Are there any US telly shows that exceed the UK version in quality?

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DarthJarJarJar@reddit

This is going to date me because it's going back a few years, but All In The Family was a lot better than the British original, Till Death Do Us Part.

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PicadaSalvation@reddit

I was gonna say Skins or Red Dwarf with a /s but I just couldn’t bring myself too

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NorthbankN5@reddit

The US inbetweeners might be the worst thing ever created

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T_raltixx@reddit

Have you seen the American Only Fools and Horses?

Or Dad's Army

Or Vicar of Dibley

Or Spaced

Or Life on Mars

Or Red Dwarf

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StubbornKindness@reddit

No way there's an American Vicar of Dibley. That is fucking wild

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Tsarinya@reddit

‘American Only Fools and Horses’
What fresh hell?!

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Chevalitron@reddit

In a way they kind of did one that was successful. Only Fools is almost a remake of Steptoe and Son, which the Americans made into Sanford and Son.

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jawide626@reddit

The Americans tried to re-do Red Dwarf? Jesus christ...

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Chevalitron@reddit

With Jadzia Dax playing a gender bent Cat.

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T_raltixx@reddit

https://youtu.be/8mlnntKi2no?si=GXwdAjIgbcYvqmEr

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jawide626@reddit

That link is staying blue. I'm 35 and have just learnt today that it exists, i still don't want to experience it.

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jawide626@reddit

I am doing. Shaking my head disappointingly the whole time.

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It's actually quite good. The UK writers were involved and they resisted a lot of the enshittification - going so far as to rewrite the script themselves overnight, and push it under the actors' hotel doors first thing in the morning. Jane Leeves makes a great Holly. Robert Llewellyn is on form, the American cast are a bit meh (apart from the Cat - he's amazing) but a lot of the gags are great.

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jawide626@reddit

If it's not Danny John-Jules playing Cat i don't wanna know.

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Cirieno@reddit

The other pilot had Terry Farrell (Jadzia Dax from Star Trek DS9) as the Cat.

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T_raltixx@reddit

Robert Llewellyn still plays Kryton.

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jawide626@reddit

Every cloud has a silver lining i guess.

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Cirieno@reddit

Twice.

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Sergeant_Fred_Colon@reddit

What a US Dad's Army? No they didn't did they.

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leoden27@reddit

The tapes have been wiped don’t worry

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Sergeant_Fred_Colon@reddit

I'm not surprised.

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HaggisPope@reddit

Apparently it only went for a pilot episode https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rear_Guard

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T_raltixx@reddit

Video in the link I left

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PidginPigeonHole@reddit

Your video is the John Leguizamo version, this person is talking about an earlier 1976 version..

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rabbidasseater@reddit

Or fawlty towers. PAYNE

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Rymundo88@reddit

Or Vicar of Dibley

Strewth!

I can't imagine the subtle wit and gentle comedy really translates to a setting in rural Arkansas.

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T_raltixx@reddit

Video in the link I left, it stars Kirstie Alley.

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Rymundo88@reddit

So it is, thanks. Curiosity has gotten the better of me, so I'll give a watch!

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batteryforlife@reddit

What a terrible day to have internet access.

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RevolutionarySelf988@reddit

Life on Mars was one of my favourite 2000s tv shows. And there's a US version? I want to, but I know I shouldn't.

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InfectedByEli@reddit

You absolutely shouldn't. The word "dire" doesn't even come close.

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Worldly_Society_2213@reddit

That one is very sad, because they had the genesis of a solid show (although it was going in a different direction with a LOST style conspiracy rather than the direction of the original show) but it got cancelled and they cobbled together an ending that was really stupid.

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T_raltixx@reddit

The Ashes To Ashes ending was kinda LOST. Shame Lazarus got cancelled before it got made.

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T_raltixx@reddit

They really changed the ending.

The South Korean version is meant to be good.

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neurotic_queen@reddit

As an American lurking this sub, I didn’t even bother with the US version of The Inbetweeners. The original version is too good and I know Americans wouldn’t be able to replicate it

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takesthebiscuit@reddit

I saw US Have I got News for you

Gouging my eyeballs out would have been a more enjoyable experience

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PidginPigeonHole@reddit

Yes, it's a bit staid.. is up on BBC iplayer

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International-Bat777@reddit

I take it you haven't see the US only Fools and Horses?

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Guh_Meh@reddit

I've always wondered how Mrs Browns Boys could be so popular in this country but after seeing so many people saying they think the yank Office is better than the UK one it starts to make more sense.

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original_oli@reddit (OP)

Some proper doughnuts it seems. I mean, it's watchable, but fucking hell it's nowhere near the same level.

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MissingScore777@reddit

Tastes differ but the US Office was a lot better than the UK original imo.

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original_oli@reddit (OP)

Better than most of their junk, sure, but come on now.

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MissingScore777@reddit

Just my opinion.

UK Office didn't actually do a lot for me.

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original_oli@reddit (OP)

Well, you're likely not alone - Mrs Brown's Boys remains inexplicably popular.

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MissingScore777@reddit

Never seen it, not really my type of thing.

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original_oli@reddit (OP)

Given your previous comment, I suspect you might like it.

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MintberryCrunch____@reddit

Harsh, far too harsh, American Office is great once they went away from trying to copy and let the characters become their own thing.

Mrs Brown’s Boys is absolutely terrible bottle of the barrel comedy for me.

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original_oli@reddit (OP)

Come on now. Passable, sure. Far from great.

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MintberryCrunch____@reddit

Have you watched it? It’s actually pretty great once it becomes its own thing.

Each to their own but even in UK it’s generally seen as much better than “passable”.

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original_oli@reddit (OP)

Certainly on UK Reddit it's worryingly popular. I thought in the late 90s and early 00s we were reversing that yank-lover trend, but it seems to be flowing back in popularity. We really are being dumbed down.

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MintberryCrunch____@reddit

Mate I can snob it up in regards to British comedy for many a show, but it’s naive to claim that no American comedy shows are good.

To ask again; have you actually watched it? The first season and a bit are trying to replicate the original so I can understand if you stopped during this bit. Once it finds its own identity it becomes a far far better show.

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original_oli@reddit (OP)

I'm not saying that though, am I? The yanks do a few good things - Seinfeld, Curb, Frasier are all pretty decent.

The yank office has a few moments, but generally it's just far too schmaltzy (Gervais and Merchant suffered from this in the end too) and involved. Angela's getting off with Dwight, yeah whatever, another marriage blah blah.

The characters are all far too sympathetic and far too family friendly, plus there's a massive amount of drama. Finchy (bloody good rep) works because he's an actual cunt, not a twat like Todd Packer.

Tim the hobbit gets called on things, especially when Garth Marenghi turns up. It's vicious and it bites, whereas the septic one is gentle and they all win all the time.

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MissingScore777@reddit

All due respect that's pretty childish of you.

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Antique_Put_4083@reddit

Mrs browns boys and either version of the office aren’t similar, either practically or in terms of content/humour levels so I don’t think this is a burn? What do you mean?

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greylord123@reddit

Why do people shit on Mrs Brown's boys?

I think the meta humour is actually pretty funny. If you see the program from the context of him trying to get the other actors to break character then it's actually pretty funny.

At face value it's not actually that funny but watching another actor break down because he's clearly gone off script is funny.

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Interrogatingthecat@reddit

That's a weird low blow

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ben_jamin_h@reddit

I liked them both, for different reasons.

UK office was real deadpan dark sarcastic, itchy humour, and done perfectly.

US office was quirky weird feelgood silly humour, done perfectly.

The two are not really comparable apart from the setting.

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I_ALWAYS_UPVOTE_CATS@reddit

This is it. David Brent was written to be excruciating. Had the UK version gone on as long as the American one, audiences would probably have grown to hate it. Michael Scott was given more redeeming features and made somewhat more likeable, which means the US version can stand a longer run.

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Difficult-Broccoli65@reddit

Exactly

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gustycat@reddit

It's controversial, but I never cared for the UK Office or Peep Show

US Office is miles clear imo, but I'll acknowledge it's comedy styles more than one being actually better than the other

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SnoopyLupus@reddit

No, not at all. The US one was a typical US sitcom, loosely based on actual comedy .

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muistaa@reddit

Guys here's a thought, you find different things funny and comedy is subjective

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SpasmodicSpasmoid@reddit

It was their opinion. You can’t discredit someone’s opinion really. I agree I prefer the UK one but enjoyed the US one. Dwight schrute was another level. (For me)

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willington123@reddit

I think it’s unfair to say it’s a ‘typical US sitcom’, it’s pretty widely acclaimed and beloved.

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Dazzling-Bear3942@reddit

The US office is unwatchable if you first discovered the original.

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Cheese-n-Opinion@reddit

Thinking back, when the Office first came out quite a lot of people didn't really 'get' it. I can imagine those people preferring the US version, which is much more of a standard US sitcom in style.

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MintberryCrunch____@reddit

Did you watch more than two seasons?

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Radiant-Syrup28@reddit

Respectfully, that's absolute nonsense!

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cuccir@reddit

I loved both and watched the UK one first. The US one became good once they stopped remaking the British episodes and started developing their own ideas.

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MissingScore777@reddit

I watched the UK one first and was only lukewarm on it tbh.

I didn't see what the fuss was about.

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AssHat48@reddit

The UK version of Impractical Jokers was shit - just not funny at all. Granted the American one got a bit samey for me after a while for me but it had it's moments.

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TheCammack81@reddit

The wedding speech punishment is hands down one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen.

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Guh_Meh@reddit

Yeah the UK version was dross, but the original version isn't exactly great.

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mankytoes@reddit

Huh I've watched the American one quite a lot and never knew we did it too. Just watched a bit and it's ok but clearly not as good, they've just chucked a few comedians together, not got actual friends who have been a comedy group together.

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carrotincognito48@reddit

Applies to so many shows. You end up not watching for the show, but the people. Too Gear was a perfect example.

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TheProblemWithUs@reddit

What they failed to understand was that the US show’s cast had actual years of chemistry, so they knew how to get at each other and what would be funny for them to say specifically. The UK one just threw a bunch of whoevers together

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GakkoAtarashii@reddit

So exactly Like The us version ?

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Hayesey88@reddit

I try and force myself not to laugh at the UK version but it does occasionally get a smile from me! The US version is hands down better in every way though.

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Blooblack@reddit

All the US music shows are better than their UK versions: American Idol, The Voice, America's Got Talent.

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original_oli@reddit (OP)

Certainly can't agree there - the yanks can't make music. Not as bad as Canada, but not great.

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Blooblack@reddit

On the US versions, you won't hear anybody saying "I'm doin' it for me NAN!" for the umpteenth time.

Also, UK music - especially mainstream or pop music, which is what you'll hear in these shows, anyway - is heavily influenced by US music; in other words, the UK versions are essentially knock-offs. To prove this, American "judges" are often added to the "judging panels" on the UK shows; to try and give the UK versions some international credibility.

The US singers who take part in these shows are also far superior, on average than the British singers. This is actually why a lot of the people on the UK shows are from other parts of Europe, and don't even live in the UK; there just aren't enough quality British singers to go round.

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jizzlewright@reddit

Whose Line is it Anyway, the US version is much better IMO

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VeronicaMarsIsGreat@reddit

None of the Americans can match Josie Lawrence's ability to improvise a song.

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wringtonpete@reddit

Yes I preferred the US version, and Wayne Brady brought an extra dimension with his singing,

B-b-backstreet Boys!!!

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CityCentre13@reddit

What sound does an Artic Tern make Colin?

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Humble_Typhoon@reddit

Colin and Ryan doing the Greatest Hits sales pitches always crack me up, something I go back to all the time

"I was at the circus and I saw a strong man bend a car. Bend a car? Pat Benatar!"

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Shitelark@reddit

I mean wasn't it just Ryan Stiles Colin Mochrie and Greg Proops in both of them anyway.

I get the US didn't have Josie Lawrence and Tony Slattery.

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Ill-Basil2863@reddit

Nah, the UK version is much better.

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Rymundo88@reddit

To be fair, Wayne Brady adds a lot. But yeh, the US version is a sledgehammer to the UKs chisel when it comes to joke crafting

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Guh_Meh@reddit

Wayne Brady adds a lot.

I think he is the worst thing about it.

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illarionds@reddit

So... the two best, then.

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MisterrTickle@reddit

Or Clive Anderson but bizarrely the last series or two of WLIIA? (UK) Was filmed in the US. As a kind of way of getting the show noticed over there.

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Danelius90@reddit

It's been years since I watched it but I remember finding Clive really funny, not so much with the US host (when we wasn't taking part in something)

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Guh_Meh@reddit

I find the US version unwatchable, maybe it's that way they film it.

Also, why does it always end up going sexual?

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OliB150@reddit

Wholeheartedly agree and was my first thought when reading the title. I’ve just never really clicked with Clive Anderson’s style. The US version also has quantity on its side, with so many iconic moments that just blow the UK version out of the water.

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SensitiveResident792@reddit

Interestingly, as an American, I think the UK version is more entertaining!

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cruiserman_80@reddit

The US version of The Office is better than the UK one. Especially if you like Stve Carell buy can't stand Ricky Gervais

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Guh_Meh@reddit

I cant stand Gervais but the original Office is far superior.

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original_oli@reddit (OP)

Gervais is an absolute tool, aye, but Brent (and Millman) is a character and I prefer him being a tool. Easier to laugh at the fat fuck.

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elom44@reddit

I didn’t watch the US Office for years because how could it possibly compare to the masterpiece that is The Office. It’s better.

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Agitated_Ad_361@reddit

That relies very heavily on whether you find American humour funny.

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appropriate_ebb643@reddit

Or Gervais a cock

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ClementAttlee2024@reddit

No. It genuinely is just better.

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paper_zoe@reddit

I think the US version just has more of a mainstream sitcom style, rather than it being something innately American (not that it doesn't play a part). But I feel like someone who likes the Inbetweeners would probably like the US Office, whereas someone who likes the original Office would like Larry Sanders.

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I2RFreely@reddit

Larry Sanders is definitely a british kinda comedy. Probably cos it came off the back of spinal tap.

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redds56101@reddit

Not really.

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Arsewhistle@reddit

I didn't find it funny at all.

I think both versions are clearly well made, but very different. I think whichever is better is subjective (depending on your sense on humour) and it's unfair to compare them (because they're so different)

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slintslut@reddit

It's just much, much cheesier (accommodating for general american taste) and less subtle.

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Cirieno@reddit

Certainly season 1 of the US Office was rough. They refined the characters for the second season onwards.

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Arsewhistle@reddit

I haven't just watched series 1. I've watched loads of it, because my ex was really into it

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omniwrench-@reddit

Britain is a high context culture where many aspects of communication are nuanced and unspoken

The American version needs to take time to create wit and humour based on shared understanding. British humour hinges on Brits already sort of ‘getting it’

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GingerPrince72@reddit

Yes, American humour is soooooo hard to get.

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Substantial_Page_221@reddit

Mines more to do with the cast

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Guh_Meh@reddit

The US version just seems like a generic "wacky US comedy".

The UK version is comedy perfected (and I cant stand Gervais)

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Difficult-Broccoli65@reddit

It's an entirely different show with only the setting being the same.

US is effectively slapstick, UK is borderline realistic.

Both have their merits.

I HATED the UK one when I was in a job that I hated, now I hate the US one as I like my job

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SpasmodicSpasmoid@reddit

I like it, but I don’t find them comparable. Still a great show

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Harry_monk@reddit

I can't watch the office now. I remember buying the dvds and being excited when the Christmas special one came out. I definitely got my moneys worth over the next years, but now I just find it so uncomfortable to watch.

The American one doesn't have that for me.

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feetflatontheground@reddit

I've always thought it was super cringey and not funny at all.

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Specific_Till_6870@reddit

I love the US Office and can have it on all day and still laugh many watchers later. But if we watch The Office it gets my undivided attention. US Office is very funny, The Office might be a masterpiece.

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SlightlyIncandescent@reddit

I prefer the US version too but 'better' just doesn't seem right because of how influential the UK version is and how the humour is completely different.

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HankHippopopolous@reddit

Totally agree.

The first season sucks because it’s basically a copy of the UK one.

Once they start doing their own thing from season 2 onwards it gets so much better. It’s totally different from the UK one but I prefer it.

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MintberryCrunch____@reddit

The first season or maybe season and a bit try to replicate it, and it’s not better if you loved the UK version.

However they pivot and let it become its own version, sure they are based on them but once they find their own identity as a show it’s great.

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IfYouRun@reddit

Yeah, fully agreed. Although the first season is pretty naff. Season two onwards I think it’s just clearly better.

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Radiant_Pudding5133@reddit

Anyone who says the office deserves deporting

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Guh_Meh@reddit

This is correct (and I cant stand Gervais).

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original_oli@reddit (OP)

I bet they couldn't throw a copper kettle over a pub

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ArtichokeFar6601@reddit

The US versions of Queer as Folk and Fab Five are quite good.

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gooniegully@reddit

The US office was better, at least all the seasons with Michael anyway

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Guh_Meh@reddit

It was just a generic wacky US comedy.

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jdillathegreatest@reddit

Too different to compare imo. Different shows. Enjoyed both for different reasons. One pioneered the awkward mockumentary style of comedy in a completely original way and the other became one of the best longest comedies around

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Ill_Refrigerator_593@reddit

"Married for Life" was the UK version of "Married with Children". It starred Russ Abbott & copied the original scripts almost line for line.

It was the worst thing i've ever seen on TV.

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Guh_Meh@reddit

Yeah saw that, why did they even bother to remake it?

Married with Children was brilliant, the UK version was an embarrassment.

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heilhortler420@reddit

Ed O'Neill has the best "im tired of living" acting ive ever seen

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No_Bodybuilder_3073@reddit

So you can have one without the other

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SnoopyLupus@reddit

Yeah. And the US one was so good, perfectly cast. Those lines were just made for Al and Peg.

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Sensitive-Fishing-64@reddit

Brighton Belles, UK version of Golden Girls was awful

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Gary_James_Official@reddit

I looked it up the other week, as I remember it being so-bad-it's-fascinating, and discovered that half the cast are now dead. It doesn't feel like it was terribly long ago that it was broadcast...

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erritstaken@reddit

CNN is advertising a new show coming soon called “Have I got news for you”. Somehow I don’t think it’s going to come close to the uk version.

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pixm@reddit

If you're curious, it's on iplayer...

Personally I'm so tired of US news right now I'm happy to never watch it lol

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erritstaken@reddit

I now live in the states now,so I can just watch cnn if I want . Last time I saw it in the uk Angus Deyton was the host lol.

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Disgruntled__Goat@reddit

Coming soon? It’s been going for weeks already lol. And it’s actually quite good! Like any new panel show they’re taking the quiz element a bit too seriously at the moment but it definitely has promise.

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Tao626@reddit

That's why these shows don't work in the US. They always take the quiz element too seriously, even when they're a guest on a UK show with multiple people leading by example that the quiz is just a framing device to tell jokes.

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gustycat@reddit

Yeah, you have to run the fine line of trying just enough, as the competition pushes the show forward, but not too much, as the 'winner' is irrelevant

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Cirieno@reddit

There are 3 episodes available already. It's dire. And it's made by the UK company so there's no real excuse.

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weesiwel@reddit

I mean the excuse is to get it broadcast in the US and make money they have to make it for a US audience which includes nonsense like taking the quiz aspect seriously.

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MintberryCrunch____@reddit

I have watched two episodes of this, in the UK, due to sheer curiosity, it is unequivocally absolute shit. They miss the entire point and can’t replicate it.

They bizarrely give points of “plus 1000” and “minus 5” as some sort of weird nod to Hislop generally losing.

It’s worth watching for how laughably bad it is in comparison.

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Cardabella@reddit

I've seen some already on YouTube. None of them quite get the format but give them 30 years I'm sure they'll have it pat.

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foxcek@reddit

House of Cards and Sanford and Son come to mind.

Maybe Shameless?

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allthingskerri@reddit

The US office is better in my opinion. whose line is it anyway is far superior in the states. Shameless I think the American version is better -

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Dear_Jeweler2841@reddit

Life on Mars with Harvey Keitel was pretty good. Until the final episode when they tried woke up in space!!

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IcemanGeneMalenko@reddit

The Inbetweeners I believe

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londonflare@reddit

There’s a US imbetweeners?

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IcemanGeneMalenko@reddit

I’m concerned how many people can’t see blatant sarcasm

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Greywacky@reddit

I'm concerned that so many people believe you deserve ostricisation for wrongthink.

Hey, if you enjoy the US Inbetweeners then I aint gonna stop you!

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MarvTheBandit@reddit

No. No there isn’t. For you own good just believe me on that one.

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IcemanGeneMalenko@reddit

Even the Americans didn’t like the US version when it had Americanised humour, which is saying something.

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MarvTheBandit@reddit

“Bus Plonker” made me cringe.

You can’t do a PG version of Inbetweeners and it was trying to shoehorn English humour into America. The Office (US) got good when it stopped doing that.

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IcemanGeneMalenko@reddit

I couldn’t imagine Jay or Simon calling somebody a “son of a bitch” or a “jackass”

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cregamon@reddit

Yeah you need to look it up. It’s hilarious(ly bad).

My entire knowledge of it comes from these 2 videos comparing the UK and US versions and the video author really does a good job in explaining why it’s so bad - well worth a watch if you have 25 minutes.

Video 1: https://youtu.be/XY3-D4R8Oxc?si=onS7gx-inlBSydOr

Video 2: https://youtu.be/gQQE2eeJu44?si=6YPCkCvRyvo-qqyS

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TomAtkinson3@reddit

I've seen a few clips and it is tragic. They've tried some of the same jokes/scenes and it misses completely

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Agitated_Ad_361@reddit

Yeh, famously a big pile of dog shit.

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Sin_nombre__@reddit

Really?

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tiorzol@reddit

No.

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Sin_nombre__@reddit

Not seen the American one, but I can't believe it translates well.

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Tricky_Moose_1078@reddit

Don’t forget Red Dwarf

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Newguyinliverpool@reddit

You're the first person in the history of forever to say that

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hhfugrr3@reddit

Ghosts US is at least as good as Ghosts, possibly slightly better.

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cwstjdenobbs@reddit

House of Cards.

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FordZodiac@reddit

No way. The original was much better. They introduced all kinds of irrelevant crap, like Frank Underwood being gay.

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cwstjdenobbs@reddit

I didn't find that irrelevant in the US version. If the UK one had come out a few years later it would have been really relevant there too. Plenty of politicians who tried to present themselves as "family men" to put on the appearance of having a soul got outed on both sides of the Atlantic between the UK and US versions releases. Especially ones who opposed gay rights. It's just become another square on "hypocritical politician" bingo cards by now.

It had much higher production values. And It wasn't an attempt at a carbon copy so that works in its favour.

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Soggy_Detective_4737@reddit

Shameless did pretty well in the US version

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Jlaw118@reddit

I’ve been wondering what the US version is like. We’ve just been watching the original series on Netflix and it’s got me wondering how the US would represent a lot of the issues raised in the original series

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marbmusiclove@reddit

I watched the US version first, during covid. Loved it. Tried to keep it up after Emmy left but it just wasn’t the same. Last summer I binged most of UK, but there was way too much character cycling. Often new and likeable characters would come in, only to be shelved a season later for often unexplained/tedious reasons offscreen. I think I’ve got about 1.5-2 seasons left and idk if I can be arsed.

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WatermelonCandy5@reddit

It’s worth a watch. First couple of episodes suffer slightly in that they’re doing what the us office did, carbon copying the original. But it’s so good and the cast is incredible. Emmy rossum especially, I was shocked I hadn’t heard more about it.

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greylord123@reddit

My biggest gripe with the US one is that Frank is an absolute cunt. Like a real irredeemable bastard.

William H Macy plays the part fantastically and I can't fault the performance but for me Frank is always a bit of a loveable rogue. There's a sympathetic quality to him. The American one doesn't really capture that.

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EstatePinguino@reddit

I found myself rooting for Frank in the final season. He was brilliant with Liam and Franny, and his final hospital scenes were so emotional, like he finally realised how important his children were.

He always got it, just his addictions took the better of him, when Fiona left you could see how much it meant.

In short, William H Macy is a phenomenal actor.

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Difficult-Broccoli65@reddit

Acting is superb and it does outstanding portrayals of addiction/abuse/relationship breakdown etc.

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R2-Scotia@reddit

The US one is far superior, bigger budget, bigger stars, high production

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Tao626@reddit

It's not superior because of a bigger budget, bigger stars and higher production. If that was true, most US attempts at UK shows wouldn't but utter fucking garbage.

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lelpd@reddit

Nah. The UK one felt so much more real, couldn’t stand the US one when I tried watching it, hoping it’d be similar to the UK show.

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R2-Scotia@reddit

May be a culture thing. I was living in the USA at the time ablnd could relate to both.

Also, Emmy Rossum

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Ill-Basil2863@reddit

Nah. The charm of the UK is the low budget.

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WatermelonCandy5@reddit

I think the first five seasons of both are equal, the uk one went downhill fast in season 6 and the us one was great until the last couple of seasons and even then it wasn’t too bad.

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ashyjay@reddit

I could never get into it, the OG is so iconic and rang true growing on an estate.

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TechnicalAccountant2@reddit

Kitchen Nghtmares, Gordon managed to find crazier people in the US

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gustycat@reddit

Very different shows tbh. US Kitchen Nightmares is much more entertaining, as it's fun watching Gordon losing his shit at a bunch of mentalists.

The UK version is 'better' though imo

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original_oli@reddit (OP)

Great shout. The US does do mentaloids much better to be fair.

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Accurate_Prompt_8800@reddit

House of Cards, and Shameless

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Tsarinya@reddit

I’ve never seen the American version but I couldn’t get into the UK version of House of Cards

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SnoopyLupus@reddit

Haven’t seen shameless, but British House of Cards was better written and acted. The US one had more modern gloss.

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Hrzk@reddit

You might very well think that, but I couldn’t possibly comment

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Krakshotz@reddit

The British version of House of Cards (the trilogy) is superior

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SensitiveResident792@reddit

I'm American. You're asking the UK so maybe I should learn to shut up but I'm American so.. y'know. Basically, it comes down to taste. Most Americans are more fond of the American versions of your shows because they're made for American tastes - makes sense the Brits don't like it as much.

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starsandbribes@reddit

I find TV execs THINK Americans want American versions but most people will seek out the British originals or it at least becomes a talking going over there “oh have you seen the UK version though its much better”.

Most remakes just have rich clueless men in boardrooms trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator.

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SensitiveResident792@reddit

Agreed! I think Americans are really interested in British culture and maybe we don't quite "get" British humo(u)r but we are interested in learning. Alternatively, y'all are prob. sick of having our media and humor shoved down your throats. I think if they did a better job advertisizing British TV here, it would be more popular. Look at a lot of the recent Netflix shows, for example. Americans LOVE the British accent and we are so interested in your culture. No need to "dumb down" the show for American tastes!

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original_oli@reddit (OP)

I've never met a yank that knew when to shut up, so that's on brand.

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bondibitch@reddit

There’s a US Peep Show?

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Moist_Haggis@reddit

Unpopular opinion but the office

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SixCardRoulette@reddit

It doesn't exceed it, but "Veep", the American redo of the glorious The Thick of It by the same creator, is very well done - one of the few successful attempts to translate the feel from the original rather than trying to Americanise the jokes, if that makes sense.

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HanakenVulpine@reddit

By all accounts Elementary was vastly superior to BBC Sherlock. But by S3 of Sherlock that wouldn’t have been hard.

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Opposite_lmage@reddit

The office miles better with the US version

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idonthavebroadband@reddit

I don't know if I'd say Veep was better than The Thick of It, but it definitely held its own. Maybe also an honourable mention for What We Do In the Shadows, though the original was from NZ, not the UK

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original_oli@reddit (OP)

I count the latter as essentially British, given all three of them are from the UK.

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Open_Sentence_@reddit

US Office.

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indianajoes@reddit

I'd say the US Office is better than the UK one.

Whose Line Is It Anyway.

Jeopardy is definitely better. I was really looking forward to the UK one but they ruined the format and Stephen Fry was insufferable.

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pasta897@reddit

shameless

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AttersH@reddit

Queer as Folk. Original US version is so much better! (not the reboot). Appreciate it’s for perhaps a fairly niche market. But if you like your TV very queer, it’s brilliant.

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original_oli@reddit (OP)

Only seen the original - where he's certainly not 'little'finger!

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MFingAmpharos@reddit

I love Ghosts (the original UK version) but the American version I love even more. It is excellent.

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original_oli@reddit (OP)

Only seen the proper one - but that's walking the edge of too happy, schmaltzy and family friendly for my taste.

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Trendlebere@reddit

US-UK remakes are usually rubbish, regardless of which direction they are remade.

I saw some Top Gear USA, I thought it was decent, not as good the original trio at their best, but better than some of the BBC attempts at recasting the UK show.

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Creepy_Radio_3084@reddit

I went to a filming at Dunsfold Park where they were re-filming the bits between segments for the US market (original presenters, Clarkson, Hammond and May). Clarkson was quite scathing about how much they had to 'dumb things down' for the US audience. Was an... interesting experience. (Never realised quite how tiny Richard Hammond is!)

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No_Promotion_65@reddit

Sanford and son was probably as good as steptoe and son but didn’t quite surpass it.

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McDeathUK@reddit

The Office comes to mind

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wringtonpete@reddit

I can already feel the downvotes coming, but I'd put the US version of 'Ghosts' on a par with the UK version.

Mainly because there are so many more episodes, but also there are a few more ghost extras. The US one does have a couple of weaker characters, though Nancy one of the cholera ghosts in the basement is hilarious.

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Low_Top4276@reddit

The uk ghosts has a very special place in my heart. I just can’t bring myself to watch the American one. The uk one has so much history behind it with the six idiots and the other shows/ film they’ve done I just can’t see how it could compare.

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Terrible-Prior732@reddit

Mathew Baynton has a cameo in one ep ... 😊

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MFingAmpharos@reddit

No, I agree with you. I enjoy both shows but the US one has become my favourite.

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PsychologicalNote612@reddit

I pretty much agree with you. I like Charlotte Ritchie a lot and think the UK Ghosts is an excellent programme, but the US one is really good, and it doesn't try to copy as much as I first expected. I also much prefer the Jay character to Mike, and Samantha to Alison. I think the UK characters act pretty much how you'd expect someone here to react to seeing ghosts and/or your partner seeing ghosts, pretty irritated but polite. Samantha and Jay enjoying the ghosts is much easier to watch and I suspect typical of how people in the US would react.

To me, for longevity and a real programme, UK version wins, for silly fluff to watch before bed, US wins

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icelolliesbaby@reddit

Shameless, uk is good and very relatable, but us is more entertaining

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ForeverFabulous54321@reddit

Apparently the American versions of The Office and Shameless were better than the original versions 🤷🏽‍♀️

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TotallyTapping@reddit

I find Ghosts US very enjoyable, they have a shorter timescale for their ghosts, but the times chosen are good.

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more_beans_mrtaggart@reddit

House of cards.

I’d never have thought that was possible, because I totally loved the British version. But the US one was epic. You may not like him a real life, but the mild-faced Kevin Spacey is hell of an actor.

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WarmTransportation35@reddit

I think Jo in the US version of Supernanny presented it way better than the British version.

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thedukeofwankington@reddit

US office is far superior to UK original.

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WarmTransportation35@reddit

I remember the US version of As the Bell Rings was quite entertaining and kept the British feel but the American feel made it exciting.

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amaluna@reddit

The US Office is ultimately better than the UK version

Both are good but one is better than the other

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FootballPublic7974@reddit

The US version of the Apprentice. What happened to that fucking orange lunatic?

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nj-rose@reddit

All in the Family was the US version of Til Death US Do Part. Immensely popular and it touched on subjects that hadn't been before.

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VapourMetro111@reddit

I know it's weird, but I actually found the US version of The Office funnier. It didn't hit the cringe factor as hard as the UK. Mind you, I didn't really get that into either of them...

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scooterloo1981@reddit

US Shameless is fantastic, better in a lot of ways really

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Mid_July_Diamond16@reddit

I absolutely agree. Tried our version first and it was okay enough for the first few episodes but the US version was much more engaging.

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Wishmaster891@reddit

US Office

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60sstuff@reddit

I would argue that the US office is better but the problem is that the shows are actually quite hard to compare in my opinion. Mainly because the UK show is a mockumentary meaning it’s mimicking a documentary and therefore real life. Its realistic in that everyone hates being there and the humour is more based on how everyone hates there job. Whereas the US office is a actual comedy that is designed specifically to make you laugh. It actually looks like a fun office because it is. It’s not really very realistic.

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misterconor14@reddit

The US office is better after season one. I also feel like US shameless had a better overall run, I feel like they're pretty equal for the first few seasons but then the UK one went downhill very quickly

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mustafizn73@reddit

The US "The Office" is often seen as surpassing the UK version in character depth and longevity, though such successes are rare due to cultural differences.

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original_oli@reddit (OP)

Bad bot

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original_oli@reddit (OP)

Quality more important than quantity.

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tizz66@reddit

The UK and US versions feel so different (after the first season of the US one) and they’re both excellent in different ways IMO. For rewatchability I think the US one wins.

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