'Coupling' is more bland than bawdy

By Matthew Gilbert, Globe Staff, 9/25/2003

The cast of the American "Coupling" looks like it was imported from "Temptation Island." The actors are bland, telegenic hotties who were probably asked to perform their auditions in a hot tub. Except for the show's requisite nerd, the bumbling Jeff, they're a clique of reality-style plastic people.

But that's not the biggest problem with the show, which is a remake of the witty and likable BBC hit. The biggest problem is that the writing just isn't funny or original. "Coupling," which premieres tonight at 9:30 on WHDH-TV (Channel 7), dredges up every tired sex joke from a decade of NBC "Must-See" singles sitcoms, while pretending it's all oh-so-envelope-pushing. We've been hearing the same material -- on masturbation, oral sex, underwear, girl-on-girl action -- since "Seinfeld" was the master of the TV domain. It's even de rigueur on "family" comedies such as "According to Jim." What TV hubby hasn't been seen with a helpless glaze over his eyes at the mere mention of lesbianism?

Granted, "Coupling" arrives with unfairly high expectations. The BBC's version works remarkably well as a wry take on gender battles, and as a comedy of sexual manners. And it features a cast -- like the cast of "Friends" -- who have personalized their characters and made them indelible. It sets a tough standard. The American "Coupling" is saddled with impossible comparisons to "Friends," since NBC is hoping "Coupling" will replace the departing hit in our hearts and in its ratings.

But still, even without other series hanging over its head, the American "Coupling" misses the mark. A string of sexy punch lines without sensibility, it has the comedic pitch of an R-rated "Love, American Style."

The show is about six friends in Chicago with various romantic and sexual ties. They gather regularly at a bar, where, tonight, Steve (Jay Harrington) is trying to break up with Jane (Lindsay Price). She'll have none of that, and she draws him back into a sexual encounter with talk of her desire for women. At the same time, Steve is attracted to Susan (Rena Sofer), and their date ends with her flashing a breast in a restaurant. Meanwhile, jester Jeff (Christopher Moynihan) is always nearby to bumble in front of the gang, which also includes the insecure Sally (Sonya Walger) and her boyfriend Patrick (Colin Ferguson). Like most premieres, tonight's episode has the unfortunate task of establishing the characters and their relationships to one another. It's possible that "Coupling" will improve in the coming weeks, especially if the episodes become more thematic. If the writers can slow down the pace and focus more on comic situations than commercial-ready one-liners, perhaps they can develop something less crude. As the theme song for both versions of "Coupling" goes, "Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps." Matthew Gilbert can be reached at gilbert@globe.com.