You're the Worst

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][2] The series premiered on July 17, 2014.[3]

You're the Worst
GenreComedy drama
Romantic comedy
Black comedy
Created byStephen Falk
Starring
Opening theme"7:30 AM" by Slothrust
ComposerAdam Blau
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes62 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerStephen Falk
Production locationLos Angeles
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time21–35 minutes
Production companies
  • Hooptie Entertainment
  • FXP
Release
Original networkFX (2014)
FXX (2015–19)
Original releaseJuly 17, 2014 (2014-07-17) –
April 3, 2019 (2019-04-03)

In September 2014, FX renewed the show for a thirteen-episode second season, which premiered September 9, 2015 on FXX.[4] The second season shifted its focus towards clinical depression and its effect on modern relationships.[5][6] In September 2016, FX renewed the series for a fourth season,[7] which premiered on September 6, 2017.[8] 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.[9][10]

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 friend 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
  • Janet Varney as Becca Barbara (née Cottumaccio), Lindsay's sister and Jimmy's ex-girlfriend.
  • Todd Robert Anderson as Vernon Barbara, Lindsay's brother-in-law and Becca's immature husband. Vernon is an orthopedic surgeon who "performs hip replacements for old ladies".
  • Allan McLeod as Paul Jillian, Lindsay's independently wealthy ex-husband. Officially, Paul works for a bank as "Executive Vice President of Wealth Management", but he seems to have no duties to take up his time.
  • Shane Francis Smith as Killian Mounce, Jimmy and Edgar's pre-teen neighbor.
  • Brandon Mychal Smith as Sam Dresden, Gretchen's main client. Sam leads a rap trio and projects a "street" image, but his tastes run to Craft Movement furniture and fittings.
  • Darrell Britt-Gibson as Shitstain, a member of Sam's rap trio and his friend. His real name is Dale.
  • Allen Maldonado as Honeynutz (season 1–3), another friend of Sam and a member of his rap trio. His real name is Zachary. In season 4, it is revealed that Honeynutz is 45 years old, which causes Sam and Shitstain to dismiss him from the trio.
  • Brandon Black as Honeynutz 2 (season 5), replacing Maldonado in the trio.
  • Lou Taylor Pucci as Nock Nock (season 5), a rapper
  • Colin Campbell as "Barfly", often seen drinking when the action takes place in a bar.
  • Collette Wolfe as Dorothy Durwood (season 2–3), a member of Edgar's improv comedy troupe.
  • Mageina Tovah as Amy Cadingle (season 2), Paul's friend.
  • Tessa Ferrer as Nina Keune (season 2), former champion skier and owner of Jimmy's favorite bar.
  • Samira Wiley as Justina Jordan (season 3 and 5), Gretchen's therapist.
  • Stephen Schneider as Ty Wyland (season 1–2, 4), a movie director who was Gretchen's lover before she met Jimmy, and who occasionally attempts to re-insert himself in her life, to Jimmy's dismay.
  • Colin Ferguson as Boone (season 4), friend of Ty's who also befriends Gretchen.
  • Anne Dudek as Whitney, Boone's ex-wife. (season 4)
  • Brendan Jennings as Neil (season 4), Whitney's current husband, who is bullied mercilessly by Boone.
  • Doug Benson as himself (seasons 3–5); Edgar begins working for him as a sketch writer.
  • Johnny Pemberton as Max (season 4), a fellow sketch writer for Doug Benson and Edgar's new work friend.
  • Steve Agee as Dutch (seasons 1–5), a character who misinterprets a chance remark as an invitation to abandon his current job and begin a new venture.
  • Phil Abrams as Steeb Corniglia, the pretentious host of the in-show Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! parody Tip of My Tongue (season 1 and 4).
  • JoNell Kennedy as Yvette, Gretchen's boss.
  • Kathleen Rose Perkins as Priscilla (seasons 3–4), a stylist who hires Lindsay as her assistant.
  • Giovonnie Samuels as Brianna (season 1), Gretchen's assistant at the PR agency.

Notable guest stars
  • Thomas Middleditch as "Hipster Ringleader", a man who becomes Edgar's rival during Sunday Funday (seasons 1 and 5)
  • Marc Evan Jackson as Vernon and Becca Barbara's therapist who recommends that they cut out the toxic people in their life and also rap trio's therapist in the second season (seasons 1 and 2)
  • Sandra Bernhard as herself (season 1)[11]
  • Henry Rollins as himself (season 2)
  • Erik Griffin as Trace, a radio host who has Sam and the other rappers hash out their feud on-air. (season 2)
  • Justin Kirk as Rob (season 2)
  • Tara Summers as Lexi (season 2)
  • Ben Folds as himself (seasons 3–5)[12]
  • Brian Posehn as himself (season 3)
  • Raymond J. Barry as Burt, a resident of a trailer park retirement community (season 4)
  • Dee Wallace as Gail, Burt's neighbor at the retirement community (season 4)
  • Merrin Dungey as Candace, Jimmy's new publishing rep (season 4)
  • Zosia Mamet as Heidi,[13] Gretchen's friend from middle school. (season 4)
  • Robin Riker as Faye Cottumaccio, an actress, Lindsay and Becca's mother (season 4)
  • Lou Diamond Phillips as himself, who fictitiously is one of Faye's former lovers (season 4)[13]
  • Lucy Montgomery as Katherine, one of Jimmy's former classmates from England (season 4)
  • Amy Pietz as Adrienne, an erotica author whom Jimmy encounters at a book expo (season 4)
  • Andy Daly as himself (season 4)
  • Paul F. Tompkins as himself (season 5)

Production

Production on the pilot for You're the Worst, written by Stephen Falk, was first announced on July 17, 2013.[14] It was announced that casting was completed on September 19, 2013.[2] 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
Main article: List of You're the Worst episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
110July 17, 2014 (2014-07-17)September 18, 2014 (2014-09-18)FX
213September 9, 2015 (2015-09-09)December 9, 2015 (2015-12-09)FXX
313August 31, 2016 (2016-08-31)November 16, 2016 (2016-11-16)
413September 6, 2017 (2017-09-06)November 15, 2017 (2017-11-15)
513January 9, 2019 (2019-01-09)April 3, 2019 (2019-04-03)

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]

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