Marry Me, E4

The latest sitcom from the United States is very much in the American mould of smart dialogue, pacy timing and some astute human observation layered with a hint of schmaltz. It concerns two thirtysomethings, Annie and Jake, who have been together for six years. In the pilot episode last night, she was expecting him to pop the question while they were on a romantic holiday, while he has planned to go on bended knee when they return home.

The opening is a beautifully choreographed piece of economic but laugh-laden exposition – students of the form could learn much from this episode – as it all goes horribly wrong. Jake (Ken Marino) has the ring box open waiting to propose but Annie (Casey Wilson) – with her back to him at all times – stalks around her flat in a 10-minute rant about Jake's inability to commit, his awful friends and his even worse mother. When Jake realises the nightmare is complete, he calls their families and friends - hiding in cupboards and behind sofas – to come out. Annie later tries to make amends with her own proposal, but the comedy of errors continues.

Funny, engaging and delivers an often original take on a well worked sitcom set-up

Wilson is an excellent physical comic and plays her character full-octane - “Why does everything have to be such a huge production with you? It’s like dating a drag queen,” says Jake. And if you can get through the first few minutes of her being some silly girly twerp who remains in full make-up and hairdo for her whole holiday in the hope of a proposal (in order to make the initial proposal scene work rather than to establish her character, one hopes) then the rest is funny, engaging and delivers an often original take on a well worked sitcom set-up. Her broad style contrasts nicely with Marino's more laid-back approach, and he plays the long-suffering bloke – another rather tired trope – with charm, and they have genuine chemistry on camera.

The supporting cast, including JoBeth William as Jake's mother, John Gemberling as his old college room-mate and Sarah Wright as Annie best friend Dennah, has some heft. The sassy script, meanwhile, while often very funny – “Without you I would spin off into space like Sandra Bullock in Gravity,” Annie says to Jake. “But you keep me grounded like Sandra Bullock in real life” – relies a little too heavily on American popular references for its zingers. Last night's episode (the first of nine) ended with the couple deciding once and for all they are actually engaged, so where the rest of the series will go is anybody's guess. But reports from the other side of the pond are favourable.