Happy Town

:

Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Apr 28, 2010
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 27
  3. Negative: 6 out of 27
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Critic Reviews

  1. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    83
    The show's an enjoyable diversion.
  2. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Storm
    80
    Some viewers will wrongly believe they need this absorbing and thoroughly entertaining show like a hole in the head.
  3. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Paige Wiser
    75
    All the doom and dread is diverting enough, but the real mystery is this: Will "Happy Town" turn out to be something original -- or just a medley of Freddy Krueger's greatest hits?
  5. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    75
    More accessible than “V” or “FlashForward,” “Happy Town” shows a sure hand with pacing and knows how to end an hour with a powerful cliffhanger.
  6. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    70
    Even as you may be tempted on occasion to roll (or close) your eyes, it’s hard not to be drawn in at least partway.
  7. Philadelphia Daily News
    Reviewed by: Ellen Gray
    70
    A cut above "Harper's Island," which started off amusingly, but ended badly, "Happy Town" boasts some serious mojo in Sam Neill.
  8. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Jessica Shaw
    67
    I snickered through about half of the premiere of this dark-doings-in-a-small-town show from some of the folks who brought you October Road. But by the end, it had earned its florid melodrama.
  9. San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times
    Reviewed by: Chuck Barney
    67
    If you're a sucker for tangled mysteries--and are in need of a few heebie-jeebies--the show has enough oomph to its early episodes to suck you in.
  10. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Peter Swanson
    63
    While it's nowhere close to brilliant, Happy Town's unpredictability makes it watchable--at least for now.
  11. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    63
    Not so happily, "Happy Town," is even more clichéd -- like "Scream."... [But] after you sit through a few episodes, it does get better, and the first-rate cast is a pleasure to watch.

Awards & Rankings

95
#95 Best TV Season of 2010
85
#85 Most Discussed TV Season of 2010
77
#77 Most Shared TV Season of 2010

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. jmdebb
    Mar 30, 2018
    10
    This show was terrific, I loved it. They did a great job at keeping you interested in it. I can't believe it was cancelled so soon.
  2. BrentA
    Apr 30, 2010
    9
    I was impressed with the 1st episode. Can't wait to get more answers.
  3. JohnnyW.
    Apr 29, 2010
    8
    The first episode really appealed to me. A little Twin Peaks feeling, but nowhere so extreme on the weird factor. Dialogue is a bit stinted The first episode really appealed to me. A little Twin Peaks feeling, but nowhere so extreme on the weird factor. Dialogue is a bit stinted in places, but I get the impression it's intentional and I found it added to the 'something's not quite right" feeling. Loved the characters, liked the variety of storylines introduced and looking forward to more.… Full Review »
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