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Bought Coupling (UK) DVD on a blind buy....... (1 Viewer)

Scott Thomas

Second Unit
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Apr 24, 1999
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275
AND ITS F****NG Brillant!!!!

I can now see why the US version is totally inferior to the UK version. Jeff's antics is worth the price alone, he's like George/Kramer hybrid with a british accent. Infierno is the funniest episode, the dinner scene is priceless


Tell me when season 2 is coming?
 

David Lambert

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10/28...and yes, it's f*cking brilliant!

Today NBC announced that the US version is taking a 2-week break in favor of (1st week) a rerun of Whoopi and (2nd week) an "extended" episode of Will & Grace (just in time for first sweeps week).

Right move, I think. It's the exact same scripts, almost the same set, and the actors aren't THAT bad. I think that the real problem is that comedy is based on timing and rhythm, and that the need to use up time on the USA version for commercials is destroying the timing of the jokes and the rhythm of the story. Thus, it just doesn't have the same snap as the British version of the show.

My 2¢ worth! Can't wait for the Series 2 DVD! :D :emoji_thumbsup:
 

Steve Tannehill

R.I.P - 4.28.2015
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Season 3 was just released in the U.K. if you have Region 2 PAL playback. Seven shows on 1 disc, and a second disc that includes some funny outtakes, a couple of deleted screenplay excerpts (in text form), and the interviews that appear on the Region 1 Season 1 DVD. Hippo!

- Steve
 

EdwardKarlinski

Stunt Coordinator
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Jan 6, 2002
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I had the same reaction when I bought the first season on impulse. It was priced under $20.00 at Best Buy. I was floored by how funny the series was. The American version is pathetic in comparison. I am looking forward to the season two release.
 

Todd_Brown

Second Unit
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Oct 7, 2000
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Infierno is the funniest episode, the dinner scene is priceless
I agree!! I first found this show on BBC America and have to sya it is probably the funniest sitcom I have seen in years. The cast is superb.

"Some men are born lucky...Patrick was born a tripod":laugh:

The DVD set is definitely worth the price, all I can say is give season 2!!

Todd
 

Alex_Santos

Second Unit
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Dec 22, 2001
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302
Their bringing it back. YES! This has to be my all time favorite comedy. Just wait till seasons 2 and 3 come out. They are even better than the first.
 

Guy Kuo

Supporting Actor
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Mar 6, 1999
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Indeed the American remake lacks much of the British original's snap, sharpness & wit. The NBC version just times things poorly and doesn't have the brain tickling zing of the original. Watch the original and the American version seems dreadfully painful and contrived despite telling the same exact story.
 

Bryan Tuck

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I'd been hearing about the series, and caught a few episodes on our local PBS station. It wasn't long before I'd bought the series 1 DVD. It is one of the funniest shows I've seen in a long time.

I think another problem with the Ameircan version is that British comedy thrives on irony, and the US remake is really lacking in that so far. Also, even though the scenario is obviously similar to Friends, the British cast doesn't seem like Friends clones, whereas the American does (especially the guy playing Jeff, who looks uncannily like Matthew Perry).

One of my favorite Jeff lines is in the pilot, after he learns that Steve asked Susan out while still in the "Boyfriend Zone" with Jane: "The Zone has a new king...but you shall rule alone." :laugh:
 

Jeremy Allin

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I think the British Coupling is one of the most brilliant shows ever created for all the reasons previously mentioned. The American version pales in comparison by its hacked up episodes and poor joke-timing. My hope is that people who haven't seen the British version will still check it out even though the American version is so horribly awful.
 

Ray H

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I love the show. I got hooked on it after stumbling upon it on late night PBS last spring. :D

As already said, the timing on the American version is all wrong and they seem to cut out some great gags. Like just last week, they spent the time to build up the giggle loop gag but they cut the payoff! What the heck is that?!

Still, I'm interested in seeing the new US episodes that aren't based on UK episodes. I think tonight's should be an original episode unless the two-week break Dave mentioned goes into effect tonight.
 

Mark-W

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The only thing that worries me about Series 4 is that Steve M has been so busy working on the US version that I only hope it retains it level of excellence and doesn't feel like the writers/creators are burning the candle on both ends.

The NBC version just hasn'tw worked for me thus far,
and, as much as I want it to be a sucess, I just wish they'd rebroadcast the British show on NBC instead.
(Which, I realize, will never happen.)

Mark
 

Lars Vermundsberget

Supporting Actor
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Nov 20, 2000
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725
I've never seen the US version and after reading this I don't know if I'll ever bother. Why try to "remake" this absolutely brilliant show? There aren't very many TV shows that I've seriously considered buying on DVD, as I'm a bit concerned about rewatch value. But I didn't have to think twice about this. Three series so far...
 

Jim*F

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"Use pornography. What an odd expression. I...enjoy erotica."

I love UK Coupling, and decided to give US Coupling a chance. I could analyze the awfulness of the US version for hours, but I'll summarize it quickly -- I am amazed how the exact same script makes me scream with laughter when I watch the UK version, but didn't make me laugh once during the US version.

Bad acting, even worse timing, no chemistry = bad show.

At least UK Season 2 comes out on 10/28!
 

Julian Lalor

Supporting Actor
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Oct 5, 1999
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975
Hopefully, the failure of the NBC version of Coupling will give execs some pause before diving in and destroying another modern British classic, The Office, season 1 of which has just been released in R1.
 

JulianK

Supporting Actor
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Oct 3, 2000
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843
If you have a multi-region player, you may like to know that there's a new box set of Seasons 1-3 in the UK, which contains some bonus materials (commentary tracks, etc) on the Season 1 & 2 discs that aren't on the original UK DVD versions.
 

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