j123vt_99

Ok.. saw the commerical for the 'new' NBC sitcom Coupling. If I understand correctly, it is a copy of Friends that was brought to BBC made into a hit show there and is now being brought back to the US (even looks to have the same exact jokes)... Are there any other examples of a show that has been copied two times and then played on the same station as the original?

Iron Chef

NBC's interpretation of Coupling makes me sick to my stomach.


BTW, We have a feisty Coupling thread going on here

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...light=Coupling

RKillgore

Actually, you make the mistake that so many others have posted. Coupling is not a copy of Friends, it just has the similar structure of six attractive people in their late 20's- early 30's: three males and three females. Friends basic concept is that you have a group of varied personalities and despite these differences and situations that they get each other into, they remain friends. Coupling is based around the new relationship of two characters, Steve and Susan, and (as Susan says in the first episode) "your ex, my ex, your best friend, my best friend. Every new relationship has baggage; we might as well invite ours to dinner."
Definitely try the British Coupling, 1st season is available on DVD in R1, more to come and it also shows on BBCAmerica.

Red Dog

Now that I am addicted to Coupling (ordered the S1 DVD on Friday), I can definitely say it is not a copy of Friends. I'd say it has some elements that Friends has, but it also has elements from Seinfeld and Sex & the City.

zerotl

Good catch on the sex and city similarites, coupling, the ones I've been watching from BBC is very sex oriented (watch melty man cometh, hilarious stuff.)

It's hard not to draw comparisons, but I kinda like coupling more than friends now becase the jokes are still fresh. Any other brit comedy I should be recording?

TheMadMonk

Pretty much every episode of Coupling revolves around sex. But they do it in such a fresh, funny, creative way, that every one is very good.

I agree that it is not much like Friends, at least in comedic style. I love Coupling, but don't really watch Friends. I can tolerate it, but it is not a show I seek out.