Coupling???

[Twich]

Anyone watch this last night? I thought it was a horrific rendering of a brilliant show. I was really disappointed. I figured I would be, but I was curious enough to try.

Anyone else a fan of the original? Watch last night? Thoughts?

[fermicat]

Didn't watch, but the reviewers all panned it.

[Red]

I love the British version (*cough*note my sig*cough*) but the prospect of watching an americanized verision of it, especially given that it was reportedly "toned down", was more painful than I could endure. You're a brave woman, Twich, to have sat through that.

[fermicat]

They really muck up those British shows when the produce 'equivalent' versions here in the states. I love the BBC show "What Not To Wear" but the American version is absolutely horrific. Too long, too dull, and those "style experts" look awful. The hosts of the BBC version actually *do* look nice and they are so witty and fun! And the 30-minute length is just right.

[Twich]

Well, I would mostly have to agree with this reviewer:

http://www.unrealisticexpectations.com/reviews/ViewReview.asp?ReviewID=155


"Both the British and American first episodes have the same premise with minor changes, mostly omissions for time and changes for the American audiences (such as replacing the British reference to Crippen with that of Titanic to replace a joke about doomed relationships). It's a shame, though, to lose Jeff's jokes about 'the boyfriend zone' and about Jane being 'an unflushable'.

Casting is a mixed bag. The two leads in the American version are as bland as bland can be, but their characters are like Will and Grace and they bask in the glow of their supporting cast. I'd have to say the standout actor was the man who played the American Patrick (Colin Ferguson). He's got just the right mix of ego and pretty boy that makes him an excellent Patrick. Praise, also, goes to the women who play Jane (Lindsay Price) and Sally (Sonya Walger). But the big negative, unfortunartely is Jeff (Christopher Moynihan). Frankly, he's been neutered in this version of the show. In the British version, he's the quirky Welsh friend of Steve who has weird hair and likes to coin terms whilst looking at breasts. In the American version, I'm just not sure what he is. He's not the Jeff I've come to know from three series of "Coupling", but we'll see where the writers take him."

I would agree with all of that. Jeff is fantastic in the British version...last night I was pained to watch him trying to pull it off.

And then there's this:

"The theme song from the original, a simple jazzy tune called "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps" is kept intact, but it is now performed by the band Cake. It didn't need to be changed, but it was and it's for the worse. Until someone told me it was Cake, I thought it was just a temp song put there until the real song was laid in. That's how bad it is. But, on the bright side, it's only 15 seconds long...so we don't suffer long."

Yup yup yup. Totally agree with all of that...although the reviewer DOES recommend watching it. I suppose if you can't see the original, it might not be that bad..it's just so...forced. The canned laughter was horrible.

And they are changing stupid things too. Like I read somewhere in next week's episode, "Sex, Death and Nudity" that they end it differently.

*Spoiler space in case anyone cares*

















Instead of having Jane burst into laughter at the funeral...and thus becoming part of the "giggle loop", they have Jeff blurt the word "nipple". That loses all the irony of the giggle loop....

*shakes head* They just don't get it. It's so sad to see something you enjoy mutilated in that way. I don't know why they need to "translate" it. I understand and appreciate the original just fine. Why change it?

[Digger]

We have a long tradition of taking British shows and making our own versions. Not all are bad. Did you know that "All in the Family" was an Americanized version of a British show? So was "Three's Company" (ok, not the best example as it wasn't a great show, but it did last 8 years and John Ritter was great in it).

[Red]

Oh totally, fermicat. I love the BBC version of that show, too. The style experts actually try to make people feel better about themselves, always pointing out their positives as well as what they need to fix - and they do it with wit and snarky charm. The American version is obnoxious, I wouldn't trust a style tip from a guy who looks like he hasn't showered in a year. And the American version is much more about trying to be hip rather than finding a style to suit the individual. Bleh. Bad American version! Bad!

[Red]

They frelled with the pay off of the "giggle loop" joke? Oh, well, I will NEVER watch this show, that's sealed it. :ppbb:
Some things, you know, just are not to be tolerated - messing with the "giggle loop" is ... a travisty.

[Twich]

Originally posted by Red
They frelled with the pay off of the "giggle loop" joke? Oh, well, I will NEVER watch this show, that's sealed it. :ppbb:
Some things, you know, just are not to be tolerated - messing with the "giggle loop" is ... a travisty. :lol :lol :lol

[Third EYe]

I never saw the British version, I just finished watching the US version. It takes a great deal from a sitcom to hook me anyway. It wasn't terrible, but I probably won't it again unless I'm bored. I like Rena Sofer but it's not enough, she's need to get back in a science fiction series.

[Sawyer's Miller]

And to think that "Coupling" is a rip-off of "Friends"...

[Sunderflame]

The BBC version is ok...about the only thing I watch on BBC is Manchild, I would hate to see what the U.S. would do to that show.

[LiLOrion]

Didnt even bother watching cause I love the British version too much.

And Jeff is my FAVORITE character from that show. I liked the one where he handcuffed his girlfriend to the bed and then swallowed the key...and came running into the bar with that S&M mask on his face and a bag full of ex-lax and the like. :rollin:

Trinny and Susanna totally make that What Not to Wear show. I agree, the American version is just awful.

And British Men Behaving Badly...they tried to remake that for American TV and it tanked big time. You would think they would just give up.

[Red]

Aieee, does anybody remember when they tried to remake AbFab over here? With Rosanne Barr? That was the most horrific slaughter of a great TV series I have ever had the misfortune to encounter. :hork:

[Hank]

I was predicting a train wreck from the moment I heard this was on NBC's schedule. So I watched it last night with entirely negative expectations.

It was... okay. Exaggerated. The laugh track was too loud. All the reaction shots were too broad. The timing was just off. And everybody is just too pretty. And indistinguishable; the actor playing Jeff looks too much like the one playing Steve.

Not bad enough to be good. But not good either. I'm glad season two of the British series will be out on DVD soon.

[the_cadpig]

They tried to remake AbFab over here !?!

That's unconscionable! Not to mention impossible...

There is no AbFab without Jennifer and Joanna. Period.

~cp

[LiLOrion]

I think I remember hearing Rosanne was supposed to be teaming up with Ruby Wax (I think thats her name)....I didnt realize it ever made it past the planning stages.

And yes, there is no ABFAB without Lumley and Saunders...so dont anyone EVER bother trying. :)

[ipimen]

i saw the nbc version and was totally disgusted. But i decided to check out a couple of eps more, just in case. But i love the original and nothing will ever compare to that..

Btw, check out the great news about S4 of the Uk series:

Good news regarding a fourth series. From a posting from series writer Steven Moffat, it seems that Series 4 has been given the go-ahead, and has been scheduled for reporing in Jan 2004. There's a rumour circulating that Richard Coyle (Jeff) may not be available for Series 4. More news when we have it.

http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/coupling.html

[Twich]

EEEk! No Richard Coyle! There IS no Coupling without him!!!

[LiLOrion]

Originally posted by Twich
EEEk! No Richard Coyle! There IS no Coupling without him!!!

I think thats cause he is in another series...it was in one of the sci-fi mags I was reading...cant remember which one though nor what the name of the damn show is that he is on.

[grinner]

Blech... :yuck:

[Red]

I didnt realize it ever made it past the planning stages.

They only made a handful of episodes and I think only one or two actually aired before it was wisely pulled and dumped into the nearest landfill.

Richard Coyle has a site (err, a few but one has his name as the url - it is a fan site though) and they were talking about him being in series 4, but then that was few weeks ago I checked, but there's been such a delay in getting out the next season it's no wonder some actors might be tied up elsewhere.
http://www.richardcoyle.com

[grinner]

I though AbFav was back in production in the UK? I thought I had read that on a Entertainment Website.

[LiLOrion]

Originally posted by grinner
I though AbFav was back in production in the UK? I thought I had read that on a Entertainment Website.

I hope so. I think the last one they did was like a mini-series about Saffie getting married.

I think the latest part of the series/season was when they came to New York...but I could be wrong.

I watch BBC shows thinking they are new, only to discover they are from the early 90's. :rollin:


Excuse me while I go drool over the Richard Coyle link Red posted. :D

[LiLOrion]

Ah...that sci fi show I was talking about is called "Strange" and it only ran for six eps, so that isnt what he is busy with.

[Twich]

Originally posted by LiLOrion

Excuse me while I go drool over the Richard Coyle link Red posted. :D

With sound too!!!!!

"You're shaking the caravan Jeffrey!"

[Frellster]

Boring, horribly acted, stupid - why should U care about these people!!???

Before reading this thread I didn't know it was a remake of a British program. If the British program was good , they should just air that. Noone on this side of the pond has seen it anyway. Anything's better than this drek.

[who45]

Originally posted by Red
Aieee, does anybody remember when they tried to remake AbFab over here? With Rosanne Barr? That was the most horrific slaughter of a great TV series I have ever had the misfortune to encounter. :hork:

I had heard about it, but didn't know if they ever went through with it. I have to agree, AbFab would not be the same without Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley. As for Coupling, I didn't waste my time by watching it.

[trubador]

I'm half-tempted to suggest that discussion of this show should actually be in the "Cat Vomit" thread. :kitty: :hork:

[Jul]

Ah...that sci fi show I was talking about is called "Strange" and it only ran for six eps, so that isnt what he is busy with.

I think I read in dreamwatch that Strange got cancelled, but I'm not sure, so don't quote me on that...

and the BBC is smart, the just moved the times on when they're airing Coupling.. immediately following the American version Coupling episode on NBC, they are airing the British version of Coupling on BBC America, so if you're missing anything or want to watch, check it out :aok: