American Versions of English Shows

[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

Quite a few of those have been remade by an American company or are going to be remade, last i heard they are currently working on an adaptation of Misfits.

I think the remake will kill a few of those. Misfits will end up NOTHING like the original unless it's on a pay channel late at night. It will end up like heroes with a few more f-bombs lol.

I think peep show has been the funniest show I have seen in a long long time. I had never been a fan of typical sitcoms but the British take on sitcom has been very refreshing. I watched Gavin and Stacy at the recommendation of a friend and was blown away by how engaging and funny a show about two people getting married could be. It was like the script was written by real people, not these typical overdone idealistic shows you you get on american TV. They cover subjects the american networks wouldn't even touch with a 10 foot pole. Peep Show wouldn't even be allowed to air on a network channel, it would have to be put on a a pay channel and late at night to keep from getting any backlash from some of the more conservative public.

Why would we need Dr. Who when we have Star Trek?

Because Doctor Who is way better then Star Trek and Doctor Who is still on, making it the longest running scifi show in existence. Also, because bow-ties are cool.

 

[Raddra]

Thankfully the following abomination was cancelled:


Missed the point in every way.

 

[Robert Ewing]

Americans always mess up when they are adapting a show made in Britain, because Britain is a totally different culture in some really subtle ways that Americans probably just don't understand.

News flash, we are not Little America, we speak the same language, but that is where the similarities pretty much end.

 

[ablac]

I can get why some shows are re-made for a different audience for example the humour might only read to a british audience or the characters accents would be too strong for americans to understand but i dont see why they need to re-make shows which make sense to any audience such as Life On Mars or Red Dwarf or The I.T crowd when there really is no need to replace anything. I dont see why when re-making shows they choose to change things such as characters as that means the show no longer is the show and therefore why did they bother re-making it in the first place. Britain has some great shows so why cant they just keep things the way they are when there really isnt a need to do so.

 

[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

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

Give Scrubs a bit of slack, I find that just as funny as a lot of the stuff we have here in Britain, although obviously feels a bit more disconnected as its from the US.

OT: Yeah I can't really think of anything in which the new has surpassed the original in general, so "Americanizing" it follows this trend and the remakes tend to not be as good, this isn't because it's American though, it's probably because it's a remake.

Scrubs is god tier. I absolutely LOVE scrubs. As far as american shows go it's top notch. There are a few other american shows I like such as community, Dexter, how I met you mother (it's starting to get stale, they need to introduce the mother and wrap it up), 30 rock, Parks and Recreation, and Psych. I liked fringe for the first two seasons but now it's taken a backseat due to all this alternate universe crap. They are good, just not near as engaging as the british shows I watch.

 

[Harveypot]

I don't think that I've ever watched a full episode of an American remake, though I did see clips of the clone of the IT Crowd, copied to the point of hiring Richard Ayoade (though that did lessen the horror). Oh, and also this monstrosity:


Even Pegg and Wright hated it. They didn't ask for permission, they ignored Jessica Hynes' involvement in the original and they made this... thing.

 

[NerfedFalcon]

I've heard the American Queer as Folk was better than the British one. Mostly by virtue of not being written by Russell T. Davies. Who then went on to write Torchwood: Miracle Day, the American reboot which was necessitated by his ruining of the original series through Children of Earth. ...Let's not talk about either of those any more than we have to, okay?

... Russel T Davies also created the revamped Dr Who (until the latest series which is much worse without him) and created the original Torchwood. Also I liked Queer as Folk but I haven't seen the American version.

As far as Torchwood is concerned, Davies actually wanted Ianto to die in Cyberwoman, and judging by his actions later it was probably so nobody could get between Gwen and Jack (who is not meant to only go with one person).

 

[theseworlds]

The first season of Skins is absolutely fantastic (any other seasons, not so much, but that's for another time). This was season was picked up by MTV in America, who remade it with the same characters and story (more or less) and named it Skins US. I watched one episode, and thought it was among the worst piece of drivel I've ever seen on TV. I don't know how people can watch, much less enjoy, crap like that, especially after seeing how good the original is.

 

[realist1990]

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.

ireland's got talent? never heard of it..your a star (kind of x-factory was on before the x-factor started up though)

 

[ChildishLegacy]

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

Give Scrubs a bit of slack, I find that just as funny as a lot of the stuff we have here in Britain, although obviously feels a bit more disconnected as its from the US.

OT: Yeah I can't really think of anything in which the new has surpassed the original in general, so "Americanizing" it follows this trend and the remakes tend to not be as good, this isn't because it's American though, it's probably because it's a remake.

Scrubs is god tier. I absolutely LOVE scrubs. As far as american shows go it's top notch. There are a few other american shows I like such as community, Dexter, how I met you mother (it's starting to get stale, they need to introduce the mother and wrap it up), 30 rock, Parks and Recreation, and Psych. I liked fringe for the first two seasons but now it's taken a backseat due to all this alternate universe crap. They are good, just not near as engaging as the british shows I watch.

I like How I met your Mother too, but I hesitate to talk about it on the internet because on the surface it seems to be "generic comedy sitcom" material and I would have thought the flame brigade would be on their way at the mention of it, but yeah, its one of the better sitcoms and I actually feel a little involved with the story.

Still, I've yet to see anything better than Scrubs come from the US, it's so fucking original and funny xP

 

[BehattedWanderer]

Hmm. The Office, maybe? While Steve Carrell occasionally grates, the show is pretty decent. At least we haven't tried to copy something like Spaced yet. And I hope we never do.

 

[Blow_Pop]

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

can i just agree with this? Every American version of a British show that I've seen is shite. I prefer the BBC versions of shows more than the Americanised crap versions. But then my opinion is Americans also can't pull off humour quite as well either...(and for the record for those who don't know, I am American)

 

[Carl The Manicorn]

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

Here's a few links (may not work tomorrow)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_television_series_based_on_British_television_series

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_British_television_programmes_based_on_American_television_series

Both sides of the Atlantic are guilty of many many hideous crimes.

Most of the british adaptations are game shows, while the Americans have adapted our comedies which is considered sacrilegious, as comedy is one of our greatest achievements.

Case and point: Monty Python. No other Brittish show will ever be as awesome as Monty Python.

The magnum opus of Monty Python: The Holy Grail

 

[Jazoni89]

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

Here's a few links (may not work tomorrow)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_television_series_based_on_British_television_series

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_British_television_programmes_based_on_American_television_series

Both sides of the Atlantic are guilty of many many hideous crimes.

Most of the british adaptations are game shows, while the Americans have adapted our comedies which is considered sacrilegious, as comedy is one of our greatest achievements.

Case and point: Monty Python. No other Brittish show will ever be as awesome as Monty Python.

The magnum opus of Monty Python: The Holy Grail

Monty Python isn't actually revered all that much over here, when most Brits think of their comedy, they refer to comedies like Blackadder, Only Fools and Horses, Red Dwarf, Carry on, and Fawlty Towers, rather than Monty Python.

Only Fools and Horses especially, I can guarantee you that nearly everyone in the UK who is over the age of fifteen has watched at least one episode in their lifetime.

I think Monty Python has always been an American fascination more than anything, hell it's where most of the you guys got you're British Stereotypes from.

 

[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.

Just... no. I'm all for opinions, but the American version butchered it with tacky CG effects and a pretty-boy cast. It infuriates me... no offense.

I take no offence. People can say what they want to whenever. You are entitled to your own opinion.

Our version of Being Human is on Sy Fy, so I didn't really expect an enormous budget. I mean, come on, they gave us AMAZING MOVIES like Sharktopus and Mega Pirahna.

What we have going on here in the states (and probably across the pond too) is a sudden burst of crappy vampire/warewolf movies, books, and shows. Most of them aimed at stupid teenage girls. When a show about vampires, werewolves, and ghosts comes on here and it isn't aimed at tweens, you bet your ass I'm going to watch it. I just liked where it went so I kept watching.

 

[Carl The Manicorn]

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

Here's a few links (may not work tomorrow)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_television_series_based_on_British_television_series

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_British_television_programmes_based_on_American_television_series

Both sides of the Atlantic are guilty of many many hideous crimes.

Most of the british adaptations are game shows, while the Americans have adapted our comedies which is considered sacrilegious, as comedy is one of our greatest achievements.

Case and point: Monty Python. No other Brittish show will ever be as awesome as Monty Python.

The magnum opus of Monty Python: The Holy Grail

Monty Python isn't actually revered all that much over here, when most Brits think of their comedy, they refer to comedies like Blackadder, Only Fools and Horses, Red Dwarf, Carry on, and Fawlty Towers, rather than Monty Python.

I have another question to you guys. Do you guys like any of the shows that the states make? I'm talking about Big Bang Theroy and stuff like that. Do you guys across the pond watch and/or enjoy those shows?

 

[ntw3001]

I haven't seen the US Office, but I've heard that it dramatically improved after a couple of seasons, when it got mashed into the kind of thing American writers could deal with.

Red Dwarf though... ugh. I wish people hadn't mentioned this, because I feel queasy. It doesn't help that these remakes always look and sound exactly like a school performance cobbled together from whichever jokes someone can remember at the time of writing.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

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

Here's a few links (may not work tomorrow)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_television_series_based_on_British_television_series

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_British_television_programmes_based_on_American_television_series

Both sides of the Atlantic are guilty of many many hideous crimes.

Most of the british adaptations are game shows, while the Americans have adapted our comedies which is considered sacrilegious, as comedy is one of our greatest achievements.

Case and point: Monty Python. No other Brittish show will ever be as awesome as Monty Python.

The magnum opus of Monty Python: The Holy Grail

Monty Python isn't actually revered all that much over here, when most Brits think of their comedy, they refer to comedies like Blackadder, Only Fools and Horses, Red Dwarf, Carry on, and Fawlty Towers, rather than Monty Python.

I have another question to you guys. Do you guys like any of the shows that the states make? I'm talking about Big Bang Theroy and stuff like that. Do you guys across the pond watch and/or enjoy those shows?

I can only speak for myself, but I love stuff like Big Bang Theory and How I met Your Mother.

 

[Jazoni89]

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

Here's a few links (may not work tomorrow)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_television_series_based_on_British_television_series

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_British_television_programmes_based_on_American_television_series

Both sides of the Atlantic are guilty of many many hideous crimes.

Most of the british adaptations are game shows, while the Americans have adapted our comedies which is considered sacrilegious, as comedy is one of our greatest achievements.

Case and point: Monty Python. No other Brittish show will ever be as awesome as Monty Python.

The magnum opus of Monty Python: The Holy Grail

Monty Python isn't actually revered all that much over here, when most Brits think of their comedy, they refer to comedies like Blackadder, Only Fools and Horses, Red Dwarf, Carry on, and Fawlty Towers, rather than Monty Python.

I have another question to you guys. Do you guys like any of the shows that the states make? I'm talking about Big Bang Theroy and stuff like that. Do you guys across the pond watch and/or enjoy those shows?

Some are actually held in high regard especially the Big Bang Theory.

My sister is still convinced that I'm Sheldon... :/

 

[SckizoBoy]

can i just agree with this? Every American version of a British show that I've seen is shite. I prefer the BBC versions of shows more than the Americanised crap versions. But then my opinion is Americans also can't pull off humour quite as well either...(and for the record for those who don't know, I am American)

Ahhh... a fine upstanding Briton will be made of you yet! =P

Though the Scots (well one loud one, at least) are trying for independence so which side of the border you goin'?!