The Daily Star - Stay Tuned
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The Daily Star, Oneonta, N.Y., Friday, April 8, 2011 2 coverstory ‘Happy Endings’ follows rom-com trend Romance rules By Kyla Brewer TV Media I t seems everyone is looking for a little romance these days, including TV networks. Romantic comedies are quickly becoming the hottest trend in prime time, and ABC is about to toss another one into the fray. “Happy Endings,” pre- mieres Wednesday, April 13. While most romantic come- dies focus on the ups and downs of relationships, “Hap- py Endings” offers an unusual twist. It isn’t so much the rela- tionship that’s the problem in this series -- it’s the non-rela- tionship. “24’s” Elisha Cuthbert re- turns to television as Alex, a young woman who left her would-be groom, Dave (Zacha- ry Knighton), at the altar. Their breakup wreaks havoc on their close-knit friends, who worry about splitting the group. To make matters worse, Alex’s sis- ter and her husband are so rat- tled by the wedding fiasco that they find it difficult to focus on starting their own family, and their single gal pal Penny sud- denly recognizes her feelings for Dave. “Happy Endings” may be just one of a spate of recent ro- mantic comedies, but its en- semble cast could set it apart from the rest. Leading lady Cuthbert is no stranger to TV audiences humor to the role of Max, the group’s gay friend. The per- former’s sketch comedy troupe Hot Sauce was an official selec- tion at the 2007 Montreal Just for Laughs Comedy Festival. “Saturday Night Live” play- Zachary Knighton and Adam Pally star in “Happy Endings” thanks to her role as Kim Bauer on the hit Fox drama “24.” The gig proved to be a breakout role for the Canadian actress, whose film credits include “Love Actually” (2003), “The Girl Next Door” (2004) and “House of Wax” (2005). Perhaps best known for his role as Dr. Bryce Varley in ABC’s short-lived “FlashForward,” Knighton has been busy on television, stage and film. He starred in the 2007 remake of the cult hit “The Hitcher,” as well as “The Prince and Me” (2004) and “Surfer, Dude” (2008). Joining Cuthbert and Knigh- ton are a number of industry veterans, including the son of a veritable modern-day comedy legend. Damon Wayans Jr. follows in his father’s footsteps with his co-starring role in this ABC comedy. His famous father starred in ABC’s “My Wife and Kids” from 2001 to 2005. Wayans Jr. made his own mark on the industry when he be- came a staff writer on his dad’s series at the tender age of 20. The network welcomes the younger Wayans as Alex’s up- tight brother-in-law Brad in “Happy Endings.” Eliza Coupe portrays Wayans’s on-screen better half, Jane. One of Variety’s Top 10 to Watch in 2006, the actress burst onto the scene with her one-woman show at HBO’s prestigious U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen that same year. She followed that success with feature films and roles in such TV series as “12 Miles of Bad Road” and “Scrubs.” Sketch comedy guru Adam Pally brings his unique brand of A/Auto Boutique B/The Green Giraffe 2 x 2 er Casey Wilson also brings some comedy credibility to “Happy Endings.” She portrays Penny, a single girl who worries she’ll never find Mr. Right. Wil- son has appeared in the big- screen comedies “For Your Consideration” (2006) and “Killers” (2010), and frequent- ly appears on stage at L.A.’s The Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. “Happy Endings” boasts a talented cast, no question, but they’ll have to pull out all the stops to compete with their fel- low rom-com peers. They’ll even have competi- tion on their own network from ABC’s “Better With You,” about three couples at varying stages in their relationships. Unlike many romantic come- dies, this one focuses not only on the foibles of modern rela- tionships from the perspective of 20- and 30-somethings, but also on the trials of an older couple who’ve been married 35 years. NBC, one-time home of the iconic relationship series “Friends,” premiered “Perfect Couples” in January. The come- dy features three very different couples: a so-called “normal” couple; their bickering, pas- sionate friends; and a but- toned-up pair who claim to be relationship experts. Chirstopher’s Coins 2 x 2 hollywoodQ&A By Adam Thomlison TV Media Q: Who did the voice for the first “Garfield” cartoon? A: “Garfield’s” voice was already a familiar one to ‘70s sit- com fans, but when the comical cat first debuted on TV in 1982, sitcom watchers weren’t his target audience. Garfield first spoke in the Emmy-nominated 1982 TV special “Here Comes Garfield,” and his voice was that of Lorenzo Mu- sic. Music’s voice, though still not his face, appeared on the classic sitcom “Rhoda” from 1974 to 1978, playing her door- man, Carlton, who was always just heard through an intercom. Music took on the Garfield role in a long string of TV specials that led into the ‘90s, as well as the animated series “Garfield and Friends” from 1988 to 1994. But at first it was Music’s pen, not his voice, that made him a name in showbiz. He started out as a writer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” in the late ‘60s, then got a writing gig on “The Mary Tyler Moore” show in 1970. This, of course, led to his biggest break yet, as “Rhoda” was a “Mary Tyler Moore” spinoff. But it was definitely his voice that made him a star. It’s also known from his various roles on another kids’ series, “Adven- tures of the Gummi Bears,” and also as Larry the Crash Test Dummy from the surprisingly popular series of public-service announcements that promoted the use of seatbelts. Have a question? E-mail us at questions@tvtabloid.com. Please include your name and town. Personal replies will not be provided. A/Crazy Tom's B/Allstar Auto Wash 2 x 3