British TV Thoughts and Questions (Merged with anybody seen the bbc show Coupling?)
11-12-02, 01:43 PM
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British TV Thoughts and Questions
1.I saw this show "Coupling" on the BBC America and PBS over the weekend and this is one funny show. I think it has been around a few years and the writing is much more crisper than Friends. Roughly similar setup though more risque than Friends. I laughed continously for half an hour. I am not usually the british humor type.
2. I have been checking out the DVD bestsellers at Bensons world and Amazon.uk and near the top of the bestsellers is a show called The Office. It seems like a british take on "Office Space" with a documentary type feel. Would anyone who has seen it recommend it as a good blind buy?
2. I have been checking out the DVD bestsellers at Bensons world and Amazon.uk and near the top of the bestsellers is a show called The Office. It seems like a british take on "Office Space" with a documentary type feel. Would anyone who has seen it recommend it as a good blind buy?
11-12-02, 02:42 PM
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I like British comedy shows. American tv has been ripping off these shows for years. I can think of a few just off the top of my head:
All in the Family ---> Till Death Do Us Part
Men Behaving Badly ----> British Men Behaving Badly
Sanford and Son ----->Steptoe and Son
Payne -----> Fawlty Towers
Three's Company ----> Man About The House
Three's A Crowd -----> Robin's Nest
All in the Family ---> Till Death Do Us Part
Men Behaving Badly ----> British Men Behaving Badly
Sanford and Son ----->Steptoe and Son
Payne -----> Fawlty Towers
Three's Company ----> Man About The House
Three's A Crowd -----> Robin's Nest
11-12-02, 05:45 PM
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Originally posted by joefrog91
I like British comedy shows. American tv has been ripping off these shows for years. I can think of a few just off the top of my head:
All in the Family ---> Till Death Do Us Part
Men Behaving Badly ----> British Men Behaving Badly
Sanford and Son ----->Steptoe and Son
Payne -----> Fawlty Towers
Three's Company ----> Man About The House
Three's A Crowd -----> Robin's Nest
I like British comedy shows. American tv has been ripping off these shows for years. I can think of a few just off the top of my head:
All in the Family ---> Till Death Do Us Part
Men Behaving Badly ----> British Men Behaving Badly
Sanford and Son ----->Steptoe and Son
Payne -----> Fawlty Towers
Three's Company ----> Man About The House
Three's A Crowd -----> Robin's Nest
All countries rip off shows. It's nothing new or unique to America. We have shows "ripped off" too.
12-29-02, 09:26 PM
#4
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anybody seen the bbc show Coupling? and reccomend me some brit imports on dvd
thedigitalbits.com says its friends with more sex, and the people at amazon really like this show, i was wondering your thoughts on this show. (the only show that i have seen that is from britain is whos line is it anyway)
12-29-02, 10:08 PM
#5
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I haven't seen this, but this is the show that NBC has picked it up to Americanize and take the place of Friends when they call it quits. Melissa George (from Thieves) and Breckton Meyer (from Inside Schwartz) are two of the people that have signed on to star, according to the last thing that I heard about it.
12-29-02, 10:37 PM
#6
DVD Talk Hero
They also have Emily Rutherfurd from the latest Ellen vehicle (and Van Wilder.
If NBC keeps its hands off, the show could work ... however, knowing them, this could be a recipe for disaster.
As for the show itself, I know there used to be a discussion thread around here, but our friendly "search" (term used loosely) isn't being very helpful in that regard.
das
If NBC keeps its hands off, the show could work ... however, knowing them, this could be a recipe for disaster.
As for the show itself, I know there used to be a discussion thread around here, but our friendly "search" (term used loosely) isn't being very helpful in that regard.
das
12-30-02, 07:54 AM
#7
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I've seen the show. I think it's just o.k. And I've watched it a few times. Just never really got into it. And I'm addicted to the shows on BBC (America). Maybe I'll give it another chance. I just didn't find it all that clever or funny.
12-30-02, 08:23 AM
#8
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Never heard of the show.
Reccomendation: Bottom! Gotta love a show called Bottom. It stars Rik Mayall and Ade Edmundson. Get the Very Best Of... 1st to see if you like it.
Reccomendation: Bottom! Gotta love a show called Bottom. It stars Rik Mayall and Ade Edmundson. Get the Very Best Of... 1st to see if you like it.
12-30-02, 10:58 AM
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I recommend Coupling but it may be that you need to see the series/characters develop rather than watch the odd show. Personally I found it clever and funny 
<small>
</small>Two similar/earlier threads were:
best british show? BBC America
<small>
Originally posted by das Monkey
As for the show itself, I know there used to be a discussion thread around here, but our friendly "search" (term used loosely) isn't being very helpful in that regard.
As for the show itself, I know there used to be a discussion thread around here, but our friendly "search" (term used loosely) isn't being very helpful in that regard.
12-30-02, 01:50 PM
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"Absolutely Fabulous" a.k.a "Ab-Fab"
Amazon Editor quote:
Series 1:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...v=glance&s=dvd
Series 2:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...v=glance&s=dvd
Series 3:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...v=glance&s=dvd
Series 4:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...v=glance&s=dvd
All 4 Series:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...v=glance&s=dvd
p.s. I believe they refer to each season as a series? Having 4 series sounds kinda odd.
Amazon Editor quote:
The smashing misadventures of fashion femme fatales Edina and Patsy remains one of the most popular and talked about comedies in BBC history. The New York Post called it "Utterly original, utterly hilariousone of the best television comedies ever made."
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...v=glance&s=dvd
Series 2:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...v=glance&s=dvd
Series 3:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...v=glance&s=dvd
Series 4:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...v=glance&s=dvd
All 4 Series:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...v=glance&s=dvd
p.s. I believe they refer to each season as a series? Having 4 series sounds kinda odd.
12-30-02, 04:16 PM
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Coupling is one of the funniest shows on tv - I love it. The third season (brits call it "series") starts soon, and I can hardly wait. I agree that you should watch it from the beginning and it will be a lot funnier - there are inside jokes and other moments built on previous experiences with those characters that make it even better.
Too bad you missed the marathon that was on Christmas eve - they showed the first two seasons (series) back to back in order. Knowing the bbc, they will get around to showing them in order again, but in the meanwhile, the first season comes out on dvd on 1/7 I believe, with season two coming out about a month after that. So if you start taping season three in a couple of weeks to watch it after you watch the first two sets of dvds, you can watch them all in order within a couple of months.
Too bad you missed the marathon that was on Christmas eve - they showed the first two seasons (series) back to back in order. Knowing the bbc, they will get around to showing them in order again, but in the meanwhile, the first season comes out on dvd on 1/7 I believe, with season two coming out about a month after that. So if you start taping season three in a couple of weeks to watch it after you watch the first two sets of dvds, you can watch them all in order within a couple of months.
12-30-02, 04:23 PM
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Originally posted by WarriorPrincess
The third season (brits call it "series")
The third season (brits call it "series")
12-30-02, 05:22 PM
#13
DVD Talk Legend
Although it helps to watch it from the beginning, Coupling IS a very funny show. I have always said it's like Friends, only funny. It's a lot raunchier and there are far more sexual innuendos in Coupling than you will ever get in Friends. One of my favorite lines is from Jeff Murdoch (he of the scruffy bad hair):
"I didn't use my tongue, I swear! It's only for stamps and emergencies!"
As for other recommedations, it all depends on your taste. Here's a current list of my favorites:
Father Ted
Red Dwarf
Keeping Up Appearances
So! Graham Norton
Black Adder
If you want to do some serious searching for a truly twisted take on Catholicism, try Dave Allen At Large. It's an older show which is basically just this dude sitting on state smoking like a chimney and drinking whiskey while telling bad jokes and showing the odd filmed skit. I used to love watching this show, but I haven't seen it in years.
"I didn't use my tongue, I swear! It's only for stamps and emergencies!"
As for other recommedations, it all depends on your taste. Here's a current list of my favorites:
Father Ted
Red Dwarf
Keeping Up Appearances
So! Graham Norton
Black Adder
If you want to do some serious searching for a truly twisted take on Catholicism, try Dave Allen At Large. It's an older show which is basically just this dude sitting on state smoking like a chimney and drinking whiskey while telling bad jokes and showing the odd filmed skit. I used to love watching this show, but I haven't seen it in years.
12-30-02, 05:27 PM
#14
DVD Talk Hero
i dont have bbc (parents dont want to get digital cable), but heard on digital bits that warner will release the show on dvd in late january and was curious to it since i am into friends now.
12-31-02, 08:49 AM
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Originally posted by DarthMarklar
"Absolutely Fabulous" a.k.a "Ab-Fab"
...
All 4 Series:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...v=glance&s=dvd
...
p.s. I believe they refer to each season as a series? Having 4 series sounds kinda odd.
"Absolutely Fabulous" a.k.a "Ab-Fab"
...
All 4 Series:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...v=glance&s=dvd
...
p.s. I believe they refer to each season as a series? Having 4 series sounds kinda odd.
Also funny are the French & Saunders DVDs that came out early last year.
I'd highly recommend you RENT all of these (including Coupling) using Netflix or the like as their replay value depends entirely on one's tastes. They're all kind of expensive to buy and then not watch more than once. My AbFab sets are CONSTANTLY rewatched (in fact, tonight I will definitely be putting on Series 3, Episode 2 - Happy New Year
).
12-31-02, 01:10 PM
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Originally posted by rfduncan
That link is only for seasons 1-3. Season 4 is only sold separately. And they DO refer to a season as a "series".
That link is only for seasons 1-3. Season 4 is only sold separately. And they DO refer to a season as a "series".
12-31-02, 01:21 PM
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DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Originally posted by DarthMarklar
Then what's the 4th Disc include? I assumed (since it contained 4 discs) that meant all 4 series, but then, if you say it's only Series 1-3 the 4th disc must be extras?
Then what's the 4th Disc include? I assumed (since it contained 4 discs) that meant all 4 series, but then, if you say it's only Series 1-3 the 4th disc must be extras?
Additional Features
Each of the first three discs in the four-disc set features a season of the show, complete with outtakes and a photo gallery (which proves slightly frustrating, as you are unable to skip around the photos--they are shown only in order). The fourth disc has the majority of the extra features: How to Be Absolutely Fabulous, a delightful behind-the-scenes look at the show; Ab Fab Moments, a retrospective of the entire series; Modern Mother and Daughter, the brilliant original skit from French and...
Each of the first three discs in the four-disc set features a season of the show, complete with outtakes and a photo gallery (which proves slightly frustrating, as you are unable to skip around the photos--they are shown only in order). The fourth disc has the majority of the extra features: How to Be Absolutely Fabulous, a delightful behind-the-scenes look at the show; Ab Fab Moments, a retrospective of the entire series; Modern Mother and Daughter, the brilliant original skit from French and...
There is a duplication of some things like the original French & Saunders skit "Modern Mother and Daughter" that eventually became AbFab AND a pilot called Mirrorball which features all the same actresses in completely different roles as actresses on the West End. Saunders said she couldn't escape Edina's voice while scripting Mirrorball and decided to write another (perhaps final) season of AbFab almost 10 years after the completion of season 3.
This is rather confusing marketing-wise because people THINK they're getting ALL of AbFab with this box set and they're really missing a QUARTER of the episodes!
01-02-03, 03:57 PM
#18
Senior Member
Coupling is a funny show- that is 'Smart" as most britcoms are.
if they decide to make an american version of this- it will be awful just like the american version of Fawlty Towers, and the proposed american version of AbsolutelyFabulous- which was to be done by Roseanne Barr- Yech!
Among Britcoms to recommend that BBC America has aired or is airing are:
Absoulutely Fabulous-
Are you being served?
Father Ted
One foot in the grave
Black Books- Did not air on BBC America yet- Only Comedy Central
Black Adder
So Graham Norton
Fawlty Towers
Keeping up apperances
if they decide to make an american version of this- it will be awful just like the american version of Fawlty Towers, and the proposed american version of AbsolutelyFabulous- which was to be done by Roseanne Barr- Yech!
Among Britcoms to recommend that BBC America has aired or is airing are:
Absoulutely Fabulous-
Are you being served?
Father Ted
One foot in the grave
Black Books- Did not air on BBC America yet- Only Comedy Central
Black Adder
So Graham Norton
Fawlty Towers
Keeping up apperances
Last edited by brtcmfn; 01-02-03 at 04:30 PM.
01-02-03, 06:51 PM
#19
DVD Talk Hero
Coupling is great! Like mllefoo said, it's like Friends, but funny. Jeff is one of the greatest TV characters of all time.
renaldow, Bottom is my favorite TV show, ever! Be warned, though, it's very heavy slapstick, very Three Stooges-esque, so not for everyone (i.e. women ).
Another great Britcom you can't go wrong with (as long as you are generally hip and under 60) is Spaced. Two seasons so far on DVD.
renaldow, Bottom is my favorite TV show, ever! Be warned, though, it's very heavy slapstick, very Three Stooges-esque, so not for everyone (i.e. women
). Another great Britcom you can't go wrong with (as long as you are generally hip and under 60) is Spaced. Two seasons so far on DVD.
01-02-03, 10:06 PM
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It is raunchy and a lot of innuendo...but extremely funny. I never cared for Friends but I love this show. If you want you can view some clips bbcamerica.com For those of you with BBC America they are rerunning some shows around the 12th of January.
01-02-03, 10:12 PM
#24
Office reminds me a bit more of Spinal Tap or the Rutles meets Office Space. The humor is nothing like Office Space, so don't even expect that. Is it a good blind buy? If you enjoy mockumentaries, then yes, it's a good blind buy.