I don't buy the coupling at all

I think it is supposed to be. Larry and Cheryl actually love one another in their own way, but George described his relationship with Claire as a healthy sexual relationship and says that "love" is a marketing term. Their relationship is probably more akin to Larry and Loretta. If the show survives, maybe Claire and George's relationship will become more sincere and mutual. Claire seems much more attached to George than he is to her.

It seems like this show has ended, but the Shaftesbury website shows ten more episodes in the run. I haven't seen an official cancellation notice.