Billie Eilish Acknowledges The Greatness Of 'Bojack Horseman'

My musical tastes were shaped by decades I was not alive during. I became obsessed with The Monkees when I was ten. Later, my mom would purchase a CD collection of songs from the 70s that I devoured. Back To The Future sent me on a mission to listen to any Huey Lewis and the News song I could find. My only consistent “current” tastes were Weezer and Weird Al. Still, I promise I’m fun at parties!

If I start listening to a “modern” artist, it’s usually after their initial fame. Lady Gaga worked her way into my rotation in 2016. During lockdown, I could be heard saying, “You know, this Ariana Grande is pretty good!” I’m often late to the dance. But, for whatever reason, Billie Eilish broke through my cultural ignorance. Her songs rule, I dig her aesthetic (although her style is starting to enter… appropriation territory), and she’s been consistently fun and smart in the interviews I’ve heard.

I also have a hell of a lot of respect for her work ethic and how she presents herself as an artist. There is genuine artistry to her work. She’s always growing and evolving. For example, Eilish used to be obsessed with the American version of The Office. She, correctly, has talked about how awesome it is, was quizzed on it by Rainn Wilson, recreated a scene with Jenna Fischer, and sampled it in one of her songs. Presumably, she still loves it, but now she has a new Strange Addiction (nailed it).

Eilish told Complex that she’s all about Bojack Horseman. “I’ve just been thinking about Bojack Horseman constantly,” she explained. “It’s all I think about. I just finished watching it a second time and I think it’s the greatest show of all time. It is so genius. The writing is so smart and fucking dark and deep. I’ve seen it a few times in total and every time I finish it, I’m like, ‘OK, let’s count down until I’m allowed to rewatch it again.’”

This is one of those “I didn’t think I could like someone more, and yet,” moments. Bojack Horseman is one of the greatest things to come out of Netflix period. The comedic cartoon towed the line between comedy and drama in a way few shows have been able to. It can go from a deeply personal moment about addiction and abuse right to a joke about paparazzi being vultures and having them actually be anthropomorphic vultures. It is a genius show, and Eilish is right to praise it.

However! I am amazed that she wants to rewatch it so readily. I love Bojack, but have only watched it through twice and needed to take long breaks in between. It’s a lot! The show can take an emotional toll on me, and either it doesn’t hit Eilish the same way or she feeds off those feelings like a… Bad Guy (didn’t nail that one). Regardless, Eilish rules. Bojack rules. And I’m excited to see if she samples that show next. If she already has, I apologize. I can only be so current. I’m still learning.