Interesting article about why the move across the Atlantic so often fails.
Yes, it's in the Guardian, but if you read it really quick, with a copy of The Telegraph clamped firmly between your teeth, you shouldn't become too woke.
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/may/13/ghosts-this-country-us-uk-sitcom-remakes
Thanks for the heads up, as the Elephant Man said to the prostitute.
There was a US Young Ones, Oh No - Not Them. It was total shit of course, but I really really want to see it out of curiosity. It's the same dickhead in me that read Salinger's Crapworth three times and buys Ringo albums. Sometimes I even listen to them.
Yes it's a good indepth article that Lazzard, with very few grauniadisms. It seems then that almost every sitcom that has more than one series here gets an attempted reworking in the States, but few make it past the pilot stage - Unlike here, where it airs and often flops, not getting a 2nd series.
Over there, there is so much more production money at stake if it flops because they contract for a ridiculously long number of 'season' eps, and their production teams are unnecessarily large. So if they are unsure after a weak pilot, they don't sign the contract. It means they properly assess pilots for potential success unlike here, where almost everything seems to go through, weak pilot or not.
Another reason the US Office worked was because they made it their own. Although it has similarities with the British original it pretty soon became it's own beast. Along with a good show runner they also had an incredible cast who made you forget the British version. Be interested to watch the US Ghosts now.
Well, the first episode of the US Office was pretty much a carbon copy. It wasn't till the second season that they found a new style.
My problem with it is how it loses contact with reality, but I've been through this 75398 times now.
Quote: Michael Monkhouse @ 18th May 2023, 1:50 PMWell, the first episode of the US Office was pretty much a carbon copy. It wasn't till the second season that they found a new style.
My problem with it is how it loses contact with reality, but I've been through this 75398 times now.
It does, but so what? It becomes it's own show. That's its charm and strength.