American Version TV

On the weekend I grabbed some movies for my kids. One was Bob the Builder and the other was Thomas the Tank Engine. I didn't realise at the time but both were the American versions of the show.

This got me thinking about the other British/Australian TV that has been "Americanised". For example"The Office" and "Kath & Kim" were fantastic shows that didn't need remakes IMO.

For a country that supports culteral versatility it seems bizarre that so many series are converted this way.

Any thoughts/comments?

Bob the Builder nad THomas the Tank Engine weren't American made T.v. Shows? Shows are probably remade to fit the culture, like in Australia and England when they remake American shows.

I don't see it as a big deal. I'd think that the creators of shows like The Office and Kath & Kim would be honored to have someone want to re-create their work. So what if it gets "Americanized"

The Office is a bad example to bring up simply because Ricky Gervais is the driving force behind bringing it to other countries. He wants it to be culture driven for the country its being made for in general. He is now working on a version for China.

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/tv/story/2010/08/14/office-china.html

There are versions of American shows that are re-made in other countries. Not all countries are the same, and the humor might be slightly different or they just need to cater to a specific target audience. And while you think the original show may be better, it may not necessarily get the most viewers in a different country. But they still like the idea and concept, so they remake it.

Bob the Builder nad THomas the Tank Engine weren't American made T.v. Shows? Shows are probably remade to fit the culture, like in Australia and England when they remake American shows.

Snipes_2

I don't see it as a big deal. I'd think that the creators of shows like The Office and Kath & Kim would be honored to have someone want to re-create their work. So what if it gets "Americanized"

Shiggums

The Office is a bad example to bring up simply because Ricky Gervais is the driving force behind bringing it to other countries. He wants it to be culture driven for the country its being made for in general. He is now working on a version for China.

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/tv/story/2010/08/14/office-china.html

testfactor888

Iguess you're right though, the live TV was a bad example to bring up. My real surpirise came from the kids TV shows. I could understand something like Sesame Street being remade for non US audiencesas it's very culterally focused however Bob the Builder and Thomas' stories aren't even remotely bound to that.

There are versions of American shows that are re-made in other countries. Not all countries are the same, and the humor might be slightly different or they just need to cater to a specific target audience. And while you think the original show may be better, it may not necessarily get the most viewers in a different country. But they still like the idea and concept, so they remake it.

BMD004

The Office is a bad example to bring up simply because Ricky Gervais is the driving force behind bringing it to other countries. He wants it to be culture driven for the country its being made for in general. He is now working on a version for China.

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/tv/story/2010/08/14/office-china.html

testfactor888

COOL!?

Sir, you have made my day...

I had no idea Bob the Builder and Thomas weren't American shows. What were the differences if you watched?Parandrus

UK Version - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA16sqCusbY
US Version - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooa4BKo4-p0

I actually really like the UK version as it has the actor who played Tony in "Men Behaving Badly" (UK version). Scary to think of him in a kids show, lol

That's true. The Two American show off the top of my head that's been done for various countries is Married...With Children and Law and Order. And as far as American remakes go, the only one I can think of that's been sucessful is The Office. Some don't even make it past the first season.Hallenbeck77

It depends on what kind of content it is. If it's artst or has a powerful story driving it, then it should be left alone. We tend to ruin things like that. Stuff like The Office is ok to convert because humor is often culturally dependant, or sometimes the idioms one culture uses has no meaning in another (like to say someone is "Pushing Up Daises"). And stuff, like American or [insert country here] Idol needs to be converted, or no one will watch it.

[QUOTE="Snipes_2"] Nope. I understand about remaking a show like "Kath & Khim" to fit the culture but... Thomas the Tank Engine!? Also what American shows were remade in Aus/UK? Serious question as I don't know. In Aus we have a lot of international TV and it all seems to be the orginal.

[QUOTE="Shiggums"]

I don't see it as a big deal. I'd think that the creators of shows like The Office and Kath & Kim would be honored to have someone want to re-create their work. So what if it gets "Americanized"

Chickan_117

The Office is a bad example to bring up simply because Ricky Gervais is the driving force behind bringing it to other countries. He wants it to be culture driven for the country its being made for in general. He is now working on a version for China.

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/tv/story/2010/08/14/office-china.html

testfactor888

Iguess you're right though, the live TV was a bad example to bring up. My real surpirise came from the kids TV shows. I could understand something like Sesame Street being remade for non US audiencesas it's very culterally focused however Bob the Builder and Thomas' stories aren't even remotely bound to that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_British_television_programmes_based_on_American_television_series

[QUOTE="Parandrus"]I had no idea Bob the Builder and Thomas weren't American shows. What were the differences if you watched?Chickan_117

UK Version - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA16sqCusbY
US Version - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooa4BKo4-p0

I actually really like the UK version as it has the actor who played Tony in "Men Behaving Badly" (UK version). Scary to think of him in a kids show, lol

[QUOTE="Chickan_117"]

[QUOTE="Snipes_2"]It's not a big deal, I'm just amazed they feel the need to bother. It would concern me if people in my country couldn't appreciate international series without having to change them.

[QUOTE="testfactor888"]

The Office is a bad example to bring up simply because Ricky Gervais is the driving force behind bringing it to other countries. He wants it to be culture driven for the country its being made for in general. He is now working on a version for China.

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/tv/story/2010/08/14/office-china.html

BMD004

Iguess you're right though, the live TV was a bad example to bring up. My real surpirise came from the kids TV shows. I could understand something like Sesame Street being remade for non US audiencesas it's very culterally focused however Bob the Builder and Thomas' stories aren't even remotely bound to that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_British_television_programmes_based_on_American_television_series

[QUOTE="BMD004"]

There are versions of American shows that are re-made in other countries. Not all countries are the same, and the humor might be slightly different or they just need to cater to a specific target audience. And while you think the original show may be better, it may not necessarily get the most viewers in a different country. But they still like the idea and concept, so they remake it.

Hallenbeck77

Would American Idol and Survivor be considered remakes?

Would American Idol and Survivor be considered remakes?

AHUGECAT

Doesn't seem that big of a deal IMO. Different regions of the world may prefer different things. Doesn't make one better or not compared to the other.

I had no idea Bob the Builder and Thomas weren't American shows. What were the differences if you watched?Parandrus

Thomas the Tank Engine was voiced by Ringo Starr... Not sure if he voiced the American version though...

[QUOTE="Parandrus"]I had no idea Bob the Builder and Thomas weren't American shows. What were the differences if you watched?Chickan_117

UK Version - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA16sqCusbY
US Version - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooa4BKo4-p0

I actually really like the UK version as it has the actor who played Tony in "Men Behaving Badly" (UK version). Scary to think of him in a kids show, lol

That's true. The Two American show off the top of my head that's been done for various countries is Married...With Children and Law and Order. And as far as American remakes go, the only one I can think of that's been sucessful is The Office. Some don't even make it past the first season.Hallenbeck77

I am curious as to what the US version of Life On Mars is like mind you - I did quite enjoy the UK version...

[QUOTE="Hallenbeck77"][QUOTE="BMD004"]

There are versions of American shows that are re-made in other countries. Not all countries are the same, and the humor might be slightly different or they just need to cater to a specific target audience. And while you think the original show may be better, it may not necessarily get the most viewers in a different country. But they still like the idea and concept, so they remake it.

Would American Idol and Survivor be considered remakes?

I didn't know that there was a British version of law and order until recently. Not bad from what little I've seen.

Hallenbeck77

There's a long history of shows being Americanized; it is hardly a new phenomenon.

All in the Family, Three's Company, Sanford and Son, three of the funniest and most famous american sitcoms were based off of British TV shows.

I am curious as to what the US version of Life On Mars is like mind you - I did quite enjoy the UK version...

poptart

Off of my head I only know one British show that had a unsuccessful remake attempt in the U.S.

Doctor Who