Author Topic: US Versions of Popular Shows (Read 6392 times)

SiCkBoY · « **on:** Oct 09, 2013 at 08:06 AM »

This fall, there are three shows that are based on popular or successful shows from other countries: Hostages (based on Israeli series of the same name), Lucky 7 (based on British show The Syndicate), and Betrayal (based on Dutch show Overspel).

Curiously, all three shows are not doing well. Lucky 7 has already been axed, and the other two are on the chopping block.

The Office is arguably the most popular show which ran for 9 seasons. The Voice (based on The Voice of Holland) is doing really well.

There are many US versions of shows that are based on successful foreign shows. This is the thread to discuss them.

Mr. Hankey · « **Reply #1 on:** Oct 09, 2013 at 10:18 AM »

Fox' upcoming Broadchurch is a remake of the ITV series of the same name, and will use the same male lead: David Tennant. He'll be using an American accent for the remake, though. Did anyone watch the original? I found it quite good.

Wilfred is also a remake of the Australian show of the same name, with the same actor playing the title character. I enjoyed season one, but quit 2 episodes into the second season.

My sentimental favorite, though, is the US remake of Man About The House, which became a little sitcom known as Three's Company. It's not great TV, but it was fun at its peak.

AshKetchum · « **Reply #2 on:** Oct 09, 2013 at 10:44 AM »

These are the ones I can think of:

- The classic sitcom Three's Company was based on the UK series Man About The House. While the UK original ran for 6 seasons, the USA version proved more popular, and lasted for 8 seasons. The UK spinoffs were more long-lived though: George and Mildred lasted 5 seasons, while its USA version, The Ropers, managed to air 2 seasons. The other successful spinoff from the original UK series was Robin's Nest, which lasted 6 seasons. The USA version, Three's A Crowd, didn't do so well, and was only on air for 1 season.

- Another UK sitcom, Coupling, was remade into a USA version with the same title, which was a disaster--it was cancelled after airing 4 episodes.

- Life on Mars, adapted from the UK series of the same name, but with a slightly altered premise towards the end. The original UK series spawned a sequel, but the USA version didn't last long--it was cancelled after 1 season.

- Being Human, which retained its title when SyFy produced the USA version.

- The Killing, based on the Danish TV series Forbrydelsen. The original and US remake both ran for 3 seasons.

- Some UK Reality Competition shows were also successfully brought to the USA. Pop Idol became American Idol, Strictly Come Dancing became Dancing With The Stars, Britain's Got Talent obviously became America's Got Talent, while The X Factor retained its original title.

boredfilmmaker · « **Reply #3 on:** Oct 09, 2013 at 01:19 PM »

Homeland is based on the Israeli show Hatufim (Prisoners of War.)

Gavin and Stacey also has a US remake, Us & Them. It stars Alexis Bledel and Jason Ritter. It's scheduled to air this season.

Broadchurch is the best show I've seen this year. I just hope the remake won't be another The Killing.

hotrod · « **Reply #4 on:** Oct 09, 2013 at 05:27 PM »

Quote from: Mr. Hankey on Oct 09, 2013 at 10:18 AM

Fox' upcoming Broadchurch is a remake of the ITV series of the same name, and will use the same male lead: David Tennant. He'll be using an American accent for the remake, though. Did anyone watch the original? I found it quite good.

Yes, I enjoyed it, so much better than The Killing.

Mr. Hankey · « **Reply #5 on:** Oct 09, 2013 at 09:10 PM »

I just remembered: One of my favorite recent Britcoms, The Inbetweeners, got an American remake on MTV. A lot of the more ribald humor was lost in translation.

One reverse success story was the American Tony Danza-Judith Light-Alyssa Milano sitcom Who's The Boss? adapted as a Britcom called The Upper Hand, which ran for several years. I remember this one because the horny grandmother role, originated by Katherine Helmond on the American show, was played by Pussy Galore herself: Honor Blackman.

It was the only time I ever looked forward to seeing what an aging Pussy looked like.

Mr. Hankey · « **Reply #6 on:** Oct 12, 2013 at 09:02 AM »

Quote from: boredfilmmaker on Oct 09, 2013 at 01:19 PM

Gavin and Stacey also has a US remake, Us & Them. It stars Alexis Bledel and Jason Ritter. It's scheduled to air this season.

And it's been cancelled even before it's gone on air. Kawawa.

http://tvline.com/2013/10/11/us-them-cancelled-fox/

indie boi · « **Reply #7 on:** Oct 16, 2013 at 01:03 PM »

The Tomorrow People, which is currently airing at the CW network, is based on the British series of the same name.

AshKetchum · « **Reply #8 on:** Oct 25, 2013 at 09:33 PM »

UK sitcom Getting On, which aired on the BBC from 2009 to 2012, will be getting a US version that will air on HBO this November 24.

The series is about the staff of a female elderly patient care unit of a Long Beach, CA hospital.
Cast includes Laurie Metcalf, Alex Borstein, Niecy Nash, Mel Rodriguez, Joel Johnstone, Molly Shannon, Harry Dean Stanton, Daniel Stern

coastal · « **Reply #9 on:** Nov 01, 2013 at 08:44 PM »

The Bridge was a remake of a Scandinavian crime drama. But now there's an Anglo-Franco version called The Tunnel which stars Stannis of Games of Throne and a French girl who appeared in Harry Potter. Although its like watching a rerun this one includes some nudity.

deweyfinn · « **Reply #10 on:** Nov 02, 2013 at 11:38 AM »

Quote from: coastal on Nov 01, 2013 at 08:44 PM

The Bridge was a remake of a Scandinavian crime drama. But now there's an Anglo-Franco version called The Tunnel which stars Stannis of Games of Throne and a French girl who appeared in Harry Potter. Although its like watching a rerun this one includes some nudity.

Clemence Poesy!!! She also was in an episode (or two) of Gossip Girl

coastal · « **Reply #11 on:** Nov 03, 2013 at 04:01 PM »

OT. Medyo deja vu kasi she looks like Claire Danes.

valmanway55 · « **Reply #12 on:** Jan 14, 2014 at 10:32 PM »

Cancelled na ba yung Boys Before Friends, yung American remake ng Japanese drama na Hana Yori Dango?

Sadly, even Philippines outperforms US in terms of remakes.

deweyfinn · « **Reply #13 on:** Jan 17, 2014 at 11:37 AM »

Quote from: valmanway55 on Jan 14, 2014 at 10:32 PM

Cancelled na ba yung Boys Before Friends, yung American remake ng Japanese drama na Hana Yori Dango?

Sadly, even Philippines outperforms US in terms of remakes.

It would depend where the original came from.

If the mother series came from Latin America, the UK or even Israel, there is a strong chance for success. K-dramas and J-dramas are a tough sell for adaptation by US studios.

Speaking of adaptations, the Nick Latin America series "Grachi" (which Nick Phils. used to air locally - dubbed in English) is being remade by Nick US as "Every Witch Way"

AshKetchum · « **Reply #14 on:** Feb 15, 2014 at 11:30 AM »

David Fincher and Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn are teaming up for a USA version of the UK series Utopia, which has been picked up for a full series order by HBO. Fincher is attached to direct the pilot and Flynn will provide the screenplay. Both will also executive produce alongside Joshua Donen, Jane Featherstone, Carolyn Bernstein and the show's original creator, Dennis Kelly.

The original UK series had 6 episodes for its first season and is currently preparing a second season.

valmanway55 · « **Reply #15 on:** Feb 15, 2014 at 08:44 PM »

Quote from: deweyfinn on Jan 17, 2014 at 11:37 AM

It would depend where the original came from.

If the mother series came from Latin America, the UK or even Israel, there is a strong chance for success. K-dramas and J-dramas are a tough sell for adaptation by US studios.

Speaking of adaptations, the Nick Latin America series "Grachi" (which Nick Phils. used to air locally - dubbed in English) is being remade by Nick US as "Every Witch Way"

Looks like it's gonna be worse than the Korean version. Not gonna watch it.

SiCkBoY · « **Reply #16 on:** Feb 16, 2014 at 12:45 PM »

I read of another Israeli show that will get the Hollywood treatment. Kelan kaya gaganda ang mga local shows natin enough to attract the attention of Hollywood?

coastal · « **Reply #17 on:** Mar 13, 2014 at 10:18 PM »

Watched the pilot of "Those Who Kill" based on a Danish series and liked it. Unfortunately it seems that it will be pulled out after the second episode due to poor ratings. Sayang.

XanderCage · « **Reply #18 on:** Mar 13, 2014 at 10:42 PM »

Quote from: coastal on Mar 13, 2014 at 10:18 PM

Watched the pilot of "Those Who Kill" based on a Danish series and liked it. Unfortunately it seems that it will be pulled out after the second episode due to poor ratings. Sayang.

ngek ganun. i liked the pilot, though medyo di maganda yung 2nd episode.

SiCkBoY · « **Reply #19 on:** Mar 14, 2014 at 05:43 AM »

Quote from: coastal on Mar 13, 2014 at 10:18 PM

Watched the pilot of "Those Who Kill" based on a Danish series and liked it. Unfortunately it seems that it will be pulled out after the second episode due to poor ratings. Sayang.

Ang bilis naman.

coastal · « **Reply #20 on:** Apr 11, 2014 at 09:39 AM »

Buti naibalik ito but had to reDL episode 2 since I forgot what the premise was all about he he.

ziggy zuggy · « **Reply #21 on:** May 05, 2014 at 12:15 PM »

Quote from: SiCkBoY on Oct 09, 2013 at 08:06 AM

This fall, there are three shows that are based on popular or successful shows from other countries: Hostages (based on Israeli series of the same name), Lucky 7 (based on British show The Syndicate), and Betrayal (based on Dutch show Overspel).

Curiously, all three shows are not doing well. Lucky 7 has already been axed, and the other two are on the chopping block.

The Office is arguably the most popular show which ran for 9 seasons. The Voice (based on The Voice of Holland) is doing really well.

There are many US versions of shows that are based on successful foreign shows. This is the thread to discuss them.

"american idol" came from uk

some older comedies:
Whose Line Is It Anyway
Sketchshow

japanese variety"
American Ninja Warrior
"Hole in the Wall"
i forgot the name, but it was based on Gaki No Tsukai's Silent Batsu Games
Takeshi's castle also had an american remake i think

deweyfinn · « **Reply #22 on:** May 05, 2014 at 01:45 PM »

Quote from: ziggy zuggy on May 05, 2014 at 12:15 PM

"american idol" came from uk

some older comedies:
Whose Line Is It Anyway
Sketchshow

japanese variety"
American Ninja Warrior
"Hole in the Wall"
i forgot the name, but it was based on Gaki No Tsukai's Silent Batsu Games
Takeshi's castle also had an american remake i think

Let's not forget a number of classic American sitcoms which were actually adaptations from UK series:
Three's Company (UK Man About the House)
The Ropers (UK George & Mildred)
All In The Family (UK Till Death Us Do Part)

coastal · « **Reply #23 on:** Oct 04, 2014 at 06:53 AM »

Gracepoint (Broadchurch)

SiCkBoY · « **Reply #24 on:** Oct 10, 2014 at 09:44 PM »

Quote from: coastal on Oct 04, 2014 at 06:53 AM

Gracepoint (Broadchurch)

And it's looking good. I've yet to see Broadchurch though.

SiCkBoY · « **Reply #25 on:** Mar 11, 2015 at 10:33 PM »

Two new shows, Secrets and Lies and The Returned, are looking pretty good right now.

Cant find an aftershow podcast on The Returned though.

coastal · « **Reply #26 on:** Mar 12, 2015 at 09:07 AM »

The pilot episode of The Returned was great. It's like the reverse of The Leftovers.

anya618 · « **Reply #27 on:** Mar 12, 2015 at 09:18 AM »

Quote from: coastal on Mar 12, 2015 at 09:07 AM

The pilot episode of The Returned was great. It's like the reverse of The Leftovers.

di ba parang RESURRECTION ito?

coastal · « **Reply #28 on:** Mar 12, 2015 at 09:23 AM »

Not sure. Di ko pa napanood yung Resurrection e.

DVD_Freak · « **Reply #29 on:** Mar 12, 2015 at 09:42 AM »

The premise seems to be the same. But one did not copy the other I believe. As I understand it, both are based on best-selling books.