British to American Television

[Smii]

I was pissed about The Office as soon as I heard the news and haven't watched a single episode of the US version. I also second the notion that Spaced was never followed through on, as it's absolutely hilarious the way it is.

Pretty much every US adaptation has been bad except The Office. They're showing season 5 "new" here now, and it's the current funniest thing on tv (imo :P)

Regarding Top Gear: I won't voluntarily watch it unless they have a "let's drive a large vehicle at high speed into Clarkson" episode. That would be hilarious.

[doomguy]

...in the first few series', where it was still just a reboot of an old series and the daft interaction genuinely worked its way into the show over time. One day I realised I was watching Tory Boy, Bumbling Professor and the Straight Man doing wacky things! oh and here's a piece about cars that we have to do and that was just it.

Victim of its own success? Probably, it's certainly made it possible for non-'car people' to talk about cars without looking silly. I just wish they had stopped with the wacky adventures!! part of the show.

I like cars but i prefer a stupid Top Gear to car show Top Gear any day of the week.



Also the The Office was shite to begin so how could an American version be worse? Its mainly bad because Ricky Gervais is a not funny arrogant wanker.

[Elusive]

Ricky Gervais is ... not funny

Bah, OK. I'll agree with this, then :P

[NavesRegge]

Because TV executives thinks every single viewer is a moron.

Well, when Friedberg and Seltzer make considerable money (or any money) off of their movies and children willingly watch live-action Disney shows, everyone being a dumbass isn't hard to believe.

[Metal_Sonic]

I'm just glad we don't have to pay a TV tax.

[MN12BIRD]

So far Top Gear America has been pretty good. It's been in the works for awhile and originally Adam Carolla was going to be one of the hosts. I think they even filmed with him before the show got off track and set aside. Then they weren't even sure if there would be a Top Gear America. But now I think it's already better than Top Gear Australia IMHO. The hosts have some chemistry together.

[Jimmy Yakapucci]

they couldn't remake that and get it right. The worst adaptation ive ever witnessed was the Red Dwarf pilot...that was goddamn awful.

I have a tape of that laying around somewhere. I keep meaning to watch it, but never seem to find the time.

JY

[M4R14NO94]

So far Top Gear America has been pretty good. It's been in the works for awhile and originally Adam Carolla was going to be one of the hosts. I think they even filmed with him before the show got off track and set aside. Then they weren't even sure if there would be a Top Gear America. But now I think it's already better than Top Gear Australia IMHO. The hosts have some chemistry together.

Wait... Adam Carolla? The same Adam Carolla from THE MAN SHOW?! ON TOP GEAR?!

On topic: I prefer the US The Office to the original UK version. Mostly because Steve Carell is awesome.

Also, I did hear there was a US adaptation of The IT Crowd (best UK sitcom EVAH), which featured Joel McHale as Roy. Oddly enough, the actor who played Moss on the original version was actually kept for the US version. They only made a pilot and that's it (I think)

[Rusty Venture]

I'm just glad we don't have to pay a TV tax.

Shit yeah.

I know it pays for good TV shows, but it also seems to pay for some painfully unfunny comedies as well....like the show "Supernova".

I'll let England and Australia duke it out to see who takes the blame for the show being so damn crappy.

[Metal_Sonic]

As long as someone else keeps paying for me to see this:



Its all good. Thanks taxpayers.

[CurlyPaul]

Its something I've never understood the need to do. I mean we (the UK) get plenty of US shows broadcast here and AFAIK, nobody has ever felt the need to remake them in a more British style. Plenty of US sitcoms are hugely popular over here and from what I read on the net, the US like a fair few of our comedies in original form as well.

I understand that humour doesnt always translate well across languages, but we speak (almost) the same language and our cultures are similar enough for the jokes to carry.

I just dont get why they need to mess.

[CurlyPaul]

Oh yeah and TV licences are shitty, but I'd rather that than have ad breaks inbetween every 2 scenes

[old man]

You hit it there. Shows in the US are designed to keep your attention while they bombard you with adds. Its like using a carrot to lead a donkey.

[GeckoYamori]

[Rusty Venture]

Its something I've never understood the need to do. I mean we (the UK) get plenty of US shows broadcast here and AFAIK, nobody has ever felt the need to remake them in a more British style. Plenty of US sitcoms are hugely popular over here and from what I read on the net, the US like a fair few of our comedies in original form as well.

I understand that humour doesnt always translate well across languages, but we speak (almost) the same language and our cultures are similar enough for the jokes to carry.

I just dont get why they need to mess.

I'm guessing it has to do with show "creators" always needing to show they are worthwhile by pitching ideas, and many times that includes remakes of British shows.

That is the only reason I can see why you would redo a show that is in the same language.