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.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

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.

Coupling is Friends. It just includes a lot of 12-year-old locker room humor. My wife loves it.

[Semaphore Heathcliffe]

the first season of the Brit show was brilliant. Or at least the first season that they showed on PBS here. the following season was relatively mediocre.

[just looking]

I prefer the original version that runs on the BBC. Also there is a show called "Man Child" that is pretty good.

[new cruelty]

I agree. The main problem with the show is that is was not funny.

[Lunatic Fringe]

The British version is hilarious. I tried to watch the American version. Not funny at all. I'll go back to watching the BBC version.

[canyon]

I haven't seen the show because it is on when CSI is on. Why would I want to watch "Friends" again?

[Keith in Iowa]

>>...Carla Gugino is sexy as hell.

True. But hasn't she done PETA ads?

[TheBigB]

Beats me.

[Probity]

I have the British version on CD, and once I got past the laugh track, it is much funnier that the American version. The amazing this is that they have not changed a single word of dialogue. Perhaps is just the actors....

[BossLady]

You did not miss a thing! CSI Rocks!

[Probity]

Manchild rocks! I'm waiting for the next seaon to come out. Thre is also a drama called "cutting it" with an improbable premis, but great acting.

[kdmhcdcfld]

I don't know about any new series, but I would highly recommend "As Time Goes By", of which seasons 1 through 5 are on DVD. This program and "Keeping Up Appearances" are the only reasons I watch PBS.

KUA has made it to BBC America...I'm surprised ATGB hasn't.

[mel]

You are absolutely correct about the name, i thought why not just call it scr..ng, or f..ng. Gee whiz

[just looking]

I would like to have both "Coupling and Man Child" on DVD. Does anyone know when the new seasons start for either of them?

[Shooter 2.5]

Good shows this season:

Angel

Joan Of Arcadia

Carnivale

You'll notice I have a taste for the supernatural but at least it isn't boring.

[Crusher138]

Good shows this season:

Angel

Joan Of Arcadia

Carnivale

You'll notice I have a taste for the supernatural but at least it isn't boring.

Good choices. I am tuning into Smallville and CSI, but your picks are 4, 3, and 5 on my list!

[SoothingDave]

I would like to have both "Coupling and Man Child" on DVD. Does anyone know when the new seasons start for either of them?

Well, NBC is currently using Steve Moffat, Coupling's creator and writer for the US show. But, apparently not for long.

NBC ruined the show's comic timing. The BBC Coupling is well-written and acted. NBC's is rushed into the 23 minutes they have, destroying the timing. The actors rush through everything and seem to have no familiarity with the material.

A pale copy of a very funny show.

SD

[Scourge of God]

Benny Hill was the only england comedy that was funny.

Dude! Red Dwarf, Mr. Bean, Blackadder, My Hero, As Time Goes By, Monty Python's Flying Circus, and a few others: funny, or VERY funny, and all better than nearly all US sitcoms.

[hattend]

As a big fan of the British version, I have to admit...the actors are what is killing the American version.

Gawd, what a bunch of stiffs.

[just looking]

I decided not to watch the NBC version. I knew it would not even compare to the original.