Why is it that the american's producers and directors and writers have to go and do remakes.
I take it you mean US remakes of shows such as The Office? It's because British imports only reach a limited audience on American TV. It makes more sense to remake and adapt a successful formula for the domestic audience.
If, however, you're talking about remakes in general, they get made because something which has been successful in the past is easier to pitch to the networks. Instant "brand recognition" is half the battle won.
It makes sense for UK shows which were hugely popular, like The Office, but others I am less sure of, e.g No Angels. Was it really that good? I never watched it but from what I remember it was nowhere near the level of popularity as The Office
I take it you mean US remakes of shows such as The Office? It's because British imports only reach a limited audience on American TV. It makes more sense to remake and adapt a successful formula for the domestic audience.
Not just shows like the Office.
Shameless
The Killing
Broadchurch
The Bridge
The Returned
Why is it that the american's producers and directors and writers have to go and do remakes.
American companies buy ideas to turn into shows, and buying the idea for a show that has a proven track-record somewhere, anywhere, is SEEN as less risky than buying the pitch from an American writer trying to sell a new idea that is completely untested. Why do British, and other foreign, producers have to trip over themselves rushing to Hollywood to sell "remake rights?" The lure of money. And even when the original programme is sold in America that doesn't stop the rights-holder from trying to make even more money by negotiating a remake deal with a separate channel. The French show Les Revenants, which recently aired on Channel 4 as The Returned, was just sold to the US Sundance Channel, which will air the show with subtitles. Now, just yesterday, it was announced that remakes rights have been sold to another US channel, A&E. The French company will probably make more money from a US remake than they made from selling the original.
Shameless
The Killing
Broadchurch
The Bridge
The Returned
If you ask me it just ruins the original.
I never understand the comment that a remake ruins the original. A remake has no impact on the original. If the original is great - it will continue to be great - regardless of whether the remake is fantastic or rubbish.
As for why there are so many remakes - as someone else posted it is usually easier to sell an idea when there is a successful version out there.
It makes sense for UK shows which were hugely popular, like The Office, but others I am less sure of, e.g No Angels. Was it really that good? I never watched it but from what I remember it was nowhere near the level of popularity as The Office
Why should they only remake stuff that was popular in another country? Is being popular really a measure of something being a good premise that will work in a different country?
The reason for remakes is that someone thinks the premise would appeal to people in that country but feel there are enough cultural differences that the audience won't be able to fully identify and connect with the characters and situations.
It happens here too, the most recent one I can think of is Law and Order:UK which goes as far as taking the US shows scripts and reworking them
I am quite for remakes of good British shows.They will give them longer seasons and allow us more of what we loved. I hope they do a remake of Misfits.
Why should they only remake stuff that was popular in another country? Is being popular really a measure of something being a good premise that will work in a different country?
The reason for remakes is that someone thinks the premise would appeal to people in that country but feel there are enough cultural differences that the audience won't be able to fully identify and connect with the characters and situations.
It happens here too, the most recent one I can think of is Law and Order:UK which goes as far as taking the US shows scripts and reworking them
Well pardon me for thinking that it makes sense if there has been an element of popularity to the choice of remake :rolleyes:
MoreTears agrees that popular shows are seen as less risky. I am sure there are many reasons,yours included.
BrooklynBoy already provided a list of British remakes which was quite interesting so you just repeated that point too :rolleyes:
Comments
If, however, you're talking about remakes in general, they get made because something which has been successful in the past is easier to pitch to the networks. Instant "brand recognition" is half the battle won.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a519227/no-angels-channel-4-nurses-drama-to-get-us-remake.html
Not just shows like the Office.
Shameless
The Killing
Broadchurch
The Bridge
The Returned
If you ask me it just ruins the original.
American companies buy ideas to turn into shows, and buying the idea for a show that has a proven track-record somewhere, anywhere, is SEEN as less risky than buying the pitch from an American writer trying to sell a new idea that is completely untested. Why do British, and other foreign, producers have to trip over themselves rushing to Hollywood to sell "remake rights?" The lure of money. And even when the original programme is sold in America that doesn't stop the rights-holder from trying to make even more money by negotiating a remake deal with a separate channel. The French show Les Revenants, which recently aired on Channel 4 as The Returned, was just sold to the US Sundance Channel, which will air the show with subtitles. Now, just yesterday, it was announced that remakes rights have been sold to another US channel, A&E. The French company will probably make more money from a US remake than they made from selling the original.
I never understand the comment that a remake ruins the original. A remake has no impact on the original. If the original is great - it will continue to be great - regardless of whether the remake is fantastic or rubbish.
As for why there are so many remakes - as someone else posted it is usually easier to sell an idea when there is a successful version out there.
Why should they only remake stuff that was popular in another country? Is being popular really a measure of something being a good premise that will work in a different country?
The reason for remakes is that someone thinks the premise would appeal to people in that country but feel there are enough cultural differences that the audience won't be able to fully identify and connect with the characters and situations.
It happens here too, the most recent one I can think of is Law and Order:UK which goes as far as taking the US shows scripts and reworking them
In any case the original is not changed.
Well pardon me for thinking that it makes sense if there has been an element of popularity to the choice of remake :rolleyes:
MoreTears agrees that popular shows are seen as less risky. I am sure there are many reasons,yours included.
BrooklynBoy already provided a list of British remakes which was quite interesting so you just repeated that point too :rolleyes:
One of my favourite things about watching Law And Order UK is seeing how long it takes me to remember the US episode that its an (almost) copy of.