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'Happy Endings' creator David Caspe on Season 2 renewal: 'Very aware that it does not usually go this way'
A modest ratings performer that premiered quite late in the season, "Happy Endings" seemed like a long shot for a Season 2 renewal.
But the freshman comedy was one of the few "bubble" series on ABC to get good news when the network started handing out orders and cancellations on May 13.
Zap2it spoke with creator David Caspe just after he received confirmation of the renewal (he hadn't even called his mother), and he told us about the good fortune that's followed the show since its inception.
"We just didn't know," he says of the wait for a renewal. "It's so not in our control. It's a business decision and a creative decision up to... not me. If it was up to me and my mom, we'd get the pick-up no problem."
At the time we spoke with him, Caspe had not been told what the pick-up entails. "We don't know when or how many or anything," he says, "but at this point I'm just so happy to get the opportunity to keep going."
That opportunity probably has a lot to do with the swell of fans and critics who seemed to come on board after the premiere.
"I think there were five very similarly-premised shows that came out before us," says Caspe of obvious comparisons like "Perfect Couples," "Traffic Light" and "Mad Love." "I think people were sick of that. If I was a casual viewer, I'd think, oh god another one of these. We started in a situation where people maybe didn't want to like us. I hope this is just a result of people giving it a chance and and liking it."
"The early reviews were from people who either loved it or absolutely wanted me to die," he says. "It's been cool that some of those people that wanted me to die have come back towards liking it -- or at least not wanting me to die."
Looking ahead to the future, Caspe will continue to serve as showrunner on "Happy Endings," where he hopes they might be able to experiment in more serial storylines and recurring romantic interests for the single characters. The renewal also means that he'll be able to focus on the series, curbing his development deal with Sony Pictures Television for at least a little while.
"This was kind of my first experiences in TV, and I got stupid lucky," he says. "I'm very aware that it does not usually go this way... As a Jewish guy, I'm always expecting everything to go into the sh***er."
"Happy Endings" continues its season, Wednesdays at 10:00 and 10:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
But the freshman comedy was one of the few "bubble" series on ABC to get good news when the network started handing out orders and cancellations on May 13.
Zap2it spoke with creator David Caspe just after he received confirmation of the renewal (he hadn't even called his mother), and he told us about the good fortune that's followed the show since its inception.
"We just didn't know," he says of the wait for a renewal. "It's so not in our control. It's a business decision and a creative decision up to... not me. If it was up to me and my mom, we'd get the pick-up no problem."
At the time we spoke with him, Caspe had not been told what the pick-up entails. "We don't know when or how many or anything," he says, "but at this point I'm just so happy to get the opportunity to keep going."
That opportunity probably has a lot to do with the swell of fans and critics who seemed to come on board after the premiere.
"I think there were five very similarly-premised shows that came out before us," says Caspe of obvious comparisons like "Perfect Couples," "Traffic Light" and "Mad Love." "I think people were sick of that. If I was a casual viewer, I'd think, oh god another one of these. We started in a situation where people maybe didn't want to like us. I hope this is just a result of people giving it a chance and and liking it."
"The early reviews were from people who either loved it or absolutely wanted me to die," he says. "It's been cool that some of those people that wanted me to die have come back towards liking it -- or at least not wanting me to die."
Looking ahead to the future, Caspe will continue to serve as showrunner on "Happy Endings," where he hopes they might be able to experiment in more serial storylines and recurring romantic interests for the single characters. The renewal also means that he'll be able to focus on the series, curbing his development deal with Sony Pictures Television for at least a little while.
"This was kind of my first experiences in TV, and I got stupid lucky," he says. "I'm very aware that it does not usually go this way... As a Jewish guy, I'm always expecting everything to go into the sh***er."
"Happy Endings" continues its season, Wednesdays at 10:00 and 10:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
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Photo/Video credit: ABC
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Happy Endings's renewal was the best news of the day for me. That's just awesome.
I'm glad this show gets the chance to continue. It actually makes me laugh out loud. Unlike Mr. Sunshine, Traffic Light, and Mad Love. They're all slightly amusing at times but not really "funny". However, I thought Perfect Couples was the funniest new show this spring but I realize it has no shot to return whatsoever.
I'm also glad this show will get a second season, especially since there were articles about its demise since the premiere. Can't wait to see where they take it.
And I hope this means the network is ready to support it fully.
Meh. Of all these types of shows, Perfect Couples was the best, followed by Better With you, Mad Love and Traffic Light. While I LOVE Eliza Coupe from Scrubs, this show could have disappeared with nary a whimper from me.
What will really **** me off is if it is the ONLY one of these shows to survive! (The worst? Perhaps. But certainly not worth saving over any of the others!)
It's nice to have the good news of Happy Endings renewal after the awful news of the V cancellation. Happy Endings is a GREAT show and makes me laugh alot. I also love the 24 references that are sprinkled into the series.
just watched the last two episodes. so many laugh out loud moments. i'm so glad this show is getting a second season. best. news. ever.
If ABC gives it a proper timeslotnext season, it could break out into a hit. After 10pm is too late to start a half-hour sitcom.
Such a laugh-out-loud show with incredible cast chemistry... Thrilled it's coming back!
Terrific news that the show is coming back. It's rapid-fire jokes are witty and clever. Casey Wilson is so great, it makes you realize how underutilized she was on SNL. And Elisha Cuthbert is a wonderful comic actress.
The whole cast is top-notch, and it's great to see a number of them from previous shows I liked that were cancelled. But not this time. Hopefully, the show will get a solid timeslot and be around for awhile. Thanks ABC.
Awesome news. This show is the best of all the new comedies that came out this year and is alot better than someone of the old ones. Congrats to the network for finally making a good decision and giving this show a chance to find its groove. I predict it to be the next How I Met Your Mother.