Coupling pulled by NBC (possibly cancelled after 3 episodes)

Guardian UK ^ | Wednesday October 15, 2003 | Jason Deans

[weegee]

The US version of BBC2 comedy Coupling has been unceremoniously yanked from the NBC schedule after only three episodes, prompting fears about the show's future.

NBC has pulled Coupling from its 9.30pm slot on Thursday night and replaced it with a repeat of another of its new shows, Whoopi Goldberg sitcom Whoopi.

Perhaps more ominously, NBC has also announced it will be resting Coupling for "sweeps" month in November, when TV advertising rates for the next quarter are set and the US networks try to maximise ratings with scheduling stunts and specials.

The fact that Coupling is being sidelined for this key period suggests NBC does not have a lot of faith in the show developing into a long term replacement for Friends, as had been hoped.

However, NBC insiders said no decision had yet been made about whether Coupling would be cancelled.

Coupling launched with 15.3 million viewers in late September, but after three episodes its audience had subsided to 10.7 million by last Thursday.

The US translation of the BBC2 comedy has attracted criticism in the States for its frank and frequent references to sex - two TV stations even refused to broadcast the show.

However, perhaps the most damning comment from US critics - who have seen the original version of Coupling on digital cable channel BBC America - is that it is just a pale carbon copy of the British show.

US versions of hit British shows have struggled to gain a foothold on the brutally competitive American terrestrial networks in recent years.

American translations of Cracker, Cold Feet, Men Behaving Badly and Holding the Baby have all foundered after short-lived runs.

The US remake of The Kumars was recently dropped from Fox's autumn line-up before it was even broadcast.

But UK entertainment formats such as Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, The Weakest Link and Dog Eat Dog, as well as comedy show Whose Line is it Anyway?, have proved more successful.

US versions of British reality, lifestyle and makeover shows such as Faking It and Changing Rooms have also made the successful transition to US cable channels.

[MNlurker]

I have no problem admitting that I have a gutter sense of humor, but the problem with the show was that it just isn't funny.

[pabianice]

No one wanted to watch stupid, nasty people paw one another? Go figure...

[toothless]

"I have no problem admitting that I have a gutter sense of humor, but the problem with the show was that it just isn't funny. "

You have hit the nail on the head.

[smith288]

A show that is shallow and limited to the subject of sexual humor, it doesnt stand a chance.

I saw the previews of it and it seemed like a waste of money to even advertise it.

[Calvin Locke]

Never made my radar screen anyway. Although I saw the tv guide channel promo and recognized an actree from The World Chronicle.

I heard an editor for tv guide on one of my regular talkshows. He does a weekly 40 minutes. All the callers were dumping on
all the shows. He said the network types are blaming baseball for the absymal numbers, not the product.

Right. The Clintonian lies just do fly the way they used to. Can't recall if the editor had already received ABCBSNBC
talking points for the post-series hole.

I missed the new-show death pool hour, but Whoopi and Ripa are probably high on the consumers' choice list.

[Paul8148]

Yeah the first two really stunk the third episode was ok with the laughing thing but It drop huge in the ratings. Atleast the Iran dude on Whoppie is good for a laugh.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Benny Hill was the only england comedy that was funny.

[Paul8148]

Well first of The Office is the best England show right now. I hear Fox is thinking about doing it. Yeah this year sucks. Only Las Vegas has been pick up for the whole season and it been likely since Skin has not started agaisnt it let.

[Hildy]

It really isn't funny at all. Characters are not very likeable. I watched it for 15 minutes and wondered what all the hoopla was about.

[Jalapeno]

"...replaced it with a repeat of another of its new shows, Whoopi Goldberg sitcom Whoopi.

Isn't that the answer to the question: "You know your show is bad when you're..."

[weegee]

Vegas and some of these other shows (like the short lived Fox series about that detective in England) remind me of the trendy style of the Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels tv show (7 episodes).

I picked that one up on DVD (2 discs, complete run).

If you are familiar with British television, can you recommend any other new series?

I've noticed that both Banzai and The Goonies are available on British DVD. I'm still waiting for Dave Allen At Large.

[FeliciaCat]

I just DONT get what the fuss is about. I have watched many episodes of the English version and its no big deal, not very racy by even American standards, so I find it VERY hard to beieve that the US version is all that. (no I have not seen the US version) I think the hype is wayyyyyy over the top on this.

[Paul8148]

The English one is not all that great either. There better than these and is more Seinfield in that every storylines cross into each other at the end and something weird happens.

The only last good comdeny is Scrubs but the Emmy voters get it no love.

[MinuteGal]

Even the title, "Coupling" is a turn-off.

Sounds like the show belongs on the Animal Network.

Leni

[dfwgator]

who have seen the original version of Coupling on digital cable channel BBC America - is that it is just a pale carbon copy of the British show.

Like that hasn't happened before when American TV tries to pick up British shows. They tried that with "Fawlty Towers." It was lame to say the least.

[BossLady]

Agreed! I watched 5 minutes of the first show...then realized CSI was on at the same time and switched channels...LOL.

[TheBigB]

Try watching Karen Sisco tonight. Darn good show and Carla Gugino is sexy as hell.

[smith288]

I convinced my wife to watch "Playmakers" with me last night. She was begging for more episodes.

[Hildy]

Scrubs is great...however, it's schtick is getting a little old. Dr. Cox is truly becoming annoying.