What do you think of the Americans stealing all of the British shows? AND they don't usually re-vamp them well, but I do love our version of, The Office.
2007-03-01 05:16:16 · 14 answers · asked by smp1969 3 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Television
One of the very best that we had is Arrested Development. Its on G4 late at night
2007-03-01 06:32:18 · update #1
One last thing. I'm horrified that they are making a Footballers' Wives. US tv is so watered down, If they made it on cable it may have a chance.
2007-03-01 06:34:56 · update #2
If you have never seen it Malcolm in the middle is pur genius--yes, I totally watch too much tv--better than crack I say
2007-03-01 06:53:16 · update #3
I've seen the US version of The Office. It is very funny. The UK one is great too but is perhaps TOO realistic in some ways - it is a very dark humour.
One BBC show that I love is "Doctor Who" which I know is very popular in the states.
I think the US plays a lot of BBC shows because the BBC is funded by a liscence fee instead of commercial breaks. The BBC makes really good shows not just shows that will attract lots of viewers.
Also the UK has a very good comedy output which the US enjoys - there is a lot of good US comedy but the UK comedy is different and generally more diverse.
In the UK we also get some good shows from the USA like My Name Is Earl, Frasier and Babylon 5.
2007-03-01 12:34:26 · answer #1 · answered by monkeymanelvis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a brit on the other side of the pond and the american version of The Office was great but could never live up to the original.
But what about all the great shows you have exported to us, such as Friends, Frasier, Will and Grace, Soap etc these are great shows which I don't think would translate well if remade as British versions.
There is a dryness to British humour that a lot of other nationalities don't get so sometimes our shows don't travel well (can't imagine some countries getting Spaced or Hyperdrive) and some things you just can't remake (Blackadder).
I'm glad we're recognised for something internationally other than Tony Blairs foriegn policy!!
BTW the remake of Steptoe and Son was, of course, the great Sanford and Son
2007-03-01 13:54:24 · answer #2 · answered by warrobcol 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like the BBC too, and I'm American. I caught the first season of Hex, and it was pretty good. I want to see the British version of The Office, I like the American one. Did you know they are remaking an American version of Footballer's Wives, with Lucy Lawless in the role of Tanya? They've also cast her first husband, but I forget the guy's name, he's hot though. I don't think that the show will do well here though. I do agree that American's have to stop stealing British show ideas. We're such copycats.
2007-03-01 13:37:25 · answer #3 · answered by Kat T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that where people don't realise there's a really good original British tv series, it's a bit of a shame if the American remake turns out not as good. But the US version of the Office is totally brilliant in its own way (reflected in the fact it has been shown in the UK)!
Not enough Brits copped onto Seinfeld though - truly a magnificent series!
2007-03-01 14:05:45 · answer #4 · answered by hevs 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont british tv companies remake lots of American stuff too? I think if it isnt broken dont fix it. I live in Ireland and you cant move for American series! I wish my license paid for more home grown stuff! So you cant win really. Whats good though is we always get the best series a few weeks before the British channels and we get all of them in Dublin too! So we have lots of choice. I agree the Office was very funny. Both the British and American versions. Probably because Ricky Gervais was involved in the American writing too.
2007-03-01 13:51:37 · answer #5 · answered by Painey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm English and I live in FL. BBC America has some good shows on but why the hell can't they get rid of Benny Hill, Cash in the Attic, Who's line is it Anyway and replace them with more recent English shows.
You are right though about the Office, the US version is Brilliant and the things Jim does to Dwight are genius, I loved it when he was sending Faxes to Dwight from his future self.
2007-03-01 13:21:46 · answer #6 · answered by bassmonkey1969 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
US Remakes of British TV fail 90% of the time. The Office is one of the rare gems that translated well to American audiences (thansk to Painey for noticing the Ricky Gervais influence on the US writing).
Americans have tried to remake Fawlty Towers three times, with only the loosly-based "Newhart" having any success.
2007-03-01 15:16:48 · answer #7 · answered by shutupvox 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd rather just watch a British version than an American cover. I think the Brits have a better, more subtle, sense of humor than we do. Could you imagine an American version of something like Monty Python? Yuk!
But I agree with you - The Office is hilarious!
Cheers!! :)
2007-03-01 13:21:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like watching BBC America pretty often...I'm glad they picked up the new Doctor Who (although Sci Fi network is already showing it too)...hope they pick up Torchwood too. And Coupling's great...the US tried to make an American version of that but it flopped...the original British humor style really works best for Coupling.
We'll be getting that new Robin Hood series this Saturday....really looking forward to it!
2007-03-01 14:25:27 · answer #9 · answered by rob1977nc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im british and love both versions of the office. they are great shows in their own right but i do think some shows are rubbish when remade. i think it would be the same if an American show was copied over here. if its not broke dont fix it-just appreciate it as it is!
2007-03-01 13:40:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋