# ABC's Happy Endings **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 14, 2011, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343 "2011-04-14T07:20:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343/1 "2011-04-14T07:20:46Z")
Who else watched the new sitcom _Happy Endings_? Eliza Coupe, playing a character not that much like Denise in _Scrubs: Med School_; Casey Wilson, proving that she didn’t drop off the edge of the world after leaving _SNL_; some other people, including a Wayans offspring. I liked it. The characters are pretty solidly written, the cast play them reasonably well, the situations are goofy but so far not too annoying for me. But my tastes are non-standard. I love\* Cougar Town\*, and sometimes I’ll watch _Better With You_ as well, which is good in different ways, but _Modern Family_ is between them, & I usually just skip that. I know, sacrilege. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343/2 "2011-04-14T09:23:39Z")
I have recorded it and will give it a go. I like Cougar Town, hated Modern Family and Better With You as well. But I do like sitcoms, so I give all the news a shot. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343/3 "2011-04-14T10:29:38Z")
I liked it. Watched it after Modern Family and I thought the pacing and writing we’re pretty good! ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343/4 "2011-04-14T12:41:30Z")
I didn’t bother watching. When the promote the show using a singularly unfunny line (the “retort” to the woman in the gym), you know the show has to be in trouble if that’s the best they can find. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343/5 "2011-04-14T12:44:12Z")
I thought it ironic that one review they showed compared it to _Friends_, but less white. It’s basically \*Friends \*on film. Left at the altar, white girl w/ cornrowed hair, angst about age and dating competitiveness, 2 characters are siblings, both the black guy and gay guy are novelties who must be commented on in every scene…I could go on but spoil more for those who haven’t watched it. I didn’t bother to finish watching the last, no doubt predictable, 10 minutes. Go away, show about neurotic white people, you do not interest me. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343/6 "2011-04-14T12:52:49Z")
I had just finished watching a DVD last night and flipped on the regular tv right when it started. I got just past the first commercial break when I turned it off. Just awful. ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343/7 "2011-04-14T12:57:51Z")
I watched the first of the two episodes, and found it unfunny and full of unpleasant, unlikeable characters. I put up with unpleasant characters if the show is funny (Curb Your Enthusiasm, etc.), but if there’s no laughs, why bother? ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343/8 "2011-04-14T20:01:47Z")
Whoa. I wouldn’t say the characters are unlikeable. They’re flawed, they’re quirky. Eliza Coupe’s character is a massive worrier and drinks in stressful situations, but she loves her husband and cares about her “harebrained” sister. Also, I have give them points for having an interracial couple on the show. Yes, we as a society are still where that’s noteworthy. Even if her husband is token black guy on a white show, and as written so far, could just as easily be white. I figure they had to get the “hey, I’m gay” stuff established in the pilot. The second episode (which they ran right after) then establishes that the token gay friend isn’t stereotypically gay. I think his gayness is just another potential source of humor, and will get mentioned a lot in shows where they get a running joke from it. I liked the other three characters’ sort of neurotic qualities. It seemed to balance out, each has their moments where they demonstrate some sanity compared to their group, and each gets to be dumb about something. Now, as for the second episode, it may have gone too silly in some ways, but I actually liked the resolution of the “gay husband” arc. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343/9 "2011-04-14T20:04:32Z")
So far it was pretty typical stuff. I didn’t hate it and I’ll watch again, but it wasn’t fantastic. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2011, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343/10 "2011-04-14T20:38:45Z")
Was it just me or did the lead guy (Dave?) look a lot like Matthew Perry? ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343/11 "2011-04-16T02:15:05Z")
Yes. If somehow you actually watched a recording of last week’s _Mr. Sunshine_ instead. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343/12 "2011-04-16T02:33:08Z")
I chuckled about a half-dozen times during the two episodes. That’s not a lot, for sure, but considering most sitcoms don’t even get one \*laugh \*per episode, let alone one chuckle, it was enough that I’ll keep an eye out for further episodes. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343/13 "2011-04-28T08:06:27Z")
I guess I’ll resurrect this thread to note that as of last night’s episode (where Brad’s father, played by Damon Wayans, Sr, appears) I am sold on the “Brad and Jane” (Damon Wayans, Jr/Eliza Coupe) married couple. I think they’re getting that down. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343/14 "2011-04-28T12:06:34Z")
I think Eliza Coupe is sexy and she is one of the reasons I watch. In general I think the show is mediocre but I like sitcoms and there aren’t a lot of great ones on. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343/15 "2011-04-28T12:57:36Z")
Watched one episode. Guy living in the ceiling. Thought it was awful, but most sitcoms are awful when they start so if I hear it gets better I’ll try it again next year. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343/16 "2011-04-28T18:22:13Z")
Based on the episodes so far, I’m of the opinion that _Happy Endings_ is more or less in the middle of the pack compared to the other sitcoms currently on the air. Mind you, there are a lot of bad sitcoms on the air right now. I’d definitely rank it ahead of _Better With You_ and _Rules of Engagement_, for instance, but it’s streets behind _Community_. If the show can’t find its footing, it will wind up as the best “bad sitcom” on the air; if it does find its footing, it could be one of the least good “good sitcoms”. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2011, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343/17 "2011-04-28T23:51:09Z")
> [@Max\_the\_Immortal](#): > > Based on the episodes so far, I’m of the opinion that _Happy Endings_ is more or less in the middle of the pack compared to the other sitcoms currently on the air. Mind you, there are a lot of bad sitcoms on the air right now. I’d definitely rank it ahead of _Better With You_ and _Rules of Engagement_, for instance, but it’s streets behind _Community_. If the show can’t find its footing, it will wind up as the best “bad sitcom” on the air; if it does find its footing, it could be one of the least good “good sitcoms”. Pretty much everything is streets behind Community. In the 2 years it’s been on, it’s developed into pretty much the best sitcom since Arrested Development. This show, it’s not great so far, but it definitely shows some potential. And it’s at least watchable unlike Better With You. Best part so far was when they went meta in, I think episode 2, with a joke about Elisha Cuthbert’s character bringing up the horrible “caught in a trap with a cougar stalking her” plot from 24 season 2. They probably took it a little too far by continuing to joke about her dad stopping terrorists, but I still laughed. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343/18 "2011-04-29T23:06:11Z")
I just watched all five episodes. It gets better. ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343/19 "2011-05-20T22:33:47Z")
Bumping just to say… something seems very groundhog day-ish about this week’s episodes. Are they being shown out of order? Between Dave going to beat up skateboard guy, and the ‘keep Dave and Alex apart’ plot, it seems like these should have been shown immediately after the pilot. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2011, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343/20 "2011-05-20T23:02:45Z")
> [@chrisk](#): > > Bumping just to say… something seems very groundhog day-ish about this week’s episodes. > > Are they being shown out of order? Between Dave going to beat up skateboard guy, and the ‘keep Dave and Alex apart’ plot, it seems like these should have been shown immediately after the pilot. Yeah, kinda pissed me off. These had to be the second and third shot, or very close to it. The showed Dave moving into the crappy apartment, so it was very shortly after the breakup. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abcs-happy-endings/578343.md?page=2)