this is one of those shows, which i could see being easily misunderstood to the general public. to me the show is a satire of the ill-conceived notion of happiness we have advertised to us on a daily basis. and the writers do a wonderful job at portraying, and realistically making fun of, these little idiocies that are implanted within society today. the show shines a dimwitted light over the senseless actions and activities people take part of everyday, while also highlighting how advertising companies do whatever is necessary to direct you attention to the product. the actors do great at playing their rules, each character has their own set of emotions towards each problem, and you truly feel Thom Payne's (Steve Coogan) anger and dislike towards everything. the show was written great, and every actor in it is great, i just hope we get too see more it.
28 Reviews
Will Most People Get This?
dwatters-120 July 2015
I'm not sure how this series would be perceived by young people, or by seniors, but as a middle-aged person, I feel like the topics covered in this series are dead-on.
Ignore the characters for a moment. If you focus just on them, you might see this series as a story of entitled people who have all they need (and more) but still feel unhappy. To me that's not the message at all. Through these characters the viewer is exploring a rather serious topic in our modern society. What makes us happy? Or perhaps more accurately, why are so many people unhappy? Anti-depressants are the most profitable pharmaceutical drug of this century. They don't really cure anything yet so many people are, or have been on them. Why? Are we all just a bunch of malcontents or is something really wrong here?
Statistics have shown that people in their 40's are the least happy demographic but that they find themselves again in their 50's. What changes in those few years? I believe it's that we go through a second rebellion. If we are smart, we concentrate on life, living, being with those we care about and caring less about how we look, and what other people think. Downscaling, shedding responsibilities, finding more time for leisurely pursuits and spending less time working or chasing a fleeting goal - these things are important.
We've all been sold a bill of good by our parents, schools, media and advertisers. Go to school, then college, fall in love, get married, buy a house, eat this, buy that, achieve success - and so on. Increasingly, people feel like this model of happiness doesn't fit for them.
Look around, people are quietly ditching our commercial culture for one that fits their real needs.
Despite persistent messages that consumption and conformity are the paths to happiness, many of us are increasingly learning that following our own path is what we really should be doing.
Great series. Very inspiring - but watch it with the attitude that much of what is depicted is metaphorical. It leaves the viewer to ponder what it is that they gave up to be just another cog in the machine.
And a side-note to the guy who said; "worst liberal self hating selfish ,me,me,me,me bull crap." This is not a story of liberals or conservatives. You have missed the point entirely. Depression and self-doubt do not favour any particular political persuasion. I suggest you re-watch without the political bias. Interpret Happyish in black and white and you'll miss the shades of grey in this, and in real life.
Ignore the characters for a moment. If you focus just on them, you might see this series as a story of entitled people who have all they need (and more) but still feel unhappy. To me that's not the message at all. Through these characters the viewer is exploring a rather serious topic in our modern society. What makes us happy? Or perhaps more accurately, why are so many people unhappy? Anti-depressants are the most profitable pharmaceutical drug of this century. They don't really cure anything yet so many people are, or have been on them. Why? Are we all just a bunch of malcontents or is something really wrong here?
Statistics have shown that people in their 40's are the least happy demographic but that they find themselves again in their 50's. What changes in those few years? I believe it's that we go through a second rebellion. If we are smart, we concentrate on life, living, being with those we care about and caring less about how we look, and what other people think. Downscaling, shedding responsibilities, finding more time for leisurely pursuits and spending less time working or chasing a fleeting goal - these things are important.
We've all been sold a bill of good by our parents, schools, media and advertisers. Go to school, then college, fall in love, get married, buy a house, eat this, buy that, achieve success - and so on. Increasingly, people feel like this model of happiness doesn't fit for them.
Look around, people are quietly ditching our commercial culture for one that fits their real needs.
Despite persistent messages that consumption and conformity are the paths to happiness, many of us are increasingly learning that following our own path is what we really should be doing.
Great series. Very inspiring - but watch it with the attitude that much of what is depicted is metaphorical. It leaves the viewer to ponder what it is that they gave up to be just another cog in the machine.
And a side-note to the guy who said; "worst liberal self hating selfish ,me,me,me,me bull crap." This is not a story of liberals or conservatives. You have missed the point entirely. Depression and self-doubt do not favour any particular political persuasion. I suggest you re-watch without the political bias. Interpret Happyish in black and white and you'll miss the shades of grey in this, and in real life.
I can see why it didn't get renewed
nickharman111 February 2016
As a 50 something advertising copywriter I laughed and squirmed at the ad agency scenes, all so very true sadly.We've all seen 20 something creatives talking crap and getting away with it because the elder bosses are running scared in a digital world.
However aside from that the whole thing was a bit of a mish mash with the writer often putting speeches in the characters' mouths when they didn't gel with the character. A strong show runner would have deleted much of the script and tightened up the rest.No one seems to have dared confront the writer on anything.
I watched it all, to see how Thom would get on, but it was an uphill struggle against show off scriptwriting, ideas that should have been left on the cutting room floor and characters that were all universally unlikeable.
However aside from that the whole thing was a bit of a mish mash with the writer often putting speeches in the characters' mouths when they didn't gel with the character. A strong show runner would have deleted much of the script and tightened up the rest.No one seems to have dared confront the writer on anything.
I watched it all, to see how Thom would get on, but it was an uphill struggle against show off scriptwriting, ideas that should have been left on the cutting room floor and characters that were all universally unlikeable.
you killed my hamster
duvdar27 July 2015
finally a comedy/sitcom that represents me/us/my world. swearing, anxiety ridden, drinking, over-parenting, trying to find the balance in marriage/work/sex/family/friends while aging rapidly... something that hit home (sometimes too close). and now it's canceled??!!????? WTF? WHY? there is no justice in this world. IF anybody is listening to actual grownups instead of just mills, please bring this show back!
perhaps putting on in September when all other highly touted crappy shows are given full support would be a good start??? perhaps an AD for the ad exec?? only found while drifting around on demand in boredom. where were the previews? the interviews? the daytime TV circuit?? come on peeps.
perhaps putting on in September when all other highly touted crappy shows are given full support would be a good start??? perhaps an AD for the ad exec?? only found while drifting around on demand in boredom. where were the previews? the interviews? the daytime TV circuit?? come on peeps.
Excellent!
anav-576966 July 2015
Probably the best shows I've watched in the last few years. An excellent dark satirical comedy-drama where the main characters are experiencing different issues, all very relatable, as far as I am concerned ! This is a show where a clever mix or imaginary worlds collide with the reality of life, and where technology, corporate America and the idealist views, highlight the terrible state in which most of us actually live
.in a society dominated by superficiality, greed and ignorance. If some of the personal challenges , Thom and Lee face, might not be relevant to everyone, the work/office ones are definitely easy to appreciate! If you're Happy and You Know It - watch Happyish and you might start asking yourself a few questions
The story of my life
denniv200215 July 2015
It seems that me and my wife are not alone in our thoughts and judgments about life these days :) I've been a director of advertising and PR for many years and when I became full of it I chose to be a videographer.
When I watching "Happyish" it is like meeting a good old friend. Together you can joke on any topic without any tolerance. You can be honest to each other and you feel mutual understanding. Every episode asking what is our life, what makes us happy or much more often unhappy? What is more important job or family? And why so many morons around? :)
I think the second name of "Happyish" should be "Wit works woe" or "The Mischief of Being Clever".
Great job done in scenario, acting, casting, shooting, lighting, props etc... I hope to see many seasons of this splendid story!
When I watching "Happyish" it is like meeting a good old friend. Together you can joke on any topic without any tolerance. You can be honest to each other and you feel mutual understanding. Every episode asking what is our life, what makes us happy or much more often unhappy? What is more important job or family? And why so many morons around? :)
I think the second name of "Happyish" should be "Wit works woe" or "The Mischief of Being Clever".
Great job done in scenario, acting, casting, shooting, lighting, props etc... I hope to see many seasons of this splendid story!
Watchable, but good luck raising a smile.
Haycroft20 April 2017
Being a big fan of Steve Coogan I was very keen to watch this show. But after three episodes I'm beginning to feel as numb as the characters.
It's grating to hear Coogan say "Asshole" and "Lame-ass" in an American accent while the rest of what he says sounds British. It became glaringly annoying when the British-Indian character said "Arse" soon after Coogan said "Ass". I understand the trivial nature of this, but imagine an American actor suddenly saying "Mate" in an Australian accent while talking to another character, it'll be quite jarring.
Kathryn Hahn character is painfully neurotic and its hard to feel any sympathy for anything the she says. Also the scene where she struggles to fit a parcel in her Jeep takes way too frustratingly long, I don't know if this was played for laughs or to portray the character as spatially inept?
Having said all that, I guess the concept of watching dull, unpleasant people eek out their lives in such a soulless way can make us (or maybe just myself) feel better about life.
The inclusion of animated inanimate objects adds a little bit of fantasy to the show, so there's another plus.
It's annoying, crass, depressing, but I want to watch another episode.
It's grating to hear Coogan say "Asshole" and "Lame-ass" in an American accent while the rest of what he says sounds British. It became glaringly annoying when the British-Indian character said "Arse" soon after Coogan said "Ass". I understand the trivial nature of this, but imagine an American actor suddenly saying "Mate" in an Australian accent while talking to another character, it'll be quite jarring.
Kathryn Hahn character is painfully neurotic and its hard to feel any sympathy for anything the she says. Also the scene where she struggles to fit a parcel in her Jeep takes way too frustratingly long, I don't know if this was played for laughs or to portray the character as spatially inept?
Having said all that, I guess the concept of watching dull, unpleasant people eek out their lives in such a soulless way can make us (or maybe just myself) feel better about life.
The inclusion of animated inanimate objects adds a little bit of fantasy to the show, so there's another plus.
It's annoying, crass, depressing, but I want to watch another episode.
Excellent Show!
acinometeucap24 May 2015
Excellent show! Great cast for the wittiest, life based comedy I've watched so far. It will sting, sometimes even hurt, to be confronted with some of the silliest things we all have to deal with in our lives, but if you are not a cynic it will make you laugh! Pertinent questions are asked and answered in this show. We've all stopped to think about the meaning of things and of life itself from time to time. This show is so brilliantly written that it will, most certainly, bring up that one question you keep asking yourself and your friends. It will deconstruct it and turn it into something laughable. It will make you Happy-ish!
Its a fine Idea for a show,, fine cast ,, i wish for More-ish comedy bits ;)
Aktham_Tashtush7 April 2015
The plot is nice , the whole idea of a man getting old and trying to find happiness in a community of teenagers is really thorough and has many potentials on TV.
Watching the character "Thom Payne" made me a bit sad at first like he's 40 something having Insomnia and trying to deal with his kid and assure him that he's not dying soon !!
Steve Coogan is really funny,, seems like many shows now a days casting at least one British actor .. i don't really know what that's all about but it kinda works.
There were moments of dreamy scenes by "Thom Payne" like the one talking about his body inside the gym or when he talks to the cartoons those were cool.
"If Sam wants to keep that happiness he's gotta suck some cock, same cocks we do" :D :D
It officially premieres on April 26, 2015 .. until then i wish the show gets More-ish with the comedy bits and less on the the drama even though the balance on the comedy/drama seems right in here but we really need some real comedy :D .. i think Showtime will deal with that.
........................... Update ..............................
So i'm done watching the 2nd and 3rd episodes and honestly, things aren't really going as good as i wanted it to get. the scenes where the animated talking boxes or Geckos appear are getting a bit annoying and out of purpose.
.................................................................
Watching the character "Thom Payne" made me a bit sad at first like he's 40 something having Insomnia and trying to deal with his kid and assure him that he's not dying soon !!
Steve Coogan is really funny,, seems like many shows now a days casting at least one British actor .. i don't really know what that's all about but it kinda works.
There were moments of dreamy scenes by "Thom Payne" like the one talking about his body inside the gym or when he talks to the cartoons those were cool.
"If Sam wants to keep that happiness he's gotta suck some cock, same cocks we do" :D :D
It officially premieres on April 26, 2015 .. until then i wish the show gets More-ish with the comedy bits and less on the the drama even though the balance on the comedy/drama seems right in here but we really need some real comedy :D .. i think Showtime will deal with that.
........................... Update ..............................
So i'm done watching the 2nd and 3rd episodes and honestly, things aren't really going as good as i wanted it to get. the scenes where the animated talking boxes or Geckos appear are getting a bit annoying and out of purpose.
.................................................................
Unlikeable Characters--May Contain a Spoiler
marciaoh26 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Now that Happyish is officially canceled, I'm searching for answers as to why it didn't make it. I watched the show every week, which may seem odd since I really wasn't a fan of the series. I suppose the talented Brit, Steve Coogan and Bradley Whitford, pulled me in at first. Then, the quirky, irreverent humor interested me. However, the main problem with Happyish is that it presents no truly likable characters. The central family is miserable and seems to wallow in self-pity in such a pathologically unhealthy way that the audience becomes uncomfortable and a bit embarrassed. Since the family is attractive, live in an upscale home, are educated and have enviable careers, it's difficult for most viewers to empathize with their misery. The scripts sort of repeat the same overused refrain each week--millennials and Swedes are all evil villains and corporate America eats people's souls. There is no subtext or probing for deeper insights, just the cloying monotony of rather overdone story lines. All the characters, even the Swedish group who take over the ad company, are one dimensional and shallow. I've begun to wonder why so much contemporary television uses Swedish people as the antagonists--are Swedes now the postmodern symbols of blond, blue eyed monsters--the entitled white power structure? To this point, in the incredibly well done HBO hit, Nurse Jackie, the writers pinned the downfall of the hospital, the central workplace and life-blood of the characters, on the Swedes. Have American TV producers simply run out of villains that are politically correct? Swedes, family angst, fear of aging, psychological despair and Jewish self-identity all get short shifted in Happyish and the viewer comes away not happyish at all.
Tried to give it a chance
SpaceOctopus30 July 2016
So, I saw this had Steve Coogan & I happen to like him, and Netflix thought I'd like it (it suggested I would 4.5 stars like it, in fact) and I took a chance watching it. I watched about 5 episodes before I no longer felt it deserved my attention at all, and turned it off. I kept getting this familiar feeling & couldn't put my finger on it, but it was bothering me for sure. That's when I finally noticed the studio was Showtime. I finally understood the feeling. I realized it was just like the feeling I got from Weeds, Dexter, Californication etc, it's this really obnoxious, kind of -I don't know what to call it- maybe pandering? This "we're so cool, aren't we cool?" kind of vibe. This thing where somehow a good idea for a show is brought to Showtime & then gets ruined completely by them. I kind of see Showtime as a cheap knock-off of HBO. I get the same feeling when someone tries to sell me knock-off Sharpies with a weird name that looks close to it.
I feel like the entire show was just trying way too hard, just like the other ones I mentioned. Instead of actually using the talent of people and writing for themselves, from their own creativity, it just feels like they spent too much time writing to get viewers & writing what they think viewers want them to. Using clichés & all the kinds of stupid attempts to be deep, cool, or funny but looking like tools instead. Showtime are posers. That's the best description. Similar to a kid trying to be punk rock but failing miserably & just looking like an idiot & shopping at Hot Topic, putting studs on things & thinking it makes them a punk.
I don't know how else to explain it, I just know Showtime had something to do with it. I feel like if HBO had picked the project up, this may have been worth watching. Mostly it's just irritating & trying way too hard & is dumbed down. Such a shame really.. what's worse is how many people who I like that fall for this crap. I felt insulted by this garbage. You should too, if you're even somewhat intelligent. What was with all the religious crap, too? That was even more annoying.
Go watch something way better. Seriously. Almost anything HBO makes is worth watching (excluding Sex in The City, True Blood and Entourage, which belong on Showtime), even Ballers, which I really should hate considering my hatred of football & sports, but is actually pretty good & the writing isn't stupid or obviously people trying too hard. The acting is also excellent. Personally was surprised to like it. Anyway if you're after comedy, then try the new HBO show "Vice Principles" or a classic like Mr Show or Dream On. Forget this.
I feel like the entire show was just trying way too hard, just like the other ones I mentioned. Instead of actually using the talent of people and writing for themselves, from their own creativity, it just feels like they spent too much time writing to get viewers & writing what they think viewers want them to. Using clichés & all the kinds of stupid attempts to be deep, cool, or funny but looking like tools instead. Showtime are posers. That's the best description. Similar to a kid trying to be punk rock but failing miserably & just looking like an idiot & shopping at Hot Topic, putting studs on things & thinking it makes them a punk.
I don't know how else to explain it, I just know Showtime had something to do with it. I feel like if HBO had picked the project up, this may have been worth watching. Mostly it's just irritating & trying way too hard & is dumbed down. Such a shame really.. what's worse is how many people who I like that fall for this crap. I felt insulted by this garbage. You should too, if you're even somewhat intelligent. What was with all the religious crap, too? That was even more annoying.
Go watch something way better. Seriously. Almost anything HBO makes is worth watching (excluding Sex in The City, True Blood and Entourage, which belong on Showtime), even Ballers, which I really should hate considering my hatred of football & sports, but is actually pretty good & the writing isn't stupid or obviously people trying too hard. The acting is also excellent. Personally was surprised to like it. Anyway if you're after comedy, then try the new HBO show "Vice Principles" or a classic like Mr Show or Dream On. Forget this.
Great Show
countrygirlinboots6 May 2015
I love the sense of humor of this show. The humor is dry and sometimes corky. For those of us entering our 40's it's really a questioning time of life. You look at things so differently, well much like the show. In season 1 E2 she refers to life as living in her bubble. Seriously life has pushed many of us into that bubble because of the negatively out there. The show does a great job capturing that underlying drama of being in your 40's and working for and with twenty year olds. Finally a show that's not all about living the "Partridge" family life. I feel as though this sector gets left out of TV because it's not a popular sense of humor or a totally positive way to look at others. The show defiantly doesn't hate on people for no reason but it surely points it out when people are wrong. Funny stuff.
It's hard to be a good-looking, affluent couple with a big old house in Woodstock?!
The_late_Buddy_Ryan10 June 2015
I was impressed that memoirist Shalom Auslander ("Foreskin's Lament"!) had persuaded Showtime to turn his random reflections--on human existence, the mercy of God (or lack thereof), parenting, advertising, sex and Jewishness--into a cable sitcom, but we could only stay with it for six eps. Steve Coogan and adorable Kathryn Hahn do their best, and there are some funny bits, but I'm guessing a lot of it will seem like you've heard it before, more than once (maybe starting with the first time you got stoned at sleepover camp or with your freshman year roommate).
I'm also guessing this is one of those shows, like "Frankie and Grace" on Netflix, that gets extra points from TV execs because it fills a demographic niche-in this case, forty-somethings who have ambivalent feelings about millennials and are afraid they'll never be cool again.... It would have been interesting to see what Philip Seymour Hoffman (olav ha-sholom!), who had originally signed on to play the Coogan part, would have done with it, I admit.
On the + side, "Happyish" has a strong supporting cast (Bradley Whitford! Carrie Preston!), some cute animated sequences (not including IMHO the one where Coogan's character--"Thom Payne"!--schtups a Keebler elf), and a convenient time slot (between "Nurse Jackie" and "Veep") for oldsters who still watch scheduled programming on cable, but we still found it fairly tedious, unoriginal and kind of depressing after a while. Btw, Noah Baumbach's "While We're Young" (only $2.99 from Amazon Prime) explores some of the same boomer-vs.-millennial themes in a much subtler and more entertaining way.
I'm also guessing this is one of those shows, like "Frankie and Grace" on Netflix, that gets extra points from TV execs because it fills a demographic niche-in this case, forty-somethings who have ambivalent feelings about millennials and are afraid they'll never be cool again.... It would have been interesting to see what Philip Seymour Hoffman (olav ha-sholom!), who had originally signed on to play the Coogan part, would have done with it, I admit.
On the + side, "Happyish" has a strong supporting cast (Bradley Whitford! Carrie Preston!), some cute animated sequences (not including IMHO the one where Coogan's character--"Thom Payne"!--schtups a Keebler elf), and a convenient time slot (between "Nurse Jackie" and "Veep") for oldsters who still watch scheduled programming on cable, but we still found it fairly tedious, unoriginal and kind of depressing after a while. Btw, Noah Baumbach's "While We're Young" (only $2.99 from Amazon Prime) explores some of the same boomer-vs.-millennial themes in a much subtler and more entertaining way.
Unnecessary bad language
Nathan423 May 2022
There were a few small laughs, but the egregious and unnecessary foul language pulled me out of the show and made it unwatchable. So sad when writers feel it's necessary to have more than a hundred F bombs per episode to make a good show for some reason.
Thumbs Not Up-ish, But Way Up!
Rogue-3220 April 2015
Caught this last night and was pleasantly surprised - hadn't read about it beforehand, didn't realize Coogan and John Cameron Mitchell were involved, so I was doubly pleased.
Coogan's character sets the tone perfectly from the get-go, with his 'f-you' voice-over regarding Mount Rushmore: we know we're in for a no-holds-barred look at these peoples' lives, and that is indeed what we get in the half-hour pilot, which could have gone on longer, as far as I'm concerned.
This subject - trying to find the balance between what you get in Life and what you think you wanted - perfectly illustrated by the show's title - has been covered before, many times. But Happyish surprisingly manages to conjure a fresh take on it, because of the individuality of the characters. Good writing, excellent acting, huge watchability factor, with plenty of room to grow, and I am most definitely in.
Coogan's character sets the tone perfectly from the get-go, with his 'f-you' voice-over regarding Mount Rushmore: we know we're in for a no-holds-barred look at these peoples' lives, and that is indeed what we get in the half-hour pilot, which could have gone on longer, as far as I'm concerned.
This subject - trying to find the balance between what you get in Life and what you think you wanted - perfectly illustrated by the show's title - has been covered before, many times. But Happyish surprisingly manages to conjure a fresh take on it, because of the individuality of the characters. Good writing, excellent acting, huge watchability factor, with plenty of room to grow, and I am most definitely in.
A funny critique of contemporary culture
Audrey_L4 June 2015
I've started watching this show yesterday and I'm on 4th episode at the moment. The current rating of 6.9 is too low for this show, IMO. US voters gave lower ratings than those of us who live outside of USA. Maybe it's because Americans don't know Coogan or they don't like to see a Brit in the leading role. I am a big fan of Coogan and he is magnificent in "Happyish". Recently I've seen the actress who's playing his wife in "Transparent", another great new show.
"Happyish" reminds me of Woody Allen's movies, the protagonist is troubled with existential crisis and the show deals with different aspects of media culture, current corporate climate, parenthood and middle age. It gives us a strong social commentary and the critique of contemporary culture. It juxtaposes the new world of young and cocky executives with the world of middle aged people who are trying to find their place in this new and fast-changing world.
When Lee talks about her "bubble", she mentions that she is not on Facebook or Twitter, in that way she protects her family from outside intruders. I like that message a lot. When I think about it, I see a lot of families who share photos of their children on social network sites, some even open Facebook profiles for their newborn babies. People document every mundane experience and post about it - we've became extremely narcissistic and dependent on approval of others through fishing for Facebook "likes" and such. I'm 29 y.o., but I can relate to Mr. and Mrs. Payne a lot more than to any other character on this show.
"Happyish" reminds me of Woody Allen's movies, the protagonist is troubled with existential crisis and the show deals with different aspects of media culture, current corporate climate, parenthood and middle age. It gives us a strong social commentary and the critique of contemporary culture. It juxtaposes the new world of young and cocky executives with the world of middle aged people who are trying to find their place in this new and fast-changing world.
When Lee talks about her "bubble", she mentions that she is not on Facebook or Twitter, in that way she protects her family from outside intruders. I like that message a lot. When I think about it, I see a lot of families who share photos of their children on social network sites, some even open Facebook profiles for their newborn babies. People document every mundane experience and post about it - we've became extremely narcissistic and dependent on approval of others through fishing for Facebook "likes" and such. I'm 29 y.o., but I can relate to Mr. and Mrs. Payne a lot more than to any other character on this show.
A real gem!
hesam_11029 July 2015
It is "different" and does not belong to mainstream and regular type of shows that one may watch. It is not a kind of show that is talked about around water coolers and it is not to everybody's taste. It is not a kind of show that one watches for sheer purpose of entertainment. Not a kind of show that soothes you, either. It is more like a mirror that reflects how we could get lost in banality of life. It is thought provoking, witty, and intelligent. It is truthful, wry, honest, and cerebral. One of the best shows (sadly underrated and overlooked) in the so called "golden age of television", that tries to touch the vexed question of "happiness" in modern world and address the "tragic sense of life" in a roundabout way and blended with humor. To "Showtime" credit, for picking up and making this great show. Bravo Guys!
A 'dudes' 27 year old take on the show...
meltinzone19 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
It 'coitus-word' rocks! Funny, different, awesome, eloquent, reflective of life. It totally resounds with every essence of my fiber. Sublime acting, writing, production quality, sound, they're great.
I 100% get Happyish might not be up everyones 'rear-passage', but really, those people are 'rear-passages'. I can honestly say to this day I don't think another show has nailed existentialism in the delightful ways Happyish does. From the real characters to the witty quips on philosophy, life and religion, it works and provides me with great laughter. Each episode better than the last, with each individually building to a point where you can't help but laugh and laugh and laugh.
It's as though they set out to pack us like a can of sardines, every episode they stuff so many sardines in us that eventually our cans burst and you can no longer help but watch as that joyful laughter escapes. Little sardines just flopping about, helplessly , wait, are sardines little!?
Perhaps my poor recollection of how episode 5 starts =POSSIBLE BRIEF SPOILER JUST AHEAD= will give you a good inclination of the humor this shows exudes, =SPOILER="You know this man, Arthur Miller? He wrote a play, about a miserable salesman who lived a miserable life and ended up killing himself. Thanks Arthur Miller, reminding us of the tragedy, that all life ends in excrement. Worst three 'coitus-word' hours I've spent in a theater. You want tragedy, I can write you tragedy. Tragedy is easy. You don't deserve an award for reminding us of our sad and miserable existence. Tragedy is a given. Make us forget the tragedy, make us laugh at the misery, then you'll deserve an award. Ooooooooh Arthur Miller. 'Coitus-word' You Arthur Miller!"=/SPOILER=
If you're the sort of person who questions life, enjoys a little herb, or just enjoys fresh shows without the need for all the 'bull-excrement', there seems to be a pretty high chance Happyish will fit, snuggly, right up your 'rear-passage'! I'm surprised more people are unaware of the show, living in Australia, I somehow came across it on the internet and then gave it a chance, best thing I ever did. Finally there are others out there who 'get it'. So I'd implore you, give Happyish a shot if any of the above points ring true with your life essence.
Other things I've enjoyed that have a 'somewhat similar' taste include, Bored To Death, I Heart Huckabees. I'm sure there are a lot more, but they are the only two springing to mind at this point.
I eagerly look forward to future seasons!
I 100% get Happyish might not be up everyones 'rear-passage', but really, those people are 'rear-passages'. I can honestly say to this day I don't think another show has nailed existentialism in the delightful ways Happyish does. From the real characters to the witty quips on philosophy, life and religion, it works and provides me with great laughter. Each episode better than the last, with each individually building to a point where you can't help but laugh and laugh and laugh.
It's as though they set out to pack us like a can of sardines, every episode they stuff so many sardines in us that eventually our cans burst and you can no longer help but watch as that joyful laughter escapes. Little sardines just flopping about, helplessly , wait, are sardines little!?
Perhaps my poor recollection of how episode 5 starts =POSSIBLE BRIEF SPOILER JUST AHEAD= will give you a good inclination of the humor this shows exudes, =SPOILER="You know this man, Arthur Miller? He wrote a play, about a miserable salesman who lived a miserable life and ended up killing himself. Thanks Arthur Miller, reminding us of the tragedy, that all life ends in excrement. Worst three 'coitus-word' hours I've spent in a theater. You want tragedy, I can write you tragedy. Tragedy is easy. You don't deserve an award for reminding us of our sad and miserable existence. Tragedy is a given. Make us forget the tragedy, make us laugh at the misery, then you'll deserve an award. Ooooooooh Arthur Miller. 'Coitus-word' You Arthur Miller!"=/SPOILER=
If you're the sort of person who questions life, enjoys a little herb, or just enjoys fresh shows without the need for all the 'bull-excrement', there seems to be a pretty high chance Happyish will fit, snuggly, right up your 'rear-passage'! I'm surprised more people are unaware of the show, living in Australia, I somehow came across it on the internet and then gave it a chance, best thing I ever did. Finally there are others out there who 'get it'. So I'd implore you, give Happyish a shot if any of the above points ring true with your life essence.
Other things I've enjoyed that have a 'somewhat similar' taste include, Bored To Death, I Heart Huckabees. I'm sure there are a lot more, but they are the only two springing to mind at this point.
I eagerly look forward to future seasons!
A fantastical look at middle age relevancy and anti-millennialism.
Nixon_Carmichael10 May 2015
Originally planned with the late and great Phil Hoffman in mind, Steven Coogan has taken up the mantle of the impotent and increasingly overqualified, if self- entitled main character.
We are immediately thrust into the life of Thom Payne, a British (of course) shill for the advertising industry desperately clinging to relevance in a world that is leaving him behind.
After a baffling and somewhat incoherent opening rant against Mount Rushmore we find out that Thom's winter of discontent comes at the hands of his new corporate overlords, half his age, and of course they are portrayed as 20 something, Scandinavian, euro- hipster clones who maliciously forsake everything Thom holds dear in the name of Twitter feeds, YouTube posts and Facebook updates.
Jammed between whimsical scenes of Kathryn Hahn having arguments with her overbearing Yiddish mother (personified by a talking ups package) and a weird scene with Coogan having aggressive sex with an animated keebler elf (yes both of those things actually happen), the breath of fresh air, Bradley Whitford, emerges as Coogan's direct supervisor and voice of reason to Coogan's outlandish antics and tantrums.
The show works, just not the way the creators intended. Rather than a referendum against the Internet age and millennial hipsterism, the show turned out to be the examination of aging Gen-Xers, desperately clinging to relevancy and resisting a world of their own creation.
We are immediately thrust into the life of Thom Payne, a British (of course) shill for the advertising industry desperately clinging to relevance in a world that is leaving him behind.
After a baffling and somewhat incoherent opening rant against Mount Rushmore we find out that Thom's winter of discontent comes at the hands of his new corporate overlords, half his age, and of course they are portrayed as 20 something, Scandinavian, euro- hipster clones who maliciously forsake everything Thom holds dear in the name of Twitter feeds, YouTube posts and Facebook updates.
Jammed between whimsical scenes of Kathryn Hahn having arguments with her overbearing Yiddish mother (personified by a talking ups package) and a weird scene with Coogan having aggressive sex with an animated keebler elf (yes both of those things actually happen), the breath of fresh air, Bradley Whitford, emerges as Coogan's direct supervisor and voice of reason to Coogan's outlandish antics and tantrums.
The show works, just not the way the creators intended. Rather than a referendum against the Internet age and millennial hipsterism, the show turned out to be the examination of aging Gen-Xers, desperately clinging to relevancy and resisting a world of their own creation.
Outstanding Series
Siebert_Tenseven27 February 2017
Maybe it's because I spent nearly 10 years of my life with a NY agency, living Upstate and enduring the same posturing, egotism, back stabbing, corporate takeovers and rampant mental illness that makes me identify strongly with this series. It sure does hit the nail on the head in a big way. What puts the icing on the cake, however, are the fantasy sequences that are included in nearly every episode. They are witty, haunting, and extremely well animated, certainly a big part of what makes this series so much fun to watch. Too bad Happyish wasn't renewed for a 2nd season, but I suspect it was a lot of work producing just one season to begin with. Worth a look!
Tick-Tock Happyish gets shallow fast
lisacarlson5030 July 2016
Certainly Steve Coogan, Kathryn Hahn and Bradley Whitford are talented actors who hoped for so much more. I know my laughing gave way to a sense of despair early. It seems clear why this show was not renewed. There's nothing remotely happy in this adult show. The conversations involving genitalia are what the Millennials find amusing over and over again. Baby Boomers just look ridiculous as some of the conversations are not plausible. A click to the writer's'website, Shalom Auslander says it all. It explains why this show is the way it is. His past interviews explain his perspective. Lots of swearing from episode to episode. The young boy, Sawyer Shipman, who plays their son is adorable.
We live in post-modern era.
pasternakigor16 September 2018
Sorry for cancellation
gzm_Oo1 August 2015
First off all, HAPPYish definitely deserves more than 7 pts. Characters, dialogues, humors... all of them are great. And it is one of the best comedy shows I've ever watched. I could identify myself with Thom and Lee. I can understand their loneliness and the sense of not belonging this planet. Despite everything they want to be happy. Alas they can only be HAPPYish. Also I must say how cute was Julius when he wore Elsa dress and sang "Let It Go".
Consequently, I can't understand the reason that low ratings. I was wondering about season 2, new baby, Thom's job... everything. They shouldn't have canceled this fantastic show. I really got attached to HAPPYish. If you're happy-ish and you know it watch this show and clap your hands for wonderful casting, acting performances and hilarious scenario.
Consequently, I can't understand the reason that low ratings. I was wondering about season 2, new baby, Thom's job... everything. They shouldn't have canceled this fantastic show. I really got attached to HAPPYish. If you're happy-ish and you know it watch this show and clap your hands for wonderful casting, acting performances and hilarious scenario.
Very Happyish
alex-7-23431619 January 2016
One of the most clever, bold, brilliant, modern, unique, smart, excellent TV series I've ever seen. A new concept combining drama (without easy emotional excitement), dark comedy, satire, high quality humor, twists, a radical script and an excellent direction. The type and use of music is marvelous. The basic actors are brilliant, and must admire Steve Coogan (known to many as Alan Partridge) for accepting such a role to enhance his comical talent to another level. If you could remove the American accent and put British instead, you'll have the impression that this is maybe a British series. If you have doubts that all around us is perfect, if you believe that maybe we don't live in a perfect world, if you are tired of all clichés and hypocrisy, and finally if you like real art TV, then you must watch it. No doubt why the series is cancelled in America. It's too bold, perfect, provocative and keen. A masterpiece.
Just Brilliant and philosophical
nobregas200016 May 2021
Happyish is just brilliant in conception and writing. Title suggesting that we are lucky of we achieve a sort of little happiness and more important all the discourse about the tyranny of the ideology of happiness . Coogan brings perfect insights about the stupidity and superficiality of the worlds we live and about what is believed important and meaningful. The series is perfectly written and very philosophical and profound. This is my 3rd viewing and I am still finding brilliances here and there.
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