There was at least a little positive news to come out of ABC after a flurry of cancellations. The network has renewed newbie sitcom Happy Endings for a second season.
Happy Endings follows a young group of friends whose relationship is put in jeopardy after the couple that brought them together break up at the altar. Fortunately, Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) and Dave (Zachary Knighton) remain friends but there’s plenty of awkwardness ahead for them and their friends; Max (Adam Pally), Brad (Damon Wayans, Jr.), Jane (Eliza Coupe), and Penny (Casey Wilson).
The sitcom debuted very late in the season, usually an indication that the network execs have little faith in a project. Happy Endings premiered at 10pm on April 13th to a decent 2.8 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 7.3 million viewers. The second episode, airing at 10:30pm, dropped to a 2.3 rating and 5.7 million.
Viewers aren’t used to seeing sitcoms at that hour and ABC likely needed something to fill the hour. After all, all but one of ABC’s new dramas failed this season so they had few choices.
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Subsequent episodes of Happy Endings have fallen to some serious lows, hitting a 1.4 demo rating and 3.26 million viewers. Ordinarily, that would be an easy cancellation. However, ABC execs are said to really like the series and likely feel that it didn’t get a fair shot.
Each season, the network gives one or two struggling shows a second chance and that appears to be what has saved Happy Endings. There’s also word that ABC’s considering a second night of comedies so, if that happens, they’ll need shows to fill those slots.
Of the renewal, Happy Endings creator David Caspe told Zap2it that he was very grateful for the renewal since, “I’m very aware that it does not usually go this way.” He noted that they don’t know the details yet, saying, “We don’t know when or how many or anything… but at this point I’m just so happy to get the opportunity to keep going.”
What do you think? Are you glad that Happy Endings will be back for season two? Do you think it just needs time to catch on?
Wondering where the rest of your shows stand? Check our ABC cancel/renew page.
Image courtesy ABC.
It’s on my DVR so I’m really glad it got renewed. It sort of reminds me of Friends. It could totally use a better hour though. It’s on pretty late for a sit-com. The writing could be a little funnier at times. The only shows that have me laughing these days are Modern Family, cannot stress how HILARIOUS this show is, and Cougar Town at times.
I really like this show, it reminds me of friends alot. I happy it didn’t get canceled.
I’m really pleased that this show was given a second season. I think it will allow all of the characters to grow. Out of all of the rom coms this season (Perfect Couples, Traffic Light, Better with you) this was by far my favorite.
I think the cast as a whole is a great ensemble and there is no character that really shines before the rest. Plus they choose such great topics for their episodes (loved them making fun of hipsters)
I have to say that I am glad they renewed the show. But at the same time am upset that Off the map and Better With you both got cancelled. Wish they had given them a chance, but ABC tends to pull the plug on a lot of their shows really quick. Outside of giving a few chances.
I love this show. I think it is by far my favorite show of the entire 2011 season.
I am more astonished that Ashley and Jason give the show such high praise in their posts than that the show was given a second season. This show is the most mediocre sitcom on any of the stations. ABC keeping it just shows that ABC is working overtime to remind people that FOX and the CW are better network stations than ABC.
Oh well, at least FlashForward’s Zachary Knighton got a happy ending. Heh heh.
Oh geez, I can’t believe this is the network that cancelled Breaking In and V. Wasn’t Happy Endings universally panned? Oh well.
This show is incredible! It is my absolute favorite comedy that is on now! I look forward to this show every week now and am thrilled it is back next year!
How did they cancel Better with you and renew this show? Really I don’t get it. This just barely decent honestly and they axed a much better show and renewed this one? Really, I’m clueless.
I absolutley love this show. I think the cast is great and very quick on their toes and witty. I have never laughed so hard. I am sso glad that they picked up a seconnd season. I think they should move cougar town to the 10:30pm slot and put Happy Endings there. I hope this show stays for a while.
Must… resist… temptation… to make pun on “happy ending”…
I like the revival of the nineties-syle sitcom (without any stupid corny humor or laugh tracks, of course). It’s really quite funny, and hey, Seinfeld was in the exact same situation after its first few episodes and look what happened to it!
It’s an OK show but I would rather see them keep Off the Map.
I normally hate shows of this genre, but there is something about Happy Endings that makes it stand out. I’m glad it is renewed!