Goldblatch and Friggot?
Zongweasel and Smith?
Widefunkle and Hoover?
Peep Show US Pilot Page 3
Quote: Dr Mato @ December 15 2008, 1:44 PM GMTWhy don't they simply buy the original and air it? These remakes, if you have seen the original are not worth watching.
Because the Americans make TV for Americans better than we do...whether it's episode numbers or decent looking actors, they're just better.
They took the Office (quirky show watched by a relatively small number of people with a love it/hate it quality ) and made it a monster that has exceeded the original in all relevant areas (relevant to networks and average viewers)
Quote: Dr Mato @ December 15 2008, 1:44 PM GMTWhy don't they simply buy the original and air it? These remakes, if you have seen the original are not worth watching.
Re-making something makes sense on paper. A number of reasons, not least that the audience like familiar actors with familiar accents. Cultural references can also be changed if it's re-made (a lot of the slang used in the UK version of The Office had to go... for example, Americans understandably aren't familiar with the meta-info that comes with the knowledge the office is based in Slough).
Plus there's the business side of things. If a show takes off and you're just airing an import you don't get all the merchandise etc profits. NBC are now making a mint out of The Office. If they'd just stuck with the UK version it'd have been the BBC making the profit instead.
You're right though... re-makes hardly ever work. The Office and Worst Week are the only two in the last ten years that have got anywhere near successful? So it is somewhat of a surprise the networks are still trying. Even Fawlty Towers' genius scripts couldn't be converted into a hit show!