Monty Python, it ain't. But it's definitely entertaining.

I suppose if one had to describe Coupling succinctly, it could be said that: "it's Friends, but for a more adult audience."

My husband and I first discovered Coupling via our public television station's British Comedy Saturday lineup. I spent most of the half hour laughing so hard, I cried. As it is EXTREMELY rare for me to have such a reaction to a television program, I just had to stay with this. I was hooked.

Even if you've never really watched or "gotten" British humor, you'll be able to relate to Coupling. The pre-existing network between the characters lays a bit of chemistry right from the get-go. By the end of the pilot episode, we're introduced to Steve (the poor sap who can't seem to dump one girl so he can date another), Jane (the girl that won't let Steve go and maintains that she's 'bisexual'), Sally (ever-aware of the presence of gravity and, as a salon owner, makes it her life's mission to protect all womenkind from its effects---and Susan's closest friend), Susan (the outspoken, successful and spunky love interest of Steve), Jeff (Steve's best friend, who has a terrible time one-on-one with women, but is chock-full of anecdotes about how women "work") and Patrick (Susan's well-endowed ex and apparently, a bit of a playboy). Through their "he knows her, who works with him, etc" network, they all become friends, bringing their histories together to create scenarios that ANYONE who's EVER been in a relationship can certainly relate to. If they can't, they know people who can.

Coupling is more of a "real" glimpse into the lives of successful, single adults, in that it's more believable to see friends meeting in pubs, over beers or wine, talking about relationship woes, exchanging sex tips or just bolluxing about life in general. A coffee shop setting may be more appealing to American television studios, but, let's face it, adults go out for a drink. When they have the kind of success the characters in Coupling do, they probably own the espresso makers and can just as easily have coffee at home.

Each character brings their own variety of humor to the plot of the show. Steve and his "common sense" rants about everything from porn to couch cushions (let's not forget the whole childbirth-pain relief argument); Jeff and his inability to talk to women (he was trying to tell a woman she had nice legs and it turned into him having a wooden leg!); Jane, the perpetual airhead (thinking her 'bisexuality' meant that gay men were attracted to her); Sally and her quest for a man before her neck gets too old; and Patrick, the playboy that Susan nicknamed "Donkey".

Yes, this is definitely NOT a show for the whole family, but rather a fresh perspective on the whole world of relationships: friends, lovers, ex-lovers, parents...

Of course, this, like the show, ends with parenthood.