Watch Outsourced

Outsourced is a comedy television series that premiered on NBC in 2010. It stars Ben Rappaport as Todd Dempsy, a young American manager who is sent to run the call center of Mid America Novelties in Mumbai, India. The show, which is a spin-off of the 2006 film of the same name, focuses on Todd's cultural adjustment as he struggles to run the call center while dealing with cultural differences and challenges, as well as conflicts with his employees.

The show's premise is simple, yet effective. By placing an American in the middle of India, it allows for a look into cross-cultural interactions and misunderstandings, which creates a lot of potential for humor. The show's writers do a great job of balancing the humor with poignant moments, and the result is a show that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

One of the key strengths of Outsourced is its terrific ensemble cast. In addition to Rappaport, the show stars a talented group of actors from India, including Rizwan Manji, Anisha Nagarajan, and Sacha Dhawan. The chemistry between the cast members is excellent, and they all bring unique perspectives to their roles. Despite the cultural barriers, it's clear that the characters genuinely care for one another, which adds a heartwarming dimension to the show.

The show's writers also do a great job of exploring the nuances of Indian culture. From the food to the festivals to the Hindu gods, the show provides a detailed and respectful look at Indian customs and traditions. It's clear that the writers did their research, and as a result, the show is both educational and entertaining.

That being said, the show is not without its flaws. Some of the jokes rely too heavily on stereotypes, and there are moments when the show feels a bit too predictable. Additionally, while Rappaport is a talented actor, his character can be a bit one-dimensional at times, and it would have been nice to see him explore more of the complexities of Todd's situation. However, these shortcomings are relatively minor, and overall, the show is a lot of fun to watch.

One of the standout episodes of the show is "The Todd Couple," in which Todd is set up on a blind date with a coworker named Asha (played by Nagarajan). The episode is a great example of the show's strengths, as it explores the differences between American and Indian dating culture while also demonstrating the chemistry between the two lead actors. Another memorable episode is "Bolloween," in which the call center celebrates Halloween in their own unique way. The episode provides a great look at how different cultures approach the holiday, and it's a lot of fun to see the characters in costume.

Overall, Outsourced is a smart and funny show that provides a unique look at cross-cultural interactions. While it's not perfect, it's definitely worth watching for its talented cast, educational value, and entertaining storylines. If you're a fan of comedies that explore cultural differences, then Outsourced is definitely worth checking out.

Outsourced is a series that ran for 1 seasons (23 episodes) between September 23, 2010 and on NBC