Happy Town: thumbs up or down?

[Temis the Vorta]

I didn't know what to expect from this - maybe a Harper's Island misfire where you instantly hate almost all of the silly, cliched characters? Check out the 15 min preview and vote whether you'll give Happy Town a shot on April 28 (ABC).

I'll spoiler code my reaction...

Spoiler: 15 min preview

Worried about the horror-movie setup...if the blonde gets it, that's it for me. Bad sign when they stumble immediately into a cliche. But good for them, the scenario played out in a way that, while not a real grabber, at least wasn't what I was expecting. I like that the blonde decided not to bother investigating the screams because it started raining. Nice!

Then we proceed to the part that is always going to be tough to get through: introducing all the characters, who are either going to seem silly or shallow at this point in the story. This is where the casting can make or break a show, since the writing will need time to develop the characters and take over its share of the job of hanging onto the audience.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that overall, the casting is up to the task. I particularly liked the father & son cops. Steven Weber as the local malcontent (and counterintuitively, not an outsider but apparently the descendant of the founders) also looks promising. I even liked the over-the-top realtor lady and the two local schmoes in the bar. Reminds me of Jericho, but without any obvious "gah, I hate that actor" types in the mix.

Also delivered a lot of nice little details that add up to a dysfunctional, claustrophobic little town. The "?" symbols were a bit trite, seen that sort of thing too much in TV shows, but I really liked the bread factory looming over the town. Who wouldn't like nice fresh baked bread? Can't be anything nasty going on up there, right?

Verdict: the preview motivated me to watch the whole 15 minutes (I was expecting to watch maybe five and then get bored) so I'll give the premiere a chance. Definitely better than I expected.

 

[Bad Bishop]

Happy Town is worth a look, especially if it aspires to be the next Harper's Island (which is unfairly maligned by Temis at every opportunity).

 

[Temis the Vorta]

It was also unfairly maligned by the Nielsens.

But I did come back to see the final eps. Once they'd cleared out the deadwood actors, it got lots better. I particularly liked Christopher Gorham, who is in a different show now - Covert Affairs - which I think is premiering this summer on USA. I'll post about it in Gen Media when I see the airdate.

 

[Bad Bishop]

It was also unfairly maligned by the Nielsens.

Sad but true.

But I did come back to see the final eps. Once they'd cleared out the deadwood actors, it got lots better. I particularly liked Christopher Gorham, who is in a different show now - Covert Affairs - which I think is premiering this summer on USA. I'll post about it in Gen Media when I see the airdate.

Nice to know that you tuned in for the conclusion. I appreciate Harper's Island for introducing me to actress Elaine Cassidy (Abby Mills).

 

[StarshipDefiant]

I'll give it a go, Amy Acker is gonna be in it, and I am familiar with several others in it as well (both the original and recast)

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I'll give it a go, Amy Acker is gonna be in it, and I am familiar with several others in it as well (both the original and recast)

Was Amy Acker one of the characters in the preview clip?

 

[StarshipDefiant]

I didn't watch the preview, probably should :P I'd be able to tell if i had, but she is one of the people in it. Here's a couple images that may or may not help tho, as they are apparently pilot stills. I've read her role doesn't seem to be much, but whatever it is, it was enough so she couldn't film to much for Dollhouse season 2 (bah).

 

[God Magnus]

Hmmmm...there's just enough wackiness and weirdness in the first fifteen minutes to justify a look at the full pilot at least. Good to see some familiar faces as well.

 

[Kirkman1987]

I'll be giving it a shot. It has a bit of a Twin Peaks vibe that intrigues me.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Can't wait it in the UK. So I guess I'll have to wait and see if it gets picked up by a channel I can watch it on.

 

[Starbreaker]

Not gonna watch the preview, but I will watch the premier.

 

[CaptainWacky]

I'M IN.

 

[JD]

I haven't had a chance to check out the 15 minute preview yet, but the trailers and intrigued me, and I like alot of the actors involved, so I will definitely be checking them out soon. Hmm, just looked it up, and aparently the writers/producers are the same guys behind the US Life on Mars, which I loved, so my level of interest just shot up by quite a bit.

 

[Othello]

I know I'll definitely give it a shot. I actually like Harper's Island even with it's flaws. Plan on getting the DVD set soon. I'll definitely give it a shot and hope I enjoy it.