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Summary
accommodate British TV shows for American audience is notoriously hit - and - omit , but there are some British classics which could be unadulterated if they were handled well . American TV has always look for divine guidance from across the Atlantic , although results have been mixed . Some British TV show should never have US remakes , because they are too culturally specific and they would n’t shape in a different setting . Changing their locating would intend change a hundred other things about them until they are no longer placeable .
Despite the challenge of convey British shows over to the States , American networks and streaming platform are smashing to try the same tactics over and over again . The first step toward making a successful remaking is to pick out the right show , and this is where some projects give out straight off . Comedy appearance are especially unmanageable to remake because of the differences between British and American humor . Using similar fictitious character is a recipe for catastrophe , but a similar construct can work just as well in the hands of American writers . Although there have been many US remake of UK show , there are some great options still undiscovered .
With TV being so accessible worldwide now , it ’s surprising just how many British TV shows have become Brobdingnagian hits in the U.S. through streaming .
10Blackadder (1982-1989)
The historical satire could cast its eye on America’s past
unlike season of the show could be jell during pivotal import in American account such as the Revolutionary War , the Civil War , and the Prohibition era .
Blackadderis a historical situation comedy , with each season place the same characters in dissimilar time periods , ranging from the Middle Ages to the First World War . AlthoughBlackadderlampoons the British class system and various cultural stereotype from the Carry Nation ’s history , a similar series could bring very well using American history . Different season of the show could be determine during pivotal moments in American story such as the Revolutionary War , the Civil War , and the Prohibition epoch . The late succeeder ofGhostson CBS is an indicator that American history - based comedy can puff big audience .
9Defending The Guilty (2018-2019)
The courtroom comedy would be a refreshing change to America’s non-stop legal dramas
US TV has no shortage of legal dramas , but there have n’t been many courtroom comedies sinceNight Court . represent the Guiltydelivers on the eminent - stakes drama integral in any courtroom background , but it ’s also a uproarious drollery which delves into the personal lives of immature student barrister . It can still be enjoyed by American viewers , butan adaption would have more appeal to an American hearing , because using the US legal system would be more approachable . Defending the Guiltycan be quite technical , eschewing the well-worn oldcourtroom drama tropes .
American U.S. tv set adaptations are often quite successful with their take on original British U.K. shows , but which are the good this side of the pond ?
8Extras (2005-2007)
Star-studded entertainment industry satire would be perfect for Hollywood
The Officeis held up as the ultimate goal for US adaptation of UK TV shows , and one of Ricky Gervais ' other sitcom could also be quality fabric for an American remake . Extrasfollows a couple of aspiring actors who have to work as extras in big picture to pay the bill . Extrasis illustrious for its incredible invitee stars , with earth - famous celebrities such as David Bowie , Kate Winslet and Samuel L. Jackson each fiddle novelise versions of themselves . Seeing a similar concept set in Hollywood could be just as entertaining , peculiarly with A - list movie stars in each episode .
7Life On Mars (2006-2007)
A retro cop show with a twisty paranormal mystery
life story on Marsis a splendid British criminal offense dramatic event following a police military officer who come alive up after a car accident to find out that he has been channelise back to the 1970s . It ’s a unique sci - fi premise that portmanteau word 70s action thrills with journeys into the extrasensory and human knowingness . hold that aLife on Marssequel series of late fall through , a US remaking could be the next good affair . US cop dramatic event had a typical feel to them in the 1970s , so an AmericanLife on Marscould lampoon the moustaches and brawn cars while still providing a compelling mystery story .
6Room 101 (1994-)
The US has never adopted panel shows like the Brits
Panel shows are one of the singular quirkiness of British TV , but they have systematically struggled when they seek to transition across the Atlantic . Taskmasteris one recent example that failed to replicate the success of the British master copy , but there are many others . However , recent - night public lecture show section like " Mean Tweets " and " Carpool Karaoke " prove that there is an American appetite for keep an eye on celebrities in likewise unusual state of affairs which hale them to improvise . Room 101could be the good formula to snap the US . Each hebdomad , three guests share their pet peeve , no matter how obscure or strange .
Many reality TV shows fix their kickoff in the UK before taking a shot at the US market , including Master Chef and Dancing With The Stars .
5Misfits (2009-2013)
Superhero spoofs are all the rage at the moment
Superhero enfranchisement have spun out of control in recent year , and prove likeThe BoysandInvincibleare a reception to this over - saturation . Misfitsworks similarly , telling an unconventional story about reluctantly superpowered teenagers with strange abilities which would never make it into the MCU.Edgy superhero showsare a fashionable trend at the moment , and an AmericanMisfitsremake could have the perfect snarky note to satirise the writing style . Misfitsisn’t just a superhero satire though , it gives its grapheme interesting powers as a way to push their limit .
4It’s A Sin (2021)
The AIDS crisis devastated both the UK and the US in the 1980s
It ’s a Sinfollows the lifespan of a radical of untried friends in London in the 1980s , just as the AIDS crisis sway the queer biotic community . A US version could dissect the American government ’s response to the crisis , and it would likely find an hearing withLGBTQ+ representation on TV steady grow . Poseis probably the closest American equivalent toIt ’s a sine , and the two shows viewed together highlight the similarities and difference across the Atlantic . An American remaking ofIt ’s a Sincould tell apart itself further by take another of the nation ’s fag capitals , like San Francisco .
3Luther (2010-2019)
Idris Elba’s morally gray cop is unlike most American detectives
Police drama are one of the most democratic genres on American TV , but there is always room for fresh ideas . Lutherstars Idris Elba as a detective who dismiss the bureaucracy and regulation which he finds restrictive , rather trusting his catgut and prosecute criminals alone . The flick , Luther : The Fallen Sun , was a Netflix hitin 2023 , proving that the character is just as compelling as ever . There are n’t any US investigator shows quite likeLuther . The BBC play poses interesting questions about the ethics of policing and what constitutes real justice .
2Friday Night Dinner (2011-2020)
The family sitcom focuses on two adult sons who regress to infantilism in each other’s presence
Despite its modified setting , Friday Night Dinner maintain things interesting with some odd recurring case . An American variation would just require a cast with similar chemistry .
Friday Night Dinneris a sitcom about the middle - class Goodman family ’s weekly Shabbat dinner party . The secular Judaic Goodmans have a lot in vulgar with some iconic American sitcom part , like the Gellers fromFriendsor Jerry from Seinfeld , but they ’re relatable to anyone with an gonzo and helter-skelter syndicate . The hebdomadal dinner often run off the rails , with hard-nosed gag , fateful cooking , and the Goodman kin ’s strange next - door neighbour poking his head in . Despite its limited setting , Friday Night Dinnerkeeps things interesting with some remaining go back characters . An American translation would just need a cast with similar chemistry .
There are tons of iconic British situation comedy out there , but these 20 are wide regarded as the very best of all time .
1Knowing Me, Knowing You With Alan Partridge (1994-1995)
American talk shows are ripe for parody
American TV should never essay to revive a character as way-out and iconic as Alan Partridge , because any portrayal other than Steve Coogan ’s would be a hollow imitation . However , the data format of some of the Alan Partridge shows could be ready - made for American adaptations . Coogan ’s work with the grapheme usually lampoon dissimilar British TV data formatting , like chat shows or variety shows . American late - night talk shows would be a great target for similar handling . Stephen Colbert and Craig Ferguson have both subverted the data formatting from within , but a full - fellate scripted spoof would take thing to another level .
