For people who are watching the new US NBC sitcom "Coupling"

Yes, I agree, it's crap.

Check out the original UK version INSTEAD!

Apart from "cultural translations" (replacing "torie" with "republican", and the rare swear word for half-tame typical-US words), MUCH better acting, and the same jokes executed in a funny way, the UK version is a laugh-fest by comparison to the US version.

Having GOOD actors helps, this cannot be overstressed given the circumstances.

The US version of Jeff, for example, is appalling in terms of acting. The UK actor got the character right and, because of this, managed to make the lines he had to say FUNNY. Knowing this is important as the same dialogue just seems alien coming out of the mouth of this inept US actor. (yes NBC, and yes critics, it can be funny!)

Indeed, there's nothing special about any of the US actors playing the roles; they're all unassuming cardboard just going through the motions as if they've nothing better to do. And maybe they're right, such straight-up copies of other shows rarely work.

A comparison would be watching a group of 5th graders trying to perform an academy award winning movie.

The US version also overextends some of the jokes in an attempt to make up for the lameness which is the US version. And, a small amount of jokes are NOT in the UK version whatsoever - and even if you hadn't seen the UK version, you can probably guess with 200% accuracy which jokes they are.

Of course, the original UK episodes are 28 minutes in length. In the US, thanks to what started during Reagan, our TV shows are 21.5 minutes. Lots of dialogue is cut, though in the case of "Coupling" this could be for the best...

The best season 1 UK story is episode 5 (check the DVD episode listing for the title, it's a bit racy to be said in public and look at the author of this message!). I'm not sure I want to see how the US version mangles it. But I don't expect it to be funny, not with that dingbat playing Jeff not being able to play the character anywhere near correctly...

Sigh.

Another show they're going to destroy. Anyone remember the US version of the brilliant UK crime show "Cracker?" They stripped it of any edge. The main character was a chainsmoking, hard-drinking, gambling wastrel. In the US version, he did none of this. They missed the whole fucking point. It's sooo embarrassing.

I will never forget the (desperate) strait woman discussing her relationship: "Being Bi is about saying 'Yes' to things."

ROTFL!

Every Friday morning my co-workers and I collectively complain about how it was completely mangled by NBC. And now you say the "Office" is next?

It's like trying to re-create Monty Python with American accents.

:toast:

Jeff is God. No doubt about it.

And yet they get the worst actor from Coupling to appear in Pirates of the Caribbean? Go figure...

Still, at least Gareth from the Office made it too, albeit with one eye...

P.