmy nomination in 2014 for Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.[35] Website 'Gold Derby' said that the lack of Golden Globe nominations for the show, for Best Comedy, Lead Actress (for Gellar) and Lead Actor (for Williams) was a 'snub'.[36]

Ratings

The premiere episode garnered 15.52 million viewers, making the show the highest viewed premiere in fall 2013. Its 18-49 rating (3.9/11) is also the highest rated new comedy premiere rating of the season.[37] With the Live + 3 days DVR numbers, the Pilot added +22% viewers gathering 18.98 million viewers and a 6.8 adults 25–54 rating with 5.1 in adults 18–49.[38] During the 2013-2014 season, the show's ratings fell, with its season finale garnering only 5.23 million viewers.[39] On May 10, 2014, CBS announced it had cancelled The Crazy Ones.[40]

Awards and nominations

Awards
Award Category Recipients and nominees Result
4th Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Actor in a Comedy Series Robin Williams Nominated
People's Choice Award Favorite New TV Comedy Nominated
Favorite Actor in a New TV Series Robin Williams Nominated
Favorite Actress in a New TV Series Sarah Michelle Gellar Won

International broadcast

Home media

On April 7, 2015, the series became available on a 3-disc DVD set via Amazon.com's DVD-R On-Demand Service, containing all 22 episodes.[43]

References

  1. "CBS Announces 2013–2014 Primetime Schedule". The Futon Critic. May 15, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  2. Rose, Lacey; Goldberg, Lesley (May 10, 2013). "CBS Orders Chuck Lorre's 'Mom,' Robin Williams' 'Crazy Ones,' Will Arnett Comedy, More". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  3. Ausiello, Michael (May 10, 2013). "Fall TV Scoop: CBS Picks Up Six Series, Including Sarah Michelle Gellar's Crazy Comedy, Josh Holloway's Intelligence and Chuck Lorre's Mom". TVLine. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  4. "'The Crazy Ones,' 'The Millers,' 'Mom' Get Full-Season Orders From CBS". The Wrap. October 8, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  5. Kondolojy, Amanda (February 14, 2014). "'The Crazy Ones' and 'Two and a Half Men' Switch Timeslots + CBS Announces 'Bad Teacher' & 'Unforgettable' Premieres". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  6. Kondolojy, Amanda (May 10, 2014). "'The Crazy Ones,' 'Friends With Better Lives,' 'Intelligence,' 'Bad Teacher' & 'Hostages' Canceled By CBS". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Hochman, David (September 9, 2013). "Still Crazy: Years after Mork and Buffy, Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar hope to rope us in with a new sitcom". TV Guide. pp. 16–19.
  8. Kondolojy, Amanda (September 27, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings: The Big Bang Theory, The Michael J Fox Show & The X Factor Adjusted Up; The Crazy Ones Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  9. Bibel, Sara (October 4, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings: Big Bang Theory, Grey's Anatomy & The Originals Adjusted Up; Parks And Recreation, Welcome to the Family, Sean Saves the World, Michael J. Fox Show, & Parenthood Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
  10. Kondolojy, Amanda (October 11, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings: The Big Bang Theory, The X Factor & Glee Adjusted Up; The Vampire Diaries & The Millers Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  11. Bibel, Sara (October 18, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings: The Big Bang Theory & Grey's Anatomy Adjusted Up; The Crazy Ones & Elementary Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  12. Kondolojy, Amanda (October 25, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings: The Big Bang Theory & The Vampire Diaries Adjusted Up; The Millers and Scandal Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  13. Bibel, Sara (November 1, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings: The Vampire Diaries, The Millers & Elementary Adjusted Up; Sean Saves the World & Parenthood Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  14. Kondolojy, Amanda (November 8, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Elementary', 'Scandal', 'The Vampire Diaries', & 'The Big Bang Theory' Adjusted Up; 'The Voice', 'The Millers', 'Sean Saves the World', 'Parenthood', & 'The Michael J Fox Show' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  15. Bibel, Sara (November 15, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' Adjusted Up; 'The X Factor', 'Parks and Recreation', 'The Millers', 'Sean Saves the World', 'Glee', 'The Michael J. Fox Show' & 'Parenthood' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  16. Kondolojy, Amanda (November 22, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Big Bang Theory' & 'Grey's Anatomy Adjusted Up; 'The X Factor', 'Reign' & 'Glee' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  17. Kondolojy, Amanda (December 6, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'The X Factor' Adjusted Up; 'Once Upon a Time', 'The Millers', 'Grey's Anatomy' & Scandal' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  18. Bibel, Sara (December 13, 2013). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Vampire Diaries' Adjusted Up; 'The Big Bang Theory', 'The Sing-Off', 'Once Upon a Time in Wonderland', 'The Millers', 'The Crazy Ones', 'Two and a Half Men' & 'Elementary' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  19. Bibel, Sara (January 6, 2014). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', 'Two and a Half Men' & 'The Taste' Adjusted Up; 'The Millers' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
  20. Bibel, Sara (January 10, 2014). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'Parks and Recreation' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
  21. Kondolojy, Amanda (January 31, 2014). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Big Bang Theory', 'American Idol', 'The Taste', 'Vampire Diaries', 'Parks & Recreation', 'Two and a Half Men' Adjusted Up; 'The Millers', 'Elementary', & Reign' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  22. Bibel, Sara (February 7, 2014). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', 'American Idol', 'Two and a Half Men' & the Olympics Adjusted Up; 'The Millers' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  23. Kondolojy, Amanda (February 28, 2014). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', 'Scandal', 'Grey's Anatomy', 'American Idol' & 'Parks & Recreation' Adjusted Up; 'The Millers' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  24. Bibel, Sara (March 7, 2014). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', 'Once Upon A Time in Wonderland', 'Parks and Recreation' & 'Elementary' Adjusted Up; 'The Millers' & 'Two and a Half Men' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  25. Kondolojy, Amanda (March 14, 2014). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Hell's Kitchen', 'Parks and Recreation' & 'Scandal' Adjusted Up; 'Reign', 'The Crazy Ones', 'Two and a Half Men' and 'The Millers' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  26. Bibel, Sara (April 4, 2014). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', 'Grey's Anatomy', 'Scandal' & 'Hell's Kitchen' Adjusted Up; 'American Idol', 'The Millers', 'The Crazy Ones' & 'Elementary' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
  27. Kondolojy, Amanda (April 11, 2014). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Community', 'Grey's Anatomy', 'Shark Tank', 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'American Idol' Adjusted Up; 'The Millers' & 'Elementary ' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  28. 1 2 Bibel, Sara (April 18, 2014). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Grey's Anatomy' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  29. "The Crazy Ones reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  30. Morgan Jeffery of Digital Spy, the-crazy-ones-hit-or-flop (Retrieved September 27, 2013)
  31. Owen, Rob (May 21, 2012). "TV veterans return to prime time". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  32. Hank Stuever. "Robin Williams stars in The Crazy Ones". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  33. "The Crazy Ones Review: The Intern (Episode 1.11)". Paste Magazine. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  34. Perigard, Mark. "Michael J. Fox, Robin Williams stumble in new sitcoms". Boston Herald. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  35. http://www.etonline.com/tv/138924_Kelly_Clarkson_The_Crazy_Ones_Emmy_Nomination/
  36. http://www.goldderby.com/news/5212/golden-globes-nominations-snubs-homeland-claire-danes-damian-lewis-tv-news-13579086.html
  37. "The Crazy Ones Premieres as the Season's #1 New Show – Ratings | TVbytheNumbers". Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  38. "'CBS Thursday Premieres Soar Even Higher With Live+3 Day DVR Playback". Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  39. "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Grey's Anatomy' Adjusted Up - Ratings - TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com". TVbytheNumbers. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  40. "'The Crazy Ones,' 'Friends With Better Lives,' 'Intelligence,' 'Bad Teacher' & 'Hostages' Canceled By CBS - Ratings - TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com". TVbytheNumbers. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  41. Knox, David (10 September 2013). "FOX8 premieres". TV Tonight.
  42. "Uutuussarjan tekijät ylistävät Robin Williamsia". MTV3. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  43. Lambert, David (April 7, 2015). "The Crazy Ones - DVDs Should Be Shipping Now for the Show's One-and-Only Season". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
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