Another new American import debuts on small screens here in the UK this weekend, namely E4’s The Class. The channel has been cheerily advertising the reunion sitcom for a while now (see trailer below), trying to compare it to its perennially popular station stable mate Friends. Both revolve around a group of white, late 20somethings and their madcap antics, with The Class even coming courtesy of David Crane, a creator of Friends. But how much further the similarities stretch might never be fully realised as The Class was cancelled after only season in the US.

Set in Philadelphia, the comedy stars more Brits trying to crack America in ex-Eastender Sean Maguire and Doc Martin’s Lucy Punch and starts with the former high school chums coming together for one of their number’s engagement party, only for things to go horribly wrong. The Class received a mixed critical reception in its homeland where it was Emmy nominated and picked up a People’s Choice Award for favourite new TV comedy. Six o’clock seems like an odd timeslot to launch a new sitcom but for those that miss Chandler, Monica, Ross and co. maybe The Class will be a pleasant diversion until the Friends repeats start at 7.55pm.