Outsourced (TV series)

Outsourced
Genre Comedy
Developed by Robert Borden
Starring Ben Rappaport
Anisha Nagarajan
Diedrich Bader
Parvesh Cheena
Pippa Black
Rebecca Hazlewood
Rizwan Manji
Sacha Dhawan
Theme music composer Michael A. Levine
Composer(s) Transcenders
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 22 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Ken Kwapis
Robert Borden
Victor Nelli Jr.
Tom Gorai
David Skinner
Producer(s) James Simons
Jim Ellis
Patrick Walsh
Sonny Lee
Camera setup Single-camera
Running time 21–23 minutes
Production company(s) In Cahoots Productions
Universal Media Studios
Open 4 Business Productions
Distributor NBCUniversal Television Distribution
Release
Original network NBC
Original release September 23, 2010 (2010-09-23) – May 12, 2011 (2011-05-12)
External links
Website

Outsourced is an American television sitcom set in an Indian workplace. It is based on the John Jeffcoat film of the same name and adapted by Robert Borden of George Lopez and Universal Media Studios for NBC. The series originally ran from September 23, 2010 to May 12, 2011.[1] The show was officially picked up by NBC on May 7, 2010[2] and on October 18, 2010, the show received a full season order.[3] Outsourced was filmed at Radford Studios in Studio City, Los Angeles, California.[4]

When the renewal of the show was not announced with renewal of other NBC shows, the cast and crew started a campaign for fans of the show to request its renewal.[5] On May 13, 2011, NBC announced that Outsourced was cancelled after one season.[6]

Outsourced is set in a call center in Mumbai, India, where an American novelties company has recently outsourced its order processing. A lone American manages the call center and must explain American popular culture to his employees as he tries to understand Indian culture.

Characters

Main characters

Main recurring principal characters

These two were featured and then became breakout characters.

Recurring characters

Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date U.S. viewers
(million)
1"Pilot"Ken KwapisGeorge Wing & John JeffcoatSeptember 23, 2010 (2010-09-23)7.44[7]
When Todd Dempsy finishes management training for his job at Mid America Novelties, he finds that his call center has been outsourced to Mumbai, India, and that in order to keep his job, he must relocate to India and manage the call center there. He is picked up from the corporate housing by Rajiv, his assistant manager, who is interested in replacing him, and meets the rest of his employees. He also meets two other call center managers: Charlie, who gives him advice over lunch, and later Tonya, who immediately shows an interest in him.
2"The Measure of a Manmeet"Victor Nelli, Jr.Paul A. Kaplan & Mark TorgoveSeptember 30, 2010 (2010-09-30)5.85[8]
Management tasks Todd with evaluating his team, and laying off an employee due to low revenues. Gupta believes that he will be the one laid off as he incorrectly lip-reads Rajiv and Todd's conversation. Todd is invited by Manmeet to a hotel to eat steak and quickly befriends him. Todd finds out that the reason why revenue is down is because Manmeet flirts with his customers instead of selling products. He confronts Manmeet, who uses his flirtatiousness to sell more novelties and increasing revenue, so no one needs to be laid off.
3"Party of Five"Gail MancusoRobert BordenOctober 7, 2010 (2010-10-07)5.22[9]
Todd and Charlie plan a double date with Asha and Tonya, only to have Gupta tag along.
4"Jolly Vindaloo Day"Victor Nelli, Jr.Linda Videtti FigueiredoOctober 14, 2010 (2010-10-14)5.40[10]
Rajiv attempts to keep Todd out of the office while his potential father-in-law visits. Some of the employees deal with harassment from the A-Team.
5"Touched by an Anglo"Ken KwapisMichael PennieOctober 21, 2010 (2010-10-21)4.95[11]
A shipment of sexual novelties leads to a seminar on sexual harassment. Someone calls the company hot-line to file a complaint against Todd.
6"Bolloween"Michael LehmannSonny Lee & Patrick WalshOctober 28, 2010 (2010-10-28)5.94[12]
Todd explains Halloween to the employees, and throws a party to get closer to Asha.
7"Truly, Madly, Pradeeply"Victor Nelli, Jr.Michael LoftusNovember 4, 2010 (2010-11-04)5.74[13]
As Asha's arranged marriage process moves forward, Manmeet helps Todd infiltrate her list of potential suitors. Rajiv attempts to end Gupta's new-found enticement with chewing paan.
8"Home for the Diwalidays"Linda MendozaVera SantamariaNovember 11, 2010 (2010-11-11)5.48[14]
Todd wonders why everyone is well-dressed and finds out it is Diwali. He asks Management if he can give his employees time off for it and is denied. Todd decides to let them leave, and handle the calls himself, while Tonya tries to invite for a few drinks he declines and says he has to work. She suggests he put the call center on voicemail, they have sex in the break room table but is caught by Asha; who comes back to the office to help Todd out. Meanwhile, Rajiv buys a Sari for his fiancee that gets burned by fireworks and he ends up buying an overpriced sari from Madhuri
9"Temporary Monsanity"Reggie HudlinLaura GutinNovember 18, 2010 (2010-11-18)5.43[15]
Todd pressures the employees in attempt to win the Black Friday sales competition. Charlie challenges Gupta and Manmeet to a game of laser tag.
10"Homesick to My Stomach"John PutchDavid Gross & Greg LisbeDecember 2, 2010 (2010-12-02)5.32[16]
Todd gets homesick watching his friends on webcam do a tailgate party for their football team. He learns from Charlie that he can watch his favorite football team's game at a local restaurant that has satellite TV. Todd is seen wearing a custom Chief's football jersey, buys a coconut and pretends to score a touchdown. Asha spots him, they talk and he eats the street food she just bought. Asha reminds him he is not used to that kind of dirty food and gets sick before the football game. After a few visits to the toilet he is carried out of the office by Charlie to the restaurant with Manmeet. At the restaurant Todd misses the game spending much time in the toilet both sick and homesick. Rajiv assumes managerial control when Todd becomes ill from street food. Madhuri, Asha, Charlie, Manmeet and Gupta visit Todd after work to have a tailgating party of their own.
11"A Sitar is Born"John ScottGeetika LizardiJanuary 20, 2011 (2011-01-20)3.95[17]
Todd overhears Madhuri sing in the bathroom and tries to coax her into singing in a local talent show. Gupta misunderstands Todd and volunteers himself as lead.
12"Sari, Charlie"Victor Nelli, Jr.Luvh RakheJanuary 27, 2011 (2011-01-27)4.13[18]
Charlie discovers Todd and Tonya's relationship when he catches them kissing. Corporate informs Rajiv that the employees will be reviewing him.
13"Training Day"Victor Nelli, Jr.Pete HolmesFebruary 3, 2011 (2011-02-03)3.74[19]
Todd rewards his workers with a retreat. Tonya tries to help Charlie find a date.
14"The Todd Couple"Reggie HudlinAmit BhallaFebruary 10, 2011 (2011-02-10)3.61[20]
Todd suspends Gupta from work after he becomes angry with callers. Manmeet tries to juggle two online Valentine's Day dates.
15"Guess Who's Coming to Delhi"Matt ShakmanTerry MulroyFebruary 17, 2011 (2011-02-17)3.20[21]
Todd is worried about how the workers will behave when his boss visits the call center. Charlie gets in trouble for being culturally insensitive.
16"Take This Punjab and Shove It"Dennie GordonRobert BordenFebruary 24, 2011 (2011-02-24)3.27[22]
When an employee quits, Todd jumps on the opportunity to hire someone new, only to have his recruit poached by someone close to him. Gupta finds himself in financial trouble as a result of him moving out of his parent's house into his own apartment, and must find a way to clear the dues.
17"Todd's Holi War"Victor Nelli, Jr.Michael PennieMarch 17, 2011 (2011-03-17)3.59[23]
Todd discovers another company is hogging the air conditioning, leaving Mid-American Novelties to suffer through the heatwave. Meanwhile, Rajiv struggles to find an original way to propose to his girlfriend.
18"Gupta's Hit & Manmeet's Missus"Troy MillerMark Torgrove & Paul A. KaplanMarch 24, 2011 (2011-03-24)3.61[24]
Manmeet makes a video to send to his girlfriend Ashlynn in New York. Meanwhile, there is trouble between Gupta and Rajiv when Gupta accuses Rajiv of hitting him. World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler The Great Khali appears in a cameo.
19"Charlie Curries a Favor From Todd"Kevin DowlingLinda Videtti FigueiredoApril 7, 2011 (2011-04-07)2.91[25]
Todd hires Charlie to work for Mid America Novelties. Rajiv attempts a scam, to get money for his honeymoon.
20"Mama Sutra"Alex HardcastlePatrick Walsh & Sonny LeeApril 14, 2011 (2011-04-14)3.50[26]
Tonya's mom comes to India and hooks up with Charlie while Todd and Tonya butt heads over Asha; Madhuri tells Gupta his lifeline is short, leading him to undergo a karmic cleanse.
21"Rajiv Ties the Baraat (Part 1)"Victor Nelli, Jr.Michael LoftusMay 5, 2011 (2011-05-05)3.14[27]
Todd throws Rajiv a bachelor party; Manmeet nervously awaits his American girlfriend's arrival.
22"Rajiv Ties the Baraat (Part 2)"Victor Nelli, Jr.Story: Charlie Hornsby
Teleplay: Vera Santamaria
May 12, 2011 (2011-05-12)2.99[28]
Rajiv worries the wedding may be called off, then considers doing so himself; Manmeet is not on the same relationship page as his girlfriend.

Reception

The show received mixed reviews, reaching a 46 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic.[29] Another review aggregator, Rotten Tomatoes, gives the show a rating of 21% based on 14 reviews, with the critical consensus, "This culture-clash sitcom is too mired in unfunny jokes and stereotypical characters to provide much insight into the global marketplace."[30] Joel Keller of TV Squad in a review of the pilot episode stated, "As long as the show can examine the cultural divide, show how all offices are the same no matter where they are, and stay away from the easy jokes, NBC could have another Thursday comedy hit."[31] Alessandra Stanley of The New York Times stated "The fact that it's neither embarrassing nor deeply offensive—once it gets rolling, the show is actually quite charming—is a credit to the cast and the writers."[32] Critics such as blogger Mikey O'Connell have accused Outsourced of being racist.[33] Matt Rouse of TV Guide wrote, "The culture clash premise drowns in a sewer of caricatures and lame jokes".[34]

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations for Outsourced
Year Presenter Award Result
2011 People's Choice Awards Favorite New TV Comedy Nominated
2011 NAMIC Vision Awards Best Performance - Comedy for Anisha Nagarajan Nominated
2011 NAMIC Vision Awards Comedy Nominated

International broadcasts

Outsourced was picked up in Canada, for broadcast on Global at the same time as the American broadcast.[35]

Outsourced has been broadcast in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Hong Kong on Universal.

See also

References

  1. Gorman, Bill (July 15, 2010). "NBC Announces Series Premiere Dates For Fall 2010 Schedule". TV By the Numbers. Retrieved 2010-07-15.
  2. Seidman, Robert (May 7, 2010). "NBC Picks-Up Three Scripted Series: 'Love Bites,' 'Outsourced' and 'The Event'". TV By the Numbers. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  3. Seidman, Robert (18 October 2010). "NBC Orders Full Seasons of ‘The Event,’ ‘Outsourced’ and ‘Law & Order: Los Angeles’". TV By the Numbers. Retrieved 19 October 2010.
  4. "'Outsourced' Brings Jobs to Studio City". Studio City Patch.
  5. "NBC TV fans, artists launch ‘save outsourced' campaign". The Times Of India. 2011-05-09.
  6. Rice, Lynette (May 13, 2011). "NBC cancels 'The Event' and 'Law & Order: L.A.'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 13, 2011.
  7. Seidman, Robert (September 24, 2010). "TV Ratings Thursday: The Big Bang Theory Scores at 8pm; Grey's Anatomy Tops Night With Young Adults; My Generation Premiere Stalls". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
  8. Gorman, Bill (October 1, 2010). "Thursday Finals: Grey's Anatomy, Big Bang Theory, $#*! My Dad Says, CSI Adjusted Up; Vampire Diaries, Private Practice, Apprentice Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
  9. Seidman, Robert (October 8, 2010). "Thursday Finals: Bones, Community, Grey's Anatomy, Big Bang Theory, $#*! My Dad Says, The Office Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
  10. Gorman, Bill (October 15, 2010). "Thursday Finals: The Big Bang Theory, $#*!, 30 Rock, The Office, Outsourced, Grey's Anatomy, Fringe All Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
  11. Gorman, Bill (October 22, 2010). "Thursday Finals: Grey's Anatomy, Big Bang, CSI, Vampire Diaries Adjusted Up; Private Practice Down; Plus NLCS Game 5 Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  12. Gorman, Bill (October 29, 2010). "Thursday Final Ratings: Grey's Anatomy, Big Bang Theory, Shrekless, Office Adjusted Up; Nikita Down; Plus World Series Game 2". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  13. Gorman, Bill (November 5, 2010). "Thursday Final Ratings: Big Bang Theory, The Mentalist, Office, Vampire Diaries Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  14. Seidman, Robert (November 12, 2010). "Thursday Final Ratings: Fringe, Community, 30 Rock, Outsourced, The Office Adjusted Down; Bones, $#*! My Dad Says Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  15. Seidman, Robert (November 19, 2010). "Thursday Final Ratings: $#*! My Dad Says, 30 Rock, Outsourced Adjusted Down; The Office Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 20, 2010.
  16. Gorman, Bill (December 3, 2010). "Thursday Final Ratings: ‘Private Practice,’ ‘Bones,’ ‘Nikita’ Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 4, 2010.
  17. Gorman, Bill (January 21, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: '$#*! My Dad Says' Adjusted Up, 'Bones' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
  18. Seidman, Robert (January 28, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'American Idol' Adjusted Up; No Adjustments for 'The Vampire Diaries' or 'Nikita'". TV By the Numbers. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  19. Gorman, Bill (February 4, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Vampire Diaries,' 'Mentalist' Adjusted Up; 'Private Practice,' 'Parks & Recreation' Adjusted Down". TV By the Numbers. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
  20. Gorman, Bill (February 11, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'American Idol,' 'Vampire Diaries' Adjusted Up; 'Private Practice,' 'Bones,' 'Office,' 'Parks & Rec' Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  21. Seidman, Robert (February 18, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'American Idol' Adjusted Up; 'Parks & Recreation,' 'Private Practice' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
  22. Seidman, Robert (February 25, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Grey's Anatomy' Adjusted Up; 'The Office,' 'Outsourced,' and 'Private Practice' Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
  23. Gorman, Bill (March 18, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'American Idol', 'Wipeout' Adjusted Up; 'Bones' Adjusted Down, Plus CBS NCAA Basketball Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 18, 2011.
  24. Seidman, Robert (March 25, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'Private Practice,' 'Parks & Recreation,' '30 Rock' Adjusted Down; 'American Idol,' 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Wipeout' Adjusted Up; Plus CBS NCAA Basketball Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 26, 2011.
  25. Seidman, Robert (April 8, 2011). "TV Ratings Thursday: 'Bones,' 'Rules,' 'The Mentalist' Up; 'Idol,' 'CSI' Down; 'Outsourced' Hits Low; 'Vampire Diaries,' 'Nikita' Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
  26. Gorman, Bill (April 15, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'American Idol,' 'Vampire Diaries,' 'Office' Adjusted Up; 'Bones,' 'Parks & Recreation' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 16, 2011.
  27. Seidman, Robert (May 6, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'American Idol,' 'Big Bang Theory,' 'CSI,' 'The Mentalist,' 'Community,' 'The Vampire Diaries' Adjusted Up; 'Bones,' 'Parks & Recreation' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
  28. Gorman, Bill (May 13, 2011). "Thursday Final Ratings: 'American Idol,' 'Big Bang,' 'Community,' 'Rules,' 'Mentalist,' 'Office,' 'Vampire Diaries' Adjusted Up; 'Bones' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 13, 2011.
  29. "Outsourced – Season 1 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic.com. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
  30. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/outsourced/s01/
  31. Keller, Joel (July 6, 2010). "Pilot Watch: 'Outsourced'". TV Squad. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
  32. Stanley, Alessandra (22 September 2010). "At Call Center, Cultural Clash in Reverse". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
  33. Buncombe, Andrew (29 September 2010). "US Sitcom about Indian outsourcing is racist". The Independent (London).
  34. TV Guide September 13-19, 2010 pg. 50.
  35. "Global Fall Preview". Globaltv.com. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
  36. "Aprontando na Índia - TBS muitodivertido". TBS. TBS. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  37. "Outsourced". FOUR. Auckland, New Zealand: FOUR. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  38. "New Comedy series on TV3 Sweden". tv3.se. Retrieved 2011-04-01.
  39. "Outsourced on TV6 Sweden". tv6.se. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  40. "Nowe seriale w Comedy Central". media2.pl. Retrieved 2011-04-14.

External links

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