You're the Worst explained

Genre:Comedy drama
Romantic comedy
Black comedy
Creator:Stephen Falk
Open Theme:"7:30 AM" by Slothrust
Composer:Adam Blau
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:5
Num Episodes:62
List Episodes:List of You're the Worst episodes
Executive Producer:Stephen Falk
Location:Los Angeles
Camera:Single-camera
Runtime:21–35 minutes
Channel:FX (2014)
FXX (2015–19)

You're the Worst is an American comedy-drama television series created by Stephen Falk. Originally broadcast by FX, the series moved to its sister channel FXX beginning with the second season. The series follows Jimmy (Chris Geere), a self-involved writer, and Gretchen (Aya Cash), a self-destructive PR executive, as they attempt a relationship, along with their friends Edgar (Desmin Borges) and Lindsay (Kether Donohue).[1] The series premiered on July 17, 2014.[2]

In September 2014, FX renewed the show for a thirteen-episode second season, which premiered September 9, 2015 on FXX.[3] The second season shifted its focus towards clinical depression and its effect on modern relationships.[4] [5] In September 2016, FX renewed the series for a fourth season,[6] which premiered on September 6, 2017.[7] In November 2017, FX renewed the series for a fifth and final season which premiered on January 9, 2019. The final episode aired on April 3, 2019.[8] [9]

Plot

Jimmy and Gretchen meet at the wedding of Vernon and Becca Barbara. Becca rejected Jimmy's marriage proposal two years earlier, and he is convinced she only invited him to throw her marriage to Vernon in his face, but he showed up anyway, determined to ruin her day as payback. Gretchen came as the guest of Becca's sister Lindsay, who is Gretchen's best friend and the enabler of her sex-drugs-and-rock'n'roll lifestyle. Gretchen is the publicist for a rap trio and lives in a chaotic apartment, while Jimmy, a writer, can support himself in upscale Silver Lake and drive a BMW despite having published only one novel, written during his post-breakup depression, that has sold little and been remaindered at the local bookstore. He supports himself by writing for glossy magazines, in addition to the tiny royalty checks that occasionally arrive in his mailbox.

He and Gretchen meet as Jimmy is being thrown out of the wedding reception after whispering something offensive to Becca, while Gretchen has decided to run off with one of the bride's wrapped gifts (to her disappointment, it is a blender instead of a food processor). Claiming to have no interest in a relationship, the two hook up that night. Over the next few weeks, despite setting out to just "hang out and have fun" without obligation, they find themselves becoming closer.

In a parallel story, Lindsay is married to affluent, conventional Paul, who is decent but plain with somewhat nerdy interests like astronomy, beer-brewing, and cycling. The loveless marriage was mainly Lindsay's attempt to outdo her older sister Becca by marrying first and having more material goods. The marriage falls apart when Lindsay returns to drinking and drug-using, and cheats with another man. For her part, Becca is no happier with her husband Vernon, an immature man who is only interested in hanging out with friends in his man-cave, drinking while watching sports and videos.

Jimmy also has a roommate named Edgar, an Iraq War veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), living in his house. Throughout the first season, it is hinted that Jimmy expected the arrangement to be temporary and he sometimes wonders aloud when Edgar will move out. Over time it becomes clear that Jimmy has come to rely on Edgar's cooking and housework, as well as his friendship.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Notable guest stars

Production

Production on the pilot for You're the Worst, written by Stephen Falk, was first announced on July 17, 2013.[13] It was announced that casting was completed on September 19, 2013.[14] The network announced that it had ordered the pilot to series on January 24, 2014, ordering an additional nine episodes for the first season.[15] On December 2, 2015, the show was renewed for a third season,[16] which premiered on August 31, 2016.[17]

Most scenes are shot on-location.[18] The house representing Jimmy's home is in Silver Lake, Los Angeles.[19] For season 3, a replica of the interior of the house was constructed on a sound stage, slightly enlarged to improve camera access.[20]

Episodes

See main article: List of You're the Worst episodes.

Reception

Season 1

On Metacritic, season one has a score of 65 out of 100, based on 20 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". It also ranked 14th on critics' favorite TV shows of 2014.[21] [22] Rotten Tomatoes gave the show a critic rating of 82% based on 34 reviews, with an average rating of 7.3/10. The site's consensus reads, "You're the Worst uses clever writing – and its stars' palpable chemistry – to balance comedic elements against its realistically pessimistic tone."[23] The A.V. Club listed You're the Worst as one of the ten best shows of the year.[24]

Vanity Fair named it one of best shows of 2014 and called the show "The perfect love story of our time".[25] David Wiegand of the San Francisco Chronicle called it the best sitcom of 2014.[26]

Season 2

The second season received a Metacritic score of 82 out of 100, based on 14 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[27] Rotten Tomatoes reported a 97% approval rating, based on 34 reviews, with an average rating of 8.5/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Expertly balancing character growth against edgy humor, season two of You're the Worst elevates the show's excellent writing and talented cast to a new level."[28]

Season 3

The third season received a Metacritic score of 85 out of 100, based on 14 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[29] Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating, based on 29 reviews, with an average rating of 8.4/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "You're the Worst continues to chart serious territory with intelligence, heart, and noxious wit in its third season, even as the anti-rom-com's damaged narcissist protagonists slowly start to get over themselves."[30]

Season 4

The fourth season received very positive reviews from critics. On Metacritic, it has a score of 84 out of 100 based on 5 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[31] Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating, based on 15 reviews, with an average rating of 8.5/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "You're the Worst remains smartly idiosyncratic in its fourth season, deftly balancing its dramatic elements against some of the sharpest laughs on television."[32]

Season 5

The fifth season received very positive reviews from critics. On Metacritic, it has a score of 86 out of 100 based on 5 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[33] Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating, based on 13 reviews, with an average rating of 8.3/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Endearingly acerbic, You're the Worst refuses to overstay its welcome, delivering its fifth and final season with plenty of on brand care and cringe."[34]

The series finale in particular received widespread critical acclaim. Ben Travers from IndieWire gave the episode an "A" rating, praising not only the episode's particularities on satirizing romantic comedies whilst being one, but this specific characteristic throughout the series as a whole. Travers considered that series creator Stephen Falk managed to present a satisfying end for its non-standard characters, and commented that "this ending cements their [Gretchen and Jimmy] status as revolutionaries and outliers, while setting them up as torchbearers for anyone who finds themselves in a similar mindset".[35] Vikram Murthi from The A.V. Club also gave the episode an "A" rating, praising the character development and the topics covered through the series, such as contemporary relationships and living with clinical depression, and how it culminates on the series finale and in the characters choices regarding how to deal with it. Murthi stated that "in the end, they [the characters] take charge of their lives by choosing not just each other, but also the people who surround them. Given that every day is a struggle, it's best to share it with people who understand you than those who don't".[36]

Accolades

At the 5th Critics' Choice Television Awards, it was nominated for Best Comedy Series.[37] At the 6th Critics' Choice Television Awards, it was nominated again for Best Comedy Series, Aya Cash was nominated for Best Actress in a Comedy Series and Kether Donohue was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.[38] At the 32nd TCA Awards, the series was nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy and Aya Cash was nominated for Individual Achievement in Comedy.[39]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: All hail the rise of the reasonably competent TV heroine . Toronto Star . November 5, 2016 . Sophie . Van Bastelaer . November 8, 2016.
  2. FX and FXX Set Summer Premiere Dates for Original Series. FX. May 16, 2014. July 10, 2014.
  3. News: 'You're the Worst' and 'Married' renewed for Season 2 by FX. Rackham. Casey. Zap2it. September 30, 2014. October 1, 2014. July 8, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150708032754/http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/youre_the_worst_married_renewed-2014-09. dead.
  4. Web site: 'You're the Worst' Depicts How Depression Affects Relationships . Vice . Pilot . Viruet . November 18, 2016 . March 24, 2022.
  5. Web site: The Nuanced Tragicomedy of You're the Worst . The Atlantic . David . Sims . November 4, 2015 . March 24, 2022.
  6. Web site: 'You're the Worst' Renewed at FXX for Season 4 . Variety . Holloway . Daniel . September 28, 2016 . September 28, 2016.
  7. Web site: You're the Worst Season 4, Better Things Season 2 Get Premiere Dates . TVLine . Schwartz . Ryan . June 28, 2017 . June 28, 2017.
  8. Web site: 'You're the Worst' Renewed for Fifth and Final Season at FXX . Variety . Otterson . Joe . November 15, 2017 . November 15, 2017.
  9. Web site: 'You're The Worst': FXX Sets Premiere Date For Final Season, Releases Trailer . Deadline Hollywood . Greg . Evans . November 5, 2018 . November 5, 2018.
  10. Web site: Sandra Bernhard to Guest-Star on FX's 'You're the Worst' . The Hollywood Reporter . Philiana . Ng . June 27, 2014 . August 15, 2017.
  11. Web site: 'You're the Worst' Cast and Creator Talk Season 3, Ben Folds as Guest Star . Variety . Maureen . Ryan . August 9, 2016 . August 15, 2017.
  12. Web site: You're the Worst: Lou Diamond Phillips, Zosia Mamet to Guest-Star in Season 4 . TVLine . Kimberly . Roots . August 9, 2017 . August 15, 2017.
  13. Web site: FX Orders Toxic-Romance Comedy 'You're The Worst' From Stephen Falk. Deadline Hollywood. July 17, 2013. July 10, 2014.
  14. Web site: FX Rounds Out Cast For Toxic-Romance Comedy 'You're The Worst'. Deadline Hollywood. September 19, 2013. July 10, 2014.
  15. Web site: FX Picks Up Andrew Gurland Comedy Pilot & 'You're The Worst' To Series. Deadline Hollywood. Andreeva. Nellie. January 24, 2014. July 10, 2014.
  16. News: FXX's 'You're the Worst' Renewed for Season 3; Creator Stephen Falk Signs Overall Deal. Friedlander. Whitney. Variety. December 2, 2015. December 2, 2015.
  17. Web site: You're the Worst, The Strain Get Summer Return Dates at FX Networks . TVLine . Rebecca . Iannucci . May 10, 2016 . May 10, 2016.
  18. Web site: Why 'You're The Worst' Creator Stephen Falk Likes Unlikable Characters . IndieWire . Liz Shannon . Miller . July 17, 2014 . September 16, 2016.
  19. Web site: 'You're the Worst': Silver Lake Style for Your House . The Hollywood Reporter . Maria . Neuman . August 31, 2016 . September 16, 2016.
  20. Web site: How 'You're the Worst' Became The Best. The Daily Beast. Matt. Wilstein. August 30, 2016. October 3, 2016.
  21. Web site: You're the Worst: Season 1. Metacritic. May 8, 2016.
  22. Web site: TV Critic Top 10 Lists – Best TV Shows of 2014. Metacritic. May 8, 2016.
  23. Web site: You're the Worst: Season 1. Rotten Tomatoes. September 1, 2016.
  24. Web site: The best TV shows of 2014 (part 2). The A.V. Club. December 11, 2014. May 8, 2016.
  25. The Best New TV Shows of 2014. Vanity Fair. Lawson, Richard. Robinson, Joanna. December 9, 2014. September 1, 2016.
  26. Web site: TV year in review: The best, worst and most adequate. San Francisco Chronicle. David. Wiegand. December 22, 2014. May 8, 2016.
  27. Web site: You're the Worst: Season 2. Metacritic. May 8, 2016.
  28. Web site: You're the Worst: Season 2. Rotten Tomatoes. May 8, 2016.
  29. Web site: You're the Worst: Season 3. Metacritic. August 31, 2016.
  30. Web site: You're the Worst: Season 3. Rotten Tomatoes. August 31, 2016.
  31. Web site: You're the Worst: Season 4. Metacritic. September 7, 2017.
  32. Web site: You're the Worst: Season 4. Rotten Tomatoes. October 14, 2017.
  33. Web site: You're the Worst: Season 5. Metacritic. January 13, 2019.
  34. Web site: You're the Worst: Season 5. Rotten Tomatoes. January 13, 2019.
  35. Web site: 'You're the Worst' Review: A Profound Finale Proclaims the Happy Ending Is Already Here . . Ben . Travers . April 3, 2019 . April 5, 2019.
  36. Web site: Jimmy and Gretchen choose to love each other, wholeheartedly, for that one day, on the series finale of You're The Worst . . Vikram . Murthi . April 3, 2019 . April 5, 2019.
  37. Web site: Critics' Choice Television Awards: HBO, Better Call Saul, Taraji P. Henson and Amy Schumer Among Big Winners. TVLine. Matt Webb. Mitovich. May 31, 2015. June 1, 2015.
  38. Web site: Critics' Choice Awards Nominations: 'Mad Max' Leads Film; ABC, HBO, FX Networks & 'Fargo' Top TV . Deadline Hollywood . Patrick . Hipes . December 14, 2015 . December 14, 2015.
  39. Web site: 'Mr. Robot,' 'The People v. O.J. Simpson' Lead TCA Awards Nominations . Laura . Prudom . . June 22, 2016 . June 22, 2016.

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