It's not a new phenomenon. For many years, American producers have taken brilliant British television shows and attempted to translate them for American audiences.
Sometimes, they succeed. "The Office" is probably one of the better success stories. Sometimes they fail ("The Kumars", "Coupling"). But there are two very high profile projects out there waiting in the wings. One we won't see for awhile. BBC America showed "Life on Mars" last year, and now David E. Kelley is creating the American version of that show.
But right now, there's a new experiment. And I want it to succeed very much. But it probably won't, because what American television producers and executives are afraid. I'm sure they wanted to fully embrace the look and feel of "Viva, Blackpool" with their new show "Viva, Laughlin". Right now, based on what I've seen, they are chickening out.
Why don't you decide for yourself?
First, watch this promo from CBS for "Viva Laughlin", which previews this Thursday at 10 PM.
Now, the original. Granted, the CBS clip is short, but you tell me which one is more interesting to watch.
They definitely changed the story for the usage of the song too. Makes it tough to compare, I know...but try.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Lost in Translation
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4 comments:
Looks like you've been attacked by a CBS marketer! Ah well.
I agree with you, the Brit version was more fun to watch... but check it out on Thursday anyway, because my boyfriend's in it. (Playing Hugh Jackman's pit boss.)
Message to marketers: Please restrain your desire to use lots of exclamation points to indicate how EXCITING!!! a show is. Really, you aren't helping yourself.
I'm going to let the comment stand, simply for the link. But this is a warning: if you want me to post links to shows, email the blog. I'll be deleting any other comments like this as spam.
Gotta agree with your assessment of which is more interesting! I hope Laughlin is better than it looks. I'm gun shy of all Brit to US shows after the terrible RED DWARF..but I'll give it a go...I love music in shows, so hopefully it will be good! I'd watch Hugh Jackman brush his teeth so truly looking forward to seeing him.
Now that I've re-read it... this is the single least skillful piece of "conversational" spam I've ever seen. How would this average anonymous person have even SEEN the show?
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