Coupling

I'm a Yank who is only now catching the show on local PBS, courtesy of BBC America. I never saw the (aborted) NBC attempt and, having seen about a half dozen episodes, I'm glad I *didn't* As someone old enough to remember "Monty Python" from it's original run, I must agree with other posters that I feared that truly hysterical "Brit wit" was a thing of the past. I never really cared much for "Fawlty Towers" (as much as I love Mr. Cleese), and only the medieval episodes of Black Adder really tickled me fancy.

But "Coupling" -- hoo hah! Anyone who compares this to "Friends" has clearly never watched more than an episode. At the height of its mild amusement, "Friends" never equaled the least of this absolutely *brilliant* series. For all the stereotypes of Brits as dry, stuck-up and stodgy, I've found that, humour-wise, we across the pond can't hold a candle...

"Coupling" is the height of "cultured rudeness" in the vein of "Absolutely Fabulous" -- one of the most adult Brit-coms I've ever seen. Every episode is consistently ROTFLMAO funny. I couldn't even begin to pick a fave character.

Patrick plays the "stud" character in an amusingly original manner: he has his way with the chicks, and yet is dim enough to not *totally* emasculate us lesser males. The episode where one of the gals has him bring out the "big guns" in the loo, to intimidate a bloke, is something you'd NEVER see on American TV.

Jeff is.... well, the most creatively addled loon since Seinfeld's Kramer, albeit *nothing* like him. Almost a child-man, he reminds me of the Frasier line in "Cheers" - "What color is the sky in *your* world?" Jane is so annoyingly self-absorbed and yet, like Jeff, also such a waif that you don't totally despise her. It amazes how the series' creators walk the edge, crafting characters that *ought* to pluck your last nerve but, unlike George and Kramer from Seinfeld, could actually be tolerable in real life.

The other three characters are brilliantly crafted as well, but these three stand out after the limited viewing I've been exposed to. I have never even considered purchasing a TV series on DVD but, in addition to wanting to see at least the entire first three seasons (I have read here that Jeff is not in the fourth season, and I don't think I could warm up to a substitute), I really must turn on many of my close friends to this marvelous show.

For those of you Yanks out there who only know of this show from NBC's feeble attempt to import it, you *must* catch this on your local PBS station if and when it airs, or pester them incessantly until it does. You'll not only understand why the attempt at translation failed, but you'll finally get to see what the fuss was all about.

If *anything* on the American telly was this consistently funny, we wouldn't have to suffer the endless rot of "reality" TV, and the "dead in half a season" warmed over '70s-era situation (non)comedies. Twelve out of ten... a *MUST SEE*!!!

A British show about six people ultimately connected by "coupling" (relationships) more than just friendship ... thus this is not really a "British Friends," but is a sort of "British Seinfeld." It is sharper than "Friends" and the characters are more complex than "Seinfeld" (which has one "straight" guy and three knuckleheads), a good combination. The "Seinfeld" influence is specifically shown by the Jeff character, who outrageously explains different relationship concepts in a Seinfeld-like way, a sort of invented language.

On the other hand, the characters are all more mature ... having real jobs, unlike say Kramer or the ne'er'do'well George. The show at times has mature humor, but it earns it by being a mature show ... these are not the twentysomethings (now in their mid-thirties and much more boring) of "Friends" or the largely childish "Seinfeld" gang, these are mature adults with serious concerns, even if they are portrayed in often amusing ways. And they don't submit to the lowest common denominater or do things quite in the meanspirited way at times seen in "Seinfeld." And the fact there are six interrelated individuals makes things more complicated ... but still, the "friend" aspects of it all aren't really emphasized as much.

The show also is often hilarious, much so than the often mildly amusing (and less so in recent years, but then again, there are so fewer episodes of this show) "Friends." A particular find is Jane ... the egotistical sexual focused nut ... her very voice is funny. Susan is the beauty that is levelheaded, but she is played by a gifted comic actress as well. The other roles are also well played.

I don't know if the US version will know how to translate all of these positives to our shores, but I hope so. We need more comic gems like this in the wasteland that is American sitcoms.

-j

I came across "Coupling" quite by accident one evening on BBC America. I have always been a fan of most Britcoms, and watched the remainder of the episode that was being aired, and then the next episode that followed immediately thereafter.

I discovered something very interesting. Somehow this show could present just about anything and not only get away with it, but made it extremely funny at the same time. Subjects that would come across as crude, rude, and in poor taste in American sitcoms are presented here with surprisingly funny results. The cast's ensemble is just about perfect, and all are very likable in their own quirky way.

It's been a very long time since I have laughed so hard watching a television show. I believe the last time was watching "The Vicar of Dibley" -- surprise! -- another Britcom.

I totally disagree with the previous reviewer's comments. I found "Coupling" to be hilarious. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before. This person seemed to be totally confused as to the origins of the show. First it is said to be a copy of an American show, then it is stated that it is unbelievable that America wants to make their own version. It is originally a British show. It will tell you that on the special features of the DVD. The special features also include a lovely story about how the concept of the show came about. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and mine is that "Coupling", while different, is brilliant and should be given a chance by all to form their own opinions of it. By the way, here's an example of the hilarity:

Sally: Mary Kelly thinks you're a complete idiot.

Patrick: Then why does she keep looking at my arse when we're talking?

Sally: She's lip-reading.

I've just spent the weekend watching seasons 1 and 3, and this is about the funniest show that I've ever seen. People compare it to Friends (the only real similarity is that there are 6 people involved, Coupling, however, is actually really funny instead of kinda funny.) but I'd say the show reminds me of Seinfeld, or Arrested Development in the sense that a variety of completely separate plots come together in an unexpected way in the end. It's flawless in its execution. Jeff really steals the show for me. I'd give a list of suggested episodes, but that list would essentially be a list of the entire running.

My sides are still sore from laughing so hard. If you live in America, you can either get it on BBC America or get the DVD's. And you should. Seriously.