The Crazy Ones
GenreSitcom
Created byDavid E. Kelley
Starring
ComposersErica Weis
Orr Rebhun
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes22
Production
Executive producers
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time22–24 minutes
Production companiesDavid E. Kelley Productions
20th Century Fox Television
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseSeptember 26, 2013 (2013-09-26) –
April 17, 2014 (2014-04-17)

The Crazy Ones is an American television sitcom created by David E. Kelley, and starring 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 canceled the series on May 10, 2014,[6] marking Williams' final television role nearly three months before his death in 2014.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

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 Andrew's feelings are known, he 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 Adriana 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.

Production

The series was created by David E. Kelley, who had previously created several successful workplace television series, albeit mostly hour-long comedy dramas. It starred Robin Williams as Simon Roberts, an executive at the Chicago advertising agency Lewis, Roberts, and Roberts, who worked with his tightly wound daughter and protégée, Sydney, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar. The series represented Williams's 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's 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's best friend, Bobcat Goldthwait, to lobby for a co-starring role.[7]

The series was filmed on Soundstages of 12, 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 to evoke a sense of realism, though the companies that owned 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]

Reception

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.[29] 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.[30] During the 2013-2014 season, the show's ratings fell, with its season finale garnering only 5.23 million viewers.[31] On May 10, 2014, CBS announced it had cancelled The Crazy Ones.[32]

Critical response

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".[33]

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."[34] 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."[35]

The Washington Post wrote that the pilot "leaves you wanting more", and gave the pilot a grade of B−.[36] 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."[37] The Boston Herald gave the show a negative review, noting that "Williams seems exhausted."[38] 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.[39] Website Gold Derby felt 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".[40]

David E. Kelley became particularly critical of the show and said, "The show wasn't very good. It started off with great ratings, but after watching three or four episodes, I thought the storytelling was pretty bad... Robin Williams was great... but the stories made me want to hold my nose."[41] In 2023, Sarah Michelle Gellar commented, "I loved that show. I could have done it for five or seven years and seen my kids grow up."[42]

Accolades

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

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. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. 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. Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h 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. Archived from the original on September 29, 2013. 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. Archived from the original on October 7, 2013. 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. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. 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. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. 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. Archived from the original on October 28, 2013. 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. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
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  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. Archived from the original on November 18, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
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  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. Archived from the original on December 9, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
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  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. Archived from the original on January 7, 2014. 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. Archived from the original on January 10, 2014. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
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  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. Archived from the original on March 4, 2014. 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. Archived from the original on March 8, 2014. 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. Archived from the original on March 14, 2014. 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. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. 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. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  28. ^ a b Bibel, Sara (April 18, 2014). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Grey's Anatomy' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 19, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  29. ^ "The Crazy Ones Premieres as the Season's #1 New Show". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 30, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  30. ^ "'CBS Thursday Premieres Soar Even Higher With Live+3 Day DVR Playback". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 1, 2013. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  31. ^ "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Grey's Anatomy' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
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  33. ^ "The Crazy Ones reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
  34. ^ Morgan Jeffery of Digital Spy, the-crazy-ones-hit-or-flop (Retrieved September 27, 2013)
  35. ^ Owen, Rob (May 21, 2012). "TV veterans return to prime time". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  36. ^ Hank Stuever. "Robin Williams stars in The Crazy Ones". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  37. ^ "The Crazy Ones Review: The Intern (Episode 1.11)". Paste Magazine. 14 December 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  38. ^ Perigard, Mark (26 September 2013). "Michael J. Fox, Robin Williams stumble in new sitcoms". Boston Herald. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  39. ^ "Should Kelly Clarkson Become a TV Star? | Entertainment Tonight".
  40. ^ "Shocking Golden Globes (TV) snubs: 'Homeland,' 'The Crazy Ones,'". Archived from the original on 2015-07-15. Retrieved 2015-06-29.
  41. ^ "David e. Kelley Has Given up on the Broadcast Networks, Partly Because His Last Show 'Wasn't Very Good'". 12 October 2016.
  42. ^ O'Connell, Mikey (January 18, 2023). "Sarah Michelle Gellar Revisits Five Pivotal Post-'Buffy' Roles". The Hollywood Reporter.
  43. ^ Lambert, David (April 7, 2015). "The Crazy Ones - DVDs Should Be Shipping Now for the Show's One-and-Only Season". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on July 10, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2015.

External links

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Television series created by David E. Kelley
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