Los Angeles Times

Romantic comedies like 'Younger' leave 'happily ever after' at the altar

Once upon a time, romantic comedies promised viewers "happily ever after." But now, in the thick of a rom-com renaissance, TV series are questioning the sentiment, becoming less interested in fairy-tale endings than the challenges of modern love.

From "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" - about a 1950s housewife-turned-stand-up-comedian - to "Fleabag" - about an irreverent Londoner who falls for a Catholic priest - a number of recent entries in the genre confront that fanciful notion in favor of another, more realistic feeling: uncertainty.

"Traditionally, the stories present a relationship like some sort of destination or achievement, but it's not my experience of the world," said Aline Brosh McKenna, who wrote "The Devil Wears Prada" and "27 Dresses" and co-created the CW's romantic musical comedy "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend," which completed its four-season run this year. "When your girlfriend gets engaged, you're not like, 'You

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times1 min read
Chargers Trade Up In Round 2 To Get Georgia Receiver They Coveted
LOS ANGELES — The Chargers started Day 2 of the NFL draft Friday by getting receiving help, selecting Georgia’s Ladd McConkey with the second pick of the second round, the 34th selection overall. The Chargers made a deal with New England to swap thei
Los Angeles Times3 min read
Tyler Glasnow Dominates Before Making Quick Exit In Dodgers' Sixth Consecutive Win
TORONTO — For the first time in his debut Dodgers season, there seemed to be a brief injury scare for starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow on Saturday. After six stellar, suffocating, scoreless innings in a 4-2 Dodgers win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rog
Los Angeles Times2 min read
Lakers Avoid Elimination By Holding Off Nuggets In Game 4
LOS ANGELES — LeBron James, in the Lakers’ white uniform, stood at the scorer’s table, filled his hands with chalk and tossed it into the evening air — the same as always. Yet Saturday, even if it was like the previous 11 meetings with the Denver Nug

Related Books & Audiobooks