MovieChat Forums > Coupling (2003) Discussion > Much, Much worse that I imagined it coul...

Much, Much worse that I imagined it could be...

posted 21 years ago by cewasmuthiii
5 replies | jump to latest

My review of this terrible remake of a great BBC show didn't go through so I am posting it here. Seems people are pretty much in 100% agreement though, the remake positively sucks!

Awful premiere.

I positively love the original Coupling from BBC. I consider it to be the very best sitcom in TV history. I like shows such as Three’s Company, The Jefferson’s, Sanford and Son, Scrubs. But, Coupling beats them all in my mind. That is, the original Coupling.

Now, I kept an open mind before viewing this remake and actually was looking forward to seeing how they would 're-do' the show. What I saw on screen horrified me. I mean it was BBBBAAAADDDDD. Pitifully bad. Much, much worse than I ever imagined it could be. It was like a high school acting class watched something and then put on a play to try to duplicate it. Exact same circumstances and exact same 'punch lines' as the original show but the problem was it had no, and I mean NO, comedic timing and the actors and actresses were not funny. The story seemed rushed, the laugh track was forced and it simply came across as dumb.

This episode was based on the original ‘Coupling’ episode from BBC called ‘Flushed.’ If you sit down and watch the original BBC show you will no doubt understand how pathetic this remake was last night. I was tearing my clothes in sorrow watching what I feel is the BEST SITCOM IN TV HISTORY being bastardized right in front of my eyes. BBC should have NEVER sold the rights to the show to NBC. Thankfully, the real Coupling is available on DVD. But, knowing the actors and actresses form the original Coupling will no longer make their show because of this NBC drivel drives me nuts. A truly sad occurrence for sitcom fans.

[–] mathus 21 years ago

people have to understand us americanized-version bashers...

- if the new show was actually somewhat different yet still sucked, we would have respected it.

- if the show had all-new characters but with a certain coupling charm (but still sucked) we would have respected it.

- if the show had AT LEAST changed things around but still kept the plot and dialogue from the original (but still sucked) we would have at least respected it.

...us fans of the original KNOW that the people behind the orgiginal were in on this new version. what we CAN'T respect, however is that the acting was terrible. Speaking for myself, i don't care what anyone says, those actors tried to act EXACTLY like the original characters. they came accross as baffoons, and it was embarassing to watch.

[–] southernjezebel1 21 years ago

I completely agree with you guys about the acting. I felt bad for them.

I don't think NBC did them any favors by putting them behind Will & Grace. There is such a natural flow between the characters W&G. The flow of Coupling did seem very forced and I agree that it was not funny. It seemed like they all felt uncomfortable.

[–] shrek2004 21 years ago

Hey, what do you have against high school plays?
I agree with you about Coupling, I saw a British episode once and it was better than the American version. But the American version could work, it needs some tweaking though.

[–] robb-7 21 years ago

I figured that with my low expectations, there surely they'd find a way to exceed them somehow. Never did I imagine that they would fall so unbelievably short.

This show was terrible. Sucked doesn't even begin to cover it!

I think the analogy to a high-school production is apt. Everyone looked incredibly uncomfortable. The timing was completely off. I don't think it felt rushed, just like two people playing catch where every thrown ball is dropped. No rhythm whatsoever.

It's my understanding that the British version will continue, but I just wish they'd make more. How can the UK be satisifed with just 6 episodes a year?!

This crap has no right to make it to the third week. So much for NBC's great hope for the Fall season.

[–] 21 years ago

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