 | Imagine Coupling as "Sein-Friends."
rating: 5
"Sex can be very stressful for men. You judge us on technique, sensitivity, stamina . . . we're just happy if you're naked . . . half naked . . . one breast."
Coupling is a brilliant British television sitcom that aired on BBC2 from May, 2000 to June, 2004. While it has often been called the British version of Friends, its writer Steven Moffat says that his inspiration for the show was Seinfeld. Imagine Coupling as "Sein-Friends." Although NBC attempted to adapt the series for an American audience, the sexually explicit subject matter was deemed inappropriate for American television. The show chronicles the sexual adventures of six thirtysomething "exes and best friends." Steve (Jack Davenport) and Susan (Sarah Alexander) are the two main characters, and the four other characters are their best friends, Jane (Gina Bellman), Sally (Kate Isitt), Patrick (Ben Miles) and Jeff (Richard Coyle). Richard Mylan replaced the character Jeff in Season 4 with his character Oliver.
The characters.
Coupling follows the tangled relationships of the six main characters. It has been noted that the female characters are confident and sexually voracious, while the male characters are rarely anything other than blabbering idiots, who suffer from self-doubt and social awkwardness. Although she is an uninhibited career woman, fluent in French, Susan is insecure about boyfriend Steve's former relationship with Jane. Steve is an inarticulate bloke with good intentions. His best friend Jeff works as an accountant with Susan. Women turn both men into a bumbling idiots. Sally is Susan's neurotic best friend. She frets incessantly over her appearance, her failed relationships, and her age. While Steve's former lover, Jane, is equally attractive and promiscuous, she suffers from loneliness and insecurity. She claims to be bisexual, but Jane's friends claim that she is merely "mad." Patrick is Susan's ex-lover and a ladies' man with only one thing on his mind. (Susan refers to him as "donkey" and "tripod.") Accident-prone Oliver becomes involved with Jane in Season 4 of the series.
Coupling is a study in modern sexual neuroses and obsessions. In true British form, the quirky show is hilarious, witty, and sexually provocative. The dialogue is sexy, smart, and flawless. Highly recommended.
G. Merritt
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excellent
rating: 5
This tv series is sooo funny. I wish I would have known about it when it was on TV but now I can watch any episode any time I want.
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Keeps You Laughing
rating: 5
I became hooked on Coupling when I came across it on BBC America, sharp, witty and I often am bursting out laughing. The cast worked very well together with probable and improbable situations. Every time I got a chance to catch it, even if the episodes were ones I had seen before, I would because of the guranteed laughs.
Jeff is always a high point and his rather unique approach to the world often leaves you shaking your head in a good way, though all of the characters bring something to the table. I am not usually a fan of "awkward comedy" where awkward situations by themselves are suppossed to be funny, but Coupling succeeds in pulling this off.
The DVD set is a very worthwhile addition to a collection for those times you need a laugh.
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do yourself a favor watch coupling
rating: 5
i found coupling by accident on tv. i have not enjoyed many shows as much as i have enjoyed coupling. if you liked seinfeld you will love coupling.
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mature content...hilariously situational humor
rating: 5
My husband and I watched this series years ago on PBS. We even video- taped a marathon of episodes. We were very excited when this DVD set was available. Very pleased! Laugh out loud funny but definitely for adults only!
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