US stations ban raunchy sitcom

The American version of BBC sitcom Coupling has fallen foul of moral campaigners with two stations dropping the show from their schedules amid fears it will enrage religious and family pressure groups.

Indiana-based WNDU, an affiliate of the NBC network, says it won't be airing the comedy when it launches elsewhere in the States on Thursday because it is "disappointed and uncomfortable" with the content.

Station president Jim Behling said: "We strongly feel that the premiere episode, which was made available for affiliates to preview, is little more than a succession of crude sex jokes, which, when taken in total, simply push the envelope well beyond the boundaries of our community's standards."

KSL TV, based in the Mormon-dominated Salt Lake City, has also dropped the show

The decision not to screen the shows will be a blow to network executives, who were hoping the show would be a natural successor to Friends and Sex And The City.

In a statement, the network said: "The show was considered appropriate for broadcast. It is unfortunate that not everyone will have the opportunity to make their own viewing decisions."

But advertisers have still been clamouring for slots in the show, pushing the price of a 30-second slot to around £200,000 - more expensive than The Simpsons.

The American version has been written by Steven Moffat, creator of the original, though all the roles have been recast for Chicago-based remake.

Published: 23 Sep 2003