If a British sitcom gets better-than-average ratings, wins a couple of awards and isn't too downright weird to get lost in translation, it's not unusual for an American TV network to approach its creators with a mind to a Stateside remake. Probably the best known example of this is the American version of The Office, now in its seventh season, but the practice has been going on since at least the 1970s, when Steptoe and Son, rather surreally, was remade in Los Angeles as Sanford and Son.

What's little discussed, though, is how a behind-the-scenes collaboration between cynical British writers and hard-nosed US executives plays out - which is where this new sitcom, written by David Crane (Friends) and Jeffrey Klarik (Mad About You), comes in.

It stars Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig as a British husband-and-wife team who produce a successful show called Lyman's Boys, which is duly scooped up by a US network. They jet out to California and start working with their new colleagues, all of whom seem intent on stamping out any hint of fusty Britishness, starting with the show's corpulent lead, Julian (Richard Griffiths), whom they decide to replace with the wonderfully unsuitable Matt LeBlanc (Joey from Friends). The first episode is high on plot development and low on gags, but the series does improve and is worth sticking with.

'Episodes' with Matt LeBlanc takes a slap shot at TV

Matt LeBlanc, the lovable doofus Joey of NBC's smash Friends, is playing himself - sort of - in Episodes, Showtime's send-up of the TV business, which premieres Sunday (9:30 ET/PT).

Episodes: The one where Matt LeBlanc plays himself...

Matt LeBlanc became a hermit after Friends and Joey - but the chance to send himself up in a new sitcom was irresistible, he tells James Rampton.

The US writers exposing the follies of American TV

A new BBC Two sitcom, from Friends creator David Crane, lifts the lid on the bizarre ways TV studios really work. Chris Harvey reports.

Friends' Matt LeBlanc on telly comeback

Friends star Matt LeBlanc has admitted he is just as lazy as Joey - the character he played in the hit comedy.

'Episodes' writer 'got revenge in show'

Jeffrey Klarik has claimed that he got "revenge" by writing new show Episodes.

Video: Tamsin Greig interview

Tamsin Greig stars in a new BBC2 comedy 'Episodes' with Matt LeBlanc.

The sitcom looks at the pitfalls of trying to adapt a UK comedy to suit American tastes. It follows two British writers who are sent to LA to remake their award winning comedy.

Soon their school room setting is swapped for an ice hockey locker room and their lead actor has been replaced by the Friends star, Matt LeBlanc.

Tamsin Greig plays Beverley alongside Stephen Mangan as Sean. She told BBC Breakfast what it was like to work with Matt LeBlanc.

Matt LeBlanc Spoofs Himself on Comedy 'Episodes'

Matt LeBlanc pokes fun at the world of TV, 'Friends' and himself on Showtime comedy 'Episodes'.

Episodes: BBC Explores Differences between UK & USA TV

Matt LeBlanc plays himself in Episodes, a new BBC Two comedy drama due to start on Monday 10 January 2011 and also starring Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig.

Episodes cast interview

An interview with Matt LeBlanc, Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig.