A New Era Continues

2012 may not bring the end of the world, but it certainly may be the end of reality TV. In just the last few years major networks have made great strides to the improve programing rather than rely on all-too-easy reality. Whether these reality replacements are worth watching may be debatable however it’s the effort that should be applauded. On the major networks like ABC and NBC the reality format is even parodied in shows like The Office, and Parks and Recreation, this sort of satirical attack can only mean that Americans no longer want to watch that sort of programing, that we may be bored with the old laugh-track but too smart for wiggly cameras and overblown confessionals. The new sitcom seems to borrow the filmed-on-location look of HBO series and yet keeps the lightheartedness of the sitcom glory days of the 1990s.

ABC premiered a new titled Happy Endings which marks another effort for the network to shy away from dying trends and go back to sitcom roots, a la Modern Family. What this show has to offer is a group of early 30s, Chicagoans dealing with the issues of being single, married and the in-between. The characters are not terribly deep yet, but show the groundwork for development. The pilot opens with a wedding at precisely the moment when Alex, the wife-to-be is to deliver her vows but is interupted by her second thoughts and an unexpected protest. Alex skips the wedding leaving her jaded fiance Dave. Along for the ride are best friends Max, Brad and Penny as well as Alex's settled sister Jane. The rest of the episode finds the friends dealing with Alex and Dave's separation, played by Zachary Knighton and Elisha Cuthbert.

In our PC world this show, akin to other network sitcoms, has its bases covered. There's the openly gay sidekick, Max play by Adam Pally as well as an interacial marriage between Alex's sister Jane and her husband Brad, played by Eliza Coup and Damon Wayans Jr. With distinct characterization this show has the ability to make the characters even more unique as well as flush out compelling and humorous plotlines each week. The show itself is quite funny, the dialogue is fresh however in further episodes the writers would benefit from smoothing out dialogue that occasionally becomes too cluttered.

The acting, while probably not going to garner any emmy nominations, isn't going to offend any ABC fans enough to boycott. Some may remember Casey Wilson from a few seasons back on Saturday Night Live, who's contract was not renewed by the show after her only season. This show could be her second chance at a television career. The actress playing hopelessly single Penny tended to stand out for her comic delivery technique. What this cast will hopefully work on in subsequent episodes is the honest delivery of lines, occasionally the comedy of what the actor was saying was lost in how they were saying it. The show could also keep in mind that the sister characters often look too much alike to be completely distinct, which comes down to wardrobe.

This show is easy to watch in that it's fast paced, funny and a little bit dirty. It's also a show that you won't find yourself lost if you missed last week. The themes are relatable to a vast audience and shouldn't have a problem maintaing a viewership because of its later timeslot of 10 pm. How long can this show last? Well, that's a question for the writers and the talent, how long can any show go for? We've all seen the shows that go on too long and we've all seen the good shows that went off too soon. It’s a little early yet to tell but the rest of the season looks promising.

ABC has truly made a turn around in the past few years with their single-camera, sitcom genre. They may not be throwing in the towel just yet on the overdue Bachelor but Happy Endings is a step in the right direction for the network. What it comes down to is the watchability. For awhile the network struggled with their larger-than-life epic series like Lost and time will only tell what the next genre-of-the-week will be, but for now ABC has a lot of great comedies with a lot of potential.