Home > Happyish > Season 1 « TV Series Page Happyish: Season 1 (2015) Want to see Episode List Season 1 Happyish Critics Consensus Instead of sly and shocking, Happyish comes off as shrill and self-satisfied, despite the efforts of its talented cast. 30% TOMATOMETER Critic Ratings: 40 85% Audience Score User Ratings: 127 See score details Rate And Review Submit review Want to see Edit Submit review Super Reviewer Verified Super Reviewer Verified Edit Super Reviewer Rate this season Oof, that was Rotten. Meh, it passed the time. It’s good – I’d recommend it. Awesome! So Fresh: Absolute Must See! What did you think of this tv season? (optional) Submit Continue Super Reviewer Step 2 of 2 How did you buy your ticket? Let's get your review verified. Submit By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket. Super Reviewer Rate this season Oof, that was Rotten. Meh, it passed the time. It’s good – I’d recommend it. Awesome! So Fresh: Absolute Must See! What did you think of this tv season? (optional) Submit How did you buy your ticket? Submit By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. Episodes 1 Starring Samuel Beckett, Albert Camus and Dr. Alois Alzheimer Air date: Apr 26, 2015 A 44-year-old man's search for happiness makes him miserable. In the opener, Thom comes under pressure to rebrand himself after his agency hires Swedish creative directors to evolve the company. Meanwhile, a headhunter advises Thom to admit he's hit his joy ceiling. More 2 Starring Marc Chagall, Abuela and Adolf Hitler Air date: May 3, 2015 Thom loses his couch and gets a lesson in corporate America from Jonathan that involves German pornography. Meanwhile, the Swedes push a new campaign; and Lee's bubble is invaded when her mother sends Julius a package. More 3 Starring Vladimir Nabokov, Hippocrates and God Air date: May 10, 2015 When Julius gets ill, Thom's Catholicism and the Geico Gecko offer dueling takes on the meaning of suffering. Meanwhile, MGT departments begin the downsizing process. More 4 Starring Sigmund Freud, Charles Bukowski and Seven Billion A**holes Air date: May 17, 2015 Julius gets suspended for hitting Fitzgerald Miller; the Swedes continue to trouble Thom at work; Jonathan introduces the official Nazi handbook at a meeting. More 5 Starring Josey Wales, Jesus Christ and the New York Times Air date: May 24, 2015 Thom gets a life lesson when his train strikes and kills a commuter; Gottfrid questions Thom's priorities when he misses a morning meeting; Lee finds a new studio with a Holocaust survivor landlord. More 6 Starring Helen Keller, Moses and Lenny Bruce Air date: May 31, 2015 A new store at a local mall sends Lee into a tailspin; Thom takes over a campaign and consoles Larry; the Swedes try to steal Lorna while offering Thom another big account. More 7 Starring David Ogilvy, Anton Chekhov and Gluten Enteropathy Air date: Jun 7, 2015 Thom travels to Los Angeles and promises Julius that he will bring him back a toy; Lee gets a new cell phone and comforts Julius when Thom is forced by Gottfrid to stay out of town longer than expected. More 8 Starring Rene Descartes, Adweek and HRH the Princess of Arendelle Air date: Jun 14, 2015 Thom gets forced out of his office to make way for the "Ideation Room"; Lee vents on "Frozen," while helping out as lunch mom, and meets Sandy; James Deen gives three fool-proof tips on success in porn/corporate America. More 9 Starring Mr. Mike, Joseph McCarthy and Alfred Bernhard Nobel Air date: Jun 21, 2015 Thom discovers something terrible about Larry; Lee takes Julius to Hebrew school; Thom meets with Dani for advice. More 10 Starring Christopher Hitchens, Philip Larkin and Josef Stalin Air date: Jun 28, 2015 Season 1 ends with Thom quitting after writing a story involving meaning, underpants, a church and a cop. More Happyish: Season 1 Photos View All Photos (29) Tv Season Info The first and only season of this dark-minded dramedy stars Steve Coogan as Thom Payne and Kathryn Hahn as Lee Payne, a middle-aged couple who struggle to feel genuinely happy with their lives. This raw, comedic take on growing older in a culture obsessed with youth focuses on Thom who works at an advertising agency that enlists the help of young, Swedish creative directors to revamp the company's image. Much like the company, Thom's new boss also encourages him to "rebrand" himself as well. The show also features Bradley Whitford as Jonathan Cooke and Ellen Barkin as Dani Kirschenbloom. Genre: Network: Showtime Premiere Date: Apr 26, 2015 Creator: Shalom Auslander Exec. Producers: Shalom Auslander, Ken Kwapis Cast Steve Coogan as Thom Payne Kathryn Hahn as Lee Payne Bradley Whitford as Jonathan Cooke Ellen Barkin as Dani Kirschenbloom Sawyer Shipman as Julius Payne Nils Lawton as Gottfrid Carrie Preston Molly Price Hannah Hodson as Lorna Kevin Kilner as David Andre Royo Susan Kelechi Watson as Sandy Tobias Segal as Gustaff James Deen as Himself Marsha Stephanie Blake as Michelle Michael Zegen as Atomic Goldfarb Show More Cast News & Interviews for Happyish: Season 1 Critics Consensus: Avengers: Age of Ultron Is Certified Fresh Trailer Bulletin: Flushed Away View All Happyish: Season 1 News Episodes 1 Starring Samuel Beckett, Albert Camus and Dr. Alois Alzheimer Air date: Apr 26, 2015 A 44-year-old man's search for happiness makes him miserable. In the opener, Thom comes under pressure to rebrand himself after his agency hires Swedish creative directors to evolve the company. Meanwhile, a headhunter advises Thom to admit he's hit his joy ceiling. More 2 Starring Marc Chagall, Abuela and Adolf Hitler Air date: May 3, 2015 Thom loses his couch and gets a lesson in corporate America from Jonathan that involves German pornography. Meanwhile, the Swedes push a new campaign; and Lee's bubble is invaded when her mother sends Julius a package. More 3 Starring Vladimir Nabokov, Hippocrates and God Air date: May 10, 2015 When Julius gets ill, Thom's Catholicism and the Geico Gecko offer dueling takes on the meaning of suffering. Meanwhile, MGT departments begin the downsizing process. More 4 Starring Sigmund Freud, Charles Bukowski and Seven Billion A**holes Air date: May 17, 2015 Julius gets suspended for hitting Fitzgerald Miller; the Swedes continue to trouble Thom at work; Jonathan introduces the official Nazi handbook at a meeting. More 5 Starring Josey Wales, Jesus Christ and the New York Times Air date: May 24, 2015 Thom gets a life lesson when his train strikes and kills a commuter; Gottfrid questions Thom's priorities when he misses a morning meeting; Lee finds a new studio with a Holocaust survivor landlord. More 6 Starring Helen Keller, Moses and Lenny Bruce Air date: May 31, 2015 A new store at a local mall sends Lee into a tailspin; Thom takes over a campaign and consoles Larry; the Swedes try to steal Lorna while offering Thom another big account. More 7 Starring David Ogilvy, Anton Chekhov and Gluten Enteropathy Air date: Jun 7, 2015 Thom travels to Los Angeles and promises Julius that he will bring him back a toy; Lee gets a new cell phone and comforts Julius when Thom is forced by Gottfrid to stay out of town longer than expected. More 8 Starring Rene Descartes, Adweek and HRH the Princess of Arendelle Air date: Jun 14, 2015 Thom gets forced out of his office to make way for the "Ideation Room"; Lee vents on "Frozen," while helping out as lunch mom, and meets Sandy; James Deen gives three fool-proof tips on success in porn/corporate America. More 9 Starring Mr. Mike, Joseph McCarthy and Alfred Bernhard Nobel Air date: Jun 21, 2015 Thom discovers something terrible about Larry; Lee takes Julius to Hebrew school; Thom meets with Dani for advice. More 10 Starring Christopher Hitchens, Philip Larkin and Josef Stalin Air date: Jun 28, 2015 Season 1 ends with Thom quitting after writing a story involving meaning, underpants, a church and a cop. More Critic Reviews for Happyish Season 1 All Critics (40) | Top Critics (23) | Fresh (12) | Rotten (28) There are some genuinely funny moments... but these tend to get lost amid the show's onslaught of acid. Apr 27, 2015 | Full Review… Vicki Hyman Newark Star-Ledger Top Critic The half-hour Happyish premiering tonight proves there is such a thing as comedy too dark to qualify as tragicomedy or even dramedy. It ends up being merely a sad, pretentious piece of work, desperate to be taken seriously. Apr 26, 2015 | Full Review… Joanne Ostrow Denver Post Top Critic Happyish has a few genuinely imaginative moments amid its many, many excesses. But in the end, it's too much of a one-note Hell-On-Earth "Greatest Hits" album whose principal characters have the overall appeal of vinegar-drenched cotton candy. Apr 24, 2015 | Full Review… Ed Bark Uncle Barky Top Critic The animation segues -- Payne's alter-egos that torment him or vice versa -- are just a series of elaborate joke setups without punchlines. Apr 24, 2015 | Rating: C+ | Full Review… Verne Gay Newsday Top Critic As rare as its humor can be, it bites with every appearance. Apr 24, 2015 | Rating: B+ | Full Review… Ben Travers indieWire Top Critic Coogan takes over and defines the role beautifully. Apr 24, 2015 | Full Review… Matthew Gilbert Boston Globe Top Critic Happyish spends so much time explaining its point, it never has a chance to make it a part of the show's personality. Mar 12, 2020 | Full Review… Randy Dankievitch TV Over Mind That could work, if this was funny - or even funnyish - but it's just unpleasant, mostly. Aug 31, 2017 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review… Deborah Ross Daily Mail (UK) It's a real mixed bag - brilliant and original in parts, average in others. Apr 26, 2017 | Full Review… Pattie Pegler Stuff.co.nz It has been a long time since I've loathed a TV show as much as I loathed the series premiere of Happyish. Apr 27, 2015 | Rating: 4.9/10 | Full Review… Amy Amatangelo Boston Herald Too much of a vulgar thing turns out to be weak. Apr 27, 2015 | Rating: C | Full Review… Mark A. Perigard Boston Herald If I've left the impression that Happyish isn't a laugh-fest, I've done my job. But the show is not without its pleasures. Apr 26, 2015 | Full Review… Ken Tucker Yahoo! TV View All Critic Reviews (40) Audience Reviews for Happyish: Season 1 Dec 30, 2019 Fabulous show from 2015 that I had no idea existed until the end of 2019. Just finished binge watching it. Hilarious, great food for thought, cynical, but human. I so wish this show had many seasons and will miss it. Probably before it's time. Must learn more about Auslander. Vaughan A Mar 02, 2019 I tried to watch, but after only half of episode 1, I had to stop. I found the language extremely off-putting, especially given the fact that it's spoken in front of these children. I can't believe their parents allowed them to hear this! It seems that the writers thought that if they put enough vile language in it, it would somehow be funny. Glad it was cancelled; no surprise! Donna M Jul 18, 2016 The most cathartic television season I've ever experienced. For anyone sick of all the bull in life trying to be an acceptable adult, a parent, an employee, a citizen...blah blah blah. Not for anyone who likes to think of the world as all roses and kitties and hugs. Cairina M Mar 30, 2016 OMG! Finally a TV Series that points out the ignorance of social following in the world, love this show. We put in Happyish (2015) to watch out of merely something to watch as we went to sleep, well that didnt happen. Once the first episode started we couldnt get enough. Happyish (2015) is a TV Show for the not so Idiocracy side of the world, you know the 10 % that isnt sheep following the simple point click like trends, or should I say following their favorite toilet paper on twitter; gotta love it. Happyish (2015) gets right down to the point and in a very humorous way, beautifully put together with the perfect cast. It doesnt get much better than this. Matty M Jul 09, 2015 Wow, the "critics" sure failed on this one. Perhaps that's why they're critics. If you're so far removed from what the audience thinks, it's probably time to find another job to suck at. Kelly Ann S Jun 29, 2015 I just finished watching the first season of Happyish, and truly hope it is the last. I watched the complete season hoping there would be something to change my opinion. In the end the show is week to week complaints about everyone else, and everything. A constant explosion of how everyone except for this Woodstock couple and their close friends are idiots. Yet, after constant complaints how their lives are so unhappy. Their solution, well there is none. Now for the frosting on the cake of this horrible show, the season finale. Finally he has the balls to do one should have been done in episode 1, quit your his freaking job. Yet, the writer or creator comes up with his wife is pregnant so he is stuck. Really!!! Really!! How do you get a Showtime series with this crappy writing and plots? Well, thank goodness. Ray Donavan will be on again soon. Dave G Jun 29, 2015 How odd that 82% of regular people like Happyish yet the "official critics" panned it. Doesn't that say something about how critics are just people with the same measure of opinion as anyone? They just know how to write their opinions down on paper better than the average person and/or get jobs to do it. Happyish is mostly great! The only criticism for me, is the fantasy alter-ego imagination that is thrown into each half hour episode. It takes away from the actual show and some episodes are reduced down to about only 15 minutes of great material. There are so many tragically comedic and ironically familiar scenes. great job Shalom A!! Yay!-Fuk-Yay!-Fuk-Yay! Eve A Jun 23, 2015 Good thing I do not follow the critics advice, my life would truly suck worse than it already does, and I probable would put a gun in my mouth. The Best 30 minute comedy on TV period. Surpasses Californication by miles. Lucian T Jun 19, 2015 As someone who has been on the creative side of advertising working as an AD and CD on big and well-known brands for over 20 years, this show is the first real accurate portrayal of what it's like to work in a contemporary ad agency since Thirty-Something. And it's poignant and hilarious . I am so surprised at the poor reviews from critics. As are many of my talented fellow creatives who have worked on accounts such as Keebler and Coca Cola (and have written for television sitcoms too). I can only assume the critics, who may know what it's like to be in the entertainment industry, have no real idea of what it's like to be in the ad industry. And therefore fail to see the humor in it. Laura S Jun 14, 2015 The funniest show I've seen in a long time. Screw the critics. This is a smart, funny show, well written and acted. 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