Steve Coogan
Kathryn Hahn
Bradley Whitford
Ellen Barkin

Created by:
Shalom Auslander

Comedy, Drama
2015-
Showtime

TV-MA

If you throw “Mad Men” into a “Togetherness” blender and grind it up, the likely result will be Showtime’s “Happyish.” But “Happyish” isn’t as singular as those two shows. It has enough style and pace, and the acting … the acting is top-notch thanks to its cast, which is chock full of acting veterans. But the material, the writing, is weak. The concept is good, but the writing is stale. This kind of show needs sharp material, and this cast deserves it. But what they have is an attempt at edginess instead of something inspired. (For instance, the characters’ conversations with cartoon versions of inanimate objects seem forced.)

Will this turn into something? After watching the first two episodes, I have no idea, but I doubt it – the second episode is worse than the first. The problem with casting strong actors is that they can highlight the flaws in the writing as they attempt to elevate it (see Netflix’s “Grace and Frankie”). Good writing doesn’t just happen, and this show may actually need great writing to click. It’s fine and all, but it just doesn’t land.

Verdict: OK

About: (Source: happyish)

Thom Payne is a 44 year-old man whose world is thrown into disarray when his 25 year-old “wunderkind” boss arrives, saying things like “digital,” “social” and “viral.” Is he in need of a “rebranding,” or does he just have a “low joy ceiling?” Maybe pursuing happiness is a fool’s errand? Maybe, after 44 years on this ludicrous planet, settling for happyish is the best one can expect. Bitingly funny and raw, HAPPYish features a stellar cast led by Steve Coogan, Kathryn Hahn, and Bradley Whitford.