Eyebrows were raised, jaws dropped and general shocked expressions were cast when US network NBC took The Office and didn't ruin it. In fact it did so well it actually won awards and is still going strong, despite the original UK version ending after two series. Pretty amazing really, especially when you consider that Coupling bombed big style when it was remade by the same network.
The success of The Office has obviously got the American networks slavering, because there's a whole slew, a veritable raft, of British shows ready to be remade. To some fans of these shows, you're probably already preparing yourself for protest, but it seems the US suddenly can't get enough of our favourite telly programmes. So which ones are on the slate? Read on to find out...
First up in development is a remake of Nighty Night, which went down a treat here and showcased some seriously dark and kinky humour. What the Americans will make (or did make) of it is anyone's guess, but Julia Davis' cult classic is being remade by Darren Star (Sex and the City) for cable network Showtime. Judging by Showtime's recent output, and Starr's track record, there's hope for a decent transfer.
The IT Crowd is also being remade, but why anyone would to have a crack at that is beyond me. It was one of the biggest disappointments of last year, although the premise is quite a fertile one. Then there's five's criminally-neglected Suburban Shootout, which HBO is remaking. For HBO to be looking at anything is quite something, so there are high hopes for this one.
Interestingly, CBS (mega-conservative, by-the-numbers home of CSI et al) has picked up Blackpool, an entertaining if left-field drama series. David Morrissey and David Tennant were both brilliant in this, so I'm wondering how CBS will bugger this one up.
ABC is getting busy also. It will be having a go at remaking The Thick Of It (Armando Iannucci is executive producing) and Footballers' Wives is also being developed into something very American. Crack film director Bryan Singer is currently shooting the pilot.
And then there's Life On Mars. David E Kelley (Ally McBeal) is running this show, but pundits seem to be worried about this remake the most. Can the dry northern humour be appropriated for American audiences? If The Office can be made into a success, LOM certainly can.
Yes, I hope that will help stop people moaning about the best TV shows being American. They've plundered our TV for years for good ideas and have pitifully few original concepts themselves. US TV currently owes a massive dept to the UK. Of course, their budgets are bigger and that helps.
Yes, Henry, I agree. "The Sopranos" is such an obvious rip-off of "Only Fools and Horses" and "Deadwood" copies "Lovejoy" so shamelessly it even has some of the same people in it. The worst crime had to be the one where they ripped off that cop show about the elite squad of Rastafarians in the Met. What was that called ?.. "Babylon 5", that's it.
Jezza - you're on a VERY slippery slope here. Considering the banks of overpaid writers over there and the massive amount of money thrown about, and the overweening egos strutting their stuff, the successes of US TV (and of course, there are some) are amazingly few and far between. That's why people always trot out the names of the shows you mentioned – and a couple of others --- 24, Live and er....
There's a handful, but I don't have to mention the host of duds currently fouling up our airtime, do I? By the way, mentioning Lovejoy and Deadwood is also risky, considering Ian McShane has had to be imported to give the show a bit of poke. A bit like Hugh Laurie, isn't it. Wake up, Jezza – the poor buggers can't even act!