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The Ex List
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| The Ex List | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | |
| Based on | The Mythological X by Sigal Avin |
| Developed by | Diane Ruggiero |
| Starring | Elizabeth Reaser Rachel Boston Adam Rothenberg Alexandra Breckenridge Amir Talai |
| Composer | Mateo Messina |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 13 (9 unaired) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Sigal Avin Avi Nir Mosh Danon Jonathan Levin Diane Ruggiero |
| Producer | Jimmy Simons |
| Production locations | San Diego, Ocean Beach and Los Angeles, California |
| Camera setup | Single-camera setup |
| Running time | 47 minutes |
| Production companies | Keshet Banana Goose Productions Table Six Productions 20th Century Fox Television |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release | October 3 – October 24, 2008 |
The Ex List is an American comedy-drama television series based on the Israeli series The Mythological X created and written by Sigal Avin.[1] The Americanized version, developed by Diane Ruggiero, premiered on CBS on October 3, 2008.[2] Avin and Ruggiero acted as executive producers with Jonathan Levin, Avi Nir, and Mosh Danon. The series aired on Global in Canada[3] and on Canal Fox on Latin America. The show was short-lived due to poor ratings and reviews, and lasted less than a month, with less than half of the produced episodes airing.
Premise
[edit]After a psychic tells her she's already dated her future husband, a woman explores all her past relationships to determine who it was. According to the prediction, she will remain single for the rest of her life unless she locates him within a year.
History
[edit]All 13 episodes of The Ex List were scheduled to air on Channel 10 in Australia over the summer non-ratings period of 2008-09 at 9:30 p.m. on Mondays,[4] however after two episodes the series was pulled due to low ratings. Army Wives, the series which preceded it, was bumped back to the 9:30 p.m. slot and repeats of Law & Order: Criminal Intent began airing at 8:30 p.m. However, after these changes ratings did not improve.[5] The series was also dubbed in French and was called Bella et ses ex. The series started airing on Series Plus, June 1, 2009 in Canada, Mondays at 10 p.m. The series is also still being aired on Canal Plus Fox in Spain with the title Todos mis novios.[6] All 13 episodes were available to buy on demand at Amazon.com and iTunes for USA residents, however they have since been pulled and Amazon.com now says the series is unavailable due to their license having expired.
Production
[edit]The series was shot on location in the Ocean Beach and Coronado communities of San Diego, California, as well as along Seacoast Drive in Imperial Beach, California.
On September 12, 2008, creator and executive producer/head writer Diane Ruggiero quit the series after being unable to reach an agreement with CBS over the direction of the show.[7][8] Six episodes of the show had been filmed before Ruggiero departed. Executive producer Rick Eid had taken over show runner duties to finish the 13-episode order, but the series was cancelled after only four episodes aired.[9] All 13 episodes were completed, despite cancellation of the series during production.
Cast
[edit]- Elizabeth Reaser as Bella Bloom
- Rachel Boston as Daphne Bloom
- Alexandra Breckenridge as Vivian
- Mark Deklin as Elliott
- Adam Rothenberg as David "Augie" Augustine
- Amir Talai as Cyrus
- Anne Bedian as Marina the Psychic
- Josh Braaten as Marty (Daphne's husband)
The Exes
[edit]- Eric Balfour as Johnny Diamont (Episode 01: Pilot)
- Eric Winter as Jake Turner (Episode 02: Climb Every Mountain Biker)
- Michael Weaver as Ronny (Episode 03: Protect And Serve)
- Brian Van Holt as Shane Gallagher (Episode 04: Do You Love Me, Do You Surfer...Boy)
- Michael Landes as Josh Dubinsky (Episode 05: Momma's Boy)
- Reid Scott as Steve Bolla (Episode 06: Daphne's Idealized Wedding)
- Kevin Sorbo as Professor Harris Bertram (Episode 07: Art Professor)
- Josh Cooke as Luke Crane (Episode 08: Trustafarian)
- James Tupper as DP (Episode 09: Flower King)
- Ben Weber as James Thorp (Episode 10: The Spark)
- Josh Stamberg as Wade Redden (Episode 11: The Babysitter)
- Kristoffer Polaha as Philip Emmerson (Episode 12: Metro Guy and the Non Ex)
- Michael McLafferty as Roy Avis (Episode 13: The Other Foot)
- Melanie Specht as Tessa (Episode 13: The Other Foot)
Episodes
[edit]| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Pilot" | Timothy Busfield | Diane Ruggiero-Wright | October 3, 2008 | 1APL79 |
| 2 | 2 | "Climb Every Mountain Biker" | Adam Davidson | Elizabeth Ann Phang & Diane Ruggiero-Wright | October 10, 2008 | 1APL01 |
| 3 | 3 | "Protect and Serve" | Lev L. Spiro | Rick Eid & Matt McGuinness | October 17, 2008 | 1APL02 |
| 4 | 4 | "Do You Love Me, Do You Surfer...Boy" | Tamra Davis | Matt McGuinness & Elizabeth Ann Phang | October 24, 2008 | 1APL05 |
| 5 | 5 | "Momma's Boy" | N/A | Elizabeth Ann Phang | Unaired | 1APL03 |
| 6 | 6 | "Daphne's Idealized Wedding" | Dennie Gordon | Patricia Carr & Lara Olsen & Elizabeth Ann Phang | Unaired | 1APL04 |
| 7 | 7 | "Trustafarian" | Paul Holahan | Elizabeth Ann Phang & Amy Turner | Unaired | 1APL06 |
| 8 | 8 | "Art Professor" | Steve Miner | Elizabeth Ann Phang & Diane Ruggiero-Wright | Unaired | 1APL07 |
| 9 | 9 | "Flower King" | John Peters | Rick Eid & Elizabeth Ann Phang & Diane Ruggiero-Wright | Unaired | 1APL08 |
| 10 | 10 | "The Spark" | John T. Kretchmer | Patricia Carr & Lara Olsen & Elizabeth Ann Phang & Diane Ruggiero-Wright | Unaired | 1APL09 |
| 11 | 11 | "The Babysitter" | Janice Cooke | Elizabeth Ann Phang & Michael Platt & Barry Safchik | Unaired | 1APL10 |
| 12 | 12 | "Metro Guy and the Non Ex" | Paul Holahan | Patricia Carr & Lara Olse & Elizabeth Ann Phang & Diane Ruggiero-Wright | Unaired | 1APL11 |
| 13 | 13 | "The Other Foot" | Dennie Gordon | Sigal Avin & Matt McGuinness & Elizabeth Ann Phang & Diane Ruggiero-Wright | Unaired | 1APL12 |
Critical reception
[edit]South Coast Today called the series "My Name Is Earl with a whole lot more sex, better-looking people and an emphasis on hedonism and narcissism as opposed to karma and redemption."[10] Time Out called the show's premise "dorky."[11] Entertainment Weekly was more positive, giving the show a B+ rating and saying the show "could be one of the more charming new shows of the fall."[12] The Los Angeles Times was also positive about the show, saying "just because something's almost unforgivably cute doesn't mean it can't also be very good and very funny."[13]
CBS squeezed into the worst top 10 with The Ex List. “It had one of the least appealing main characters of any recent network show I can remember,” said John Crook of Tribune Media Services.[14]
Ratings
[edit]The series premiere attracted 6.85 million viewers and posted a 2.0 in the 18–49 demographic, ranking first in both viewers and the demo for its time slot. Ratings steadily declined, and on October 31, CBS replaced the series with a rerun of NCIS, which topped the highest-rated episode of The Ex List by 65%.[15] The network subsequently canceled the series.[16]
Home media
[edit]At the Twilight premiere, Elizabeth Reaser announced an international DVD release of the series will include 13 episodes. "I'm still shooting the show, which is odd. The scripts have been rewritten to give [fans] some closure. [Bella] will figure out which ex is the one. I do find the guy, and it's someone we met in an earlier episode."[17]
References
[edit]- ^ Ynetnews: CBS greenlights Israeli-based series ‘Mythological X’
- ^ "Elizabeth Reaser, Rachel Boston, Adam Rothenberg, Alexandra Breckenridge and Amir Talai Star in "The Ex List," A New Comedy Premiering Friday, Oct. 3". CBS. August 18, 2008. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
- ^ "Global's Fall Schedule: Spies, Time-Travel and Spoiled Teens". Dose.ca. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2008.
- ^ "TEN Summer programming". David Knox, TV Tonight. November 24, 2008. Retrieved December 1, 2008.
- ^ "Week 51 Ratings". David Knox, TV Tonight. Retrieved December 16, 2008.
- ^ Plus.es
- ^ Schneider, Michael (September 12, 2008). "Diane Ruggiero quits 'Ex List'". Variety. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
- ^ "Diane Ruggiero departs 'The Ex List'". The Hollywood Reporter. September 12, 2008. Archived from the original on September 15, 2008. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
- ^ "CBS Drops 'The Ex List'". NY Times. October 28, 2008. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
- ^ South Coast Today review
- ^ Time Out review
- ^ Entertainment Weekly review
- ^ Los Angeles Times review
- ^ TVweek.com
- ^ Entertainment Weekly, November 21, 2008, p. 107
- ^ TVseriesfinale.com
- ^ Ausiello Files
External links
[edit]- The Ex List at IMDb
The Ex List
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Development and production
Development
The Ex List originated as an American adaptation of the Israeli comedy-drama series Ha'Ex Ha'Mythology (translated as Mythological X), created and written by Sigal Avin, which premiered on Channel 2 in 2007.[9] CBS acquired the rights to develop the U.S. version, retaining Avin as a script consultant.[10] The series was conceived as a blend of humor and heartfelt exploration of romantic relationships, centering on protagonist Bella Bloom's year-long journey to reconnect with her exes in search of enduring love.[7] Executive producers on the project included Avin alongside Jonathan Levin, known for his work on Charmed, and Israeli producers Avi Nir and Mosh Danon from Keshet Media Group.[7] The pilot episode was written by Diane Ruggiero, previously of Veronica Mars, under production by 20th Century Fox Television. On May 13, 2008, CBS officially greenlit the series for its 2008-2009 lineup, ordering 13 episodes. This pre-production phase emphasized the core narrative's universal appeal while tailoring it for American audiences, setting the stage for the show's October premiere.[11]Production
Diane Ruggiero was hired as showrunner and head writer for The Ex List in early 2008, shortly after the resolution of the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, to adapt the Israeli series Mythological X for American audiences. She penned the pilot episode and oversaw the initial creative direction as executive producer. CBS greenlit 13 episodes, allowing production to proceed without mid-season adjustments.[12][10] Production began in mid-2008, with filming commencing on the pilot directed by Timothy Busfield. Despite early momentum, Ruggiero departed after six episodes were completed in September 2008, citing creative differences and excessive network interference from CBS executives who pushed for a closer adherence to the original Israeli format. Her exit surprised both CBS and 20th Television, but production continued without significant delays.[6][13] Executive producer Rick Eid stepped in as showrunner to guide the remaining episodes, supported by a team of replacement writers including Barry Safchik and Patti Carr. Directors such as Dennie Gordon and Paul Holahan handled multiple installments following the pilot, ensuring the series maintained its procedural-romantic tone. All 13 episodes were completed, with principal photography wrapping in late 2008 amid these transitions.[13][14][5]Filming and locations
The Ex List was primarily filmed in San Diego, California, serving as a stand-in for the show's New York City settings.[15] Production utilized practical locations in the area, including Ocean Beach, where exterior scenes were captured at Winston's Beach Club on Bacon Street.[16] The series employed a single-camera setup under director of photography Kenneth D. Zunder, contributing to its blend of sitcom humor and dramatic elements in hour-long episodes averaging around 40 minutes of runtime.[15] Principal photography occurred in 2008 ahead of the October premiere, with all 13 episodes completed by late in the year.Cast and characters
Main cast
The main cast of The Ex List was announced in early June 2008 by CBS, highlighting the ensemble's roles in the comedic drama series.[17] Elizabeth Reaser leads the series as Bella Bloom, the central protagonist—a single, 30-something successful florist owner who embarks on a quest to reconnect with her ex-boyfriends after a psychic informs her that one of them is her destined husband.[17][1] Reaser, known for her prior role on Grey's Anatomy, appeared in all 13 episodes, bringing nuance to Bella's blend of vulnerability and determination in navigating romance and self-discovery.[18] Rachel Boston portrays Daphne Bloom, Bella's younger sister and a source of comic relief through her own impulsive romantic pursuits and family dynamics.[15] Boston's character adds levity to the series as an engaged but flighty counterpart to Bella, appearing across the full season to underscore sibling bonds amid personal chaos.[19] Adam Rothenberg plays Augie (full name David Augustine), Bella's loyal best friend and confidant who serves as a neighbor and emotional anchor throughout her journey.[15] Rothenberg's portrayal emphasizes Augie's supportive, grounded presence in the ensemble, contributing to the show's exploration of platonic relationships in all 13 episodes.[20] Amir Talai as Cyrus, the affable doorman of Bella's building and a key supporting comic figure who injects humor through his quirky observations and interactions with the main characters.[15] Talai's role enhances the series' neighborhood camaraderie, appearing in all 13 episodes to provide lighthearted commentary on the unfolding events.[18] Alexandra Breckenridge stars as Vivian, Augie's girlfriend and a close friend to Bella, offering witty insights and relational advice within the core group dynamic.[1] Featured prominently in the early and ongoing episodes, Breckenridge's character bridges romantic and friendship elements, appearing in all 13 installments to round out the supportive circle around the protagonist.[19] Mark Deklin portrays Elliott, Daphne's fiancé and a lawyer, providing contrast to the chaotic personal lives of the main characters and appearing in several episodes.The Exes
The Exes section of The Ex List features guest stars portraying Bella Bloom's former romantic partners, each designed to reflect a unique aspect of her romantic history and contribute to the show's exploration of past relationships. These characters serve as temporary foils, appearing primarily in single episodes to allow Bella to reassess old connections under the pressure of the psychic's prophecy. The casting emphasized variety in professions and personalities, from military personnel to artists, to illustrate the diverse types of relationships Bella has experienced, with most exes limited to 1-2 episodes for focused narrative arcs. In episode 1, Eric Balfour as Johnny Diamont, Bella's recent ex. In episode 2, "Climb Every Mountain Biker," Eric Winter as Jake Turner, a former couch potato who has become a fitness enthusiast.[21][22] In episode 3, "Protect and Serve," Michael Weaver as Ronny (Ronnie Helton), Bella's high school ex-boyfriend who became a cop after her apartment is robbed.[23] Other notable exes included various one-off portrayals such as a rock musician, a doctor, and Wade, who proposed to her in 1996 (featured in a later episode), each underscoring different relational pitfalls like instability or emotional distance.[1] Overall, the season incorporated approximately 10 distinct exes, strategically woven into the premise to drive Bella's journey while interacting briefly with the main cast to reveal her growth.[18]Broadcast and episodes
Broadcast history
The Ex List premiered in the United States on CBS on October 3, 2008, airing in the Friday 9:00 p.m. ET time slot.[24] The series was scheduled for 13 episodes but was pulled after only the first four aired on October 3, 10, 17, and 24, due to underwhelming viewership in the competitive Friday night lineup.[8] CBS announced the cancellation on October 28, 2008, replacing it with reruns of NCIS.[25] The remaining nine episodes were later broadcast on Lifetime, beginning August 11, 2009, in the Tuesday 9:00 p.m. ET slot, effectively burning off the unaired content during the summer period.[26] Internationally, the series debuted on Global Television Network in Canada in October 2008, aligning closely with the U.S. premiere.[27] It aired on Canal Fox across Latin America shortly thereafter.[27] In Australia, Network 10 began broadcasting the series on December 1, 2008, at 9:30 p.m. on Mondays during the 2008-09 summer non-ratings period but aired only the first two episodes before dropping it.[28] The early U.S. cancellation stemmed from the challenging Friday slot, where it struggled against established programming on rival networks.[29]Episodes
The Ex List consists of a single season with 13 episodes, produced for CBS but canceled after the first four aired in October 2008 due to low ratings. The remaining nine episodes were completed as part of the original 13-episode order but remained unaired in the United States initially; they were later burned off on Lifetime starting August 11, 2009, broadcast in select international markets, such as the first two episodes on Australia's Network Ten during the 2008-2009 summer season, and made available via DVD release in 2009.[2][24][26] The series features varying directors and writers, with Diane Ruggiero-Wright as the creator and initial head writer for the early episodes, after which Rick Eid took over as showrunner to complete the season. Brief synopses below focus on the featured ex-boyfriend and central romantic conflict for each installment, avoiding major spoilers.| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original U.S. air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot | Timothy Busfield | Diane Ruggiero-Wright | October 3, 2008 | At her sister Daphne's bachelorette party, Bella consults a psychic who reveals she has already dated her future husband among her exes; she begins by seeking out Johnny, a rock musician she previously dumped, to test the prediction.[30] |
| 2 | Climb Every Mountain Biker | Adam Davidson | Liz Phang & Diane Ruggiero-Wright | October 10, 2008 | Bella tracks down her ex Jake, a former executive turned avid mountain biker obsessed with extreme sports, but his constant references to another past relationship create tension.[21][31] |
| 3 | Protect and Serve | Lev L. Spiro | Rick Eid & Matt McGuinness & Liz Phang | October 17, 2008 | Following a burglary at her apartment, Bella reconnects with her ex Ronnie, a dedicated police officer who appears single and appealing, complicating her search.[23] |
| 4 | Do You Love Me, Do You Surfer... Boy | Tamra Davis | Rick Eid & Liz Phang | October 24, 2008 | Bella encounters her ex Shane, a professional surfer bound by sponsorship obligations, reigniting old attractions amid his high-stakes lifestyle.[32][33] |
| 5 | Momma's Boy | Paul Holahan | Liz Phang | Unaired (produced 2008; later Lifetime airing August 11, 2009) | After an eye injury, Bella meets her ex Josh, an ophthalmologist and former "momma's boy" who has since gained independence, testing if their past issues are resolved.[34][35] |
| 6 | Daphne's Idealized Wedding | Dennie Gordon | Rick Eid | Unaired (produced 2008; later Lifetime and international airings 2009-2010) | During her sister Daphne's wedding, Bella reconnects with ex Steve from a dude ranch romance, but ominous signs challenge their potential reunion. |
| 7 | Trustafarian | Paul Holahan | Matt McGuinness | Unaired (produced 2008; later Lifetime and international airings 2009-2010) | While planning her father's birthday party, Bella encounters her ex Luke, an eco-conscious environmentalist living a trust-fund hippie lifestyle, sparking ideological conflicts. |
| 8 | Art Professor | Dennie Gordon | Liz Phang & Rick Eid | Unaired (produced 2008; later Lifetime and international airings 2009-2010) | Bella reunites with her ex Bertram, an arts professor who wants her as his muse, but the role proves unfulfilling and reignites old creative tensions. |
| 9 | Flower King | Scott Winant | Rick Eid | Unaired (produced 2008; later Lifetime and international airings 2009-2010) | Bella reflects on her cheating ex Steele, a florist known as the "Flower King," while encountering a new prospect that questions the rules of her ex-list quest. |
| 10 | The Spark | Tamra Davis | Matt McGuinness & Liz Phang | Unaired (produced 2008; later Lifetime and international airings 2009-2010) | Bella dates her ex James, a celebrated author, but struggles to feel any romantic spark; meanwhile, her parents grapple with divorce proceedings. |
| 11 | The Babysitter | Timothy Busfield | Rick Eid | Unaired (produced 2008; later Lifetime and international airings 2009-2010) | Bella reconnects with her ex Wade, who proposed years ago but is now divorced with a child, raising doubts about readiness for family life as Augie contemplates his own proposal. |
| 12 | Metro Guy and the Non-Ex | Adam Davidson | Liz Phang | Unaired (produced 2008; later Lifetime and international airings 2009-2010) | Bella meets her ex Phillip, a stylish architect dubbed the "metro guy," but unexpected chemistry with Augie's boss blurs the lines of her search. |
| 13 | The Other Foot | Lev L. Spiro | Rick Eid & Matt McGuinness | Unaired (produced 2008; later Lifetime and international airings 2009-2010) | In the season finale, Bella encounters her ex Roy, a workaholic chef, while Cyrus's scheme involving a dog stirs jealousy and forces a reevaluation of her journey. |