Happy Endings started in that strange time before everyone had subscriptions to many, many streaming services. Created by David Caspe (Black Monday) the show centres on 6 friends, Alex (Elisha Cuthbert), Dave (Zachary Knighton), Jane (Eliza Coupe), Brad (Damon Wayans Jr), Penny (Casey Wilson) and Max (Adam Pally) all in their late '20s (plot sound familiar?).
Season 1 began in 2011 on the ABC network in the US and the episodes were aired out of order, it had no publicity and then the timeslot moved several times; a true losing combination. While at first glance, the sitcom may look like your typical ‘urban friends hangout’ show (à la Friends) it took that formula and turned it up to absurd levels. It was meta, slightly bizarre and had gag after gag after gag, and who doesn’t love a running gag?
After only 3 seasons it was cancelled in 2013, much to the dismay of its loyal fanbase. Sadly, Happy Endings was ahead of its time. If it had started just a few years later, chances are it would have moved to a streaming service, where its cult audience would have continued to grow. Alas, it was not made for the cut-throat world of network TV.
Which is all to say that it wasn't hard to miss this amazing show back in the day. But in a true happy ending, SBS VICELAND is screening the show from the beginning. If you missed it initially but want to seem like you were all over it back in the day, we have a handy list of quotes you can drop to make you seem like the devoted Happy Endings fan you want others to think that you've always been.
“A-mah-zing”
Penny’s go-to catch phrase, used often and in later seasons made fun of.
“So cute”
Pronounced 'suh cayute’.
“I’m not as dumb as I am”
Aw a classic Alex-ism.
“I’m not controlling, I’m just aggressively helpful”
This quote sums up the consistently in-control Jane perfectly.
“Bitch it is 5:30!”
When Dave is Freddie Kruegering the group with sexy dreams, Brad’s reaction to being woken up so early by Jane’s sexy nightmare is a classic.
“Bitch it is 5:40!”
“Dramaaaaa”
Derrick is initially introduced to Penny by Max. He is the stereotypical sassy gay best friend she thinks she wants and needs. Derrick becomes a recurring character and gifts us with some classic lines like this one that becomes a running gag among all the characters.
“It’s so beautiful”
You may know this as a classic reaction gif. It’s when Alex goes to the cinema to watch a stereotypical rom-com with Brad who is secretly obsessed with rom-coms.
“Get a tan you’re pretty white, you’re like the ghost of Tilda Swinton”
Ooo burn, Brad.
“You shut your whore mouth”
Ooo burn, Max.
“I am gonna go and bawl my eyes out and then I will be back to physically fight you”
We stan our relatable queen Penny after somebody calls her "ma'am" at the gym.
“You know what I was thinking about? If Mary Tyler Moore married and then divorced Steven Tyler, then married and divorced Michael Moore, then got into a three-way lesbian marriage with Demi Moore and Mandy Moore, would she go by the name Mary Tyler Moore Tyler Moore Moore Moore? Hmm”
Straight from the depths of Max’s brain. If you remember this tongue twister no one will doubt your love for the show.
And if you can’t remember it, just drop that you love...
Boyz II Menorah
Max and Brad’s bar mitzvah hype up group.
and
Mandonna
Max’s all-male Madonna cover band.
Watch Happy Endings season 1 - 3 at now or watch on SBS VICELAND 5:00PM Saturday's with 4 episodes back to back.
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