Happiness (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Happiness was a British sitcom
broadcast on BBC2 with dramatic, melancholy overtones written by Paul Whitehouse
and David Cummings with Whitehouse in the lead role.
There have been two series thus far, the first running in 2001 and the second in 2003. Whitehouse has stated that there will probably not be a third.
Approaching his fortieth birthday he is independent and single and the programme's themes are largely bound up with the opportunities and problems that this situation creates. His friends are a disparate group, ranging from the strait-laced Terry and Rachel (Mark Heap
, Fiona Allen
), through the down and outs - Charlie and Sid (Johnny Vegas
and Pearce Quigley
), to the archetypal man in a mid-life crisis, Angus (Clive Russell
). To varying degrees these friends offer Spencer inspiration and cautionary tales as to how Spencer can fill his life.
British sitcom
A British sitcom tends, as it does in most other countries, to be based on a family, workplace or other institution, where the same group of contrasting characters is brought together in each episode. Unlike American sitcoms, where twenty or more episodes in a season is the norm, British sitcoms...
broadcast on BBC2 with dramatic, melancholy overtones written by Paul Whitehouse
Paul Whitehouse
Paul Whitehouse is a Welsh actor, writer and comedian. He became known for his work with Harry Enfield and as one of the stars of the popular BBC sketch show, The Fast Show. In a 2005 poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, he was in the top 50 comedy acts voted for by comedians and comedy insiders...
and David Cummings with Whitehouse in the lead role.
There have been two series thus far, the first running in 2001 and the second in 2003. Whitehouse has stated that there will probably not be a third.
Synopsis
Whitehouse plays Danny Spencer, a successful voice artist for a popular cartoon bear called Dexter. Spencer is trying to come to terms with the death of his wife, though much of his concern is that he finds he isn't feeling the loss as deeply as he should.Approaching his fortieth birthday he is independent and single and the programme's themes are largely bound up with the opportunities and problems that this situation creates. His friends are a disparate group, ranging from the strait-laced Terry and Rachel (Mark Heap
Mark Heap
Mark Heap is an English actor. He began his acting career in the 1980s as a member of the Medieval Players, a touring company performing medieval and early modern theatre, and featuring stilt-walking, juggling and puppetry...
, Fiona Allen
Fiona Allen
Fiona Allen is an English comedienne and actress.-Career:Allen has appeared in many sketch shows, including Smack the Pony, Goodness Gracious Me and The All Star Comedy Show...
), through the down and outs - Charlie and Sid (Johnny Vegas
Johnny Vegas
Johnny Vegas is an English actor and comedian. He is known for his angry rants, portly figure, high husky voice and support of St Helens rugby league club. More recently he has moved into dramatic acting.-Early life:He was born in St Helens, Lancashire, the youngest of four children of Laurence...
and Pearce Quigley
Pearce Quigley
Pearce Quigley is an English actor of the stage and screen. His theatre credits include The Seagull ; Paul ; Journey's End ; My Night with Reg and Dealer's Choice ; Feelgood ; Blue Heart ; Shopping and Fucking Pearce Quigley (born Salford, England) is an English actor of the stage and screen. His...
), to the archetypal man in a mid-life crisis, Angus (Clive Russell
Clive Russell
Clive Russell is a British actor.Clive was born in Reeth, England and brought up in Fife, Scotland.He is a familiar face on British television and has appeared in numerous television series including Boys From the Black Stuff ,Hope And Glory, Neverwhere, Great Expectations, The Mists of Avalon,...
). To varying degrees these friends offer Spencer inspiration and cautionary tales as to how Spencer can fill his life.
Season 1
| # | Title | Original air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Personality Crisis | 20 Mar 01 |
| 2 | I'm Doing It for Me | 27 Mar 01 |
| 3 | Chained to an Idiot | 3 Apr 01 |
| 4 | Desperate Dan | 10 Apr 01 |
| 5 | Celebration | 17 Apr 01 |
| 6 | Forty | 24 Apr 01 |
Season 2
| # | Title | Original air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Little Bit of Love | 14 Jan 03 |
| 2 | A Nice Person | 21 Jan 03 |
| 3 | Real Dancing | 28 Jan 03 |
| 4 | Perspective | 4 Feb 03 |
| 5 | Old Bloke at the Door | 11 Feb 03 |
| 6 | People Move On | 18 Feb 03 |
Awards
- British Comedy AwardsBritish Comedy AwardsThe British Comedy Awards is an annual awards ceremony in the United Kingdom celebrating notable comedians and entertainment performances of the previous year.-History:...
, 2001- Won
- Johnny VegasJohnny VegasJohnny Vegas is an English actor and comedian. He is known for his angry rants, portly figure, high husky voice and support of St Helens rugby league club. More recently he has moved into dramatic acting.-Early life:He was born in St Helens, Lancashire, the youngest of four children of Laurence...
, best newcomer for his role as Charlie.
- Johnny Vegas
- Nominations
- Best TV Comedy drama.
- Won
- British Academy Television AwardsBritish Academy Television AwardsThe British Academy Television Awards are presented in an annual award show hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts . They have been awarded annually since 1954, and are analogous to the Emmy Awards in the United States.-Background:...
, 2002- Nominations
- Situation comedy award.
- Nominations