Just a thought. America is the worlds largest english speaking market - does anyone sell any stuff over there?
America
No, no one.
Quote: Leevil @ December 30 2008, 7:59 PM GMTNo, no one.
Why? Too hard? Or don't Americans get our sense of humour?
I used to dream of getting my sitcom made by an American Production Company, but I soon realised that the script is filled with way too many references to obscure British shit, for it to work over there.
And they are thick.
Quote: bigfella @ December 30 2008, 7:54 PM GMTJust a thought. America is the worlds largest english speaking market - does anyone sell any stuff over there?
Walmart do. Sorry couldn't resist it. 
I know what you mean though. It would probably be fairly lucrative if a prod' company was to sign one up.
But I expect that the best a newbie could hope for would be to be offered a part on a team of writers for a pilot project. I should imagine that the competition to "break in" is humungus with more new shows/ideas being pitched than you could shake a stick at.
Quote: Ned1984 @ December 31 2008, 12:29 AM GMTAnd they are thick.
BBC Justin Webb says of americana
ignorant, unsophisticated sort of place, full of bible bashers and ruled to a dangerous extent by trashy television, superstition and religious bigotry, a place lacking in respect for evidence based knowledge.
BBCAmerica edits so much out because of american government. Also american people like cor ap like "friends". They do not do well with average looking people being funny. They need a supermodel.
Rosie O'Donnell?
Dr. Mato's comment is only partially correct. I think the audience would do just fine with ordinarly looking people, it's just that the production companies would never normally consider it in their misguided attempts to control everything and leave nothing to chance.... no doubt their surveys and test audiences are given questions like "Did you find character x attractive"... the more "Yes" answers, the more attractive people make the cut etc etc.
Look at some of the older, riskier shows - Barney Miller is a great example - not a good looking one in the bunch. Or All in the Family.
As far as getting your foot in the door over here, it's a different game - the prod cos and agents do NOT want to see an original idea - they want you to write a calling card in the form of writing an original episode of a current series... if you get lucky, you might be asked to freelance, or join the writing team for a test period. Apart from that... I'm still learning myself. In the meantime I'll be submitting my very British sitcom to British prodcos over there in Blighty next month..
Just concentrate all your efforts on a great British show, if it's good America will come looking for you, look at Ricky Gervias.
Quote: Ned1984 @ December 31 2008, 1:02 AM GMTRosie O'Donnell?
Rosie is the exception along with Roseanne barr. However, neither of them can get much on the telly these days.
Quote: Blobster @ December 31 2008, 1:05 AM GMTDr. Mato's comment is only partially correct. I think the audience would do just fine with ordinarly looking people, it's just that the production companies would never normally consider it in their misguided attempts to control everything and leave nothing to chance.... no doubt their surveys and test audiences are given questions like "Did you find character x attractive"... the more Y answers, the more attractive people make the cut etc etc.
Look at some of the older, riskier shows - Barney Miller is a great example - not a good looking one in the bunch. Or All in the Family.
As far as getting your foot in the door over here, it's a different game - the prod cos and agents do NOT want to see an original idea - they want you to write a calling card in the form of writing an original episode of a current series... if you get lucky, you might be asked to freelance, or join the writing team for a test period. Apart from that... I'm still learning myself. In the meantime I'll be submitting my very British sitcom to British prodcos over there in Blighty next month..
Well maybe I am not as right but the average person in america puts looks up there on the scale of importance. Even if they look average selfly (could not think of word to use). They will strive to look, act and dress as telly show superstars and popsters.
Quote: Dr Mato @ December 31 2008, 12:55 AM GMTBBCAmerica edits so much out because of american government.
Untrue. BBC America is a cable network and isn't broadcast over the free airwaves, so any editing is done because BBC America wants to do so; the government isn't involved. There's plenty of nudity, sex and profanity on non-network shows - just look at Dexter, The Sopranos, Deadwood, etc.
Americans would "get" most British humor, I'd imagine. Shows like Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, Are You Being Served and Keeping Up Appearances air here all the time. The only stuff that would go over an American's had would be references to UK-centric celebrities, places or events. Most Americans wouldn't know anything about chavs, football/rugby/cricket, UK politicians, media personalities, etc.
Severe accents and slang would also drive away many viewers, in my opinion.
P.S. Justin Webb sounds like a twat.
It's been said elsewhere on this site, but a key difference lies in the overall pyche of the two nations - in the UK we resent material success to a large degree, and identify deeply with the bold but essentially unsuccessful attempts to leave the humdrum world behind - we don't really believe the successful world is attainable, and as long as our friends, family and even our enemies don't escape our world, we love them all the more for it and laugh along with them.
In America, everyone believes in the American dream, and many are convinced that it is attainable. There are some very admirable things that come from this "can do" spirit, but I'm not certain that good comedy is one of them - at least not the type of comedy that appeals so naturally to the British audience.
Being a Brit in the USA I think I straddle both worlds. In some respects, you just have to "tune" your comedy receiver to different frequencies, depending on whether you are watching UK or US based comedy.
Then again, nobody knows nothin', right?
Quote: bigfella @ December 30 2008, 8:00 PM GMTWhy? Too hard? Or don't Americans get our sense of humour?
Sorry, was a crap attempt at a joke.
Most of the time in the US if they're interviewing say an African leader on the news they'll put subtitles on screen. English ones obviously.