Uncoupled: NBC boots racy sitcom

LOS ANGELES — "Coupling" has come undone.

The racy NBC comedy about the mix-and-match romances of six single friends was canceled after four episodes, a network spokeswoman said Monday.

Patterned after a hit British series of the same name, the American version was panned by critics and snubbed by viewers.

A week before the first episode aired on Sept. 25, KSL-TV Channel 5 deemed its content "unsuitable" and refused to air the new show. KSL was one of two stations — the other was in South Bend, Ind. — that rejected it.

KUWB Channel 30 had been airing "Coupling" in the Utah market at 10 p.m. Thursdays.

With "Coupling," NBC had hoped for a success to fill the void when "Friends" wraps this season.

"Coupling" was already on hiatus when NBC decided to cancel it. To cover its Thursday time slot during the crucial November ratings sweeps, the network is "supersizing" the sitcoms "Friends," "Will & Grace" and "Scrubs" — adding a few minutes to each.

No decision has been made on what will replace "Coupling" after sweeps, the network said.

The BBC version, which is starting its fourth season, has been showing on BBC America.