The curated portfolio of film journalist Joe Lipsett
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Just in case you didn’t know, there’s a little thing called the US Presidential Election that’s mucking with the primetime television schedule tonight. Sorry Ebony and Ebony fans, there will be no ah-mah-zing times with the Happy Endings crew tonight. Go vote instead! And be sure to keep Penny’s (Casey Wilson) reproductive rights in mind when you check the ballot, especially those of you unwindulaxing in the swing state of Florida!
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In this week’s cold open, we are treated to a Halloween theme and a running Latoya Jackson joke. What is this, 1993? Luckily for us the joke is laid to rest and the episode is able to take flight. Let’s review. [Read more…]
Well here we are. Season three of our beloved Happy Endings is back. Season two had great highs and a few lows, but would season three hook us back in? Spoiler alert….it totally does! Let’s bitch!
The last time we checked in with our gang, Penny (Casey Wilson) Skype flirted with Kent (Brian Austin Green), Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) and Dave (Zachary Knighton) started sleeping together and Brad (Damon Wayans Jr.) lost his job. Well the first episode opens with Kent proposing to Penny…to base jump off a skyscraper. Penny instead takes the stairs, and then trips and falls down severely “scathing” herself. Luckily for her friends and us, she had a camera on her helmet and recorded her fall from grace…get it? Cause she’s not graceful…I’ll let that one sit with you for a bit.
This kicks-off Max (Adam Pally) and Penny’s storyline. Two of my favorite characters, in my least favorite storyline of the episode. Not that it’s bad…it just feels forced. While watching I could see how there was a great idea behind it but it just falls apart in the execution. I love the idea of Max Miserying Penny, but at times it falls flat. After so many Misery spoofs you need to bring something new to it; it needs to feel fresh. Wilson and Pally obviously deliver with what little they are given and I always enjoy seeing Max flirt with a hot physical therapist, Kent (Matthew Del Negro). Max seriously needs to find a boyfriend in season three. Maybe bring Grant (James Wolk) back? Just putting that out there…
Meanwhile Alex and Dave announce to the group that they are now casually dating. This coincides with Dave’s new casual haircut. And by casual I mean he looks like Justin Bieber’s father. While I know there are many Dave and Penny fans out there, I actually like Alex and Dave together because I think they’re a totally cute couple. It’s fun to see the two of them try to keep it casual while trying to deny the fact that it is pretty serious. Side note: I am loving the tough girl schtick that Alex dips into every so often. Every time Alex gets tough it just makes me smile. (Bring back bully Alex!!!)
Courtesy of ABC
And then there’s Brad and Jane (Eliza Coupe). The MVPs of last season show no signs of letting up. ‘Cazsh Dummy Spillionairs’ finds Brad adjusting to losing his job by faking being a stay at home husband while sneaking out to a new job. This is by far the best storyline of the night, and it features a new character I hope will be recurring throughout the season: Sinbrad. Clearly the wooden doll combines two of my favorite things: ventriloquism and a 90s sensibility. Coupe and Wayans Jr. nail their bits (of course). I especially love the revealing bathtub scene. That Coupe is one ballsy actress…wait, what? But most of all, what hit it out of the park for me is the big finale. Brad and Sinbrad’s duet of Ebony…and Ebony: brilliant.
Other observations:
Best lines of the episode:
What did you think of the S3 premiere? Did you like Sinbrad? Are you happy Alex and Dave are still together? Think we should have seen more of the hot physical therapist? Let us know in the comments below
Happy Endings airs Tuesdays at 9pm EST on ABC
We’ve played in the sun. We’ve taken vacations. We took in some conferences, some film festivals and we’ve watched some marvelous summer TV.
But let’s get serious because the fall is upon us. The glorious, beautiful fall television season. It’s a time when seemingly half a dozen shows debut each day, and shiny newbies compete with old favourites for the valuable real estate we affectionately refer to as your eyeball time and your DVR/TIVO space.
So tag along with us as we guide you through what we’re going to watch this fall…
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I will admit I was a little misty eyed watching the season finale of Happy Endings. Maybe it was because I knew I won’t see another new episode until the fall, or perhaps it was because I always cry at weddings. It could also have been the sweet “maybe” reunion of Dave (Zachary Knighton) and Alex (Elisha Cuthbert), but most likely it was the beautiful rendition of ‘Like a Prayer’ from one of my favorite boy bands, Mandonna. God Bless Pitchy Pete! (Eat your heart out The Wanted!)
Let’s discuss. [Read more…]
Courtesy of ABC
Jane (Eliza Coupe) is pregnant, Dave (Zachary Knighton) is dying, Penny (Casey Wilson) has some sort of foot fungus and Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) is a lesbian. Now before you start asking where Fauxlivia is, it’s just another episode of Happy Endings where Penny says a tiny white lie that snowballs into a house of lies.
Let’s discuss! [Read more…]