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.
Happy Town is like Twin Peaks Light, I liked it interesting characters, hopefully they will show all 8 episodes they filmed.
At least let the show run its course. I enjoyed it. The show reminds me of Twin Peaks in a way. I think if given a chance to build up a following it will be successful. However the networks seem to feel that if a show isn’t number one in the ratings in the first week they ned to pull it. Perhaps this show would be better off on syfi or chiller cable networks. I’ll stay witht the show, low ratings or not, for at least the eight shows already made.
Great theme reminiscent of Twin Peaks. Spooky and fun at the same time. The previous reviewers don’t get it!!! There are a lot of great nuance that minute minds don’t perceive nor understand.
P.S. I agree with the others – stop sucking us in to these types of shows and then canceling them. I think all shows of this nature should be required to have a SERIES FINALE if canceled (like Jericho, Life on Mars). It’s only fair to the viewers.
Just watched in on DVR. LOVED IT! I love weird, creepy, inexplicable shows! I’m hooked already!
I think it could be something like Harpers Island, but I don’t know how the show will keep going. I really enjoyed the first episode, and look forward to watching it.
I just caught Happy Town on my PVR, and I rather enjoyed it. Sure, there were some shortcomings to the series, but I think it was enough of an intriguing start that could have a lot of potential. Despite feeling that they wanted to cram in as many mysteries into the pilot as possible, I think that it’s a good blueprint to the first season and I’m eager to learn the answers to the questions raised. I’m hoping that they’ll give it a chance to build an audience and to fine tune the show because I’d definitely be up for… Read more »
I agree. Harpers island was awesome !
I totally thought this was going to be a series like “Harper’s Island”! If it would become something like that, I think it really has potential. And what’s wrong with eerie and dark? Eerie and dark is awesome!
Happy Town was a fantastic pilot and a great quality follow-up series to Lost, and also deeply rooted in traditions of shows that are heavily influenced (in a good way) by Twin Peaks. I think its pathetic that anyone is talking about canceling a series that JUST aired. Give it a few weeks for god’s sake!
I actually thought Happy Town was really good. As a LOST fan, it was great to see my old buddy Tom Friendly. I’m dissappointed that they won’t get the time to tell the story like they had planned.
I was hoping that Happy Town was going to be like Harper’s Island! Instead of some ongoing story that they just have to keep changing because they don’t get canceled, like Lost. i think if ABC goes in that direction with it, the following will pick up. Everyone I talked to was thrilled when they saw the previews… We will all discuss it tonight.. but am thinking its going to be a disappointment now that we know they want a long series out of it… Bring us back something like Harper’s Island !
See – I hate this… I actually liked Happy Town – now with these ratings I will NOT tune in again…. I am sick of getting “sucked” into these shows and then the network pulls them – just like Eastwick…. eff these a-holes at these networks making stupid decisions…. soooooooo sick of it!!
Too violent and eerie. I don’t want to watch something that is going to give some unbalanced person more crazy gory ideas!
You watch the news and it gives people crazy gory ideas!
Happy Town is a huge flop. Run from this show,its terrible
Agreed. Far more boring than the teasers ABC was putting out there would lead viewers to believe.