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Apr 12, 2011 Web Exclusive By Lily Moayeri

This midseason sitcom from ABC gamely attempts to fill in the six empty spots left by the long departed Friends. In one of the better pilots seen for a long while, we are brusquely thrust into two of the six Happy Endings’ friends’ wedding: Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) and Dave (Zachary Knighton). Despite the overused cliché of said wedding being aborted by some random dude on rollerblades confessing his love for Alex (Friends’ Rachel and Barry anyone?), what follows is some genuinely clever humor. Delivered by the gay friend, Max (Adam Pally), the desperate single friend, Penny (Casey Wilson), the married couple friends: token African American Brad (Damon Wayans Jr.) and perfectionist Jane (Eliza Coupe), as well as Alex and Dave, the dialogue is snappy yet natural with relatable, current references.

The multiple storylines of each episode and defined characters keep you interested. In the pilot alone, there is a pre-pregnancy cleanse (“I’ve had pure evil coming out of both ends of my body for three weeks.”), Alex’s post-honeymoon Bo Derek braids (Monica anyone?), getting Dave post-jilted sex (“Do you know how hard it is to get slut out of Egyptian cotton?”), giving Alex a reality check at the gym (“There’s nothing better out there, trust me, it’s just a bunch of poor guys with weird sexual stuff—and even when you do it, they still don’t call.”), and Penny’s 30th birthday and potential new boyfriend first date for whom she is pretending to be turning 26 and Jewish. The awkwardness of being left at the altar is unrealistically bypassed in favor of these six maintaining their co-dependent connection. It is done so, however, with enough believable banter—with a few too many, thinly veiled racial and anti-semitic comments (“The only single people in the suburbs are pedophiles and lesbian guidance counselors.”)—that you almost accept it could happen.

The conversation in following episodes isn’t as well constructed. The punchlines are accompanied by painful attempts at physical comedy, which leave one confused and slightly embarrassed at having witnessed it. The most instinctual in comedic delivery is Saturday Night Live alum Wilson. Wilson’s honed chops make the overzealous efforts of her castmates seem even clunkier than they already are. With some more practice at the comedy and a return to the observant tone of the pilot, Happy Endings could be a real contender for the Friends space. (www.abc.go.com/shows/happy-endings)

Author rating: 6/10