Shows that need to be adapted for American television

[noisyturtle]

As a big fan of shows like The Office, there's so many great shows that could be adapted with a bigger budget and made better. What show would you most like to see?

I'll cast my vote for Hyperdrive. Just finished watching the series on Netflix and NEED MORE! The show's already well written, unique, and legitimately funny. I think with the right cast it could be a brilliant show, even on network tv.

[tp4tissue]

This thread is now about bringing back Firefly..


It was ahead of its time...   but... now our scifi culture and generation has matured...   

It's time to reboot...

[noisyturtle]

This thread is now about bring back Firefly..

Show Image

only if they get JJ Abrams again, and that'll never happen.

[tp4tissue]

This thread is now about bring back Firefly..

Show Image

only if they get JJ Abrams again, and that'll never happen.

I don't think you absolutely NEED Abrams...  would be nice..

but as long as you have  someone who's sci-fi competent..  a small team of anime people, and a small team of comic book nerds.. 

That should produce the necessary framework for  Space-Outlaw material...

[nubbinator]

Bluestone 42 would be awesome, but I doubt it could be adapted to an American audience and retain what makes it funny...kind of like Death at a Funeral and Top Gear.  I'd love to see The Mighty Boosh or The IT Crowd adapted, but I think you'd run into the same issues.  The IT Crowd meets Workaholics might work though.

The shows I'd love to see cross over and that could do well with the right people on it are the quiz shows like Nevermind the Buzzcocks, Big Fat Quiz of the Year, and QI.

[riotonthebay]

This thread is now about bringing back Firefly..

Show Image

It was ahead of its time...   but... now our scifi culture and generation has matured...   

It's time to reboot...

Holy ****... Did I... Did I just agree with tp4tissue?

[tp4tissue]

List should work like this...   for key plot points in Space Outlaw show


Space...  check

Spaceship... check

Spaceship upgrades... check

Captain with tormented past/ uses comedic levity to stay together...  check

Super Hot female Costar + lots of tease scenes...  check

Cute female Costar for the nerdy guys who are intimated by Super Hot female Costar... check

Secondary Cute female Costar for the nerdy guys who are intimidated by both the Super Hot female Costar and First Cute female Costar, who may also later be a cyborg..

1.5 Fan service episodes per season... check

Cyborgs... check

Prostitutes... check

Cyborg Prostitutes... check

Rescue of Cyborg Prostitutes... check

Cyborg Prostitute becomes 4th or 5th female crew... check

Cyborg transcends prejudices among crew... check

Most evil powerful and elusive villain first appearance in episode 3-5... reappearance in second season... check

Military secrets... check

Space... SUPER WEAPON...  check

[Photekq]

The IT Crowd

That's already happened. It's pretty much exactly the same script, but lacking any kind of authenticity. Absolutely awful. See for yourself : http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xmjpk4_the-it-crowd-us-pilot_fun

[tp4tissue]

The IT Crowd

That's already happened. It's pretty much exactly the same script, but lacking any kind of authenticity. Absolutely awful. See for yourself : http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xmjpk4_the-it-crowd-us-pilot_fun

i heard there was a pretty decent american makeover of that british show "Shameless"

[nubbinator]

The IT Crowd

That's already happened. It's pretty much exactly the same script, but lacking any kind of authenticity. Absolutely awful. See for yourself : http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xmjpk4_the-it-crowd-us-pilot_fun

Well, I wouldn't say any kind of authenticity, you still have Moss....but yeah, that was painful.  I just watched snippets and it was horrible.  Joel McHale is a horrible choice for casting.  He's just too cocky and self-assured, not to mention too traditionally good looking for the role.  The female lead was just terrible as well.  She acted like she was a stage actor or someone who was in a high school play, just total bad melodrama without feeling in her lines.

It could work with the right cast and new writing, but that castng was terrible and the acting was soulless.

[noisyturtle]

List should work like this...   for key plot points in Space Outlaw show


Space...  check

Spaceship... check

Spaceship upgrades... check

Captain with tormented past/ uses comedic levity to stay together...  check

Super Hot female Costar + lots of tease scenes...  check

Cute female Costar for the nerdy guys who are intimated by Super Hot female Costar... check

Secondary Cute female Costar for the nerdy guys who are intimidated by both the Super Hot female Costar and First Cute female Costar, who may also later be a cyborg..

1.5 Fan service episodes per season... check

Cyborgs... check

Prostitutes... check

Cyborg Prostitutes... check

Rescue of Cyborg Prostitutes... check

Cyborg Prostitute becomes 4th or 5th female crew... check

Cyborg transcends prejudices among crew... check

Most evil powerful and elusive villain first appearance in episode 3-5... reappearance in second season... check

Military secrets... check

Space... SUPER WEAPON...  check

Show Image

Have you watched Hyperdrive? It's like that but with jokes :)

[tp4tissue]

List should work like this...   for key plot points in Space Outlaw show


Space...  check

Spaceship... check

Spaceship upgrades... check

Captain with tormented past/ uses comedic levity to stay together...  check

Super Hot female Costar + lots of tease scenes...  check

Cute female Costar for the nerdy guys who are intimated by Super Hot female Costar... check

Secondary Cute female Costar for the nerdy guys who are intimidated by both the Super Hot female Costar and First Cute female Costar, who may also later be a cyborg..

1.5 Fan service episodes per season... check

Cyborgs... check

Prostitutes... check

Cyborg Prostitutes... check

Rescue of Cyborg Prostitutes... check

Cyborg Prostitute becomes 4th or 5th female crew... check

Cyborg transcends prejudices among crew... check

Most evil powerful and elusive villain first appearance in episode 3-5... reappearance in second season... check

Military secrets... check

Space... SUPER WEAPON...  check

Show Image

Have you watched Hyperdrive? It's like that but with jokes :)

DLn' now...

[noisyturtle]

Ohhhhhh I thought of another one. QI could be amazing with all American comedians, but who could be equally as tremendous a host as Fry?

[HoffmanMyster]

Ohhhhhh I thought of another one. QI could be amazing with all American comedians, but who could be equally as tremendous a host as Fry?

Or really just any sort of British panel shows would be awesome (QI, 8 out of 10 Cats, Would I Lie to You?, Nevermind the Buzzcocks, etc.), but I don't see them being that successful in the US.  I'd love if they were though.  That's easily one of my favourite types of TV shows.

[nubbinator]

Ohhhhhh I thought of another one. QI could be amazing with all American comedians, but who could be equally as tremendous a host as Fry?

Dude, why didn't you jump in with me when I said that earlier?

The shows I'd love to see cross over and that could do well with the right people on it are the quiz shows like Nevermind the Buzzcocks, Big Fat Quiz of the Year, and QI.

It's too bad he's dead (and would have been too old), but Jack Benny could have been an amazing straight man for a show like QI.  He was amazing in The Jack Benny Program.  Perhaps someone like John Hodgman would be able to play the straight man like Steven Fry, but I just don't see it happening.  I also want to think Zach Galafianakis or Demetri Martin could do it, but I don't think either would make it work.  Maybe Patton Oswalt?

The only problem is I don't think anyone you could get would have the chemistry on the show that the British shows do.  I think the fact that the UK is so small and they all work with each other a lot pretty much means it will happen.  And we know no one could beat the chemistry of the Goth detective, Noel Fielding and Russel Brand.  I could see it being fun with someone like Aziz Ansari, Chris Pratt, Cathy Griffin, or some other people with very quick wits making it fun, but you need that balance of just out there insanity and completely dry humor delivered with perfectly straight faces like only Jimmy Carr can do.

[Findecanor]

I don't agree with this thread. I think American audiences should widen their horizons and watch more foreign TV-series and movies as they are.
There are already many in the US who watch Dr Who, and that did not need to be remade into an American version to work.

only if they get JJ Abrams again, and that'll never happen.

Eh... Firefly was directed by Joss Whedon, not J J Abrams.

Joss Whedon: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse, ...
J J Abrams: Felicity, Alias, Lost, Fringe, MI3, Trek, ...

... Space Outlaw show ...
... [description of Firefly] ...

Have you watched Hyperdrive? It's like that but with jokes

Are you in a trolling mood today or what? 

Hyperdrive is a more like a parody of shows like Star Trek TNG, but on a British ship. A running gag is that the British space captains are a bit of losers compared to the Americans.
Awesome show with much too few episodes. Starring Nick Frost and Miranda Hart - with the comedy is much in their styles.

[baldgye]

Bluestone 42 would be awesome, but I doubt it could be adapted to an American audience and retain what makes it funny...kind of like Death at a Funeral and Top Gear.  I'd love to see The Mighty Boosh or The IT Crowd adapted, but I think you'd run into the same issues.  The IT Crowd meets Workaholics might work though.

The shows I'd love to see cross over and that could do well with the right people on it are the quiz shows like Nevermind the Buzzcocks, Big Fat Quiz of the Year, and QI.

You would ruin those shows though, like The Office US and Top Gear America... both versions are terrible compared with the originals

[feizor]

Why are all the foreign shows being discussed from UK?

[baldgye]

Why are all the foreign shows being discussed from UK?

There are alot of Italian TV shows that I wish you could get English subs for... but I wouldn't want them remade for an American audience..

[osi]

The IT Crowd

That's already happened. It's pretty much exactly the same script, but lacking any kind of authenticity. Absolutely awful. See for yourself : http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xmjpk4_the-it-crowd-us-pilot_fun

Well, I wouldn't say any kind of authenticity, you still have Moss....but yeah, that was painful.  I just watched snippets and it was horrible.  Joel McHale is a horrible choice for casting.  He's just too cocky and self-assured, not to mention too traditionally good looking for the role.  The female lead was just terrible as well.  She acted like she was a stage actor or someone who was in a high school play, just total bad melodrama without feeling in her lines.

It could work with the right cast and new writing, but that castng was terrible and the acting was soulless.

The US pilot of IT Crowd with Joel McHale, - terrible, couldn't even finish the episode. The original cast and script can't be replicated across the pond. Can't expect to remove elements of the original cast/crew/staging and put it back together as a whole working unit with good results.

I don't agree with this thread. I think American audiences should widen their horizons and watch more foreign TV-series and movies as they are.
There are already many in the US who watch Dr Who, and that did not need to be remade into an American version to work.

This ^^^.  Also I don't believe the the general American audience is overwhelmingly interested in foreign productions, no matter the quality. Sure there are some series that catch and stick but I would consider that more of a cult following and don't expect it to receive widespread attention for the average viewer.

Americans want honey boo-boo and duck dynasty so we have a myriad reality shows to keep busy.

[iri]

the seventeen moments of spring

[IvanIvanovich]

Wrong, NO show, or movie should have American adaptation. All they do is completely ruin it and make it something only retards can stomach watching. What needs to be done instead is put an end to idiotic regional exclusive distribution deals. Content should be made available world wide with professional correct subtitle translations.

[baldgye]

Wrong, NO show, or movie should have American adaptation. All they do is completely ruin it and make it something only retards can stomach watching. What needs to be done instead is put an end to idiotic regional exclusive distribution deals. Content should be made available world wide with professional correct subtitle translations.

Agreed 100%

[nubbinator]

Wrong, NO show, or movie should have American adaptation. All they do is completely ruin it and make it something only retards can stomach watching. What needs to be done instead is put an end to idiotic regional exclusive distribution deals. Content should be made available world wide with professional correct subtitle translations.

House of Cards, Homeland, Ugly Betty, True Lies, Twelve Monkeys, Scent of a Woman, Brothers, The Departed are just some good and successful US adaptations. 

At this point, the thread has kind of an "DAE hate America?" vibe to it.

[baldgye]

Wrong, NO show, or movie should have American adaptation. All they do is completely ruin it and make it something only retards can stomach watching. What needs to be done instead is put an end to idiotic regional exclusive distribution deals. Content should be made available world wide with professional correct subtitle translations.

House of Cards, Homeland, Ugly Betty, True Lies, Twelve Monkeys, Scent of a Woman, Brothers, The Departed are just some good and successful US adaptations. 

At this point, the thread has kind of an "DAE hate America?" vibe to it.

People like Ugly Betty?

[nubbinator]

Yes, there are people that do.  It also has quite the list of awards and nominations.

[baldgye]

  It also has quite the list of awards and nominations.

So does Justin Beber

[nubbinator]

Gotcha.  If you don't like it, it's bad, not that it appeals to another demographic or different tastes.  Glad we cleared.that up.

Since I have now been enlightened, I can unequivocally say that Spaced, Peep Show, and Black Adder are terrible shows and no one should watch them or enjoy them.

[baldgye]

Gotcha.  If you don't like it, it's bad, not that it appeals to another demographic or different tastes.  Glad we cleared.that up.

Since I have now been enlightened, I can unequivocally say that Spaced, Peep Show, and Black Adder are terrible shows and no one should watch them or enjoy them.

True, the original versions of those shows are much better. The original Japanese version of Black Adder is genius and the UK version is a little sad compared.

I think if the last few years have highlighted anything, its that original TV shows (or shows that are new to the TV format) are clearly better than simply re-hashing non-American TV shows.
The Wire, Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Stargate, Castle etc (I'm sure there are more)...

[agodinhost]

Wrong, NO show, or movie should have American adaptation. All they do is completely ruin it and make it something only retards can stomach watching. What needs to be done instead is put an end to idiotic regional exclusive distribution deals. Content should be made available world wide with professional correct subtitle translations.

House of Cards, Homeland, Ugly Betty, True Lies, Twelve Monkeys, Scent of a Woman, Brothers, The Departed are just some good and successful US adaptations. 

At this point, the thread has kind of an "DAE hate America?" vibe to it.

People like Ugly Betty?

The original one is from Mexico I guess - it's a soap opera.
I don't like it at all.

Talking about bringing back Firefly how about Farscape???

[tgujay]

This thread is now about bring back Firefly..

Show Image

only if they get JJ Abrams again, and that'll never happen.

Wat...

Firefly was Joss Whedon...

[noisyturtle]

  It also has quite the list of awards and nominations.

So does Justin Beber

He's Canadian. Don't you put that evil on us.

[CK Briefs]

  It also has quite the list of awards and nominations.

So does Justin Beber

He's Canadian. Don't you put that evil on us.

Please take him, we Canadians couldn't care less for him

[tp4tissue]

just watched some Hyperdrive... pretty solid space funny.

[noisyturtle]

just watched some Hyperdrive... pretty solid space funny.

It's like The Office in space. Some of the stuff they thought of is pretty cool too, I love Sanstrom
and the invasion of the red shiny robots )
Nick Frost was really great in the lead role too.

[Findecanor]

Since I have now been enlightened, I can unequivocally say that Spaced, Peep Show, and Black Adder are terrible shows and no one should watch them or enjoy them.

Black Adder hadn't really found its format in season one. Seasons two and three - each season with a different generation of BlackAdder - are pure gold! Season four has good humour, but the setting is a bit depressing.
Season two has Miranda Richardson being awesome. Seasons three and four have a young Hugh Laurie (later to become Dr House in House) in prominent roles. Stephen Fry also has prominent roles in seasons two and four, but is a guest in one episode in season three.

The Wire, Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Stargate, Castle etc (I'm sure there are more)...

Game of Thrones is an adaptation from a book series that had many fans (including me) before the TV-show.
... And I wouldn't really call it "American" just because the writer and the executive producers are from there. It is centred around a fantasy-version of medieval England, it has mostly British actors and it is shot in various places in Europe: Iceland, Croatia, Malta, Northern Ireland, to name the most important locations.

[baldgye]

I'm aware it's a book... But its funded by, broadcast by, (TV rights) owned by and aimed at Americans... So I think it's pretty fair to call it an American TV Show...

And it would be pretty hard to have a medieval world set in anywhere but Europe or based on actual medieval cities and countries... So ofc it's locations are based on European countries and cities...

I did however forget to list one of my favorite TV shows, House. Though yes I know that's based on Sherlock Holmes