The Exes

American television series (2011–2015)

Not to be confused with The X's.

The Exes

Genre| Sitcom
Created by| Mark Reisman
Starring| Kristen Johnston
Donald Faison
Wayne Knight
David Alan Basche
Kelly Stables
Composer| Gabriel Mann
Country of origin| United States
Original language| English
No. of seasons| 4
No. of episodes| 64 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers| Mark Reisman
Franco E. Bario
Michael Hanel
Mindy Schultheis
Larry W. Jones
Keith Cox
Camera setup| Multi-camera
Running time| 22 minutes
Production companies| Mark Reisman Productions
Acme Productions
TV Land Original Productions
Original release
Network| TV Land
Release| November 30, 2011 (2011-11-30) –
September 16, 2015 (2015-09-16)

The Exes is an American sitcom starring Donald Faison, Wayne Knight, Kristen Johnston, David Alan Basche, and Kelly Stables. It debuted on TV Land on November 30, 2011, airing on Wednesday nights at 10:30 p.m.[1] The series was created by Mark Reisman and follows three divorced men who live in a New York City apartment owned by their divorce lawyer.

In February 2014, TV Land renewed the series for a twelve-episode fourth season that premiered on November 5, 2014.[2][3] Additional episodes were ordered before the season premiered.[4] On August 10, 2015, the series was cancelled by TV Land with six episodes remaining in the fourth season. The network announced that all six episodes would air, with the finale airing September 16, 2015.[5]

## Synopsis

[edit]

Divorce attorney Holly (Kristen Johnston) introduces her client, Stuart (David Alan Basche), to his new roommates: two other divorced men who share an apartment in New York City that Holly owns. At first Phil (Donald Faison) and Haskell (Wayne Knight) have reservations about Stuart moving in, but Holly is right across the hall to help when things start to go downhill. When not hanging out in the apartment, the gang are usually downstairs at the local bar, joined by Holly's assistant, Eden (Kelly Stables).

## Cast and characters

[edit]

* Kristen Johnston as Holly Franklin, a divorce attorney whose former clients and friends live across the hall in an apartment she owns. While often playing matchmaker for her divorced friends, she is also recently single (having broken off an engagement) and struggles to meet the right man.
* David Alan Basche as Stuart Gardiner, a successful dentist and recently divorced man who is trying to get over his feelings for his ex-wife. Holly introduces him to Phil and Haskell, and suggests that the three become roommates. Near the end of season 4, he realizes his dream of opening his own restaurant.
* Donald Faison as Phil Chase, a sports agent and a womanizing divorced man. While seemingly focused only on his own carnal interests, he often reveals a sensitive and helpful side when it comes to supporting his roommates and Holly. In season 3 he dates Eden for a few episodes until they break up.
* Wayne Knight as Haskell Lutz, a lazy, divorced roommate of Phil's who makes a living selling various items on the internet. It is revealed in season 2 that he used to be a semi-successful professional bowler. In season 3 he falls for Stuart's sister Nikki (a recurring character played by Leah Remini), but it's unrequited. In the series finale, he remarries his ex, Margo.
* Kelly Stables as Eden Konkler, Holly's legal assistant and best friend. She is a "party girl" who tries to get Holly to embrace the single life. In season 2, she abandons her partying ways and becomes a surrogate mother for Holly's boss and his wife. In season 3 she dates Phil for a few episodes. In season 4, she returns to school to work toward a law degree.

## Episodes

[edit]

Main article: List of The Exes episodes

Season| Episodes| Originally released

|
|

First released| Last released
1| 10| November 30, 2011 (2011-11-30)| February 1, 2012 (2012-02-01)
2| 12| June 20, 2012 (2012-06-20)| September 5, 2012 (2012-09-05)
3| 20| June 19, 2013 (2013-06-19)| February 26, 2014 (2014-02-26)
4| 22| November 5, 2014 (2014-11-05)| September 16, 2015 (2015-09-16)

## Development and production

[edit]

Season 1 and 3 intertitle for The Exes featuring the main cast

TV Land placed a pilot order on November 10, 2010.[6] The series was created by Mark Reisman (Frasier), with the pilot directed by Andy Cadiff.[7] The series is executive produced by Reisman, Franco Bario, Michael Hanel and Mindy Schultheis, alongside production companies Mark Reisman Productions and Acme Productions.

On March 21, 2011, the pilot was given a series order of ten episodes.[8] The series premiered on November 30, 2011, and the first season aired on Wednesday nights at 10:30 pm, following Hot in Cleveland.[9]

On February 2, 2012, TV Land announced that it had ordered a second season of The Exes.[10] Season two premiered on June 20, 2012, at 10:30 pm following The Soul Man,[11] On November 13, 2012, TV Land ordered an additional 10 episodes for the second season.[12] However, on December 13, 2012, TV Land announced that the 10 additional episodes ordered will be considered the third season.[13][14] Season three premiered on June 19, 2013, at 10:30 pm EST.[15] On July 18, 2013, TV Land extended the episode order of season three to 20 episodes. The remaining episodes began airing on December 11, 2013.[16][17]

On February 3, 2014, TV Land announced the fourth season renewal of The Exes with a 12-episode order.[2] On September 5, 2014, TV Land announced that season four would be extended by 12 episodes, for a season total of 24.[4] The fourth season premiered on November 5, 2014.[2][3] The show was cancelled on August 10, 2015, with six produced episodes left to air, reducing season four to a total of 22 episodes.[5]

### Casting

[edit]

Casting announcements began in January 2011. First to be cast were Kristen Johnston and Donald Faison, with Johnston playing Holly, a smart and sexy divorce attorney and the landlord, and Faison playing Phil Chase, a sports agent and charming ladies' man who lives in the apartment across the hall.[18] Next actor cast in the series was David Alan Basche, who plays Stuart Gardner, a caring but neurotic cosmetic dentist who moves in with Faison's and Knight's characters.[19] Wayne Knight was then cast in the role of Haskell Lutz, a perpetual couch potato who hawks merchandise on the Internet while living with the two men. This is the second sitcom Johnston and Knight have been regulars on together since 3rd Rock From the Sun.[20]

## Critical reception

[edit]

The first season received a 49 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating mixed or average reviews, based on 14 critic reviews.[21] On Rotten Tomatoes, season one holds a rating of 47%, based on 15 reviews, with an average rating 5.5./10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Though the cast is full of seasoned professionals and some of the content is humorous, The Exes feels churned out of a sitcom regeneration machine, introducing no new elements to the formula."[22]

### Awards and nominations

[edit]

In 2013, Donald Faison was nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series.[23] On July 18, 2013, The Exes received a nomination for Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards.[24] The series received the same nomination at the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards.[25]

### Ratings

[edit]

Season  | Timeslot (ET/PT)  | # Ep.  | Premiered  | Ended  | TV Season  | Viewers
(in millions)

|
|
|
|
|
|

Date  | Premiere
Viewers
(in millions)  | Date  | Finale
Viewers
(in millions)
1 | Wednesday 10:30 pm  | 10  |

November 30, 2011

| 1.43[26] |

February 1, 2012

| 1.18[27] | 2011–2012  | 1.18
2 | 12  |

June 20, 2012

| 1.24[28] |

September 5, 2012

| 0.93[29] | 2012  | 0.88
3 |

Wednesday 10:30 pm (June 19 – December 18, 2013)
Wednesday 10:00 pm (January 1 – February 26, 2014)

| 20  |

June 19, 2013

| 1.27[30] |

February 26, 2014

| 0.84[31] | 2013–14  | 0.93
4 |

Wednesday 10:30 pm

| 22  |

November 5, 2014

| 0.47[32] |

September 16, 2015

| 0.42[33] | 2014–15  | 0.52

## International broadcast

[edit]

On May 6, 2011, it was announced that Endemol would distribute The Exes internationally. The series is broadcast on SBS 9 in the Netherlands, SABC in South Africa, Shaw TV in Canada, MTV in Latin America, Comedy Central in Brazil, TVNZ in New Zealand, FOX life in Bulgaria, CNBC-e from Turkey and Dubai, TV6 in Sweden, it is now also being telecast on Comedy Central India,[34] and TLC in United Kingdom and Ireland.

## Syndication

[edit]

The Exes aired on NickMom from July 26 to September 27, 2015

## Home media

[edit]

The Exes: Season 1 & 2 was released on DVD in Region 1 on November 4, 2014. The three-disc set includes all 22 episodes from seasons one and two. Special features include interviews with Kristen Johnston, Donald Faison, David Alan Basche, Kelly Stables, Wayne Knight and director Andy Cadiff, and a behind-the-scenes featurette.[35]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ \+ relative_time(tweet.created_at) + (November 29, 2011). "The Exes Premieres Nov. 30 10:30PM/9:30C". Tvland.com. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
2. ^ a b c Bibel, Sara (February 3, 2014). "'The Exes' Renewed for 12 Episode Season 4 by TV Land". TV by the Numbers (Press release). Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
3. ^ a b Bibel, Sara (May 12, 2014). "TV Land Moves 'The Exes' Season Four Premiere from August to November". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2014.
4. ^ a b Bibel, Sara (September 5, 2014). "TV Land Renews "The Exes" For 12 Additional Episodes In Advance Of Season Four Premiere". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 6, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
5. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (August 10, 2015). "'The Exes' Cancelled By TV Land After 4 Seasons, Last Multi-Cam Original Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 11, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
6. ^ Development Update: Wednesday, November 10, TheFutonCritic.com
7. ^ Development Update: Tuesday, February 8, TheFutonCritic.com
8. ^ "Breaking News - TV Land Greenlights Three Sitcoms Including "Happily Divorced," "The Exes" and a New Season of Current Hit "Retired at 35" | TheFutonCritic.com". thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
9. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (July 21, 2011). "TVLine Items: Osbourne Stops Talking, Snooki Flirts with DWTS, OLTL Vets Return, and More". Tvline.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
10. ^ "TV Land Renews The Exes For Second Season". TVWise. February 2, 2012. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
11. ^ "TV Land Changes Cedric Sitcom Name To The Soul Man, Schedules Retired at 35; Just My Show Talks To Bill Kirchenbauer About Kirk Cameron's Comments". SitcomsOnline.com. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
12. ^ "Report: TV Land's 'The Exes' Getting Super-Sized Second Season – Ratings". Zap2it. Archived from the original on May 8, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
13. ^ "The Exes, The Soul Man: renewed (officially) | canceled + renewed TV shows". TV Series Finale. December 14, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
14. ^ "'The Soul Man' & 'The Exes' Renewed by TV Land – Ratings". Zap2it. Archived from the original on January 6, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
15. ^ Bibel, Sara (May 2, 2013). "'Hot in Cleveland', 'The Exes', & 'The Soul Man' to Premiere June 19 on TV Land". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Archived from the original on May 7, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
16. ^ "TV Land Orders 10 More Episodes Of 'The Exes' Season 3". Deadline Hollywood. July 18, 2013. Archived from the original on July 21, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
17. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (February 15, 2013). "TV Land Greenlights Original Sitcom 'Kirstie's New Show' Starring Kirstie Alley". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on July 18, 2013. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
18. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 6, 2011). "PILOT CASTINGS: Christine Taylor, Kristen Johnston & Donald Faison Board TV Land Comedies, Amy Acker Joins USA Dramedy –". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
19. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 24, 2011). "TV CASTINGS: Ben Schwartz, Sherri Shepherd, Jeffrey Nordling Join Pilots –". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
20. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 26, 2011). "Pilot Castings: Actors Board TBS' 'Hound Dogs', TV Land's Mark Reisman Comedy –". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
21. ^ "The Exes – Season 1 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic.com. Retrieved December 22, 2011.
22. ^ "The Exes: Season 1 (2011–2012)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
23. ^ "2013 Image Awards Nominations". NAACP.org. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
24. ^ "2013 Primetime Emmy Nominations (LIVE)". Deadline Hollywood. July 18, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
25. ^ "66th Primetime Emmys Nominees and Winners". EMMYS.com. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
26. ^ Seidman, Robert (December 1, 2011). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'American Horror Story' Tops Night + Captain Kirk Boosts 'Psych'; 'Hot In Cleveland,' 'Full Throttle Saloon' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 3, 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
27. ^ Gorman, Bill (February 2, 2012). "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Challenge: Battle of the Exes' Tops Original Cable + 'Dog the Bounty Hunter,' 'Royal Pains,' 'Hot In Cleveland,' 'Face Off' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
28. ^ "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Dallas', + 'Royal Pains', 'Storage Wars', 'Barter Kings', 'Necessary Roughness' & More – Ratings". Zap2it. June 21, 2012. Archived from the original on June 24, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
29. ^ "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Here Comes Honey Boo Boo' Wins Night, DNC Coverage, 'Royal Pains', 'Ghost Hunters', 'Storage Wars Texas', 'Real World', & More – Ratings". Zap2it. September 6, 2012. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
30. ^ "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'Futurama' & 'Royal Pains' Win Night + 'Necessary Roughness', 'Daily Show', 'South Beach Tow' & More". TV by the Numbers. June 20, 2013. Archived from the original on June 22, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
31. ^ "Wednesday's Cable Ratings & Broadcast Finals: Demo Race Belongs to "Modern Family," "American Idol"". The Futon Critic. February 27, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
32. ^ "Wednesday Cable Ratings: 'American Horror Story: Freak Show' Tops Night + 'South Park', NBA Basketball, 'Key & Peele' & More". TV by the Numbers. November 6, 2014. Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
33. ^ "The Exes: Season Four Ratings". TV Series Finale. September 17, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
34. ^ "Endemol's Happily Divorced, The Exes to Land in Latin America". ttvnews.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
35. ^ Lambert, David (November 3, 2014). "The Exes – Official Press Release for Tomorrow's 'Seasons 1 and 2' DVDs". TV Shows on DVD. Archived from the original on November 6, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2014.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* The Exes at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

TV Land original programming

* ALF's Hit Talk Show (2004)
* Chasing Farrah (2005)
* Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg (2005–07)
* I Pity the Fool (2006)
* TV Land: Myths and Legends (2007–08)
* The Big 4-0 (2008)
* High School Reunion (2008–10)
* She's Got the Look (2008–10)
* Family Foreman (2008)
* The Cougar (2009)
* How'd You Get So Rich? (2009–10)
* Hot in Cleveland (2010–15)
* Harry Loves Lisa (2010)
* Retired at 35 (2011–12)
* Happily Divorced (2011–13)
* The Exes (2011–15)
* The Soul Man (2012–16)
* Forever Young (2013)
* Kirstie (2013–14)
* Jennifer Falls (2014)
* The Jim Gaffigan Show (2015–16)
* Impastor (2015–16)
* Younger (2015–19)
* Teachers (2016–19)
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