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99 Words About … The lazy coarseness of ‘Happyish’

“Happyish” (9:30 p.m. Sunday, Showtime) was supposed to star Philip Seymour Hoffman.

His death cast a pall over the series.

So does the writing.

Despite some interesting insights into aging and happiness — Hoffman’s replacement, Steve Coogan, is told he may just have a low “joy ceiling” — the off-puttingly dark comedy is hamstrung by a lazy coarseness.

A particular vulgarity for a part of the female anatomy is uttered nine times. Another word for anus is thrown around 18 times. And the F-bomb is dropped 59 times. And that’s just in the first 30 minutes.

The result is merely “cleverish.”

— CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE

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