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Parents' Guide to

Happy Hour

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Shaky comedy bellies up to the bar. Not for kids.

TV Fox Comedy 2006
Happy Hour Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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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?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

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.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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