American comedy series axed

Steve Coogan's American comedy Happyish has been cancelled amid poor ratings.

Some episodes of the show, about a man suffering a mid-life crisis, attracted fewer than 100,000 viewers in the key 18-49 age group on the day they aired.

Now premium network Showtime has pulled the plug, according to industry bible The Hollywood Reporter.

Coogan signed up to the show last year after original star Philip Seymour Hoffman died just weeks after shooting the pilot episode.

The Alan Partridge star played 44-year-old Thom Payne, whose life is thrown into crisis by the arrival of a younger boss who spouts digital catchphrases. The series was described as 'a comedic, soul-searching examination of our pursuit of happiness and why it continues to be so elusive'.

Happyish creator Shalom Auslander originally praised Coogan's talents, saying: 'Steve's range is astounding — he is a comedy legend, a gifted satirist, and he possesses the unique combination of talents this role demands.'

Showtime has traditionally been patient with new shows, giving them time to win critical acclaim if not audience – but Happyish missed out on the recent Emmy awards.

All ten episodes of the first series have aired, but Showtime has reportedly declined to make a second.

The show was originally called Pigs In Shit, and was first sold to Showtime in 2011. It co-starred Ellen Barkin, Carrie Preston Molly Price and Andre Royo.

Here is the trailer:

Published: 25 Jul 2015