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NBC Coupling 1x02 "Size Does Matter"
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Posted by: SnakeEyes

Well I have to say episode 2 was improvement over the pilot, though disagreed with some here and thought the pilot was a good start. The characters seem to be getting things down. Steve came off as more nervous rather than just something with the right quip after a quick thought as he did last week which is vital to his character. Jeff was better although he will never be as good as Coyle is. I liked Susan last week and did so this week. Jane is the best of the group. Only complaints character/acting wise is that Patrick is a bit too cocky and there is something about Sally, I am not sure what it is though. Having seen the UK version it did feel a bit rushed, like last week, because of the necessary edits for time. Only thing I really missed was Jeff talking about how gays have it easier. I still think the big test will be how episode 4, the first originial script, goes. (I've already seen next week's Sex, Death, and Nudity episode on the media review tape) I liked the toothbrush bit at the end.

Posted by: TeeSee

I think it was called "Size Matters".

I agree with most of what you said. This show was better than the first, though I hated the pilot. The characters were better played tonight. Steve was funnier, or maybe I should say he was funny. Jeff wasn't as bad as last week but he's no Coyle. Patrick is still the weakest link. Although I'll admit he took the longest for me to like in the British version as well. Jane is the best of the American characters. British Jane remains my least favorite, so maybe I appreciate our Jane more than I might because comparing the characters is too difficult for me not to do.

I'm looking forward to the first original script. I didn't realize they would have one so soon. Do you know who wrote it?

Posted by: ClutchBrake

Better than last week, but still weak compared to the original. Some of the actors come off like they are still reading their lines directly from a script. Jane seems to be the only one really settled into her role. Of everyone last night I thought Jane's date was the most comfortable and natural onscreen.

I am eagerly awaiting the first original script. Surprisingly, I think I am going to like it once it goes original.

Posted by: mrs-j

I enjoyed the show last night. There were a few awkward moments and I don't think the actors playing Jeff, Patrick or Sally are very well-suited to their roles. At least, not yet.

Steve was much more Steve-like in last night's episode, particularly while having dinner with Susan. I still think Rena Sofer is my favorite and I'm warming up to Jane.

I am definitely looking forward to seeing an all-original script. It was interesting to see the US translations to "Republican" and "George Bush" in the scenes with Patrick and Sally.

Posted by: Ereth

I thought it was better than last week, too. Maybe it'll really get good once they have a few episodes under their belt.

No excuse, though. The British version was good from the beginning. I HATE that we take a half a season (or a whole season for Trek) to "get a feel for the characters" and have the show start being good and accept that as "normal".

Posted by: KRS

Slightly better than the horrid first episode, but still barely tolerable for those of us (all?) who have seen the original.

I am still disturbed by the fake american accent that the chick from Mind of the Married Man (Jane?) has to put on. It sounds forced and it seems like she has to speak slowly in order to maintain the accent. Plus I think that while the US Susan is doing a good job, the MotMM Jane would have done it better.

Plus she looks a lot more like Sarah Alexander. I like her "cat eyes".....

Posted by: lew313

Is the one who plays Sally (the blond) the same person that was the British wife on Mind of a Married Man on HBO. Now that should never have been canceled.

Posted by: Tori

I enjoyed it more than the first one too. It still feels a bit like I am watching a high school play. You can see some of the people involved are talented, but nothing really gels.

-Tori

Posted by: keirgrey

Did they recycle a script from the Brit version? I tuned over to BBC America and heard the same lines.

Posted by: skearney00

I thought is was a little better too. But I think it is just because I am starting to get used to it. I think the original scripts will play much better; these adaptation are just too rushed.

The laugh track doesn't bother me too much, but for the love of god please turn down the volume!

Posted by: old7

quote:
Originally posted by lew313
Is the one who plays Sally (the blond) the same person that was the British wife on Mind of a Married Man on HBO. Now that should never have been canceled.

Yes, Sonya Walger (Sally) is the same person that played Donna on "The Mind of the Married Man."

-Old7

Posted by: Paul_PDX

quote:
Originally posted by Tori
... It still feels a bit like I am watching a high school play. You can see some of the people involved are talented, but nothing really gels.

I agree entirely and I was just going to make the same comment about high school play. Nothing will match the original and with 12 minutes of edits the characters will continue to play hollow no matter what they try ....:mad: :down: :down: :down:

Posted by: Uther

Well, I've waited 2 shows, and now I'll say it: THE AMERICAN VERSION OF COUPLING SUCKS!

The actors all suck, or maybe it's the direction, because they ruin the timing of many of the jokes.

:(

Posted by: msgoff

Well, here's my 2 cents...

I thought this was a vast improvement over the pilot and it gave me great hope for the series moving forward.

The challenge for those of us who are fans of the BBC version is this: there are only a limited number of episodes and (if you're like me) we've watched them over and over and can almost quote the lines along with the characters.

And that's the problem - you're expecting a certain beat, certain words, and certain accents/emphases - and it'll never be the same on the NBC version - and it shouldn't be.

I really enjoyed the show last night by clearing my mind of the BBC version of "Size Matters" and trying to enjoy the episode on its own - and I did really enjoy it. I enjoyed the changes they made and laughed at it in its own right. Was I a bit sad that the "sock gap" didn't get played up more? Sure, but I thought the episode as a whole was good and I look forward to watching it develop.

In my mind it's kind of like when another band covers your favorite song (or even when the same artist performs a new arrangement) - just because it's different doesn't mean it's bad (it doesn't mean it's good, either, but you have to judge it on its own merits).

Posted by: cwoody222

It was better than the awful Pilot.

I immediately watched (for my first time) the UK version of that episode on DVD. It was better in parts. But I think the US was better in other parts, too.

I think the person who said the US ones sounded rushed has a point. The UK version is 35 minutes or so, without commercials. Things like the Sock Gap are more funny if given a bit more time. The US version is trying to jump to the punchline too quick.

The one thing that bugged me about the US version was how the Bi- one (sorry, don't remember names) was walking in to the bar with the other 2 women like they were best friends already - they just met!

I was much happier in the UK version where she just 'ran into' them at the bar.

I'm glad I watched the US one first, though...I would have been confused of what a Torrie (sp?) was.

As it was it took me a while while watching some other episodes to learn that British "pants" were really "panties" ;)

Posted by: Tori

quote:
Originally posted by cwoody222
I'm glad I watched the US one first, though...I would have been confused of what a Torrie (sp?) was.

It's Tory, just in case you care.

-Tori ;)

Posted by: Uther

You mean those people who were still loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution?

;)

Posted by: Jon J

quote:
Originally posted by cwoody222
I'm glad I watched the US one first, though...I would have been confused of what a Torrie (sp?) was.

Tory. British Conservative. Translated to Republican in the NBC version.

Posted by: jamesbobo

I'll also add my vote to liking the second episode better than the first. I still haven't gotten the names of the characters memorized, so I don't remember who Susan, Steve, Jane, etc. are.

Posted by: LlamaLarry

I watched the NBC and BBC versions back to back this weekend and still find the BBC version to be much much better. To be fair, the extra time does help with the setup, as a couple of the jokes in the US version were a bit funnier once I applied the better paced delivery of the BBC version.

The "Say When" joke made more sense with the BBC delivery, as I thought Susan was a jab at duration to add to the equipment issues. :-)

Posted by: kimsan

I'm still underwhelmed, but will give them a little more time.

Someone suggested a high school play and I had that same thought. Everyone seems to be in a big hurry to get their lines out. "Steve" and "Jeff" are all but interchangeable at this point, and both seem to be channeling "Chandler" from Friends.

"Jeff" in particular needs to slow down and learn timing. He simple spurts out his lines with no time for contemplation. Coyle (BBC) is a master of timing and lures you into every one of his theories of life; first naming them as if they're utterly universal notions, then expounding on them in ways that reveal his belief in the most absurd things. His presentation makes you believe that at least *he* believes what he's saying.

"Jane" may be the only shining star out of this cast. First episode wasn't so hot, but she really hit all the marks in episode 2. Her self-involvement is complete and credible.

The SP stands for another week, but for the love of god, someone tell BBCA to get season 3 of the *REAL* Coupling on the air soon!

Posted by: Joyster

quote:
Originally posted by kimsan
The SP stands for another week, but for the love of god, someone tell BBCA to get season 3 of the *REAL* Coupling on the air soon!

BBCA already played through the entire season 3. It finished just a couple of weeks before NBC started playing the US version. There are no more new episodes of the original coupling to air at this point. :(
The final episode was the 'pregnancy test / spiderman dance' episode - which is still one of my favourite scenes from the series.

On a brighter note, I did read somewhere that they are writing a season 4, but I don't know what priorities Mr Moffat is using to decide whether to work on the US / UK version at any time.

Posted by: kimsan

quote:
Originally posted by Joyster
BBCA already played through the entire season 3. It finished just a couple of weeks before NBC started playing the US version. There are no more new episodes of the original coupling to air at this point. :(
The final episode was the 'pregnancy test / spiderman dance' episode - which is still one of my favourite scenes from the series.

On a brighter note, I did read somewhere that they are writing a season 4, but I don't know what priorities Mr Moffat is using to decide whether to work on the US / UK version at any time.

Duh! You're right, of course. I got to see seasons 1 and 2 in quick succession before season 3 early in the year.

Let me correct myself now:

The SP stands for another week, but for the love of god, someone tell BBC to get season 4 of the *REAL* Coupling recorded soon!
:)

Posted by: TiVoLance

Original was sooooo much better. not sure if I will watch this series.

Posted by: scottjf8

BBCA Coupling Episode Guide

http://www.cylist.com/List/400150477/

Posted by: Paul_PDX

Season 4 of the UK version starts shooting in February ... Expect BBCA to show it 3 to 6 months after BBC UK (unless the deal with NBC prevents it).

I haven't seen any Nielson numbers on the US version -- if it was my call I would doubt it will ever last to a fourth season (or even a 2nd).

Posted by: TheDewAddict

quote:
Originally posted by Paul_PDX
Season 4 of the UK version starts shooting in February ... Expect BBCA to show it 3 to 6 months after BBC UK (unless the deal with NBC prevents it).

I haven't seen any Nielson numbers on the US version -- if it was my call I would doubt it will ever last to a fourth season (or even a 2nd).

A UK season is much shorter than an American season. 6 eps for the UK, and between 13-20 for the US. American's could burn through the entire first and second season of the UK, plus have a few shows into the third season, which is why NBC is writing some original episodes, so they spread out the UK scripts.

Posted by: TeeSee

Does anyone have info on how this show is doing in the Nielson's?

Posted by: TeeSee

Does anyone have info on how this show is doing in the Nielson's?

Edit: Just found that it was 20th for the week (13.4 million viewers), up from 25th the week before. Not bad, but considering the hammock position it's in I'm not sure if that's going to be good enough for the entire season. Depends on how much of a lead-in it loses. Of course it's early yet.

Posted by: TeeSee

Dang, I'll figure out the difference between the edit and quote buttons some day.

Posted by: edc

quote:
Originally posted by TeeSee
Does anyone have info on how this show is doing in the Nielson's?

Edit: Just found that it was 20th for the week (13.4 million viewers), up from 25th the week before. Not bad, but considering the hammock position it's in I'm not sure if that's going to be good enough for the entire season. Depends on how much of a lead-in it loses. Of course it's early yet.

Coupling is holding on to roughly 75% of "Will and Grace's" audience, slightly higher in 18-49. Overall numbers are down across the board for NBC Thursday, but relatively it is doing the same or slightly better than "Good Morning Miami."

It is not yet the blockbuster NBC hoped for, but is holding its own. No telling whether that will be good enough to get a renewal, but it will almost certainly get the "back 13" for the full season.

Posted by: e30mpwrd

quote:
Originally posted by scottjf8
BBCA Coupling Episode Guide

http://www.cylist.com/List/400150477/

Is this right? It lists the shows as having aired in the same order they were produced. I thought the pilot was actually inferno even though it is the 4th episode?

Posted by: kitsap

At one point, Inferno was going to be the US pilot episode. "Flushed" was definitely the first BBC episode ... and it ultimately turned out to be the first in the US, too.

Posted by: Mike20878

I see complaints about the laugh track, but I saw the BBC version of this episode and it had a laugh track as well.

Posted by: shady

quote:
Originally posted by Mike20878
I see complaints about the laugh track, but I saw the BBC version of this episode and it had a laugh track as well.

Yes, but the Brit laugh track was much more subtle