The American version of Coupling won't air at all during the entire ratings 'sweeps' season, during which advertising rates are calculated.

NBC has decided to replace the struggling comedy with Scrubs in its 9:30pm, Thursday primetime timeslot through November, reports early on Monday morning in America stated.

The news comes just days after NBC announced the imported sitcom would be replaced by Whoopi and an hour-long episode of Will & Grace for the next two weeks. Speculation that the show will be permanently axed from the network's schedule has been mounting; however, it has been reported that the show will air again during December - once the sweeps season is out of the way.

For an explanation of 'sweeps', see our spy guide.