Happy Hour

Review

Common Sense Media says

Shaky comedy bellies up to the bar. Not for kids.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this sitcom deals with both sexual and romantic relationships in various forms. It contains sexual innuendo and relationship jokes that will likely go over the head of young viewers -- thankfully, since some of them are pretty strong. Language can be coarse at times, and drinking (among adults) is a routine social event.

  • Positive messages0
    Highlights both drinking and sexual behavior. Strong women are depicted as confused, controlling, and/or bad. Amanda struggles with body image issues. Some people of color are seen during social settings, but none are among the main characters.
  • Violence0
    Mild, infrequent, and usually played for laughs. For example, a character throws an unseen punch -- the recipient of which wakes up with a black eye.
  • Sex3
    Contains strong sexual innuendo and some coarse references to genitalia and sex (much of which should go over the head of younger viewers). Shows semi-dressed adults waking up in bed together.
  • Language3
    Mild: "bastard," "balls," "butt," etc. Usage is sometimes coarse and borders on silly.
  • Consumerism0
    Not applicable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    Adult consumption of wine, beer, and hard alcohol. Characters mix drinks on screen and make references to the strength of alcoholic beverages.
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What's the story?

Created by the team behind That '70s Show, HAPPY HOUR introduces viewers to Henry Beckman (John Sloan), who moves from small-town Missouri to Chicago to be with his girlfriend Heather (Brooke D'Orsay) and work for her uncle. When Heather dumps him to explore life on her own, straight-shooting, traditional Henry moves in with vain, flashy, womanizing Internet T-shirt vendor Larry Cone (Lex Medlin), who, reeling from former roommate Brad's (Nat Faxon) decision to move in with his controlling, uncompromising fiancée Tina (Jamie Denbo), makes it his goal to "build a better Henry" by trying to make the more-conventional and value-oriented Henry more like him. Henry lands a job working for Larry's childhood friend Amanda (Beth Lacke) and finds himself intrigued by her body-image issues and lack of professional boundaries. He's also pulled into the continual strife between Larry and Tina as Larry continues to try to "save" Brad from domestication. Attempting to find himself while situated between the extreme characteristics Larry and Brad, Henry finds support and friendship during daily "happy hours," Larry's social drinking ritual that comes complete with martinis and Rat Pack tunes.

Is it any good?

 

Happy Hour isn't the most original of sitcoms, serving up a large helping of relationship woes and sexual innuendoes. But it does remind viewers about how our lives can be "shaken up" at any moment, leaving us feeling both vulnerable and open to new possibilities. And a stiff drink -- the show features a fair amount of drinking and alcohol-related conversation.

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What families can talk about

Families can talk about the decisions people make when they want to be with another person. Is it OK to change your life or even move in order to continue a romantic relationship? How do people know if they've compromised too much of themselves to be with someone else? Families can also talk about the reasons people drink. When does social drinking become a problem?

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
April 9, 2008
AGE
 
Sooo funny
A great wonderful, funny show. I was laughing soooo hard! Fox better keep this show
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This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:TV-14
Network:Fox
Cast:John Sloan, Lex Medlin, Nat Faxon
Genre:Comedy
This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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