We couldn’t be more thrilled that Arrested Development creator/exec producer/comedy god Mitch Hurwitz is making a new dysfunctional-family sitcom pilot for CBS, Happiness Isn’t Everything. Sure, there’s cause for a tiny bit of concern that the CSI network could strangle the quirky brilliance right out of such a project, but the fact is it has quietly turned itself into a home for solid — if not wildly daring — comedy with The New Adventures of Old Christine, How I Met Your Mother, and yes-sorry-it-grew-on-us Big Bang Theory. (We love Christine and Mother so much, in fact, that we’re almost willing to forgive Gary Unmarried.) And, well, we’re even going to say the Happiness casting looks strangely promising, with Richard Dreyfuss now set as the patriarch and Jason Biggs as one of his grown children showing shades of Jeffrey Tambor (solid character actor of a certain age without a lot of promising film roles to fill these days) and Jason Bateman (onetime teen star no one really knows what to do with now). Now all we need is a Lucille Bluth… may we humbly suggest Lucille Bluth herself, Jessica Walter? We miss her boozing around 90210.
What do you think? Are you as excited about Hurwitz’s Happiness as we are? Are Richard Dreyfuss and Jason Biggs up to the job?
it makes me sick that people think how i met your mother is funny. cbs shouldn’t be commended for putting that tripe on the air.
Well…I’m never excited about a sit-com on CBS until I’ve seen it. But based on this, I’ll plan on seeing it. Dreyfuss is no Tambor.
Christine and Mother are pretty much the only good scripted shows CBS has.
I think Christine Baranski would make a great Lucille Bluth/Jessica Walter substitute!
I love “Old Christine”!
Oh Sarah, i’m sorry that it makes you ‘sick’. You should really see someone about that. The show isnt exactly the most intelligent or witty. But I can’t imagine a television sitcom on CBS making you ill. You are weak
I <3 HIMYM, which, while, not as daring as Arrested Development, is definitely much quirkier and more clever than your average sitcom. So, I'll certainly give this a shot – maybe it won't reach Arrested Development's brilliant heights, but odds are it'll be pretty funny.
The name sarah makes me want to vomit violently
Awww sara were you lemon lawed recently? is this your reaction to the chain of screaming? or did someone tell you that you were below the vicky mendoza line. Either way, I’m really sorry you feel that way-sarcasm high five
It’s been a while since anyone thought Jason Biggs was talented in any way. The guy took an overrated box-office hit, American Pie, and cruised for years on its shallow popularity. But he’s a barely average actor and a rather boring onscreen presence who should have been sent back to the Jersey mall retail counter years ago. Biggs has all the charm of a Foot Locker stock clerk. Let’s wise up, stop getting stupid, and encourage real actors, with real talent. Jason Biggs is like one big walking butt dart.
How I Met Your Mother (not funny).
How I Porked Your Mother – And She Loved Every Minute of It (now that’s eff-ing hilarious!)
The only thing I’ve watched on CBS in years is AFC football. Though it’s been longer since I watched ABC, so I guess it could be worse. I’ll check out anything Hurwitz or Bateman is involved in.
CBS is second only to FOX in it’s terrible choice of shows. Why can’t Mitch get a show on NBC? Or better yet on cable? Or why doesn’t he get into movies? Surely he has enough cred.
- izi