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Why Can't You Just Leave Them Alone
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DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorTheMadMartian
Alien with an attitude
Registered: March 13, 2007
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Quoting Pantheon:
Quote:
Back on topic...no one answered my question: Why does America feel the need to remake UK TV shows? Or, for that matter, ANY tv show that's in the English language?

I truly don't understand and would like to know what our American friends think the reason is.

I can think of three reasons, right off the top of my head...relatability, number of episodes and the very small window of opportunity for a show to succeed.
No dictator, no invader can hold an imprisoned population by force of arms forever.
There is no greater power in the universe than the need for freedom.
Against this power, governments and tyrants and armies cannot stand.
The Centauri learned this lesson once.
We will teach it to them again.
Though it take a thousand years, we will be free.
- Citizen G'Kar
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantVibroCount
The Truth is Silly Putty
Registered: March 13, 2007
Reputation: High Rating
United States Posts: 5,635
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Quoting Pantheon:
Quote:
Ok...firstly....FilmAlba...what's so great about the UK?
I live here and, with the exception of the countryside, it pretty much sucks.
And, don't forget that when you're telling Americans to remember where they came from....it's the attitude of the English that travelled across the water with them.

As a nation Engliand has just as much to answer for throughout history.
Every country has its problems so give it a rest.

Back on topic...no one answered my question: Why does America feel the need to remake UK TV shows? Or, for that matter, ANY tv show that's in the English language?

I truly don't understand and would like to know what our American friends think the reason is.


Not everyone in the USA came from the UK. The majority of my ancestors were from Norway. All of my wife's ancestors were from Japan. Imagining any two people who live in the US having any similar background is as narrow minded as imagining that everyone who lives in Scotland is as offensive behaving as FilmAlba.

I think my profit explanation of US film remakes of non-US created films (page 6) stands for remaking fine TV shows, even if they are in the mother tongue.
If it wasn't for bad taste, I wouldn't have no taste at all.

Cliff
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantAlien Redrum
Proudly blocked by liars.
Registered: August 23, 2008
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Quoting Pantheon:
Quote:
Ok...firstly....FilmAlba...what's so great about the UK?


Your beer, man. Your beer.

Also, women with the accent get +10% hotter. I can't explain it, it just is.

Quote:
Back on topic...no one answered my question: Why does America feel the need to remake UK TV shows? Or, for that matter, ANY tv show that's in the English language?


In addition to what Martian said, I would also speculate money. Plus the reason they are remade is to (for lack of a better term) Americanize them. For example, The Office UK is funny as hell, but there are some jokes I just didn't get because they were English-specific (I had to ask a UK friend to explain some).

Even with that, though, there are miserable failures. One that comes to mind is Life on Mars. The original was amazing. The US version pretty much sucked. Main reason is Philip Glenister. The man rocked as Hunt and to try anyone else in that spot is a recipe for disaster. 

I'm still surprised Spaced and Green Wing haven't been tapped for the US audiences yet.
Reviewer, HorrorTalk.com

"I also refuse to document CLT results and I pay my bills to avoid going to court." - Sam, keeping it real, yo.
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantVibroCount
The Truth is Silly Putty
Registered: March 13, 2007
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There are a few UK series which either have never been remade or the remakes were dismal failures... Monty Python, Danger Man, The Prisoner, many UK detective series, The Avengers, etc.
If it wasn't for bad taste, I wouldn't have no taste at all.

Cliff
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorPantheon
Registered: March 14, 2007
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Quoting VibroCount:
Quote:
Quoting Pantheon:
Quote:
Ok...firstly....FilmAlba...what's so great about the UK?
I live here and, with the exception of the countryside, it pretty much sucks.
And, don't forget that when you're telling Americans to remember where they came from....it's the attitude of the English that travelled across the water with them.

As a nation Engliand has just as much to answer for throughout history.
Every country has its problems so give it a rest.

Back on topic...no one answered my question: Why does America feel the need to remake UK TV shows? Or, for that matter, ANY tv show that's in the English language?

I truly don't understand and would like to know what our American friends think the reason is.


Not everyone in the USA came from the UK. The majority of my ancestors were from Norway. All of my wife's ancestors were from Japan. Imagining any two people who live in the US having any similar background is as narrow minded as imagining that everyone who lives in Scotland is as offensive behaving as FilmAlba.

I think my profit explanation of US film remakes of non-US created films (page 6) stands for remaking fine TV shows, even if they are in the mother tongue.


I think you misunderstood the point I was attempting (and obviously failing) to make.

FilmAlba made a comment implying that the US is populated with English people....and I was trying to point out that if that is the case then any perceived 'attitude/ignorance' etc has simply travelled across the world from us, ie...the English are to blame.
Also, I'd have to pretty damned ignorant to think that everyone in the US is descended from someone English - that's like someone assuming that everyone in England knows the Queen.

Sorry if you thought I was attacking the US as that was never my intention. 
 Last edited: by Pantheon
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorPantheon
Registered: March 14, 2007
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Quoting TheMadMartian:
Quote:
relatability,

I have to admit that if this is the case I find it a little disheartening. It seems to imply that US viewers can't relate to anyone but themselves; and in my experience that is not the case. Do your networks really have such a low opinion of their viewers?

Quote:
number of episodes

This I can understand as I sometimes find it frustrating how short our series' are. However, it does sometimes mean that the writing is tighter and full of less padding.

Quote:
the very small window of opportunity for a show to succeed.

Meaning what? I've never really understood how some tv shows succeed and others don't. For example: Firefly should have been a huge hit. What dictates success? Too much competition?
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorTheMadMartian
Alien with an attitude
Registered: March 13, 2007
Reputation: Highest Rating
United States Posts: 13,201
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Quoting Pantheon:
Quote:
Quoting TheMadMartian:
Quote:
relatability,

I have to admit that if this is the case I find it a little disheartening. It seems to imply that US viewers can't relate to anyone but themselves; and in my experience that is not the case. Do your networks really have such a low opinion of their viewers?

When I say 'relatability', I mean that we don't get some of the humor, don't understand some of the language/slang and we aren't familiar with all of the situations.  I have watched some British TV and, sometimes, I just don't get it.  Networks don't seem to want to take that chance so, simply remake it with more relatable humor, language/slang and situations.  And, yes, it certainly does seem like they sometimes do have a low opinion of their viewers.
Quote:
Quote:
number of episodes

This I can understand as I sometimes find it frustrating how short our series' are. However, it does sometimes mean that the writing is tighter and full of less padding.

For a series to be successful here, it has to run 20+ episodes.  There are exceptions...the midseason replacement, and the recent trend of summer series which only runs during the summer so has a shorter season.
Quote:
Quote:
the very small window of opportunity for a show to succeed.

Meaning what? I've never really understood how some tv shows succeed and others don't. For example: Firefly should have been a huge hit. What dictates success? Too much competition?

It used to be that you could only watch original series on network TV.  Since cable networks and movie channels started making original series...they used to only run syndicated reruns and movies...networks don't take the same risks they did in the past.  If a show doesn't grab an audience quick, it can be canceled in as few as 2 or 3 episodes.

As to what dictates success...the all might Nielsen.  Firefly, while a good show, didn't get many viewers.  It averaged 4.7 million viewers and ranked 98th in the Nielsen season-to-date ratings.  While that does sound like a lot of viewers, to give you an idea of why it isn't, the 20th ranked show is averaging 12.5 million.
No dictator, no invader can hold an imprisoned population by force of arms forever.
There is no greater power in the universe than the need for freedom.
Against this power, governments and tyrants and armies cannot stand.
The Centauri learned this lesson once.
We will teach it to them again.
Though it take a thousand years, we will be free.
- Citizen G'Kar
 Last edited: by TheMadMartian
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantVibroCount
The Truth is Silly Putty
Registered: March 13, 2007
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Quoting Pantheon:
Quote:
I think you misunderstood the point I was attempting (and obviously failing) to make.

FilmAlba made a comment implying that the US is populated with English people....and I was trying to point out that if that is the case then any perceived 'attitude/ignorance' etc has simply travelled across the world from us, ie...the English are to blame.
Also, I'd have to pretty damned ignorant to think that everyone in the US is descended from someone English - that's like someone assuming that everyone in England knows the Queen.

Sorry if you thought I was attacking the US as that was never my intention. 


Sorry, your point is well-made, and quite reasonable. But FA implies that all Americans are the same... I was attempting (and failing) to amplify your statement without quoting everyone from before. I agree with you and wanted to continue in that same direction. I did not mean to contradict you at all.
If it wasn't for bad taste, I wouldn't have no taste at all.

Cliff
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorPantheon
Registered: March 14, 2007
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Thanks for taking the time to explain Martian!

I still think the Networks sell you short.

I don't live in the US and I have no real idea what's it's like for any of you who do...but I can still relate to your shows and understand your humour; even if I don't get every pop-culture reference.
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantShinyDiscGuy
Registered: March 10, 2009
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Quoting Pantheon:
Quote:
Ok...firstly....FilmAlba...what's so great about the UK?
I live here and, with the exception of the countryside, it pretty much sucks.
And, don't forget that when you're telling Americans to remember where they came from....it's the attitude of the English that travelled across the water with them.

As a nation Engliand has just as much to answer for throughout history.
Every country has its problems so give it a rest.

Back on topic...no one answered my question: Why does America feel the need to remake UK TV shows? Or, for that matter, ANY tv show that's in the English language?

I truly don't understand and would like to know what our American friends think the reason is.


Depends how you judge greatness. For me despite Scotland having some terrible problems. Yes I will more than happily admit that Glasgow for the most part is like the arse crack of western Europe.

But what Scotland has in spades is our national identity and sense of kinship. The believe we are all Jocks kin. A believe that makes the richest man treat the poorest man with the same kindness and respect and vise versa. That no matter what our differences we are all Scottish. Higher values such as this which yes are simple but not parochial.

We have long since grown up from being a short bread tin, Broons reading back water of the post industrialise age.

And certainly in the last 10 years we have become incredibly more free and im more than happy to say that Scotland is a far freer nation than America.

I could spend a long time going into detail why, but i will re frame. Point is is America Great? In some ways yes. You have to travel around a lot to find it though. Most of Americas better values are in small towns. Maybe that just is the Scot in me though that thrives on a simple life of liberty and freedom and does not take the mick with it.

America is great for English language film making of course. But for my money i rather live in Scotland any day over America. Im sorry if people take offence to my comments but hey that's freedom.

Something which you guys like to trumpet on about a lot. But obviously take offence to it when it's not in line with your opinion.
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorTheMadMartian
Alien with an attitude
Registered: March 13, 2007
Reputation: Highest Rating
United States Posts: 13,201
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You really should heed old Abe's words.
No dictator, no invader can hold an imprisoned population by force of arms forever.
There is no greater power in the universe than the need for freedom.
Against this power, governments and tyrants and armies cannot stand.
The Centauri learned this lesson once.
We will teach it to them again.
Though it take a thousand years, we will be free.
- Citizen G'Kar
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