Why a divorce attorney became the ultimate landlord for three broken-hearted men
In short: In this American sitcom, a sharp-witted divorce lawyer manages her professional life while doubling as the landlord for three of her former clients. Forced into an unlikely living arrangement, these men navigate post-divorce life, career shifts, and personal growth under the watchful, often meddling eye of their legal counsel.
Created by Mark Reisman, The Exes premiered on TV Land in November 2011. The premise centers on Holly, a divorce attorney portrayed by Kristen Johnston, who owns the apartment where her clients Stuart, Phil, and Haskell reside. Stuart, a neurotic dentist played by David Alan Basche, is the newest addition, joining Phil, a womanizing sports agent played by Donald Faison, and Haskell, a lazy internet entrepreneur played by Wayne Knight. The dynamic is further complicated by Holly's assistant, Eden, played by Kelly Stables, who frequently joins the group at their local bar.
Over its four-season run, the show explored the characters' personal evolutions. Phil transitioned from a self-absorbed bachelor to a more supportive friend, while Haskell moved from a couch-bound existence to eventually remarrying his former spouse. Stuart pursued his ambition of opening a restaurant, and Eden shifted her focus from a party-centric lifestyle to pursuing a law degree. The series, which reunited Johnston and Knight after their time on 3rd Rock From the Sun, balanced these character arcs with the comedic friction of three disparate men sharing a single living space.
Despite mixed critical reception—holding a 49 out of 100 on Metacritic and a 47% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its debut season—the show garnered industry recognition. It earned nominations for Outstanding Cinematography at both the 65th and 66th Primetime Emmy Awards, and Donald Faison received an NAACP Image Award nomination in 2013. The series concluded in September 2015 after a total of 64 episodes, having been distributed internationally to markets including the United Kingdom and Ireland, where it aired on TLC.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Exes
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