only fools and horses

chairboys · 31 Jan 2012, 20:20

The greatest sitcom ever. (maybe second to the Royal Bodyguard!!)
Apparently, it is being re-made for the US audience.
Two questions:
Will this absolute classic of all classics suit american humour?
Has the original never been broadcast over there?

Sue K · 31 Jan 2012, 20:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by chairboys

The greatest sitcom ever. (maybe second to the Royal Bodyguard!!)
Apparently, it is being re-made for the US audience.
Two questions:
Will this absolute classic of all classics suit american humour?
Has the original never been broadcast over there?

I've never heard of it, luvvie... and I'm pretty much the tv buff... well... I USED to be... lol ... What's the concept ?

*AndyK* · 31 Jan 2012, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by chairboys

The greatest sitcom ever. (maybe second to the Royal Bodyguard!!)
Apparently, it is being re-made for the US audience.
Two questions:
Will this absolute classic of all classics suit american humour?
Has the original never been broadcast over there?

Three questions ... The first surely being WHY?

Evil One · 31 Jan 2012, 20:39

I believe it was broadcast over there at some point, with subtitles.

I'm pretty sure it will need considerable changes as the show is about a couple of losers, and Americans only do winning.

They'll have to go some way to make a product shittier than the last couple of specials though.

chairboys · 31 Jan 2012, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyK

Three questions ... The first surely being WHY?

probably riding on the wave of The Royal Bodyguard's success.

Sue K · 31 Jan 2012, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil One

I'm pretty sure it will need considerable changes as the show is about a couple of losers, and Americans only do winning.

Oh, I don't know about that ... two shows I watch, Two and a half men and Big Bang Theory have their share of losers ... lol ...

Unless you were being sarcastic... Like Dr Sheldon Cooper of Big Bang Theory, there's times sarcasm goes over my head without riffling a hair ... lol ...

chairboys · 31 Jan 2012, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil One

I believe it was broadcast over there at some point, with subtitles.

I'm pretty sure it will need considerable changes as the show is about a couple of losers, and Americans only do winning.

They'll have to go some way to make a product shittier than the last couple of specials though.

Subtitles?
Last couple of specials weren't the best BUT, nevertheless, THE greatest EVER series

Evil One · 31 Jan 2012, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by chairboys

Subtitles?
Last couple of specials weren't the best BUT, nevertheless, THE greatest EVER series

Most of the Christmas specials and the 50 minute episodes were fantastic. However many of the earlier episodes weren't quite as good, plus Delboy was pretty unlikable at times.

I'd actually stake a claim that One Foot In The Grave is the best sitcom ever.

*AndyK* · 31 Jan 2012, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by chairboys

Subtitles?
Last couple of specials weren't the best BUT, nevertheless, THE greatest EVER series

Indeed, it went the way of all good sitcoms, they should have let it go on a high rather than trying to wring it out too much.

A sure sign that a sitcom is waning is when they start adding more characters over and above the core central group. a clear sign to me that the writers are trying to wring too much out of the thing.

chairboys · 31 Jan 2012, 20:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil One

I'd actually stake a claim that One Foot In The Grave is the best sitcom ever.

you are wrong

*AndyK* · 31 Jan 2012, 20:56

You're both wrong.

It's Fawlty Towers.

chairboys · 31 Jan 2012, 21:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyK

You're both wrong.

It's Fawlty Towers.

Although the sitcom was set in Torquay ( I believe) the outside shot of the hotel was actually a building not a two minute walk from where I was brought up. It became a nightclub where as an underage guest I experienced for the first time ever the effects of drinking too much cider. I think they cleared up the mess from the dance floor!
It has subsequently been knocked down and replaced by some rather expensive properties.

K1ttycat · 31 Jan 2012, 23:04

I never heard of Only Fools and Horses until I moved from the US to the UK. Surprised, really as many of the big UK sitcoms seem to make it on PBS at some time or other! I don't like the show at all, sorry to say!!

Cherry.Loaf · 01 Feb 2012, 00:22

Why remake it? I don't see why a lot of shows gets remade for an american audience it seems such a shame the only one I can think of that's semi successful is being Human and what I've heard the English version is also extremely popular. Here's hoping it gets cancelled and they show the original and it's loved hey I can dream!

BostonAngel · 01 Feb 2012, 08:31

I hate to say it, but usually most UK comedies that get remade for the U.S. suck. They ruin them by trying to appeal to an American audience. A good example: HATED the US version of the TV show Coupling. it was filled with stupid raunchy humor that only a 10 year boy would appreciate. When I saw the UK version on PBS I loved it. It was smart, sexxy and funny. Lots of dark sarcastic humor that was hilarious. Just my opinion though. I have never heard of the show you are talking about at all.

melon · 01 Feb 2012, 09:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyK

Three questions ... The first surely being WHY?

Indeed

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyK

You're both wrong.

It's Fawlty Towers.

Agreed.

samurai7 · 01 Feb 2012, 15:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by BostonAngel

I hate to say it, but usually most UK comedies that get remade for the U.S. suck. They ruin them by trying to appeal to an American audience. A good example: HATED the US version of the TV show Coupling. it was filled with stupid raunchy humor that only a 10 year boy would appreciate. When I saw the UK version on PBS I loved it. It was smart, sexxy and funny. Lots of dark sarcastic humor that was hilarious. Just my opinion though. I have never heard of the show you are talking about at all.

interesting (well, to me anyway!) story about Coupling. The original brief was to create a British version of Friends, albeit with a more adult vibe (you can get away with more on British network TV.) It was a big hit, and as a result it was sold to the US, whereupon it was remade as an American show. So in essence, we sold you back your own show!

samurai7 · 01 Feb 2012, 15:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyK

You're both wrong.

It's Fawlty Towers.

...is the correct answer!

(although I was a huge fan of Coupling, but mainly for the reason I pointed out in the post above

)

*AndyK* · 01 Feb 2012, 17:56

Coupling was very good from what I remember of it, wasn't aware of the Friends connection though.

The Office springs to mind as a sitcom that got remade for the US with fairly reasonable success, although personally I wasn't keen on the remake (even Steve Carrell couldn't save it in my eyes).

Clarence, now there's a sitcom that's best forgotten (no wonder it didn't get remade for the US market)

**Monstro** · 01 Feb 2012, 19:37

Actually I quite enjoyed Clarence but have yet to be able to watch an episode of the office without turning over, playing a dvd or contemplating suicide, to this day I cannot understand why it was funny.

duke knooby · 01 Feb 2012, 20:46

here's what Sir David has to say on the subject...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16842230

**The Flying Mouse** · 01 Feb 2012, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyK

You're both wrong.

It's Father Ted.

I've fixed that for you mate

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monstro

Actually I quite enjoyed Clarence

Me too, i've still got the whole thing on video

31 Jan 2012, 20:20	#1
chairboys Mega Loafer Join Date: 17.09.2011 Posts: 1,811	only fools and horses The greatest sitcom ever. (maybe second to the Royal Bodyguard!!) Apparently, it is being re-made for the US audience. Two questions: Will this absolute classic of all classics suit american humour? Has the original never been broadcast over there?

31 Jan 2012, 20:39	#4
Evil One Mega Loafer Join Date: 15.01.2007 Posts: 5,193	I believe it was broadcast over there at some point, with subtitles. I'm pretty sure it will need considerable changes as the show is about a couple of losers, and Americans only do winning. They'll have to go some way to make a product shittier than the last couple of specials though.

31 Jan 2012, 20:56	#11
AndyK Relentless Join Date: 21.11.2003 Location: Over the top..... seeing what's on the other side Posts: 18,694	You're both wrong. It's Fawlty Towers.

31 Jan 2012, 23:04	#13
K1ttycat Super Loafer Join Date: 02.08.2006 Location: Orig. from Milwaukee, WI now in Cheadle Hulme,ENG for 24 years Posts: 322	I never heard of Only Fools and Horses until I moved from the US to the UK. Surprised, really as many of the big UK sitcoms seem to make it on PBS at some time or other! I don't like the show at all, sorry to say!!

01 Feb 2012, 00:22	#14
Cherry.Loaf Los Angeloser Join Date: 02.04.2010 Location: Bristol Posts: 1,072	Why remake it? I don't see why a lot of shows gets remade for an american audience it seems such a shame the only one I can think of that's semi successful is being Human and what I've heard the English version is also extremely popular. Here's hoping it gets cancelled and they show the original and it's loved hey I can dream!

01 Feb 2012, 08:31	#15
BostonAngel Super Loafer Join Date: 03.02.2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 822	I hate to say it, but usually most UK comedies that get remade for the U.S. suck. They ruin them by trying to appeal to an American audience. A good example: HATED the US version of the TV show Coupling. it was filled with stupid raunchy humor that only a 10 year boy would appreciate. When I saw the UK version on PBS I loved it. It was smart, sexxy and funny. Lots of dark sarcastic humor that was hilarious. Just my opinion though. I have never heard of the show you are talking about at all.

01 Feb 2012, 17:56	#19
AndyK Relentless Join Date: 21.11.2003 Location: Over the top..... seeing what's on the other side Posts: 18,694	Coupling was very good from what I remember of it, wasn't aware of the Friends connection though. The Office springs to mind as a sitcom that got remade for the US with fairly reasonable success, although personally I wasn't keen on the remake (even Steve Carrell couldn't save it in my eyes). Clarence, now there's a sitcom that's best forgotten (no wonder it didn't get remade for the US market)

01 Feb 2012, 19:37	#20
Monstro Promoted to Wario's spellchecker Join Date: 17.09.2005 Location: London Posts: 12,947	Actually I quite enjoyed Clarence but have yet to be able to watch an episode of the office without turning over, playing a dvd or contemplating suicide, to this day I cannot understand why it was funny.

01 Feb 2012, 20:46	#21
duke knooby Mega Loafer Join Date: 24.06.2005 Location: belfast Posts: 17,892	here's what Sir David has to say on the subject... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16842230