BBC's Coupling: The Answer to Life Without Seinfeld & Friends
By: Mark Runyon | Category: PM Television Commentary | 11/04/05 | 06:39 PM
 'Iconish' (as Jessica Simpson would say) television comedy just hasn't been the same since the fall of the mighty NBC "must-see" line-up that let our remotes rest on Thursday nights. Did they truly think the Joanie Loves Chachi-esque Joey could really anchor their continued dominance? Don't even get me started on NBC ditching its best comedy, Scrubs, from their fall line-up. What are we to do without our Friends or the immortal Seinfeld to keep us wobbling off the couch from fits of sidesplitting laughter? Oh, the humanity! What would you do if I told you there was a show just as fun as Friends with that special quirky innovation of Seinfeld all wrapped up into one nice, neat little package? Now granted it's cancelled too, but it's British, available on DVD, so it's all new to you. It's called Coupling and it's just the swift kick-start your funny bone has been jonesing for.
So what the puck is Coupling anyway?
Now I'm sure a few of you will say we've already seen Coupling in America -- all two episodes of it. Still have a bad taste in your mouth from that dog, huh? Well you should know by now that when TV execs try to import British programs, they always screw them up. NBC's take was Coupling neutered, which is about as fun as watching Hummel extravaganza on QVC. Hummel explosion might be fun though. You see the BBC version is rooted in sex; headboard banging, schoolgirl outfit wearing, toe curling, "sweet Jesus, Mary and Joseph" sex. There's never been a more fertile ground for comedy than taking the flesh boat to tuna town. Like its partner, BBC's the Office, the morality police on the other side of the pond aren't quite so Puritanical in their crackdown of material like they are stateside.
Introducing the Couplers
Like Friends, we have a group of 6 inordinately attractive individuals (3 male, 3 female) that have either dated, slept with or inadvertently seen one another naked. Its an incestuous nest like Melrose Place if Melrose were funny and didn't suck a$$. Jeff (Richard Coyle) is our resident Kramer. Without him, the show is as tasty as Styrofoam as we are forced to try out in season 4. The Jeffisms that fumble out of his mouth are an assault of zingers from porn buddies to giggle loops. If I could setup camp in one character's head in the television universe, it would be Jeff. He's a hopeless goof, neurotically paranoid and somehow snares the finest women in the place only to dose the flames before the real action begins. Steve (Jack Davenport) is our unofficial male lead who lives with his foot in his mouth. He rolls his eyes at Jeff and tiptoes along trying to get a reprieve from the doghouse with Susan. Susan (Sarah Alexander) is his girlfriend who is a perky, sassy blonde who isn't afraid to tell it like it is. Sally (Kate Isitt) is her close friend who is an ageist, completely obsessed by the encroaching lines on her face and her ever-growing bottom. Jane (Gina Bellman) is Steve's daft ex who is a narcissistic leech who misplaced a couple marbles along the way. While we're on the topic of narcissism, Patrick (Ben Miles) is the character most enamored with himself. He's a playboy with donkey-like features (hint: that has nothing to do with his brain or his face) and a cupboard full of lovin', endlessly chronicling the hundreds of women who he's had carnal gymnastics with.
Zany Hijinks
Jeff's date thinks he collects women's ears in a bucket, Steve's has problems with an out of control pause, Jeff sexually assaults a television. It seems the more outlandish the stunts, the juicier the payoff for these grand writers. With these eccentric characters, the writers must have had a verifiable field day constructing wacky, unthinkable situations. Could you imagine having to explain the plot of Lesbian Spank Inferno with a table full of accusatory female eyes, your girlfriend included, boring a hole through you? Can you see unholstering your breast (yeah I just made you a female) on the first date in front of your prospective, your ex, your best friend and the waiter? Just a mere taste of the trouble and bizarre antics that crop up among this sextet. Make sure you hit pause should you need a bathroom break because you never know what insanity you'll miss even in the span of a couple minutes.
The Obligatory Disclaimer
I alluded to this earlier, but I should provide a quick note of caution for those of you who get hooked on this delicious series. Bail out before you hit season 4. Richard Coyle (Jeff) prematurely leaves the show to pursue other options and the heart of the series leaves with him. Could you imagine Seinfeld trying to limp along without Kramer? Consider yourself sufficiently warned. Also the accents and the curious British vocabulary can present a small challenge at first, but you quickly adapt. It's really a minor obstacle, not like the thick Cockney slurs of the gents in Trainspotting.
What Coupling teaches us is that the divide which exists between men and women is larger than the Grand Canyon and trying to bridge it is about as easy as walking on air. The perfect example is Jeff trying to communicate with the flaming hot Israeli chick. You can move your lips, but that doesn't mean that what slips into her ear are the same words that parted your lips. This complete disconnect, fueled by six of the horniest individuals you will ever meet, make Coupling such a ridiculously funny comedy. If you are looking for the humor you lost in Friends and Seinfeld with a blinding obsession on sex, Coupling is just the perfect blend to make your face ache after getting stuck smiling too much.
Buy or rent season 1 of Coupling now.
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