The Language of Love

In Blighty we don't usually see amrican versions of our own shows, both because the media in America is so all-pervasive, but also because no-one in britain buys them. What we have seen is a little perlexing to us. Okay, we sort of recognise who the main characters are supposed to be, but they're translated into a different stereotype and to be honsest, since much of British humour is based on absurdities concerning our way of life, the jokes from american perspective just don't work. That doesn't mean american comedy isn't funny - we fall off our seats with some imported shows, but these are home grown shows that are internally consistent.

 

Perhaps one exception might be Shameless. I haven't seen the US version, but the trailers were as deadpan as British humour and I think that's why it might work for us too.

Hmmm. I don't know that one, either the British or the American version. Then again, I don't watch or even pay attention much to sitcoms and the like.

 

There are two exceptions of successful imports are All In the Family (the 70s sitcom based off of Til Death Do Us Part) and The Office. The former, well, you had great writing and a great cast--Carroll O'Connor was a high caliber actor, and he made Archie Bunker a true character of his own. The latter, well, while I wasn't a huge fan--I kept expecting to see Sir David of Brent and the rest--it was a great translation. Again, great writing and a great cast. And in both cases, a true understanding of the original series, and how to accurately translate it to an American audience so that you don't lose the main messages, but you use subtleties that are local.

 

I remember reading about the American versions of AbFab...and gagged. I don't like Roseanne Bar, in anything...and absolutely couldn't see her as Eddie. Not to mention that, those characters could easily be understood by Americans as they were played by the original cast. And I hated how Men Behaving Badly was done up...Rob Schneider is funny comedian, but not a good actor. Martin Clunes...good actor, and good comedic actor.

 

Then again...I wonder how many times the Beeb (or other non-American broadcaster) have tried to re-incarnate an American show, only to fail? Could another culture really try to do their version of Seinfeld?

I'd be quite interested to see the US version of Life On Mars.

I think it got solid reviews, basically because it's on one of the cable channels (I want to say TNT, but not sure).

 

NBC this fall is unveiling their version of Prime Suspect, with Maria Bello as the central character. I don't know...something tells me that a show like that should have been done on cable instead. Then again, there are enough crime dramas on there already.

You know, just lately someone asked me about my title and what all that stuff was about. I told him why I went for it, what it means to me, and so forth. That made me think. It's been a while since I've honoured clear thinking, common sense, and right of all human beings to look askance at convention, but you've earned it. So then...

 

Henceforth, Docolove, thou art an honourary citizen of the Imndependent Peanut Republic of Rushey Platt. Congratulations.

What an honor! Or should I spell it honour, considering my honorary citizenry?

 

Lord Caldrail, I am most honoured and humbled...I promise to uphold my new-found status with the respect and dignity it deserves. Grazie mille, Don Caldrale...or can that be said here?

probably. No-one in England knows any spanish. We learned a long time ago that shouting louder saves you all the effort of learning

And clearly no one there knows Italian, either

There's an Italy? I thought they went bust?

Not yet...they're barely hanging on. Maybe if Good Ol' Silvio knocked off with the call girls, he might save the republic a bit of cash.