Coupling

[TheEarl]

JOOI: Does anyone here actually watch Coupling? Or have my new avs and sigs baffled everyone?

For those who don't know, Coupling is an English sitcom. It's three guys and three girls and there's lots of talk about sex and relationships. Sounds like Friends, but IMHO it's completely different. Friends has fun characters and you agree to suspend belief. With Coupling, every character could be a real person and some of the conversations are very, very real. An American network tried to remake it with American actors, but it bombed horrifically as they completely misunderstood the concept and basically made a poor copy of Friends.

Won't even try and explain Jeff to those who haven't seen the show, but I would suggest going and buying the DVD.

The Earl

 

[Guest]

Haven't even heard of the show but on your word I'll check it out sometime on DVD.

You still haven't explained about the bloke in your AV.

Pear

 

[rgraham666]

I've heard of it. I've also heard that a U.S. network is going to do a U.S. version.

Typical, they can't come up with anything on their own.

 

[Guest]

I don't watch television so it's all lost on me. Sad I like a good parody.

 

[DirtyJJ]

I have heard of Coupling, because I saw the show here in the US last season, but it was pulled after maybe 3-4 episodes. I often read that it was one of the worst shows in a long time... however, I disagree with that. It was entertaining as part of the Thursday night Friends/ Will and Grace etc. lineup. I have seen shows that were much much worse, and it's disappointing that they barely gave it a chance before yanking it. I am not saying the US version was great, it's just that it grew on me after a couple of shows and I just don't know why it got trashed so badly.

I have never seen the UK version - but it seems to be pretty popular. Actually it would be cool to check it out on DVD so maybe I will.
JJ

 

[Lauren Hynde]

JOOI: Does anyone here actually watch Coupling? Or have my new avs and sigs baffled everyone?

Watch it. Love it.

 

[TheEarl]

You still haven't explained about the bloke in your AV.

Pear

This is probably the best description you'll find of it, but take my word, nothing compares to actually watching it. And Jeff is indescribable without actually watching Richard Coyle.

Steve Taylor (Jack Davenport) and Susan Walker (Sarah Alexander) are two Londoners who have just begun to date. They have only two problems. One is that Steve is deathly afraid of commitment. The other is their group of strange friends. Patrick (Ben Miles) is Susan’s ex, a slick rogue who never met a woman he hasn’t already bedded. Jane (Gina Bellman) is Steve’s ex, a woman so self absorbed that she thinks its okay to date a gay man because she herself is bisexual. Jeff (Richard Coyle) is Steve’s best friend who has an oddball word or phrase (“unflushable,” “the sock gap,” and “the giggle loop,” just to name a few) for every aspect of human relations, yet is too emotionally stunted to be in a relationship himself. Rounding out the gang is Susan’s best friend, Sally (Kate Isitt), a beautician so vain that she has placed a limit on facial expressions in order to prevent wrinkles.

http://www.tvdvdreviews.com/coupling.html


From what I've heard, the problem with the American version was solely the casting. Doesn't surprise me that they couldn't replace Richard Coyle, but apparently all three male characters are indistinguishable from one another and they all seem incapable of delivering the lines with any kind of comic timing. I've seen pictures of the American actors and this doesn't surprise me. They all look far too shiny, like they've been freshly polished. They look like their mum's knitted them yesterday. No wonder they can't deliver on English comedy writing.

The Earl

 

[MagicFingers]

Coupling! Great Show!

I LOVE it! And catch it on BBCA whenever I find it (No listings here)
Last week I cought the one where they did about 5 minutes in the bar from about 6 different Points of view. It was really cool.

I first saw it the day the American version came out last year. I watched the American version first, then later the same night, saw the English version of the SAME episode, which was a very interesting experience. To see how some dialog was identical, then some other dialog was completely changed was very interesting - like the scene in the restroom where the USA version was about rubbers, and the British version was about farts, or something similar that is not as funny here as in England.

Anyway, I LOVE IT! And recommend it.
Good cast, acting, and writing!

 

[gauchecritic]

before Jeff, excellent. after Jeff, not so good.

In the same mode of excellence and under-appreciated:

Teachers and Two Pints of Lager.

Gauche

 

[English Lady]

I watch coupling and really enjoy it.

My hubby has laughed so hard he's early choked at several episodes of it.

Jeff is just funky. I think I want to mother him *L*

 

[Guest]

I've heard of it. I've also heard that a U.S. network is going to do a U.S. version.

Typical, they can't come up with anything on their own.

not only that RG but the one i did manage to watch was so boring...i never made it through to the end.

those brits have the best sense of humor. we (americans) just cant compete because, imo... we are way to animated. when a brit loses composure its almost a shock.. when we do, its just normal.


god i love that dry wit! i think i was born in the wrong country.

 

[Remec]

JOOI: Does anyone here actually watch Coupling? Or have my new avs and sigs baffled everyone?

Won't even try and explain Jeff to those who haven't seen the show, but I would suggest going and buying the DVD.

Ahhh, that's why I thought I knew that guy with the curly hair in the AV...<nod> I've seen a few episodes over at my folks' place. (My dad lives on BBC-America these days. Mostly for the football coverage, but I've caught him watching more than one soap or murder mystery program. <g>)

Is the DVD out in this country already?

 

[TheEarl]

AFAIK the Coupling DVDs are out in Yank country. Try amazon.com.

Gauche: Agreed, the fourth series wasn't as good when Jeff left, but still had it's definite moments. The unstoppable phone conversation was my highlight.

The Earl

 

[Guest]

Earl, I subscribe to Netflix, a by-mail DVD rental org. The first Coupling season is ordered and I've got the rest (through season 3) in my queue. Hope to watch the first this weekend. - Pear

 

[ReadyOne]

I thought the americian show very good as delivered (though they could have done better with different casting).

I recorded all 4 episodes for delayed viewing, and we had great fun pausing and kibitzing (and a little serious discussion) before letting it play a bit more.

Th material was very good; I wish it had been given more time.

 

[Sabledrake]

Earl -- I love Coupling, I love Jeff ... I saw your new av and sig a while ago and wanted to comment but thought that after I went all fangirl on the Red Dwarf thing, you might think I was stalking you or something

Sabledrake

 

[sweetnpetite]

Holy Cow! I was just trying to think of wtf that show was called about 2 days ago!

I only saw the American Version, and yes it sucked and yes it was a total copy of Friends. we sat threw it going- oh, she's racheal, he's chandler. It was pretty bad.

Not saying that the UK version is the same, but from the description, still way to much like Friends to air on NBC the season after Friends leaves.

Steve Taylor (Jack Davenport) and Susan Walker (Sarah Alexander) are two Londoners who have just begun to date. They have only two problems. One is that Steve is deathly afraid of commitment. The other is their group of strange friends. Patrick (Ben Miles) is Susan’s ex, a slick rogue who never met a woman he hasn’t already bedded. Jane (Gina Bellman) is Steve’s ex, a woman so self absorbed that she thinks its okay to date a gay man because she herself is bisexual. Jeff (Richard Coyle) is Steve’s best friend who has an oddball word or phrase (“unflushable,” “the sock gap,” and “the giggle loop,” just to name a few) for every aspect of human relations, yet is too emotionally stunted to be in a relationship himself. Rounding out the gang is Susan’s best friend, Sally (Kate Isitt), a beautician so vain that she has placed a limit on facial expressions in order to prevent wrinkles.

Steve=Chandler
Patrick=Joey
Jeff=Ross

(I might have Jeff and Steve mixed up)

Jane=Pheobee
Sally=Racheal
Susan=Monica

 

[TheEarl]

Holy Cow! I was just trying to think of wtf that show was called about 2 days ago!

I only saw the American Version, and yes it sucked and yes it was a total copy of Friends. we sat threw it going- oh, she's racheal, he's chandler. It was pretty bad.

Not saying that the UK version is the same, but from the description, still way to much like Friends to air on NBC the season after Friends leaves.



Steve=Chandler
Patrick=Joey
Jeff=Ross

(I might have Jeff and Steve mixed up)

Jane=Pheobee
Sally=Racheal
Susan=Monica

Completely wrong with the characters, at least in the English version. There is a slight correlation between Jane and Phoebe, but Jane's a lot weirder. Much, much funnier than Friends, IMHO and a very different show. Ignore hte Yank one, watch the proper version.

No way you could confuse Steve and Jeff in the English one .

The Earl

 

[Guest]

I've now watched the first series and half of the second. Utterly hilarious, can't even compare to 'Friends'. These people are actually intelligent and literate, even the seemingly dopey characters.

I want to meet a Jeff and let him be all nervous and goofy and still let him score. I loved loved loved The Melty Man and Jeff with too many legs, haven't laughed so hard in ages.

Am so looking forward to the rest of the shows but am already sad to know Jeff leaves.

Thanks! Earl.

Pear

 

[sweetnpetite]

Completely wrong with the characters, at least in the English version. There is a slight correlation between Jane and Phoebe, but Jane's a lot weirder. Much, much funnier than Friends, IMHO and a very different show. Ignore hte Yank one, watch the proper version.

No way you could confuse Steve and Jeff in the English one .

The Earl

I was just going by the discription given.

I'm sure it's a great show, I just think that it was a poor choice for NBC, even if the casting had been better, for a show to fill the friends timeslot. (which is what it looked like they were trying to do) They should have known better than to even try.

Could well be that Friends was a nockoff of Coupling from the begining. (doubt that anyone would cop to that if it's so)