Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist

A whimsical tuneful winner. [17 Feb - 1 Mar 2020, p.8]

If fictional TV characters Ally McBeal and Eli Stone had a love child, it would be Zoey Clarke.

Light-hearted but not too whimsical, starring a heroine who solves low-stakes emotional puzzles with angsty pluck, and delivering entertaining musical numbers that supplement rather than dominate the story, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist is certainly worth keeping on shuffle.

A likably inspired musical dramedy boasting a strong cast led by a never-better Jane Levy and running the risk of being too quirky for broadcast and not quirky enough for cable.

On the one hand, it runs on corny plots and network rom-com clichés, which is irksome and disappointing. On the other hand, there’s sweet and lively entertainment to be found in the regular musical sequences, which play like pieces of a jukebox musical, the jukebox being filled with pop songs by the likes of Cyndi Lauper and Van Morrison.

There’s a germ of something here. It’s never quite clear what it could be.

The musical interludes are the best bits but even these are a mixed bag. ... There’s also some woefully underbaked dialogue.

Zoey's Extraordinary is a great, original show, with an interesting plot line to accompany it. The way it is written allows you to truly get to know each character, and have you emotionally attached to each one. The emotion in each and every song will have your whole family silent, taking in the emotions the character is spilling out. Great show for the family to watch all together. Great show to cry to because of its real life scenarios. It has real life problems and also a pretty diverse cast that makes all watchers feel included. This show is all around great, from Zoey's love triangle, to her sick dad, and her enthusiastic friend Mo. Highly recommend watching.

Fantastic show, manages to have humor, romance, and truly heartfelt moments in each episode, plus great music!

This is the only show on TV right now where I often both laugh and cry in the same episode. ZEP takes everything I loved about _Glee_ and _Smash_ and pulls those things into areas that resonate with me (I lost my father--in an emotional sense--years ago when he left the family for someone else. I, like Zoey, am a clumsy nerdy/whip-smart woman who can barely handle my own emotions and relationships let alone other peoples and who is also a little bit too open about sharing with others and it often gets me into trouble. ZEP also hits the harder human issues without preaching, and it's rare to find a show that can touch on issues without trying to tell its audience what to do or trying to influence them or guilt us into reaction. It doesn't hurt that the ZoeyXMax relationship is the kind I've dreamed of all my life and wish I had. I honestly hate the rating on this show isn't higher because this is a show that deserves many, many seasons (at least as many as Glee or more).

It has been a cute, silly and shallow show. The actual playlist makes the weak writing and underlying ideology palatable. Where the show struggles is in it's attempts at drama. The characters aren't really deep enough to make the drama seem unforced. They make Jane Leevy's character the most shallow of all - she is more like an angsty teenager than anything else. The show is really like an excuse to perform the songs, and I've been ok with it. But Ep 6 of Season 2 killed it. I get Hollywood's need to propagandize, but Simon's pouting over his hardship about having a great job in a tech company without being a tech and Zoey's apologizing for her whiteness took it too far for me. I'm done. I'll have to get my music fix from Spotify.

generally a decent show. Love the musical aspect of it and the drama with her father's declining health along with it's emotional effects. however, the show is marred by bad writing. Writing that makes Zoey(the shows protagonist) into the antagonist. slight spoilers below All season she's crushing on Simon, only to kiss Max towards the end. A man that she states time and time again is only a friend. this writing makes her come across as just another self absorbed youngster who should know better while at the same time trying to paint her as emotionally wise due to her 'ability'. It's conflicting and feels like a love triangle has just been shoed in for ratings. the only other annoying aspect is the 'gender fluid' nonsense in one episode. luckily it is only covered in one episode and done in a tasteful way so it's not too in your face. In short, worth a watch. nowhere near as good as glee.