Happiness

I stumbled across this when a friend recommended it, and thought "ugh sounds awful", but watched it and never looked back. I've watched the whole series multiple times now, because when I feel bad (and the state of the world feels very very heavy), I know an episode of this will make my heart sing. It's campy, hilarious and delightful all in one happy package. Also some globally familiar amateur theatre characters that make this a joy.

"32 Tata's" has entered my daily lexicon.

I sing "Troy Boy" to my dog. I know! But it makes me HAPPY! Even my husband chuckles and laughs all the way through an episode. I do feel like they would need at least another 10 episodes to really dig into some of the characters - if anything some of the episodes felt a bit short - I wanted to know more about their stories.

Happiness is hilarious from the first minute. It takes a niche dive into the amateur theatre scene in New Zealand, portraying a host of eccentric characters who will be very familiar to anyone who has tread the amateur boards. It is campy and self aware, exaggerated in all the right places and with a good through-line of heart.

The cast are excellent, the jokes are well written and original and the choreography blends seamlessly into the storyline. It is an accurate reflection of Kiwi culture, taken from a fresh perspective.

Full of hilarious theatre Easter eggs, Happiness has real personality. Well worth a watch!

Happiness is a gripping, intense thriller that masterfully blends horror, action, and emotional depth. The show's post-apocalyptic setting, combined with its well-developed characters, keeps viewers on edge. A standout is Mia, played by the incredibly talented Melody. She brings raw emotion, strength, and vulnerability to the role, making her one of the most compelling characters. Her performance adds depth to the narrative, making Happiness a must-watch masterpiece. With a gripping plot, stellar performances, and a hauntingly immersive atmosphere, Happiness is a must-watch. Melody's portrayal of Mia is one of the best aspects of the show, leaving a lasting impression and making it an unforgettable experience.

Kiwi comedy at its finest, with fab performances from a solid cast! A fun story of regional community theatre tied in with a laugh-a-minute series of jokes, Easter eggs, and heartwarming characters quickly bring you into the heart of it all. A seriously talented cast brings a tongue in cheek (mostly!) parody that showcases a couple of our gorgeous local theatres, this is for everyone!

Part of what makes this so special is the incredible original music that doesn't try to shoehorn its way into the show, but naturally flows in with the story. Warning: this show might be a gateway into community theatre...

I don't usually watch NZ tv but this was honestly hilarious. I laughed within the first 20 seconds and then throughout the entire first few episodes. The acting is great, the cast is clearly quite talented. The singing is amaaazing, definitely no dubbing on the vocals which is impressive. It doesn't really matter if you're into musicals or not as it's not overbearing. It has a nice balance of being utterly ridiculous and making fun of that same fact. I also love that it's well suited to all demographics as both myself (20's) and my mum (60's) are both watching and enjoying it. It's definitely worth a watch!