KSL uncouples 'Coupling'; WB may air risqué series

[TeeYiYi]

This is what happens when 'the church' owns your state:

KSL uncouples 'Coupling'; WB may air risqué series

By Vince Horiuchi
The Salt Lake Tribune

The new NBC sitcom may be called "Coupling," but KSL television executives want to be the last ones connected with it.
KSL Channel 5 managers decided Friday not to air the new fall show, about six New York twentysomethings and their
ever-evolving relationships, because of the series' sexual content.
The half-hour sitcom was originally to premiere Thursday at 8:30 p.m.
Executives for KSL, the NBC affiliate for Utah and owned by the LDS Church, viewed just one episode before they realized
the show was "not suitable for KSL standards."
The pilot they viewed starts off with two characters having an explicit conversation about oral sex. Another scene ends
with a man and woman about to have sex in a bathroom stall.

More: http://www.sltrib.com/2003/Sep/09202003/saturday/94015.asp

TYY

[joeybee12]

1. Well, the show does look dumb...

...so I'd understand if they didn't air it because it wasn't any good.

But God forbid people should be allowed to view reality--can't have that.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

2. The British Version Was Funny

but usually when they remake things here they ruin them.

[AnnabelLee]

13. How true

A US version of Coupling will be supremely unfunny. Too much of what makes the UK version funny will not be allowed here.

[AWD]

15. VERY funny

I lOVE the British version.

The US versions are exactly the same...even 40 minutes long. NBC redid their entire Thursday schedule to work around a 40-minute show.

Let's hope American actors can pull it off.

[RC]

3. Now if this show had a kill'em and leave'em format,

that would be A-OK. But heaven forbid skin should show or to talk about a subject that is for most of us is always on our minds.

[TahitiNut]

6. Yeah, there's something very strange ...

... about people who'll devour hate-filled stuff (e.g. 'Slander' and 'Treason'), the sexual prurience of the Star Report, and the 'law and order' mayhem ... and then act to overtly stifle a comedy based on loving/affectionate/intimate relationships. Insane.

[GinaMaria]

11. strange how our culture

is fine with violence and afraid of sex.

:hi: TN

[TahitiNut]

19. Yup. Baroque folk often like the violin and hate the sax.

:silly:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. If they think this will stop it,

they are wrong. I remember in the 70s when "HOT-L Baltimore" was on TV. The local network affilitate replaced it with "Ozzie's Girls" because they objected to its content. Didn't see that that stopped the drive towards more sexuality on TV.

But I'm glad to see that the LDS church is at least being consistant with their beliefs. I think the First Amendment gives people and companies the right to say no, they aren't going to air/view something they personally think objectionable. And I'm sure that people who want to watch the sticom will find a way-satellite dishes spring to mind.

My one question about Coupling is do they ever talk about/practice safe sex? I have a feeling that showing a condom or talking about AIDS testing before sex would be considered a greater obscenity than "doing it".

[ant]

12. hmmm

I think the First Amendment gives people and companies the right to say no, they aren't going to air/view something they personally think objectionable.

I'm not sure about that. Aren't the airwaves owned by the public, with government "leasing" space to companies? It's possible I've misunderstood how the whole thing works, but if I have the basic idea right I'm a little uncomfortable with religious companies dictating what can and can't be shown on public spaces. Isn't that what the FCC is for?

And I'm sure that people who want to watch the sticom will find a way-satellite dishes spring to mind.

Of course, the problem there is that we're accepting a solution accessible only to those in a certain class. If you can't afford cable or a satellite dish, what then? Why should you be forced to deal with the religious standards of others while those with money can escape the imposition? That strikes me as unfair and unAmerican.

[AWD]

16. As a matter of fact....

My one question about Coupling is do they ever talk about/practice safe sex?

Yes, they do.

In the bathroom sex scene, the man (Steve) leaves the stall to get a condom.

[muriel_volestrangler]

17. If they're following the British plotline

then condoms come up in the first episode. See http://www.bbcamerica.com/genre/comedy_games/coupling/coupling_episode_guide_series_1.jsp for plotlines.

'Coupling' isn't incredibly explicit - less than 'Sex and the City', I'd say, but the plot, and dialogue, is always sex-driven. It's an obvious "Friends with more sex", and it doesn't surprise me that some stations would think it goes too far for normal broadcast in the USA.

[Skittles]

5. having sex in a bathroom stall

I'm no prude but come on, that's just gross

[joeybee12]

7. You mean you've NEVER had sex in a bathroom stall?

I've never had sex anyplace else!


Sarcasm!

[RC]

8. In the bath room with

our kids pounding in the door 'cause they gotta go. :evilgrin: You gotta try that some time!

[Scurrilous]

9. For many a young teenage boy....

...the bathroom is the center of sexual activity. :eyes:

[jus_the_facts]

10. They should go ahead and make ALL t.v.....pay per view......

.....so there wouldn't even be ANY free t.v. anymore....it's all complete and total SHIT....and YEAH I concider ALL cable and satallite....PAY PER VIEW...for you're having to PAY for advertising....when it's the advertisers who should be PAYING for YOU to watch....BUT OH HOW DARE WE TURN THE IDIOT BOX F'N OFF! :eyes:

[lanlady]

14. it's Clinton's fault

He taught our young people what oral sex is.

[MaineDem]

18. I love the British version

I find it very refreshing, to be honest. And, yes, there's much less explicit sex than on "Sex and the City". It's very funny!

I always wondered how an Americanzied version would work. I have my doubts.