Why bother?

I hear a re-make of the IT crowd is planned. It's pointless - they're even casting members from the UK series! WHY???! It's like making the whole thing all over again.

The US version of Cracker was dismal compared to the UK. The Office is severely lacking the presence of Rocky Gervais.

Why do American TV people do it? Why not just run the UK shows on US TV?

They'll be re-making Fawlty Towers next...

Hey Blacky! Long time, no hear.
Nice to see you in the fray again.

Anyhoo, I'm pretty much with ya about US remakes, and I was ready to hate the American version of The Office, but no.
Its' got its very own lovely and witty world, a bit P.C. and lacking the sting and despair of Gervais's baby, but still....

I agree with Ishy, I was ready to hate the American Office, but it is probably my favorite show on TV currently (although Pushing Daisies is narrowing the lead). I can't comment on Cracker as I've seen neither version.

All in the Family and Sanford and Son were both modeled on UK sitcoms, right? Those were pretty profitable for the networks and also pretty important to our pop culture.

They do actually show many of the BBC programs over here on BBC America, but not everyone gets that channel. And there is still the language barrier, not to mention the cultural barrier. Oh and we are stupider over here.

Thanks muchly for the responses and it's nice to see Ishmael's Coffin again, but my question remains -

Why do they attempt to re-make perfectly good TV shows?

OK. Cause I like ya so much Duncan, I'll theorise...

Max Jack has identified part of the issue.
The British culture is significantly different to the US. Seems to go without saying, BUT translate the average G.I.Joe, in front of his tv, confused at, say, The Mighty Boosh into a consumer with the enormous wealth of the US entertainment industry behind him, and suddenly the issue of 'funny' accents and odd vocab disappears.

America remakes because it can. It has the financial clout to change the playing field so that Iowa Sue won't in parochial perplexedness, tune out and decrease station profits.

In my native Australia we did get and remain getting every great Brit tv show, completely untouched, and the idea of a 'local' remake of say Fawlty Towers would have sent a million raging viewers to their phones screaming at being treated like idiots.

In summary, I submit that US remake fever is a combination of different, strange cultures meeting the US dollar and losing.

Also see: British film remakes

quote:

Originally posted by Duncan Black:
The Office is severely lacking the presence of Rocky Gervais.

Just playin. The American Office is my favorite show on TV currently. Ricky Gervais is hilarious, one of my favorite comedy actors, but I don't think he would fit well with the cast and persona that "Michael" embodies on the American Office. I may be biased though because I grew up watching Steve Carell on the Daily Show. My favorite character on the show is Dwight Schrute (counterpart to Gareth Keenan). Neither of those characters would fit well if they were transposed, but I think Dwight adds much more to the show, in the way of comedy and character, than Gareth did to the UK Office.

Anyways, to respond to the question - as already said it's all about the money, not so much the 'cultural' or supposed intellectual differences. In fact, I think when studios/networks here see success with a UK series/movie then it makes it more likely that will re-make because that serves as evidence/indicator of how easily it will likely translate to popularity with the US audiences. From there it's a matter of profit and creative control in deciding to go for a remake.

Of course, don't expect anymore rip offs in the near future, seeing as the US writers guild is still on strike (apparently stealing ideas from UK writers is hard work ).

BTW Ish, not everyone from Iowa is a dolt, just most of them (coming from a former Nebraskan ).

This message has been edited. Last edited by: La La Love Pixies,

Yeah pixies, apologies if I came across a bit harsh or condescending re the great Mid-West.
I was just using an example of the viewer who wants everything handed to them on a platter.

I spent a week or so in Iowa years ago, and met both the worst and best of people.
Nebraska I'm yet to get to.

I do see wonderful cause for optimism in that the new Doctor Who series is playing big guns in the States....or is that just my perception?

I don't know if anyone else has considered this, but the British television "seasons" are significantly shorter, which may be one reason why they're redeveloped. I don't think a 8 episode season of a TV show would fly on American network television, when audiences are used to 20-24 episode seasons.

Good point Mr.75

There are exceptions to the rule of course, but still, something to ponder.

I do wish some US shows had shorter seasons. Lost, for example, and I do watch and enjoy it, is simply begging to be trimmed of fat as the seasons go by.

Has it ever gone the other way? Has the BBC ever remade an American Sitcom for the British audience?

quote:

Originally posted by Maximum Jack:
Has it ever gone the other way? Has the BBC ever remade an American Sitcom for the British audience?

I did a search on Google, and the answer is yes!

Evidently, there was a show called "The Upper Hand" in the early 1990s that was essentially a British version of...get this..."Who's The Boss". Of all the American shows to remake, they pick "Who's the Boss?"

quote:

Originally posted by EricG75:
Of all the American shows to remake, they pick "Who's the Boss?"

Watch yourself, buddy. I still watch if I happen to come across it. We're only a couple years apart in age, so I KNOW you were loving Alyssa Milano when you were 11.

quote:

Originally posted by PaddyG:
Watch yourself, buddy. I still watch if I happen to come across it. We're only a couple years apart in age, so I KNOW you were loving Alyssa Milano when you were 11.

I'm still loving Alyssa Milano. She's still hot as a thirty-something.

But yes, I will admit to being a Who's the Boss fan when I was 11.

Katherine Helmond may be the greatest supporting actress in the history of American Television: given here roles as "Mona" (Who's the Boss) and "Jessica Tate" on Soap.