American Versions of English Shows

[Carl The Manicorn]

What is a good example of a good English show being taken and adapted for the American audience?

I think the Being Human was a good show. I never watched the original but I quite liked the American version of it. It never got too boring and the story so far is good.

But I can feel it now. I can feel the heat from the English fan boys now, so I should probably shut up and let you post.

 

[Mr.Mattress]

I know one, but it's the only one I know:

British Version:

American Version:

 

[SckizoBoy]

Ah, I'm so inclined to simply state '... are shite' and leave, but to be fair, I'm in little position to pass such a judgment, since I've seen so few, though I'm fairly sure the American versions of Dragon's Den and the Office (having been subjected to them...) are crap compared to the British originals. Leave our sacred BBC products alone! =P

 

[Hazy992]

I guess the American version of Deal Or No Deal 'cause it seems to have a better budget and has sexy ladies (winkwink) as opposed to *shudders* Noel Edmonds

 

[Blackmagic1515]

I saw the American version of Red Dwarf (or the pilot for it anyway). It was crap, beyond crap even. They tried to make Lister a buff handsome guy and it really didn't work. However I have to say I prefer the American version of Whose Line Is It Anyway? That was hilarious.

So yeah American versions can be kind of hit and miss. Some they can do well and others they rip to shreds. Why they can't just show the British version I don't know. We watch your shows without adapting them. Making they just wouldn't get the British jokes and feel the need to change so audiences don't get confused >.>

 

[Suicidejim]

There is a circle of Hell reserved for American producers who re-make British shows. Actually, truth be told, I don't mind game-show remakes too much, since they aren't particularly 'British' to begin with, and can be easily adapted for an American audience (unless it was something like 'Never Mind The Buzzcocks,' which I don't think they'd really get). But anything with a real script or storyline, or even the occasional joke, is a complete no-no.

Personally, I prefer not to touch American remakes. Why would I? It's basically the same show, but with most of the stuff that's culturally relevant to me taken out so as not to alienate the US. If it's a good show, and good enough to be remade, then the US can just sit down and watch the damn unedited version. I love Dexter, but I don't feel a need to change all the coffee cups to cups of tea. If I have to sit there not-quite-understanding around 40% of the jokes in a given Family Guy episode, they have to go and google what the word 'wanker' means. Fair is fair.

On a side note to the US; If you ever, EVER, touch Doctor Who, we will officially declare war.
. . . We'd lose, but then they wouldn't be able to steal our shows any more.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Fawlty Towe-nevermind.

How about Red Dwar-nope, not that either.

Ahah! Top Gea-Wait, no...

Hmm, this is harder than I thought. British wit and sarcasm doesn't exactly take to being 'Americanised'.

 

[philosophicalbastard]

The american remake of Life on Mars was pretty good.

 

[Jazoni89]

I don't see the point in remaking somthing that has only been over for a few years(e.g, The Office(never saw the show so I could be wrong)), or somthing that is still on (e.g, Ireland's Got Talent(*shudders*) or Top Gear). Unless you are using very advance technology that wasn't available at the time of the original(PJ's King Kong), and building on the story considerably(e.g PJ's King Kong), could I see the point.

To be fair, the American office did tie into the British office with cheeky nods and references, or so I'm told, I haven't watched it.

 

[Ieyke]

American Top Gear ain't bad. It sure isn't a pan-galactic badassery fest like the real Top Gear, but it ain't bad.

 

[thylasos]

I'd like to say I had an open mind for a good adaptation, but... there's too much history of mealy-mouthed cutting the corners off in the process of adaptation to US network standards, never mind the failure on the US audience of those that've been cancelled when the spoon-feeding goes too far.

THAT SAID:

Well, I did hate the original Office, but if the humour's similar, I'll probably hate the US version, too.

I'll officially say I'm reserving judgement on it, but... I can feel it in my water, I'm going to still hate it, but not for exactly the same reasons.

ALSO:

That 70's Show, the exact opposite situation than the OP. AWFUL adaption to 1970s England, renamed, but script left basically intact. We don't have the correct amount of sincerity to bring those lines across, and we mostly think the 70s were fairly shit... it was doomed to failure.

 

[TheOneBearded]

Fawlty Towe-nevermind.

How about Red Dwar-nope, not that either.

Ahah! Top Gea-Wait, no...

Hmm, this is harder than I thought. British wit and sarcasm doesn't exactly take to being 'Americanised'.

I can't think of a Top Gear without the Three Musketeers; May, Hammond, and Clarkson. The American version is still watchable, though.

 

[Digitaldreamer7]

British TV is so much more witty and enjoyable. Aside from Doctor Who, I watch a number of British shows regularly and still watch old shows. Just to name a few, Peep Show, Spaced, This is Jinsy, misfits, the office, shameless, The IT crowd, coupling, kingdon, Gavin and Stacy, an idiot abroad, pulling, The shadow line, and Saxondale

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

I don't watch TV as much as I used to these days but the American Whose Line Is It Anyway? was more fun for me to watch then as it is now when compared to the UK version.

God bless Colin Mochrie and his ability to make me smile.

 

[Vault101]

We had this Australian show called Kath and Kim

they tried to make an american version...

...................and we shall never speak of it again (some things just cannot be adapted)

 

[Vault101]

British TV is so much more witty and enjoyable. Aside from Doctor Who, I watch a number of British shows regularly and still watch old shows. Just to name a few, Peep Show, Spaced, This is Jinsy, misfits, the office, shameless, The IT crowd, coupling, kingdon, Gavin and Stacy, an idiot abroad, pulling, The shadow line, and Saxondale

Im going to have to agree...as far as sitcoms go I cant think of one american I would say I "like"

I dont liek to call american stuff "stupid" (theres still great stuff) it just lacks subtlety at times

unreleated but I heard the american version of the british crime/drama "life of mars" was pretty good..although short lives, which was probably for the best

 

[vrbtny]

However I have to say I prefer the American version of Whose Line Is It Anyway? That was hilarious.

Totally. When it worked, it worked very well. Drew Carey was great.

 

[Fleetfiend]

Who's Line is it Anyway?, Being Human, and Top Gear are the only ones I know of, and I've only watched the first (both versions, both hilarious).

Personally, I think it's a little silly that they have different versions of shows for different countries. I mean, it kinda makes sense, but if the show is good or popular enough that they should have a version for America, why not just start airing the SAME show in America? It's not like we -- at least, most of us -- can't understand the accents or the references to the point of not understanding the show.

Oh wait. They can make more monehs. >.<

 

[FrozenCones]

We had this Australian show called Kath and Kim

they tried to make an american version...

...................and we shall never speak of it again (some things just cannot be adapted)

^ THIS. THIS. A THOUSAND TIMES THIS.

 

[Zantos]

To be honest I prefer the American version of The Office. That's still not to say it's amazing, but Ricky Gervais' writing and character in The Office, and to a lesser extent Extras, make me physically uncomfortable. Just thinking about it is making me need to calm myself down with a little Blackadder.