Beverly (Tamsin Greig) and Sean Lincoln (Stephen Mangan) are a married couple who have co-written an award-wining British comedy.  When they’re approached by Merc Lapidus (John Pankow), a famous American network producer, they are both surprised and flattered, though Sean is a lot more excited than Beverly.

The producer has made a very simple and alluring offer: they will come to Los Angeles, and write their show, in their own way, for the American audience.  Beverly is reluctant to leave their home and country, but she can’t resist Sean and they fly to L.A. They are indeed staying at a luxurious house and welcomed by the producer’s assistant Carol (Kathleen Rose Perkins).

Unfortunately, Merc just might have exaggerated his excitement for their show, as well as his knowledge of it. They get more disappointed when their leading British actor can’t get the part. And they’re more than caught off-guard when the actor offered for the leading part of the older, fat and sophisticated headmaster is none other than Matt LeBlanc (played by Matt LeBlanc), a.k.a. Joey from Friends himself.

Beverly is more than ready to pack up and go, but Sean loves L.A. way too much to just give up. Much to Beverly’s annoyance, Matt ends up getting part and he starts changing the character and the show’s core.

Now their pleasantly plump headmaster is a hockey couch in Matt’s size, and the lesbian librarian might not be a lesbian anymore. Moreover, Sean ends up being good friends with Matt and their librarian is a very hot actress Morning (Mircea Monroe) who seems to be getting along too well with Sean. Will Beverly be able to take this? And more importantly, will the show’s pilot be picked up?

Episodes is a very amusing and hilarious comedy, co-created by David Crane, who co- created Friends. Episodes is a wonderful hybrid of American and British cultures, especially the stereotypes.  Beverly and Sean are very typically British, but Sean is more open to new opportunities and friendships, despite the differences. Matt Le Blanc is truly funny as this over-sexed, self-centered version of himself who has good intentions but not necessarily the moral values.

I really hate Merc, but it is because precisely he is there for us to hate him. He is not to be trusted as a friend, as a producer, as a boss, as a husband or a lover. He cheats on his blind wife with his assistant Carol and doesn’t really give a damn about what other people’s careers.

Matt LeBlanc’s character is a really fun character, but his flaws are just too big to ignore. But his apparent lack of shame makes for wonderful dialogue.

There are only 7 episodes in the first season, which won’t come as a surprise for the viewers of British TV.  Strongly recommended. Although beware, the show is not politically correct. And it doesn’t watch the language at all. Just so you know what to expect 😉

It may not make you laugh out loud every second, but there will be a lot of laughing, grinning, snorting and chuckling. Be warned.

Fun notes:

• Matt LeBlanc doesn’t appear in the first episode at all.
• It is fun to guess how much of Matt is fictional. In real life, he is also a divorced dad like his character. But instead of two boys on the show, he has one daughter. And we sure as hell hope the reason he got divorced isn’t because he slept with his wife’s best friend (as his character Matt did).
• Kathleen Rose Perkins guest-stars on a couple of episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles.

Favorite Scenes:

Almost all the interactions between Matt and Sean.

Some Favorite Episodes Quotes:  (quotes via seriesandtv.com)

Episode 4

–          On Morning’s fake boobs – Sean is trying to make Beverly believe he prefers Beverly over Morning.

Sean: She´s so plastic. Those boobs… Yack
Beverly: Mmhhmm
Sean: I´m telling you. I like the real thing. Give me a woman who looks her age… five years younger than her… seven years younger…ten… you are a fetus
Beverly: Walk away Sean, just walk away

Episode 6

On dating people from the workplace

Morning: You don´t shit where you eat
Sean: How about toilets in restaurant

There will be more Episodes quotes on the way.

Another Sitcom to Love:

Coupling (UK)