so our pbs affilate WTTW has been showing "coupling" for at least a year and a half every sunday at 10p. i tried watching it when it first came on and didn't really find it all that funny. sure, i laughed a few times but i didn't like any of the characters and had no real reason to watch it again.
i was out with a friend over mine of the summer and she was raving about how good "coupling" was. "well, maybe i just saw a few off episodes when it first started on channel 11; i'll give it another shot," i thought. so i tried again for a few weeks and again: i didn't get it. in fact, i think i saw one of the same episodes i had already seen.
finally, last night i decided to try one MORE time as "coupling" is on after the uk version of "the office." i lasted about 5 minutes - in the show's defense i think it might have been a two-parter or something becuase i was really lost.
is it just me or is this show WAY overrated? was it even that popular in the UK? i know it spawned an NBC US version but i don't think that was a hit. if you can tell me a few good reasons to try it again i'd be more than happy to plant myself in front of the telly at 10.30pm next sunday night. the reason why i bring this up is becuase, as being a Howard Stern fan, many of my friends are initally turned off to the Stern show becuase they don't get inside jokes or long-running gags. are the tables turned with me and "coupling"?
Full Version: The UK Series "Coupling"
"Coupling" is hugely unfunny. It's just "Men Behaving Badly" sleeping with "Friends".
this show sucks it big. and the american version...even worse.
It is lame. But I'd take the Coupling girls over the Friends chicks any day.
Coupling is one of the funniest shows I've ever seen. You lot are all on crack.
Sex jokes always sound wittier with a british accent, which wears off pretty quickly...so that's why the show sucks (and why the Americal version was never funny).
For me, it wasn't just the bawdy humor, but the characters. They were all an interesting bunch and their various quirks and bad/funny experiences with relationships and sex is what I love most.
I guess I just found that the characters weren't anything new or special.
QUOTE(Ballbag Hitter @ Feb 27 2006, 08:55 AM) [snapback]30226[/snapback]
Coupling is one of the funniest shows I've ever seen. You lot are all on crack.
Nutsack OTFM. I know humor hits people in different ways, and vive le difference and all that crap, but my god--this is one of the best-written and acted comedies ever. The idea that the American version couldn't work despite using the same exact scripts is a testament to both the talents of the actors, and to the incredible feat the American version of The Office is pulling off.
QUOTE(Slackmo @ Feb 27 2006, 09:24 AM) [snapback]30242[/snapback]
Nutsack OTFM. I know humor hits people in different ways, and vive le difference and all that crap, but my god--this is one of the best-written and acted comedies ever. The idea that the American version couldn't work despite using the same exact scripts is a testament to both the talents of the actors, and to the incredible feat the American version of The Office is pulling off.
You're out of my will.
QUOTE(NumberTenOx @ Feb 27 2006, 09:25 AM) [snapback]30245[/snapback]
You're out of my will.
Keep your goat porn.
I'm with the Hickman/Slackster contingent. I found 'Coupling' to be a great show that played on a far more interesting set of circumstances than half of any 'Friends' season for sure. Better writing by far.
QUOTE(Slackmo @ Feb 27 2006, 09:32 AM) [snapback]30251[/snapback]
Keep your goat porn.
Look, you starred in it, you should at least have the masters.
QUOTE(NumberTenOx @ Feb 27 2006, 09:50 AM) [snapback]30274[/snapback]
Look, you starred in it, you should at least have the masters.
I can't decide between:
"I wouldn't exactly call narrating you exploits with goats 'starring', but thanks."
or
"I know you are but what am I?"
or perhaps:
"I am rubber, you are a pedophile."
Yeah, I got nothin'.
QUOTE(Slackmo @ Feb 27 2006, 10:03 AM) [snapback]30281[/snapback]
I can't decide between:
"I wouldn't exactly call narrating you exploits with goats 'starring', but thanks."
or
"I know you are but what am I?"
or perhaps:
"I am rubber, you are a pedophile."
Yeah, I got nothin'.
Now that's comedy gold. Suck on that UK.
good mrn'
i think coupling is awesome
smart, funny, no commercials & the women are fuckin hot--- what's not to like?
oh--- i apologize for bashing the original office---- i was loaded when i watched the dvd's & that's why i couldn't understand what they were sayin---- the original is far superior--- i'm a stoops
oh oh---- worst fuckin check please ever last night--- chesterton fuckin indiana?
i think coupling is awesome
smart, funny, no commercials & the women are fuckin hot--- what's not to like?
oh--- i apologize for bashing the original office---- i was loaded when i watched the dvd's & that's why i couldn't understand what they were sayin---- the original is far superior--- i'm a stoops
oh oh---- worst fuckin check please ever last night--- chesterton fuckin indiana?
QUOTE(Wolfden Robes @ Feb 27 2006, 11:15 AM) [snapback]30333[/snapback]
oh oh---- worst fuckin check please ever last night--- chesterton fuckin indiana?
Not the first time they've featured joints in Indiana, though.
hmmm - we seem to be divided on the "coupling" issue. maybe it just needs time to grow on me but i think i've given it time and haven't gotten much in return.
true, the women are smokin' hot but if the show's not making me laugh that's not reason enough to watch it.
the theme song bothers me too.
true, the women are smokin' hot but if the show's not making me laugh that's not reason enough to watch it.
the theme song bothers me too.
QUOTE(yancy @ Feb 27 2006, 09:21 AM) [snapback]30238[/snapback]
I'm with Hickman on this one. Coupling is the only sitcom I'll bother to watch all the way through when I stumble on it. Actually laugh out loud funny, not just "heh" funny.
Count me in also as a "Coupling" fan. I've seen about a dozen episodes and loved 'em. I don't know the characters' names, but the main guy (Steve?) I can relate to, plus his girlfriend is cute. The stereotypical dumb woman (Jane?) and the other two (also dumb) guys are pretty funny.
maybe we can get Dice, the "SOMB Designator of Humor" to come in here and weigh in on Coupling.
I'll watch it if i stumble across it while trying to fall asleep, but it's never been destination viewing.
I'll watch it if i stumble across it while trying to fall asleep, but it's never been destination viewing.
I rented the first season of Coupling awhile ago and i found it very funny. Jeff was my favorite character because he's just nuts. 
QUOTE(Wolfden Robes @ Feb 27 2006, 11:15 AM) [snapback]30333[/snapback]
good mrn'
i think coupling is awesome
smart, funny, no commercials & the women are fuckin hot--- what's not to like?
oh--- i apologize for bashing the original office---- i was loaded when i watched the dvd's & that's why i couldn't understand what they were sayin---- the original is far superior--- i'm a stoops
oh oh---- worst fuckin check please ever last night--- chesterton fuckin indiana?
Hey, I grew up in Chesterton fuckin Indiana! Live in Valparaiso now. What restaurant did they review? I turned wttw off after Coupling, which I think is great, but is it just me or did the later shows not have a laugh track, whereas the ones they show now, the early ones I assume, do have it. Kinda takes away from the comedy. The Office is brilliant, UK and US versions.
It's good, but not outstanding. NBC's idea of remaking it looked ridiculous even before it was made. The 4th series (without Jeff) is cack.
It has a much more Seinfeld like style of writing then Friends does and can boast in Jeff a much more interesting character then any of the Central Perk Six. Despite this it's not even in the top 30 funniest shoes made here this decade.
It has a much more Seinfeld like style of writing then Friends does and can boast in Jeff a much more interesting character then any of the Central Perk Six. Despite this it's not even in the top 30 funniest shoes made here this decade.
I absolutely love coupling, a lot of the jokes stem from being in on it. Like the time where everyone assumes Jane's therapist is her date.
QUOTE
Steve: hi
Jill: hi. Jane’s in the loo
Steve: right. Good. So your Jane’s … friend
Jill: well if friend is the right word
Steve: yes
Jill: you realise I’m Jane’s
Steve: yes, yes
Jill: so she’s mentioned me then, interesting
Steve: not you specifically but we assumed she was seeing someone
Jill: well you would assume that with Jane wouldn’t you?
Steve: she’s very attractive
Jill: it must be very embarrassing for you being her ex; obviously we’ve talked about you
Steve: obviously
Jill: nothing bad don’t worry
Steve: so how long have you two been
Jill: having sessions. Are you alright?
Steve: fine, fine. That was blunt but that’s good.
Jill: I tried to break it off with her a while back but you know how it is with Jane
Steve: oh yes
Jill: she comes once a week weather I want her too or not
Steve: really?
Jill: she’s unstoppable
Steve: how does that work exactly?
Jill: once a week doesn’t matter what I do.
Steve: that’s quite unusual isn’t it?
Jill: did she do the same sort of thing with you when you were going out?
Steve: not on a strictly weekly basis no
Jill: I’m sorry I’m not making you nervous am I?
Steve: oh no, no, no
Jill: because sometimes what I do makes people nervous in a social context particularly men.
Steve: well speaking as a man I think you two have the right idea; you’ve got the best of both worlds
Jill: what do you mean?
Steve: well y’know
Jill: no I don’t
Steve: well erm, you’ve got four breasts
Jill: I’m sorry
Steve: no, no hang on
Jill: this blouse isn’t particularly flattering actually
Steve: no, no
Jill: if nothing else
Steve: I’m not saying you’ve got four at the moment just when you’re
Jill: what
Steve: excited
Jill: you think I develop extra breasts when I’m excited
Steve: not so much develop y’know acquire
Jill: what in the name of god are you on about?
Steve: sorry, sorry I’ve been totalled sidetracked by the irrelevants of your breasts. Not that you have irrelevant breasts. You’ve only got two that’s for sure unless you were some type of cow, no, no a very attractive cow a prize winning cow but your not a cow. You’re a person, but I’m sure that you’d be a prize winning person if they had a sort of cattle market for women. Erm a women market which thinking about it would be a bad thing in many ways.
Jill: hi. Jane’s in the loo
Steve: right. Good. So your Jane’s … friend
Jill: well if friend is the right word
Steve: yes
Jill: you realise I’m Jane’s
Steve: yes, yes
Jill: so she’s mentioned me then, interesting
Steve: not you specifically but we assumed she was seeing someone
Jill: well you would assume that with Jane wouldn’t you?
Steve: she’s very attractive
Jill: it must be very embarrassing for you being her ex; obviously we’ve talked about you
Steve: obviously
Jill: nothing bad don’t worry
Steve: so how long have you two been
Jill: having sessions. Are you alright?
Steve: fine, fine. That was blunt but that’s good.
Jill: I tried to break it off with her a while back but you know how it is with Jane
Steve: oh yes
Jill: she comes once a week weather I want her too or not
Steve: really?
Jill: she’s unstoppable
Steve: how does that work exactly?
Jill: once a week doesn’t matter what I do.
Steve: that’s quite unusual isn’t it?
Jill: did she do the same sort of thing with you when you were going out?
Steve: not on a strictly weekly basis no
Jill: I’m sorry I’m not making you nervous am I?
Steve: oh no, no, no
Jill: because sometimes what I do makes people nervous in a social context particularly men.
Steve: well speaking as a man I think you two have the right idea; you’ve got the best of both worlds
Jill: what do you mean?
Steve: well y’know
Jill: no I don’t
Steve: well erm, you’ve got four breasts
Jill: I’m sorry
Steve: no, no hang on
Jill: this blouse isn’t particularly flattering actually
Steve: no, no
Jill: if nothing else
Steve: I’m not saying you’ve got four at the moment just when you’re
Jill: what
Steve: excited
Jill: you think I develop extra breasts when I’m excited
Steve: not so much develop y’know acquire
Jill: what in the name of god are you on about?
Steve: sorry, sorry I’ve been totalled sidetracked by the irrelevants of your breasts. Not that you have irrelevant breasts. You’ve only got two that’s for sure unless you were some type of cow, no, no a very attractive cow a prize winning cow but your not a cow. You’re a person, but I’m sure that you’d be a prize winning person if they had a sort of cattle market for women. Erm a women market which thinking about it would be a bad thing in many ways.
Jesus, I'm crying because I'm laughing so hard. 
QUOTE(NumberTenOx @ Feb 27 2006, 02:44 PM) [snapback]30525[/snapback]
Jesus, I'm crying because I'm laughing so hard.
perhaps if you read it in a saucy english accent it might do something for ya.
pip pip
QUOTE(Boy With The Filthylaugh @ Feb 27 2006, 02:51 PM) [snapback]30540[/snapback]
perhaps if you read it in a saucy english accent it might do something for ya.
pip pip
Cheers.
Wolly
Err, If anyone thinks this at all indicative of the comedy being made in the UK then you are wronger than the King of Wrong in a wrongness competition on National Wrongness Day.
30 UK Comedy Shows of The 2000's Better Than Coupling
The League of Gentleman series 2 and special (not so much the 3rd)
Spaced season 2
Phoenix Nights series 1 and 2
The Brass Eye Peadophile special
The Armundo Ianuuci Shows
The Office series 1 ,2 and special
I'm Alan Partridge series 2
Look Around You series 1 and 2
Black Books series 1, 2 and 3
Jaaaaam
Aaagh! It's The Mr Hell Show
Rock Profile
Harry Hill's TV Burp
Happiness
TvGoHome
Bo' Selecta! series 1
Early Doors series 1 and 2
Grass
Green Wing
Little Britain series 1
Monkey Dust series 1 and 2
Peep Show series 1, 2 and 3
15 Stories high series 1 and 2
The Mighty Boosh series 1
Nighty Night series 1
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace
The Thick of It
The I.T. Crowd
Extras
The Smoking Room
30 UK Comedy Shows of The 2000's Better Than Coupling
The League of Gentleman series 2 and special (not so much the 3rd)
Spaced season 2
Phoenix Nights series 1 and 2
The Brass Eye Peadophile special
The Armundo Ianuuci Shows
The Office series 1 ,2 and special
I'm Alan Partridge series 2
Look Around You series 1 and 2
Black Books series 1, 2 and 3
Jaaaaam
Aaagh! It's The Mr Hell Show
Rock Profile
Harry Hill's TV Burp
Happiness
TvGoHome
Bo' Selecta! series 1
Early Doors series 1 and 2
Grass
Green Wing
Little Britain series 1
Monkey Dust series 1 and 2
Peep Show series 1, 2 and 3
15 Stories high series 1 and 2
The Mighty Boosh series 1
Nighty Night series 1
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace
The Thick of It
The I.T. Crowd
Extras
The Smoking Room
You forgot Dad's Army and Goodnight, Sweetheart.
I'd throw in Eastenders but that's not a comedy as such...
I'd throw in Eastenders but that's not a comedy as such...
QUOTE(Gareth Keenan Invetigates @ Feb 27 2006, 03:04 PM) [snapback]30564[/snapback]
Err, If anyone thinks this at all indicative of the comedy being made in the UK then you are wronger than the King of Wrong in a wrongness competition on National Wrongness Day.
30 UK Comedy Shows of The 2000's Better Than Coupling
The League of Gentleman series 2 and special (not so much the 3rd)
Spaced season 2
Phoenix Nights series 1 and 2
The Brass Eye Peadophile special
The Armundo Ianuuci Shows
The Office series 1 ,2 and special
I'm Alan Partridge series 2
Look Around You series 1 and 2
Black Books series 1, 2 and 3
Jaaaaam
Aaagh! It's The Mr Hell Show
Rock Profile
Harry Hill's TV Burp
Happiness
TvGoHome
Bo' Selecta! series 1
Early Doors series 1 and 2
Grass
Green Wing
Little Britain series 1
Monkey Dust series 1 and 2
Peep Show series 1, 2 and 3
15 Stories high series 1 and 2
The Mighty Boosh series 1
Nighty Night series 1
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace
The Thick of It
The I.T. Crowd
Extras
The Smoking Room
thanks for the list - it's definitely intreguing. especially that "tv burp" and "mr hell" show. if a title of a show makes me laugh, then the show MUST be good!
**edit: and yeah, i didn't really laugh at that coupling bit. it's a good premise, but when they squeeze out EVERY SINGLE punchline it starts to get mighty old. oh, and the four boobs thing: was the chick fat or something?
QUOTE(NumberTenOx @ Feb 27 2006, 09:12 PM) [snapback]30572[/snapback]
You forgot Dad's Army and Goodnight, Sweetheart.
I'd throw in Eastenders but that's not a comedy as such...
"30 UK Comedy Shows of The 2000's Better Than Coupling"
QUOTE(Gareth Keenan Invetigates @ Feb 27 2006, 03:34 PM) [snapback]30591[/snapback]
"30 UK Comedy Shows of The 2000's Better Than Coupling"
If this is true that that's the best news I've heard in a while. Put your DVDs out, limeybitches.
I wouldn't recommend them all to US audiences, for starters TV Burp is a satirical look at the previous week's television.
About half of them have no laughter track.
About half of them have no laughter track.
QUOTE(Gareth Keenan Invetigates @ Feb 27 2006, 03:45 PM) [snapback]30605[/snapback]
I wouldn't recommend them all to US audiences, for starters TV Burp is a satirical look at the previous week's television.
Ah. This sounds like my ill-fated effort to start watching The CBC's "This Hour has 22 Minutes" show when I was growing up in Detroit. It's like "The Daily Show" but more politically-charged and with more skits. I think I laughed once during the month I watched it.
On the other hand, I wasn't doing anything else on Friday nights at 7.30p AND the theme song was (is?) by Barenaked Ladies which was awesome in 1995.
QUOTE(Ballbag Hitter @ Feb 27 2006, 10:55 AM) [snapback]30226[/snapback]
Coupling is one of the funniest shows I've ever seen. You lot are all on crack.
I gotta agree with you, Hick. One of the funniest sitcoms I've seen in the last ten years. The only other comedies I like more than it are "Arrested Development" and perhaps "Curb Your Enthusiasm." I don't normally go for obvious battle-of-the-sexes gender-based humor, but for whatever reason, the British version of Coupling does it for me (up through Season 3...Season 4 was weak.) It's clever situational humor, well-written, with good characters.
I like this show...its good fun...never seen season 4...we have all come into contact with these characters at some point in time...Forget "Friends" and (I'll probahly take some hits)"Sex in the City".
I hardly ever watch BBC America, unfortunately, so I haven't caught anything they've brought over from the UK.
The final season with the replacement guy for Jeff was worthless. The whole feel of the show was thrown off as the new guy didn't click, and Steve's relationship advancing was really mundane.
The final season with the replacement guy for Jeff was worthless. The whole feel of the show was thrown off as the new guy didn't click, and Steve's relationship advancing was really mundane.
QUOTE(Ballbag Hitter @ Feb 28 2006, 09:49 AM) [snapback]31081[/snapback]
The final season with the replacement guy for Jeff was worthless.
That's all I need to hear to know that I don't need to catch that season. Thanks for the heads-up.
QUOTE(Gareth Keenan Invetigates @ Feb 27 2006, 03:45 PM) [snapback]30605[/snapback]
About half of them have no laughter track.
Number one reason why British sitcoms are more tolerable than American.
Wanna be the most annoying person in your house? Next time a bad sitcom is on, laugh along with the laugh track . . . every time. Seriously, it's fun and the person watching the show will hate you.
QUOTE(tweed @ Feb 28 2006, 04:31 PM) [snapback]31118[/snapback]
Number one reason why British sitcoms are more tolerable than American.
Wanna be the most annoying person in your house? Next time a bad sitcom is on, laugh along with the laugh track . . . every time. Seriously, it's fun and the person watching the show will hate you.
Laughter tracks only obtrude when the show isn't funny though.
QUOTE(tweed @ Feb 28 2006, 10:31 AM) [snapback]31118[/snapback]
Number one reason why British sitcoms are more tolerable than American.
Wanna be the most annoying person in your house? Next time a bad sitcom is on, laugh along with the laugh track . . . every time. Seriously, it's fun and the person watching the show will hate you.
actually, this sounds like fun. now where's my "king of queens" dvd...?
QUOTE(Gareth Keenan Invetigates @ Feb 27 2006, 03:04 PM) [snapback]30564[/snapback]
Err, If anyone thinks this at all indicative of the comedy being made in the UK then you are wronger than the King of Wrong in a wrongness competition on National Wrongness Day.
30 UK Comedy Shows of The 2000's Better Than Coupling
The League of Gentleman series 2 and special (not so much the 3rd)
Spaced season 2
Phoenix Nights series 1 and 2
The Brass Eye Peadophile special
The Armundo Ianuuci Shows
The Office series 1 ,2 and special
I'm Alan Partridge series 2
Look Around You series 1 and 2
Black Books series 1, 2 and 3
Jaaaaam
Aaagh! It's The Mr Hell Show
Rock Profile
Harry Hill's TV Burp
Happiness
TvGoHome
Bo' Selecta! series 1
Early Doors series 1 and 2
Grass
Green Wing
Little Britain series 1
Monkey Dust series 1 and 2
Peep Show series 1, 2 and 3
15 Stories high series 1 and 2
The Mighty Boosh series 1
Nighty Night series 1
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace
The Thick of It
The I.T. Crowd
Extras
The Smoking Room
30 UK Comedy Shows of The 2000's Better Than Coupling
The League of Gentleman series 2 and special (not so much the 3rd)
Spaced season 2
Phoenix Nights series 1 and 2
The Brass Eye Peadophile special
The Armundo Ianuuci Shows
The Office series 1 ,2 and special
I'm Alan Partridge series 2
Look Around You series 1 and 2
Black Books series 1, 2 and 3
Jaaaaam
Aaagh! It's The Mr Hell Show
Rock Profile
Harry Hill's TV Burp
Happiness
TvGoHome
Bo' Selecta! series 1
Early Doors series 1 and 2
Grass
Green Wing
Little Britain series 1
Monkey Dust series 1 and 2
Peep Show series 1, 2 and 3
15 Stories high series 1 and 2
The Mighty Boosh series 1
Nighty Night series 1
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace
The Thick of It
The I.T. Crowd
Extras
The Smoking Room
The Mighty Boosh series 1
Finally got around to seeing this.
The jazz trance episode was great.
Especially with the hat on fire...perfect comedic timing.
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