Happyish

:

Season 1
  • Network: SHOWTIME
  • Series Premiere Date: Apr 26, 2015
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 39
  3. Negative: 8 out of 39
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Buy on
Stream On
Stream On

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. BogKid
    Apr 27, 2015
    3
    I'm as liberal as the next guy. I'm certainly not a prude, but whoever wrote this show must have kept by his side the American Dictionary of Curses and Profanities. Sure everybody throws one into the conversation now and then. I sure do, but the profane (can't think of a better word) comments came so thick and fast in the opening kitchen scene that it became ridiculous and, oh yes,I'm as liberal as the next guy. I'm certainly not a prude, but whoever wrote this show must have kept by his side the American Dictionary of Curses and Profanities. Sure everybody throws one into the conversation now and then. I sure do, but the profane (can't think of a better word) comments came so thick and fast in the opening kitchen scene that it became ridiculous and, oh yes, damned annoying.

    The writer is trying to surprise you by telling you that life under the white collar is not so great. In fact the best you can probably hope for is "Happy-ish". Creativity only exists under age 25. After age 40 your brain is dead anyway. The show is negative, negative, negative. It is also a good argument (if it were really true) to never cross the Hudson River into that urban asylum of hopelessness. I really did not like this show. I told my DVR to f--- "Happy-ness".    … Expand
  2. cindysandiego
    Jun 1, 2015
    1
    I didn't even get through the first episode. One guy referred to another guy's young kid as an **** which the father agreed with. Then two couples were graphically describing and critiquing another woman's (not present) vagina. Hilarity ensued. This scene was arguably misogynistic and definitely rude. I'm guessing the writers think they're being modern and edgy? Yuck.
  3. Knighthawk81
    Apr 27, 2015
    3
    Sometimes you have an idea, you're working on a project and something goes wrong. "Happyish" was a pilot that was filmed and ready to go, starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman, when he died. Showtime kept the show alive and re-worked the pilot, this time with Steve Coogan. The problem is the end result feels forced. It feels uneven, and there's a question about what the end goal is. I can'tSometimes you have an idea, you're working on a project and something goes wrong. "Happyish" was a pilot that was filmed and ready to go, starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman, when he died. Showtime kept the show alive and re-worked the pilot, this time with Steve Coogan. The problem is the end result feels forced. It feels uneven, and there's a question about what the end goal is. I can't help but wonder if I would feel differently about this pilot with its original cast and crew. As it is, it's hard to see this show lasting.… Expand
  4. rachiebabie
    Jul 11, 2016
    3
    In Happyish we follow protagonist Thomas Pain who is a depressing character that is mildly interesting. I know that Philip Seymour Hoffman was supposed to star in this series and I think he would have executed this character differently. He has a nuance about him or maybe it was just Hoffman's face that made him likeable and I think that likeability factor is important when you're playingIn Happyish we follow protagonist Thomas Pain who is a depressing character that is mildly interesting. I know that Philip Seymour Hoffman was supposed to star in this series and I think he would have executed this character differently. He has a nuance about him or maybe it was just Hoffman's face that made him likeable and I think that likeability factor is important when you're playing a depressed/hopeless character because it makes the audience root for you instead of being indifferent, which is sadly how I felt about Thomas Pain. This show was trying too hard to be funny. I really did not enjoy the voice over as it seemed overly written and contrived. Although, I didn't find the pilot entertaining or redeeming in anyway to continue watching the series, I was left with one thought that is worth contemplating...can happyness be attained by applying the "fake it till you make it" attitude? The optimist in me wants to scream "yes."… Expand
  5. Ekhart
    Apr 23, 2019
    1
    A litany of negativity and the cringy philosophy of a lost 40-something who has nothing but vitriol for the new digital society. Comes off as very immature, trying to impress the viewer with its constant edginess. The worst part however is the constant narcissism. The MC swears and throws tantrums to get attention at any moment. I really wonder what the creator's intention was, because atA litany of negativity and the cringy philosophy of a lost 40-something who has nothing but vitriol for the new digital society. Comes off as very immature, trying to impress the viewer with its constant edginess. The worst part however is the constant narcissism. The MC swears and throws tantrums to get attention at any moment. I really wonder what the creator's intention was, because at best it shows comically disgusting humans we should all be afraid to become. Absolutely no redeeming qualities. An epithet of self-loathing and hatred to the completely caricatured young.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
49

Mixed or average reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 31
  3. Negative: 5 out of 31
  1. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Vicki Hyman
    Apr 27, 2015
    42
    Hoffman was replaced by the talented British comic actor Steve Coogan, and I can't fault his performance. I can fault Auslander for writing Thom as a sanctimonious, pedantic, needling, incessantly outraged man of privilege and then expecting us to care about him.
    Read full review
  2. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Apr 27, 2015
    50
    After three episodes, my head is bumping against my joy ceiling--with Happyish.
    Read full review
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    Apr 27, 2015
    40
    The show is very much about Thom and his "struggles," which are far too often presented in a series of high-decibel, gratuitously profane diatribes about the habits of others without benefit of anything remotely resembling personal perspective.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »