Last night, ABC premiered their new Happy Town TV show. Despite the cute name, the series isn’t a happy go-lucky sitcom but is actually a dark murder-mystery drama. Most importantly, will ABC be happy enough with the ratings to keep it on the air?
Happy Town takes place in a small Minnesota community called Haplin that, years ago, was plagued by unsolved kidnappings. Now, a horrific murder puts everyone on edge once again and uncovers deep feelings and resentments. Has the mysterious “Magic Man” returned to claim more victims? From the creators of October Road, this series features Sam Neill, M.C. Gainey, Geoff Stults, Lauren German, Amy Acker, Steven Weber, Ben Schnetzer, Sarah Gadon, Jay Paulson, and Robert Wisdom.
After receiving mostly moderate to negative reviews, Happy Town debuted to weak numbers. Per the overnights, the ABC premiere attracted a disappointing 1.7 rating in the 18-49 demo and just 5.23 million viewers. That put the series in second place in the demographic and third place in total viewers.
Those numbers also represent a loss of nearly 40% in the demo from lead-in Cougar Town and a 20% loss in total audience. What’s more, last week’s disappointing Ugly Betty finale did better with a 1.8 rating and 5.56 million. On top of that, a sizable amount of the Happy Town audience tuned out before the first episode was even over, likely meaning they won’t be back next week.
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A new show typically loses at least 10-15% of its audience in week two and Happy Town hardly has any viewers to spare. As you might have guessed, none of this is a good sign for the show’s future.
Eight episodes have been filmed and hopefully, ABC will air them all. If the ratings fall as expected however, the network could pull the series early. Unless these ratings get a lot better, it’s highly unlikely that ABC will want to go back to Happy Town next season.
But, what do you think? Is Happy Town worth watching or should it just be cancelled now? If you watched, what did you like or dislike about it?
Image courtesy ABC.
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why does ABC have to be so famous for starting shows then cancelling them? If you cancell, then you ought to let the viewers at least watch out the season on line. Makes me noit wanbt to watch new show oin ABC as they are starting to get famous for this. They apparently are doing the same with Scroundrels !!!!
at least end the show,do’nt leave us hanging.
I agree with Mary don’t leave us hanging . I loved the show… there isn’t much on tv worth watching but was a good show. Loved everything about it.
I watched all of the episodes over HULU and thought the new series was great. Sam Neill is marvelous in this role. Sell it to Sci-fi Channel, as they have developed a following that will appreciate this ill-named series.
I think that its damn ignorant of any network to suck you in on what seems and ends up being a worthwhile show, that draws you in week to week and makes you look forward to seeing it again and then yanks it away. bravo ABC you took away Flashforward too. I shoulda known better than any other to count on you. you not only lost 2 nights of my viewership , but my intent on reminding my friends to never,ever,ever to watch any show that is serial, cuz they will be wasting there time and yet still filling your pockets. Oh, and I mean it. I am actually starting a facebook campaign against you and your unfair practices towards your faithful viewers. shame on you. and damn you too.
Did I sound mad? My girlfriend is worse . You”re in big trouble now!
i want happy town back, watched all 8 episodes on line and want some closure, is this based on a novel that i can read
to whom it may concerned: i would like to see happy town come back, because i really like it it puts me in the mind of twin peaks a little.great story nice mystery also like an x file, ya know.it seems to me every time something comes on tv thats interesting it gets taken off before you know it.why dont you do it like harpers island .finnish running it but cut it short.i think people will be happy with that.just as long as your up front with the people to begin with. i just loved harpers island ,ii just hated it being cut short but stll loved it . got my ending and thats what people want with happy town.
I have never heard of this show in my whole life so it must not be good or I would have heard about it
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