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Blaise Joshua
Blaise Joshua

Apr-7-2005 07:19

I saw on the news the other night that the American version of 'The Office' has just been launched. Has anyone seen it yet? The Office became one of my all time comedy favourites (I don't know how well it's known yet outside Britain) and I am curious to know the reaction to the American version - particularly how it will translate into American humour which is vastly different from British.

Replies

jstkdn
jstkdn
Well-Connected

Apr-7-2005 12:31

It is funny how some shows are made in one country with top ratings, and then crash and burn in another. I think under the succesful formula's we can count:
- Survivor originally Swedish I believe (in other countries called Expedition Robinson.)
- Big brother originally (scored big world wide, except the US)
- Fear factor originally dutch (flopped over here, big in the US.)
- The mole, originally belgium (hit big in some countries, flopped in the US.)
- Idol program originally English (hit big world wide.)
- Starmaker originally english (hit big in a lot of places.)
- The home improvement race thing, originally Australian (also now hitting big world wide, not sure if this in the US.)
- The Aussies also have a cool show about a race to start a restaurant. I am waiting for the dutch version to arrive.
- The price is right originally American I believe (hit big world wide at the time.)
- Who wants to be a millionaire also scored big world wide, not sure what the country of origin is.
- Antique roadshow also originally English (scored world wide.)

They are now starting making the apprentice world wide too. In the US a hit. We will get soon our own version. I'd be curious to see how it works out here, for some reason I don't think it will.

The English are in my opinion masters at television. I tend to watch TV and documentaries from many countries. Their ideas of what makes quality TV are light years beyond any other countries, in terms of originality. It can be a little less on the entertainment side, and a bit too English culture specific. Even though my favorite TV programs are in most cases American. That is however more budget related, and the fact that I identify more with the American culture then the English.

I for instance don't get English humour. What is so funny about Mr. Bean, Fawlty Towers, Black Adder....those jokes seem so lame to me. Now the humour used in Friends, Roseanne, and Desperate Housewives, I get.

jstkdn
jstkdn
Well-Connected

Apr-7-2005 12:33

There is one english humour show that literally makes me roll around the floor from laughing. It is called 'Smack the poney."

jstkdn
jstkdn
Well-Connected

Apr-7-2005 12:36

And "Your wife, my wife", also orignally english, now made world wide.

Same goes for the super nanny, that also scored big world wide in different versions.

Wait...perhaps I do get some english humour.

jstkdn
jstkdn
Well-Connected

Apr-7-2005 12:39

It seems that a lot of show have something in common.
1. A race of some sort, where people have to leave.
2. People are locked in the game, and can not leave.

So here is my idea for a cool show.
Everbody is put in a capsule and launched in to space. Those that have to leave, are ejected in to orbit the earth forever and ever. :)


Cee Cee Cane
Cee Cee Cane
Well-Connected

Apr-7-2005 12:45

The office is a very funny show, the format amd feel of the show is very different from the popular U.S. comedy and I 'm thinking it will have trouble translating however. I must say I also like all the above listed English shows as well jstkdn and Smack the Poney.

Blaise Joshua
Blaise Joshua

Apr-7-2005 16:06

Jstkdn: There's nothing funny about Mr Bean. I agree completely. Fawlty Towers and Black Adder though ... they're different stories : o )

I have to say I don't understand American humour generally. The Friends phenomena I don't get at all - I can get through an entire episode without so much as a mild giggle!

However, I can't complain too much about a culture that gave us both Malcolm in the Middle and The Simpsons ... pure gold : o )

Sleuth Admin
Sleuth Admin
Tale Spinner

Apr-7-2005 17:40

I'm of the opinion that The Simpsons is the most honest depiction of modern American culture you can find on TV. Seriously. Not to mention being the consistently funniest show I've ever seen.





Moonshh
Moonshh
Well-Connected

Apr-7-2005 17:42

I like the comic books from Life is Hell, the strip that Matt Groening did before the Simpsons.

River D
River D
Well-Connected

Apr-7-2005 17:48

Well as Matt Groening work goes Futurama tops the list...

jstkdn
jstkdn
Well-Connected

Apr-8-2005 01:19

I would agree with Ben on the Simpsons. I often see jokes or remarks about things in American Culture where it is different from here, both good and bad.

I still want Jerry Springer to be taken off international TV. And some other shows should have a disclaimer. The thing is many shows have charicatures or even people that would be considered abnormal and extreme over there. The problem is that for those abroad that don't know the difference, actually start thinking Americans are like that, or find a confirmation of the way they stereotyped Americans wrongly.

I think many misunderstandings about culture happen when we view even normal foreign behaviour through our own national glasses.

For instance, Americans tend to speak a bit louder in tone then some other cultures. This is not because they feel superior, or want to center point of attention. This is just because Americans just speak louder, the end. It works the other way around too, people sometimes get heavily annoyed with Dutchies, for always having an opinion about everything and speaking up about it. This is annoying to some Americans, but over here it is normal behaviour. In fact, when you don't have an opinion, you are considered weak or unknowledgeable, or a scardy pants. We like to debate them endlessly too. This is not a fight as it seems to other cultures, this is just like having a cup of coffee. :)

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