A problem I was told, with the principle of the American remake of Coupling is that so much is so much more precise in British humour. There's a very specific knowledge (whether one chooses to live it or not) of what is done in specific situations, which makes a comedy of manners so much less watch-from-the-hall, but more precise and delightful.

No, I have no idea how they're getting around it, but I hope it rocks, because Patrick is being played by a dear friend.

Last I heard, there was a pilot reshoot in the works.

Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister.

Also, Waiting For G-d. (Or, what I expect being old will be like.)

Oh, the ultimate cringeworthy comedy at the moment is this British show The Office. I hear it's huge over there, but it's only on cable here atm so not so popular yet. It's running on ABC from the beginning soon though. Anyone else like this?

The little clips I've seen so far are so excruciatingly close to the bone that I physically cannot watch it. Ricky Gervaise seems to have nailed office life. Alan Partridge I can watch, and laugh at, albeit clench-buttocked. The Royle Family likewise. But The Office just reminds me too much of places I have temped.

The Office is probably the first situation tragedy. It's brilliant, but at points unwatchable - not because it's cruel, but because it's so incredibly accurate.

This I can believe - and what an exquisite way of putting it.

Wow. I've been wanting to but haven't had a chance to catch The Office on BBCAmerica. I'll try harder.

A lot of it is very UK-specific - what anyone outside Britain will make of a line like "Look at him! He looks like a Fisher-Price man!" is anyones guess. But it's worth seeing.

Isn't Fisher Price an international brand? Or is the reference not to the toy company?

Anyway, I've just seen the first episode of Season 7 and am still gasping. HOLY SHIT!!! So glad I wasn't spoiled for that ending.

Fisher-Price is a well-known brand of kids and toddler toys here -- actually I'm surprised that you know it, because I'd thought they were American-only.

Fisher-Price is a well-known brand of kids and toddler toys here -- actually I'm surprised that you know it, because I'd thought they were American-only.

An idea of Fisher Price's international operations can be found here. Mostly Europe and North America, Australia too.