I wondered the same thing. I would have expected much higher numbers from the UK, seeing as it *is* a British show. Curious - what possible factors would lead to this result? Or maybe it's still too early to make any conclusions?
Not to start a controversy (or a conTROversy), I believe most of the Brits left when the site became popular with (or overrun by) Americans, who seemed to be interested in different aspects of the series than were the original founders, and to have a different posting style. There are a few left, and we hope it will pick up again when S7 airs. We miss them. Some may still be around and have a different perspective on what happened.
Honestly, I'm surprised it's taken this long. Not sure how they will adapt it to the US market, as so much of the show's charm is the British humour, and I don't see that translating well to mainstream US television. Depends on how much freedom they take with the characters/scripts/storyline.
Besides, wouldn't it basically be a mash-up of Northern Exposure (which I've never seen personally, but it's often referenced when describing Doc Martin) and House?
But I'm not writing it off just yet - my curiousity will ensure that I watch at least an episode or two.
I envy you your tolerance, earlgrey. I hated Gracepoint without even seeing it, and I was right!:D
Honestly, I'm surprised it's taken this long. Not sure how they will adapt it to the US market, as so much of the show's charm is the British humour, and I don't see that translating well to mainstream US television. Depends on how much freedom they take with the characters/scripts/storyline.
Obviously it’s just a guess, but due to the reasons you’ve already stated I suspect the US version of Doc Martin will be almost unrecognisable when it’s remade for US television – unlike something like The Office which was very similar.
I wonder if former CBS’s ‘The Late Late Show’ host (and creator of the Doc Martin character) Craig Ferguson will have any involvement in this US remake.
Obviously it’s just a guess, but due to the reasons you’ve already stated I suspect the US version of Doc Martin will be almost unrecognisable when it’s remade for US television – unlike something like The Office which was very similar.
I wonder if former CBS’s ‘The Late Late Show’ host (and creator of the Doc Martin character) Craig Ferguson will have any involvement in this US remake.
Here are a few things:
1. To be honest, the last two seasons of DM have not been that hot, so even the original creators can screw up the show they formulated. Frankly, from my opinion, I doubt US TV can do a worse set of season than S5 and S6.
2. Remember "Northern Exposure"?--that essentially was a charming, well done, enjoyable show in the exact same premise of DM, although the physician was not as emotionally screwed up.
3. US TV is not as an entirety crap--we've had and have excellent shows shown.
4. "The Office" is a clear sign US adaptations of UK TV can be excellent.
5. The US producers involved have been involved in creating good TV, like "Friends", which has been much more popular world-wide than DM.
Obviously it’s just a guess, but due to the reasons you’ve already stated I suspect the US version of Doc Martin will be almost unrecognisable when it’s remade for US television – unlike something like The Office which was very similar.
I wonder if former CBS’s ‘The Late Late Show’ host (and creator of the Doc Martin character) Craig Ferguson will have any involvement in this US remake.
Craig Ferguson is still shown as a co-creator in the Doc Martin credits. If he listed as a co-creator of the other international Doc Martins, he would probably also be co-creator of the US version.
I sent an email to Marta Kauffman today strongly suggesting that if she has creative control over the show that she hire Dominic Minghella as the writer. If anyone can re-create a US Doc Martin, it is Minghella. Let's think of another anagram of MInghella the US Doc could be called. "Minghella" became "Ellingham" for the UK, maybe Minghella could become "Gellihamn" - Martin Gellihamn.
Even without the anagram, Minghella would be a brilliant choice for writer.
We've seen that other countries have done the scripts virtually word for word, while others have had a looser adaptation and even had more eps like the Spanish one. But as Martin said, they couldn't go beyond what the UK version did, like they couldn't have a second baby. Wonder if those same controls will be in place?
Personally, don't even like the idea of an American version. Can't imagine it could be any better than the original. But then I've liked the whole show and don't get grumpy about the story in the last couple series. I find it a logical possible progression of a relationship. And I look forward to what S7 will have cooked up for us.
If carol_avery (or any other individual) has been consistently disappointed with other US adaptations of British shows, then it would be reasonable for that person to expect an American DM to be equally unsatisfactory. Self-fulfilling prophecy, perhaps, or a realistic prediction based on past experiences.
The opposite would also be true, though. That if an individual usually enjoyed the American version of their favourite Bristish shows, the balance of probability would indicate that an American DM would be equally enjoyable. A lot of it comes down to our own expectations.
Personally, I imagine it will be like reading the book first and then watching a movie. The book (the original) is always better, although sometimes the movie adaptation stays true enough to the original to not make me want to hurl objects at the screen. Sometimes it's a matter of giving the adaptation the benefit of letting it stand on its own and judging it by its own merits. Not dissecting every instance when it varies from or fails to meet the structure of the original. (I drive my hubby bonkers when I call out every scene or line in a movie that is different from the book.)
*shrug* I'm a generally optimistic person. Yes, it could be terrible. But, perhaps the American writers/producers will take all that is good about DM, all the things we love (an idyllic location, quirky villagers, strong leading characters) and add in some of the consistency and continuity that is missing from the original.
As Sherlock says, "balance of probability" means US version will be shite. IMHO.
Quite.
No doubt about it.
I can only think of one US remake that is very good - and the idiots in the U.S. have canceled the show. Getting On - never saw the original, so I can't even compare, but the remake is actually good.
Otherwise, nothing. Crickets.
Oh, and Hugh Laurie? PLEASE go home. I'm begging you. You're stinking up Veep beyond compare, just as you stunk in House.
On Dominic writing the U.S. version? He'd last two months before he was chewed up and spit out by the money hungry youknowwhats in La La Land.
Unless, as you say, he's looking to them to show him the money. Then all bets are off.
Time will tell - and I will be proved right, of course.:D
Not to start a controversy (or a conTROversy), I believe most of the Brits left when the site became popular with (or overrun by) Americans, who seemed to be interested in different aspects of the series than were the original founders, and to have a different posting style. There are a few left, and we hope it will pick up again when S7 airs. We miss them. Some may still be around and have a different perspective on what happened.
I can only think of one US remake that is very good - and the idiots in the U.S. have canceled the show. Getting On - never saw the original, so I can't even compare, but the remake is actually good.
Otherwise, nothing. Crickets.
Oh, and Hugh Laurie? PLEASE go home. I'm begging you. You're stinking up Veep beyond compare, just as you stunk in House.
On Dominic writing the U.S. version? He'd last two months before he was chewed up and spit out by the money hungry youknowwhats in La La Land.
Unless, as you say, he's looking to them to show him the money. Then all bets are off.
Time will tell - and I will be proved right, of course.:D
I loved Getting On. I agree -- an example of a knockoff done well. It can happen.
As for the Brits leaving -- I agree, it's too bad. And I believe their sentiment may have been something similar to what you express. But there's room enough for all, I think.
Minghella wrote for Doctor Mateo so it could happen for "Doc Topher." "Topher," of course, is the cool millennial nickname for "Christopher." Martin Ellingham's middle name is Christopher, so the cool kids in LA, could decide he needs a nickname that would appeal to a younger demographic than Doc Martin.
Anyone want to guess what his phobia might be that drove the genius Doc Topher from LosAngeles to a garden spot near Portlandia?
I can only think of one US remake that is very good - and the idiots in the U.S. have canceled the show. Getting On - never saw the original, so I can't even compare, but the remake is actually good.
Otherwise, nothing. Crickets.
Oh, and Hugh Laurie? PLEASE go home. I'm begging you. You're stinking up Veep beyond compare, just as you stunk in House.
On Dominic writing the U.S. version? He'd last two months before he was chewed up and spit out by the money hungry youknowwhats in La La Land.
Unless, as you say, he's looking to them to show him the money. Then all bets are off.
Time will tell - and I will be proved right, of course.:D
I like the Showtime show "Shameless". It's based on a British show. Your comments also remind me of "Episodes" - the one with the British couple who go to Los Angeles to write a comedy show. That is a pretty good show, too.
Hugh Laurie has a different energy than the rest of the cast of "Veep". I don't mind him much, but I can see what you mean. That is one of the few shows that makes me laugh. They take it all the way to the edge, then they pull it back so that it is plausible. It's very well done.
In general I don't like remakes of British shows that I am familiar with. I have purposefully not watched the British version of "Shameless" because everybody says it's better. I'm afraid it will ruin the American version for me. It happens to be one of my favorite shows.
I will watch an American Doc Martin. Then I will cringe and have to change the channel.
Minghella wrote for Doctor Mateo so it could happen for "Doc Topher." "Topher," of course, is the cool millennial nickname for "Christopher." Martin Ellingham's middle name is Christopher, so the cool kids in LA, could decide he needs a nickname that would appeal to a younger demographic than Doc Martin.
Anyone want to guess what his phobia might be that drove the genius Doc Topher from LosAngeles to a garden spot near Portlandia?
Bloodphob - first interesting take on the whole US version that I've seen! Good for you. Do you have any thoughts on who could play Doc Topher? Maybe he'd be a plastic surgeon in LA rather than vascular surgeon?
I like the Showtime show "Shameless". It's based on a British show. Your comments also remind me of "Episodes" - the one with the British couple who go to Los Angeles to write a comedy show. That is a pretty good show, too.
Hugh Laurie has a different energy than the rest of the cast of "Veep". I don't mind him much, but I can see what you mean. That is one of the few shows that makes me laugh. They take it all the way to the edge, then they pull it back so that it is plausible. It's very well done.
In general I don't like remakes of British shows that I am familiar with. I have purposefully not watched the British version of "Shameless" because everybody says it's better. I'm afraid it will ruin the American version for me. It happens to be one of my favorite shows.
I will watch an American Doc Martin. Then I will cringe and have to change the channel.
Hah. Good one.
I love Episodes, and we here are waiting for Showtime to renew for a 5th season. Isn't this show made in England? So is it an American or a British show?
Sadly, Armando Iannucci is leaving Veep, I don't hold out hope for it.
Bloodphob - first interesting take on the whole US version that I've seen! Good for you. Do you have any thoughts on who could play Doc Topher? Maybe he'd be a plastic surgeon in LA rather than vascular surgeon?
So not good for the rest of us who know the U.S. version will stink?
Since many of the plastic surgeons in LA are Iranian, that might be an interesting take on the story. I hope Marta Kauffman doesn't decide to recycle Matthew Perry or Matt LeBlanc from "Friends." If they want good actors they should go for someone like Corey Stoll from "House of Cards," He is bald and could carry off the Doc buzz cut and is attractive in the same way as the Doc. He can be intense and funny. He is younger than Martin Clunes but being bald could carry off the age thing. Would love to see someone like David Morrissey from "Walking Dead." He is 50 but looks younger. He is a Brit but can easily do the US accent. He may be too attractive (and sexy) to carry off the role. But that might be how they spin the Doc in the States.
As for the Louisa role, there is a hoard of 20 something actors in LA starving themselves to a size 0, booking Botox appointments and hair extensions to audition for the emaciated woman with the ponytail who will win Doc's heart. She'll probably also be part of "Teach for America" and have wealthy parents who subsidize her.
Since many of the plastic surgeons in LA are Iranian, that might be an interesting take on the story. I hope Marta Kauffman doesn't decide to recycle Matthew Perry or Matt LeBlanc from "Friends." If they want good actors they should go for someone like Corey Stoll from "House of Cards," He is bald and could carry off the Doc buzz cut and is attractive in the same way as the Doc. He can be intense and funny. He is younger than Martin Clunes but being bald could carry off the age thing. Would love to see someone like David Morrissey from "Walking Dead." He is 50 but looks younger. He is a Brit but can easily do the US accent. He may be too attractive (and sexy) to carry off the role. But that might be how they spin the Doc in the States.
As for the Louisa role, there is a hoard of 20 something actors in LA starving themselves to a size 0, booking Botox appointments and hair extensions to audition for the emaciated woman with the ponytail who will win Doc's heart. She'll probably also be part of "Teach for America" and have wealthy parents who subsidize her.
to be challenged follicularly rather than by low doorways is a good take....but still pretty thin to be building a remake upon.....To be bothered by an immigrant background is not such a good take, IMHO. Adds too much seriousness. Perhaps Dr. Toph goes to work on an indian reservation after phobia develops? ie. he thinks they're all poor, backwards but in reality rich and devious from casino development.
What? You think CC is emaciated? Au contraire -- and one of her / the show's best qualities was how "normal" she is/was. Normal both in looks as well in thought and character.
I apologize to carol_avery. Doing some research there is a long history of American adaptations of British shows not lasting long in America, though a few have done well.
I am nonetheless hopeful that MC/PB really took their time to choose people who can create the world of Portwenn and its characters as close as Buffalo Productions has done.
Carol. Didn't say English Louisa was emaciated especially her thick legs
US actor who plays Louisa will be too thin
Remember US producers wouldn't use actor from Brit Broadchurch in US remake Gracepoint because she wasn't pretty enough for US audience
I wonder if there were caveats to this contract, including product approval and review or if it's just a package deal.....here are the rights and the scripts. Thank you very much. Have at it. It would seem remarkable for the seller to get those rights.
In regard to the statement about Louisa....I agree with whomever above who bets that some emaciated babe with big boobs has a chance to be Louisa. I just hope that they can find somebody with an earthier, more realistic beauty. Our country is so sick in regards to the female in television and movies. There are quite a large number of people in the viewing public that find the lack of older people a vast deficiency. Now even people in their 40's are used as comic relief.. It's too bad.
Maybe these folks are smart producers and will do their best to put out a good product.
I wonder if there were caveats to this contract, including product approval and review or if it's just a package deal.....here are the rights and the scripts. Thank you very much. Have at it. It would seem remarkable for the seller to get those rights.
In regard to the statement about Louisa....I agree with whomever above who bets that some emaciated babe with big boobs has a chance to be Louisa. I just hope that they can find somebody with an earthier, more realistic beauty. Our country is so sick in regards to the female in television and movies. There are quite a large number of people in the viewing public that find the lack of older people a vast deficiency. Now even people in their 40's are used as comic relief.. It's too bad.
Maybe these folks are smart producers and will do their best to put out a good product.
For a lot of reasons, I don't think Doc Martin will translate well to American media, but whatever it is, I doubt it will be schlock. It might even be interesting in its own right, who knows?
Comments
Not to start a controversy (or a conTROversy), I believe most of the Brits left when the site became popular with (or overrun by) Americans, who seemed to be interested in different aspects of the series than were the original founders, and to have a different posting style. There are a few left, and we hope it will pick up again when S7 airs. We miss them. Some may still be around and have a different perspective on what happened.
Anybody?
I envy you your tolerance, earlgrey. I hated Gracepoint without even seeing it, and I was right!:D
Obviously it’s just a guess, but due to the reasons you’ve already stated I suspect the US version of Doc Martin will be almost unrecognisable when it’s remade for US television – unlike something like The Office which was very similar.
I wonder if former CBS’s ‘The Late Late Show’ host (and creator of the Doc Martin character) Craig Ferguson will have any involvement in this US remake.
Here are a few things:
1. To be honest, the last two seasons of DM have not been that hot, so even the original creators can screw up the show they formulated. Frankly, from my opinion, I doubt US TV can do a worse set of season than S5 and S6.
2. Remember "Northern Exposure"?--that essentially was a charming, well done, enjoyable show in the exact same premise of DM, although the physician was not as emotionally screwed up.
3. US TV is not as an entirety crap--we've had and have excellent shows shown.
4. "The Office" is a clear sign US adaptations of UK TV can be excellent.
5. The US producers involved have been involved in creating good TV, like "Friends", which has been much more popular world-wide than DM.
Craig Ferguson is still shown as a co-creator in the Doc Martin credits. If he listed as a co-creator of the other international Doc Martins, he would probably also be co-creator of the US version.
I sent an email to Marta Kauffman today strongly suggesting that if she has creative control over the show that she hire Dominic Minghella as the writer. If anyone can re-create a US Doc Martin, it is Minghella. Let's think of another anagram of MInghella the US Doc could be called. "Minghella" became "Ellingham" for the UK, maybe Minghella could become "Gellihamn" - Martin Gellihamn.
Even without the anagram, Minghella would be a brilliant choice for writer.
That is completely not true.
Personally, don't even like the idea of an American version. Can't imagine it could be any better than the original. But then I've liked the whole show and don't get grumpy about the story in the last couple series. I find it a logical possible progression of a relationship. And I look forward to what S7 will have cooked up for us.
Well, yes and no.
If carol_avery (or any other individual) has been consistently disappointed with other US adaptations of British shows, then it would be reasonable for that person to expect an American DM to be equally unsatisfactory. Self-fulfilling prophecy, perhaps, or a realistic prediction based on past experiences.
The opposite would also be true, though. That if an individual usually enjoyed the American version of their favourite Bristish shows, the balance of probability would indicate that an American DM would be equally enjoyable. A lot of it comes down to our own expectations.
Personally, I imagine it will be like reading the book first and then watching a movie. The book (the original) is always better, although sometimes the movie adaptation stays true enough to the original to not make me want to hurl objects at the screen. Sometimes it's a matter of giving the adaptation the benefit of letting it stand on its own and judging it by its own merits. Not dissecting every instance when it varies from or fails to meet the structure of the original. (I drive my hubby bonkers when I call out every scene or line in a movie that is different from the book.)
*shrug* I'm a generally optimistic person. Yes, it could be terrible. But, perhaps the American writers/producers will take all that is good about DM, all the things we love (an idyllic location, quirky villagers, strong leading characters) and add in some of the consistency and continuity that is missing from the original.
Quite.
No doubt about it.
I can only think of one US remake that is very good - and the idiots in the U.S. have canceled the show. Getting On - never saw the original, so I can't even compare, but the remake is actually good.
Otherwise, nothing. Crickets.
Oh, and Hugh Laurie? PLEASE go home. I'm begging you. You're stinking up Veep beyond compare, just as you stunk in House.
On Dominic writing the U.S. version? He'd last two months before he was chewed up and spit out by the money hungry youknowwhats in La La Land.
Unless, as you say, he's looking to them to show him the money. Then all bets are off.
Time will tell - and I will be proved right, of course.:D
Oh dear, seriously?
But...............it's THEIR site, not ours.
Wow.
I loved Getting On. I agree -- an example of a knockoff done well. It can happen.
As for the Brits leaving -- I agree, it's too bad. And I believe their sentiment may have been something similar to what you express. But there's room enough for all, I think.
Anyone want to guess what his phobia might be that drove the genius Doc Topher from LosAngeles to a garden spot near Portlandia?
I like the Showtime show "Shameless". It's based on a British show. Your comments also remind me of "Episodes" - the one with the British couple who go to Los Angeles to write a comedy show. That is a pretty good show, too.
Hugh Laurie has a different energy than the rest of the cast of "Veep". I don't mind him much, but I can see what you mean. That is one of the few shows that makes me laugh. They take it all the way to the edge, then they pull it back so that it is plausible. It's very well done.
In general I don't like remakes of British shows that I am familiar with. I have purposefully not watched the British version of "Shameless" because everybody says it's better. I'm afraid it will ruin the American version for me. It happens to be one of my favorite shows.
I will watch an American Doc Martin. Then I will cringe and have to change the channel.
Bloodphob - first interesting take on the whole US version that I've seen! Good for you. Do you have any thoughts on who could play Doc Topher? Maybe he'd be a plastic surgeon in LA rather than vascular surgeon?
Hah. Good one.
I love Episodes, and we here are waiting for Showtime to renew for a 5th season. Isn't this show made in England? So is it an American or a British show?
Sadly, Armando Iannucci is leaving Veep, I don't hold out hope for it.
So not good for the rest of us who know the U.S. version will stink?
As for the Louisa role, there is a hoard of 20 something actors in LA starving themselves to a size 0, booking Botox appointments and hair extensions to audition for the emaciated woman with the ponytail who will win Doc's heart. She'll probably also be part of "Teach for America" and have wealthy parents who subsidize her.
to be challenged follicularly rather than by low doorways is a good take....but still pretty thin to be building a remake upon.....To be bothered by an immigrant background is not such a good take, IMHO. Adds too much seriousness. Perhaps Dr. Toph goes to work on an indian reservation after phobia develops? ie. he thinks they're all poor, backwards but in reality rich and devious from casino development.
What? You think CC is emaciated? Au contraire -- and one of her / the show's best qualities was how "normal" she is/was. Normal both in looks as well in thought and character.
I apologize to carol_avery. Doing some research there is a long history of American adaptations of British shows not lasting long in America, though a few have done well.
I am nonetheless hopeful that MC/PB really took their time to choose people who can create the world of Portwenn and its characters as close as Buffalo Productions has done.
US actor who plays Louisa will be too thin
Remember US producers wouldn't use actor from Brit Broadchurch in US remake Gracepoint because she wasn't pretty enough for US audience
<<<groaning>>>
and Olivia Coleman has only won like 10 BAFTAs....
I wonder if there were caveats to this contract, including product approval and review or if it's just a package deal.....here are the rights and the scripts. Thank you very much. Have at it. It would seem remarkable for the seller to get those rights.
In regard to the statement about Louisa....I agree with whomever above who bets that some emaciated babe with big boobs has a chance to be Louisa. I just hope that they can find somebody with an earthier, more realistic beauty. Our country is so sick in regards to the female in television and movies. There are quite a large number of people in the viewing public that find the lack of older people a vast deficiency. Now even people in their 40's are used as comic relief.. It's too bad.
Maybe these folks are smart producers and will do their best to put out a good product.
For a lot of reasons, I don't think Doc Martin will translate well to American media, but whatever it is, I doubt it will be schlock. It might even be interesting in its own right, who knows?