'Episodes' (New BBC/Showtime co-production) [Archive]

scoobyood

30-07-2010, 15:17

Saw a cryptic trail for this on BBC... googled and found what it was...

Episodes starring Matt LeBlanc is a satirical sitcom that is expected to be aired on BBC in 2010 and on Showtime on January 10, 2011[3]. The show is about a British husband and wife comedy team who travel to Hollywood to remake their successful British TV series.[4]. The show is created by David Crane (co-creator of the popular TV sitcom Friends) and Jeffrey Klarik (writer, co-producer of Mad About You), and so far 6 episodes have been ordered as filming started in late 2009.[5][6]

The husband and wife are to be played by Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig, who previously co-starred in the British sitcom Green Wing (2005–2007). The wife was originally to be portrayed by Claire Forlani, but she left the cast in April 2010 when the series was in pre-production. Thomas Haden Church was also to have a role in the series as the American television executive who commissions the remake, but he left due to scheduling conflicts

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Could be good! Wikipedia says it airs January 2011 but it could be sooner on the BBC. Showtime aired the last BBC co-production first, makes sense that the BBC get first dibs this time.

The404

30-07-2010, 15:34

That looks great :D

LeftHandedGuitarist

30-07-2010, 17:19

Ooh :) I'm in.

Cade Foster

30-07-2010, 17:33

Looks good, Matts looking a bit grey round the edges now.

camaj

04-01-2011, 18:05

I'm assuming that that clip is just a promo, clearly on the show he'll already be Matt LeBlanc audtioning for the character in the other show

Episodes starts Monday on BBC2

baffled

04-01-2011, 18:18

Tamain Greig was on BBC breakfast talking about it this morning.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12111796

Can't remember if she said it starts next week or not but it does look very good.

Edit; I see Camaj has posted the start date.

SIMON ADEBISI

04-01-2011, 18:51

Looks great.

Who was the woman sitting down at the audition? She looks very familiar.

stupidgibbon

04-01-2011, 19:49

Average

The404

10-01-2011, 14:56

It was an OK first episode, but if it had been any longer I would have started to get bored. A few laughs, but I was expecting more.

I hear the second episode is much, MUCH better.

roddy

10-01-2011, 15:45

First ep was promising, but more light chuckles than belly laughs. Will stick with it though, as it *should* be good . . .

arma_uk

10-01-2011, 17:10

how have you managed to see this? not on until 10pm tonight awaiaw...

zorro

10-01-2011, 17:31

Probably the same way people watch all the other TV shows that have not been shown in the UK as yet :shrug:

The404

10-01-2011, 18:02

It aired on Showtime last night.

LeftHandedGuitarist

10-01-2011, 18:30

I thought it was okay, if a bit mean spirited.

luffk

10-01-2011, 21:32

Quite liked the fact that all the producers etc in LA were bull ****ters of the highest degree. Okay episode but hoping for more now they've got it all set up.

chrisns

10-01-2011, 21:40

Thought this was rubbish, to be honest. Very little in the way of creative writing, Mangan and Greig looked like they telephoned in the performance, no sign of the much-lauded Blancmeister in the first episode (despite the very heavy promotional work). The American support cast were even more one-dimensional than expected. No memorable gags. The show feels like an insider's personal jab at the American TV industry, rather than comedy for the sake of comedy.

Only Griffiths was good value and I doubt he'll feature in the remaining Episodes.

Meh.

SIMON ADEBISI

10-01-2011, 21:44

Very big meh, hope it wil get better.

I did however want to kick that blonde head of comedy **** in the head everytime she made a stupid face.

robzinski

11-01-2011, 06:43

I did however want to kick that blonde head of comedy **** in the head everytime she made a stupid face.

I thought her one word 'support comments' and look of confusion was about the only funny thing in this.

So much of a let down after the brilliant trailer.

BiscLimpkit

11-01-2011, 06:55

Disappointing first episode but I've series linked this so I'll stick with it...

Marts62

11-01-2011, 07:47

My how Jon has aged since The Secret of My Success! Still good to see him again. :)

scoobyood

11-01-2011, 11:52

I thought it was okay. First episodes are always heavy on the exposition. Next week the joey ****taking starts. :thumbs:

MetalGearAl

11-01-2011, 19:42

Was alright, shame the trailer for the next episode pretty much showed the whole plot of the show!

charlie angel

11-01-2011, 21:51

I enjoyed it - felt like it was finding its feet a bit, but I thought it was very watchable. Will look forward to the next ep.

bigman

11-01-2011, 22:06

Got decent figures - 1.859 million.

Bizarrely only 1,000 people watched it on BBC HD 30 minutes later.

KRW

11-01-2011, 22:20

Big fat 'meh' from me, I'm afraid.

MarkR

12-01-2011, 09:54

Got decent figures - 1.859 million.

Bizarrely only 1,000 people watched it on BBC HD 30 minutes later.

I recorded it at that time does that count???
I wouldn't be surprised that the ratings of BBC HD since BBC1 HD have plummeted loads as my wife for 1 didn't realise the 'old BBC HD' channel still existed as the channel number was different also.

basegreen

12-01-2011, 11:32

The BBC HD thing is just stupid now. Vast majority of the HD channel output is upscaled dross and it's never clear which channel things are meant to be on. They should have left 143 as BBC HD and 169 as BBC 1 HD.

godber

17-01-2011, 08:06

Not as impressed as I thought I would be but will give it another few weeks. Remember thinking The Trip was ok but nothing special after the first episode and that soon became my favourite show on the box. That said, I laughed a lot more during ep 1 of The Trip.

As an aside, did anyone think Greig looked pretty tasty? I watched Her in Tamara Drewe last week and she looked soooo different.

TonyG

17-01-2011, 19:41

Second episode is definitely better, made me laugh several times but still falls short of must-see tv so far.

robzinski

17-01-2011, 21:21

The bits with Matt LeBlanc = :lol:
The bits without = :|

Better than the first episode, so will stick with it.

LeftHandedGuitarist

17-01-2011, 21:31

zantarous

17-01-2011, 21:32

Second episode was superb. Laughed out loud so many times especially the out burst at the end which quite impressive.

Hex

17-01-2011, 22:36

Well, I thought the first episode was mean spirited, but this really put that one to shame! Some really, really unpleasant and offensive characters on show here - but all the same, it was more entertaining than the first episode. Matt LeBlanc certainly livened things up.

I'm happy enough to stick with it but I think it's going to be a difficult watch. The blind wife "jokes" were a bit too much.

Thought this episode was much better than the first episode in terms of laugh out loud moments. The only things i find hard to stand when watching is stuff like the Office which was cringe worthy, had no problems with any of this but maybe i'm desensitised.

SIMON ADEBISI

17-01-2011, 23:35

Better than the first ya, but still nothing special.

I did laugh when she choked and snorted on her wine though.

Psybear

17-01-2011, 23:38

Liked the first one, loved the second one. Highlights included the Tourettes documentary conversation, the 'master bedroom' conversation, the blind wife telling stories over dinner whilst hubby makes faces, and of the the deadpan security guy/outburst.

I think my favourite character has to be Carol Rance (http://www.imdb.com/media/rm380146176/nm1137659/) the network exec - her facial expressions are priceless. Plus she's :luv: lovely.

Great stuff, I'm hooked now.

LeftHandedGuitarist

18-01-2011, 00:17

Thought this episode was much better than the first episode in terms of laugh out loud moments. The only things i find hard to stand when watching is stuff like the Office which was cringe worthy, had no problems with any of this but maybe i'm desensitised.

Usually I have no problem with offensive stuff, I love Family Guy and those sort of things, but something about this just felt in really bad taste. The foul language rant at the end was pretty great though (although I noted this week's Radio Times singles that moment out as a reason to hate this show).

MetalGearAl

18-01-2011, 07:15

Has it's funny moments and I did enjoy it, but I hope they make the plot lines more interesting as the show goes on, at the moment it's incredibly predictable and just seems to be walking along a straight line.

KRW

20-01-2011, 21:38

Boring, I'm afraid. There is zero chemistry between the two leads, they're just like planks whose only function is to gawp at people and their kerrazy suggestions. The 'security guard won't let them in' gag is old and they keep on repeating it. A one gag show whose one gag wasn't that great to start with. This is relageated to Saturday morning 'when there's **** all on' viewing now, just to see how bad it gets.

daz_75

20-01-2011, 23:16

i enjoyed, but was it just me or was the HD broadcast terrible, lots of judder and tearing:shrug:

gap

20-01-2011, 23:57

Second episode was superb. Laughed out loud so many times especially the out burst at the end which quite impressive.

The foul language rant at the end was pretty great though (although I noted this week's Radio Times singles that moment out as a reason to hate this show).

Have to say, I thought that the rant was far to long and very very laboured. HATED the blind wife/face pulling stuff. On the whole, it was just so predictable it was painful - punchlines were obvious from miles away.

Better than the first ya, but still nothing special. I did laugh when she choked and snorted on her wine though.

Pretty much agree exactly with this.

robzinski

25-01-2011, 18:22

Yeah, episode 3 was abysmal.

SIMON ADEBISI

25-01-2011, 18:41

Yup, im done with this. Boring waste of space.

zantarous

25-01-2011, 20:58

I thought it was as good as the previous week very entertaining.

bigman

25-01-2011, 21:56

I though it was ok - quite entertaining.

Odd narrative shift though. In eps 1 and 2 everything was seen from the point of view of the writers so we only knew as much as they did. But suddenly in this episode we suddenly saw the network execs in conversations by themselves.

daboy3000

26-01-2011, 11:02

Just started watching this last night, thought it was very well done, very funny and episode 3 had me crying with laughter.

Its very dry humour and I guess some people just don't get it. Suprissed the Americans do!

jonpeat

26-01-2011, 11:07

I'm suprised by the negative comments over this one. While I found episode 1 to be just a bit 'meh', the 2nd and 3rd episodes have had me laughing a lot. I think its once Matt Le Blanc really started appearing and since then its become one of my favorite shows of the moment. Its a shame its such a short run though.

H Dot

26-01-2011, 11:17

i'm enjoying this too some parts really make me laugh out loud. Still put off by the wonky faced woman.

Arthur Fowler

26-01-2011, 20:14

A few laugh out loud moments in episode 3, but I love a fart or knob gag!

NicolaUK

26-01-2011, 21:12

I'm enjoying it, very dry, LeBlanc rocks :D

Psybear

26-01-2011, 22:25

Weakest of the three so far for me, and I had my hopes high after last week. Will keep it on the Sky+ programmer though.

Jabbitt

26-01-2011, 22:29

We too are surprised at all the negativity this has been shown here. The wife and I are loving this! Episode three has been the funniest so far.

toffee

27-01-2011, 06:36

i don't understand the luke warm reactions either. i think it's hilarious, laugh out loud stuff.

agatha012

27-01-2011, 08:21

well exactly its episode 3 was the most funniest episode that i had ever watched.

Island Swing

27-01-2011, 09:06

loving it here too.

ShakeyJake

27-01-2011, 09:57

I'm in the "meh" camp. It's a shame cause I usually like the stuff the leads are in.

cjanderson

27-01-2011, 20:04

I'm liking it, its good fun, and of course nice and short. definately one to keep on the planner.

alsemail

27-01-2011, 20:36

Yup, quite enjoying this. Liking MLB in it as well.

luffk

27-01-2011, 23:31

Just okay here. Its had it's moments but not quite enough of them.

However its only half an hour-ish so it gets away with it. If it was any longer then it would have been canned.

nsb

06-02-2011, 13:41

Is this show suppose to be a comedy? I found the first 3 enjoyable enough, but the latest ep was :|

TonyG

06-02-2011, 14:18

Still falls short of most US comedies but I feel that it's been slowly improving with each episode.

SIMON ADEBISI

06-02-2011, 14:59

Weird to hear Joey say that word! The reaction to it was funny.

BiscLimpkit

07-02-2011, 21:39

Wasn't a fan to begin with but I'm hooked on this now. I actually laughed at today's episode.

When Matt simulated fellatio behind Morning's back.

George vader

08-02-2011, 11:41

Really enjoying the series, but crikey, last nights ending was a bit downbeat!

oh and Mircea Monroe :luv:

MetalGearAl

15-02-2011, 09:08

Not sure why I'm still watching this, it's got to be one of the most predictable shows I've seen in a long time. Still, feel fairly committed now and only one episode to go, so will see it out.

It's not awful, just not particularly funny either because nothing that interesting happens.

avid fan

15-02-2011, 09:14

Count me as one who’s completely lost interest in this. Did n’t bother watching last week’s episode – left that to the wife – although the internet video at the very end did pique my interest:n0rty:.:nono:

There’s something not quite right about the whole show though – it seems to jump between almost slapstick sitcom humour and drama, but never quite manages either and it all ends up quite jarring. Counting this as one that failed to live up to promise..:(

Roberto

15-02-2011, 09:45

Well i'm just watching it as a light-hearted drama and i'm enjoying it.

sparkyrob

15-02-2011, 20:15

This week's ep was awful. Started off at "not bad" and got progressively worse. I think it needs to decide if it's a comedy or a drama as it certainly isn't hitting the comedy-drama nail.

ShakeyJake

21-02-2011, 17:30

I think the series improved towards the end. It definitely has potential to be good if they tighten up the scripts a bit. I think I'd go as far to say that I'd watch another series after that finale.

MetalGearAl

21-02-2011, 19:44

The last episode was definitely the best off the series, with some actual funny moments. IF there was another series I'd be tempted to continue if it kept up that pace.

zantarous

21-02-2011, 20:41

I must have laughed all the way through this episode, loved the series from start to finish hope they do another.

MetalGearAl

21-02-2011, 20:58

They also justified Daisy Haggard's flight costs but finally giving her a few words to say!

Psybear

21-02-2011, 21:02

I take it then that the final ep has been aired already in the US? Surprised that so many have bothered to 'access' it early, given all the criticism.

zantarous

21-02-2011, 21:12

They also justified Daisy Haggard's flight costs but finally giving her a few words to say!

Funnily enough I just read the whole series was filmed in the UK, quite a good job as well as I had no idea.

NicolaUK

21-02-2011, 21:23

Funnily enough I just read the whole series was filmed in the UK, quite a good job as well as I had no idea.

We spotted some road markings etc. that were obviously British :dork:

MetalGearAl

21-02-2011, 21:28

Was it? Christ, no I couldn't tell either. The cinematography looked pretty American too.

Roberto

21-02-2011, 21:44

I would never have guessed!

ajr90

21-02-2011, 21:54

The road markings - as already mentioned - and the awful, AWFUL green-screening made it obvious that most of the show was filmed in the UK. Well, to me, at least.

Psybear

21-02-2011, 22:18

Well I just watched the final one - definitely the best but difficult to see how they could sustain that level of humour, given the subject matter. Enjoyed the series overall though.

aprout

22-02-2011, 08:55

Probably the best episode of the series, certainly the funniest. Daisy Haggard was ******* awful though.

The Beeb's Red Button extras for the series have been well worth watching too, for once.

I guess if it gets a second season (& I hope it does), it'll be them on the verge of divorce, but forced to work together. Hilarity ensues...

:thumbs:

Roberto

22-02-2011, 10:27

It would be funny if him and morning do actually get together, just to **** his wife off :D

TonyG

22-02-2011, 10:56

The show peaked in the middle for me (around ep.4/5) & overall it was fine but it wouldn't bother me if it never returned. Certainly the poorest offering from Showtime's current US sunday-evening line-up (Californication & the US Shameless being the other shows).

ian turner

22-02-2011, 11:23

It would be funny if him and morning do actually get together, just to **** his wife off :D
That would have to be in the US remake.
"We think they should get it together, it would go down well with the viewers"
"They can't !!! He's a complete loser, it wouldn't make sense. Which viewers ?"

About as likely as him getting together with Mercs wife which might be more appealing.

baloobas

22-02-2011, 12:20

After a terrible start, I thought this got better as it went on with LeBlanc being a standout. Hope it gets a 2nd series.

alsemail

22-02-2011, 16:30

I thought that last episode had it finishing on a real high. REally enjoyed this series and hope it gets another season.

Jungle Ted

23-02-2011, 10:42

I thought that last episode had it finishing on a real high. REally enjoyed this series and hope it gets another season.

I agree - a real laugh out loud moment at the end. Just wish they'd dispense with the really obvious green screen backgrounds though. I never usually notice this type of thing bit it really bugged me throughout this series - especially Matt LeBlanc's house.

sparkyrob

23-02-2011, 11:37

If the show had been as funny as the last 10 minutes of this last episode, it would have been cracking. As it stands, I couldn't care less if this show is back or not.

Arthur Fowler

23-02-2011, 11:43

If the show had been as funny as the last 10 minutes of this last episode, it would have been cracking. As it stands, I couldn't care less if this show is back or not.

Funnily enough, that was the low point of the series for me.

I enjoyed it and would certainly tune in again if it gets another series.

jonpeat

23-02-2011, 11:58

Loved this and really hope it comes back. LeBlanc was comedy gold.

bigman

01-03-2011, 20:11

Looks like it has been renewed for a second season - according to Broadcast magazine (which is a subscription site so not worth posting a link)

thejetsons

01-03-2011, 22:07

It's also been extended to nine episodes.

http://www.comedy.co.uk/news/story/00000478/episodes_tamsin_greig_stephen_mangan_series_2/

H Dot

02-03-2011, 09:00

I enjoyed the series as a whole so looking forward to seeing the new one. Matt was really good in this.

Island Swing

02-03-2011, 09:06

glad to hear it went down well in the States. MlB was excellent all through ,even if SM and (especially) TG were a little one dimensional.

Woefully undersold here though.

einstein

02-03-2011, 09:34

I didn't really laugh out loud at lot watching this....but found myself REALLY enjoying it.

Good believeable characters.

DrVenkman

02-03-2011, 12:12

They really need to change up the dynamic a bit I think. The show is skewed way too heavily in the "Artists are great - executives and actors are clueless" camp and frankly it's little more than a retread of ground already trod by Entourage. Going by interviews with the creators though they see no problem with it so I doubt that's going to change.

LeBlanc has been a constant surprise though. He's often likeable, despite being a dick, and that's largely down to LeBlanc's performance than the writing. In a better world he'd be doing this on a better show. As it is i'm on the fence as to whether I'll bother with Season 2.