US network sidelines Brit import

The American remake of Coupling appears to be floundering after network chiefs pulled two episodes from their prime-time slots.

Tomorrow night's episode has been dropped in favour Whoopi, starring Whoopi Goldberg and Britain's Omid Djalili.

And NBC has also moved another episode in a fortnight's time to make way for longer episodes of other sitcoms.

The moves will give added exposure to the networks' other shows, but has prompted speculation about the future of Coupling, which had been touted as a possible replacement for the runaway success of Friends.

NBC insists no decisions have been made, Hollywood trade paper Variety reports.

It was revealed this week that the BBC is to make a fourth series of the British version, to air next summer.

Published: 15 Oct 2003