10 American Sitcom Flops That Ruined Beloved British Comedy Classics

In terms of comedic artistry, Britain boasts an extensive and vibrant past. Ranging from the writings of William Shakespeare to programs such as The Benny Hill Show and Monty Python, Britain is frequently recognized as a pioneer in this field. Modern series like Peep Show, After Life, and Inside No. 9 demonstrate that their knack for humor remains undiminished. Britain’s humor has a distinctive flavor—one that, while its impact has extended overseas, continues to be easily identifiable.

Indeed, it’s logical for me to look towards Britain when seeking inspiration for comedic content, as they have a rich history of producing shows that resonate with audiences. I’ve found great success in adapting these programs for American viewers, such as the remake of “The Office” and “Shameless,” which have become household names here. Even earlier adaptations like “All in the Family,” based on “Till Death Us Do Part,” are still considered timeless classics in our country’s television landscape.

To put it another way, there are significant disparities when it comes to the types of humor and storytelling styles preferred in British versus American sitcoms. These variations can make attempts at adaptation challenging because they often end up falling flat. For instance, British comedy often uses dry wit, dark humor, and explores awkward social scenarios, while American sitcoms usually focus on broader jokes, quicker pacing, and more positive storylines. Additionally, Americans generally anticipate a certain level of glossy production quality, whereas the British prefer a raw, relatable feel. These distinctions, while they may appear small, significantly influence casting decisions, settings, and overall mood, among other factors.

Here are 10 attempts at adapting successful British TV sitcoms that have failed miserably.

10
‘Call Me Kat’ (2021 – 2023)

Adapted From ‘Miranda’ (2009 – 2015)

In 2009, the British comedy series titled “Miranda“, created and starring comedian Miranda Hart, made its debut. The show, based on semi-autobiographical events, follows socially awkward and clumsy yet kind-hearted character Miranda as she navigates love, life, and her career with assistance from her friends. This comedy series was highly praised by critics and won the title of Best New British TV Comedy at the British Comedy Awards. Additionally, Hart herself received accolades for her performance in the show, winning Best TV Comedy Actress and People’s Choice Award for being the King or Queen of Comedy.

Miranda’s Brand of Awkward and Self-Deprecating Humor Didn’t Translate

A U.S. adaptation titled “Call Me Kat” debuted in 2021. Given the original’s undeniably British flavor, it wasn’t shocking that its humor and atmosphere didn’t seamlessly fit into the typical structure of American sitcoms. Furthermore, Mayim Bialik, portraying the American equivalent of Miranda, named Kat, struggled to convey the same endearment, sincerity, and genuine warmth; instead, her performance felt a bit contrived. The show managed only three seasons before losing appeal with U.S. viewers and receiving negative criticism.

9
‘Us and Them’ (2018)

Adapted From ‘Gavin and Stacey’ (2007 – 2024)

As a die-hard movie fan, let me take you back to my days before crossing the pond and hosting The Late Show. You see, I was once the star of Gavin & Stacey, a hilarious British sitcom that captured the hearts of many. Set in England, it followed a unique long-distance relationship between a lad from Essex and a lass from Wales, their cultural clashes, regional peculiarities, and colorful circle of friends providing endless laughs. In recent years, this beloved sitcom has stood tall among the best British comedies.

Remarkably, last Christmas saw the return of this cherished series with a special episode that was the most-watched program on Christmas Day in the UK in the past 23 years. Now that’s something to raise a pint to!

‘Us and Them’ Lasted Just One Season

The show titled Us and Them, inspired by Gavin & Stacey, initially planned for Fox, ultimately premiered on Crackle in 2018 to a lukewarm response, only lasting one season. Unlike the gradual, intricate character development of Gavin & Stacey, Us and Them opted for a more conventional approach to American sitcom humor, relying heavily on stereotypical tropes rather than a cohesive narrative or well-developed characters. Unfortunately, the shift in focus from the quirks of friendship groups to the overused ‘interfering parents’ trope did not favorably impact the show.

8
Unaired Adaptation of ‘Spaced’ (1999 – 2001)

Under the direction of Edgar Wright, Spaced centers around the lives of two eccentric individuals in their twenties (portrayed by Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson). Despite having just met, they find themselves sharing a flat in London. With only 14 episodes, this comedy series seamlessly combines absurd humor, cultural allusions, and emotional narratives, keeping viewers engaged as the duo navigates one mishap after another. The show’s distinctive and daring mix of styles has earned it a dedicated cult fanbase.

Edgar Wright’s Warnings Should Have Been Heeded

At first, Wright was offered to direct an American version of the show but turned it down, explaining, “A big part of what makes Spaced appealing is its characters living in North London imitating American film scenes… essentially, Hollywood in the suburbs… American TV is more glamorous. It doesn’t add up.” Additionally, he was informed that the show would need to be less explicit, including reducing or removing profanity, drug references, and gun imagery, which didn’t align with his vision.

Although Wright initially objected and chose not to participate, the production team went ahead with creating the pilot, which garnered highly unfavorable reviews. The pilot was leaked online, suggesting that all of Wright’s apprehensions were well-founded. The original creators, Jessica Stevenson and Simon Pegg, felt frustrated and angry for not being consulted about the remake and publicly voiced their opposition to its release. This dispute drew attention from various media outlets, leading to a wave of negative publicity and controversy around the project. As a result, it was quickly cancelled.

7
Unaired Adaptation of ‘The IT Crowd’ (2006 – 2013)

The IT Crowd centers around two socially awkward IT specialists (portrayed by Richard Ayoade and Chris O’Dowd), along with their incompetent superior, who somehow managed to secure her position. The series delves into their office dynamics and their comical struggles to adapt to everyday life outside the workplace. It garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase due to its witty, frequently absurd humor and well-developed characters.

The American Version Lacked the Onscreen Chemistry

A U.S. airforce pilot was captured on video in January 2007. This clip led NBC to commission a series featuring Richard Ayoade reprising his role as Moss, which they planned to air between 2007 and 2008. However, the show never got aired due to lack of appeal to the new NBC chairman Ben Silverman. The pilot was later leaked, and critics have pointed out that the onscreen humor between Moss and his coworkers seemed forced, giving it a dull echo of the original.

Back in 2014, I came across a television show that never quite took off. However, there was talk of a fresh start with an NBC remake, which initially seemed promising. Yet, as of now, any further news regarding this potential revival remains undisclosed.

6
Unaired Adaptation of ‘Peep Show’ (2003 – 2015)

Peep Show is told entirely through the perspectives of socially awkward, uptight character Mark Corrigan (portrayed by David Mitchell) and his easygoing, innocent best friend and roommate Jez (played by Robert Webb). Using point-of-view camera techniques, it centers around their daily lives and complex friendship. The series garnered continuous critical praise and has since developed a devoted cult following.

Following Several Failed Attempts, a New Adaptation Is Reportedly in the Works

In 2005, a trial episode was produced for the American reboot, featuring Josh Meyers and Johnny Galecki (just before he became part of The Big Bang Theory). This initial episode can be found on YouTube now, but it’s quite unfunny. The original’s point-of-view technique, which was crucial to its success, is conspicuously missing in this version. As a result, the numerous internal dialogues appear disjointed and occasionally perplexing. This reimagining leans more towards a conventional sitcom format, but it fails to capture the original’s appeal, camaraderie, or even its humor, instead feeling more like a school play put together by amateurs.

After two more unsuccessful tries at reviving the series, there’s news that a new version is under development, starring Minnie Driver and Amandla Stenberg as the leading ladies.

5
‘The Inbetweeners’ (2011)

Adapted From ‘The Inbetweeners’ (2008 – 2010)

The Inbetweeners focuses on the lives of four buddies, who are navigating through the challenges of teenage years and British high school life. Known for its crass humor and uncensored dialogue, this show ran for three seasons filled with unstoppable laughter, garnering impressive viewership numbers. These successes were later translated into two highly successful movies at the box office.

The American Adaptation Feels Watered Down

I must confess, the original series carries an undeniably British flair, using cringe-worthy humor, social discomfort, and gritty portrayals of school life to create characters that ring painfully true as they navigate adolescence with minimal triumphs or salvation. Compared to this, the American adaptation feels more refined, evoking memories of Superbad, but with many jokes needing to be softened for MTV broadcasting, resulting in a less potent, sanitized addition to the already saturated teen comedy genre. Critics were not kind, and it only managed to last one season.

4
Unaired Adaptation of ‘Only Fools and Horses’ (1981 – 2003)

As a diehard fan, I can’t help but reminisce about my seven-season journey through the streets of working-class London in “Only Fools and Horses.” This series follows the escapades of Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter, his younger brother Rodney, and their constant pursuit of that elusive ‘get rich quick’ scheme. The show is teeming with eccentric, finely tuned supporting characters and masterfully woven storylines, blending clever humor with genuine emotion and depth. It’s no wonder this sitcom has earned a special place in the hearts of British television fans everywhere.

The American Version Lacked Heart

Several attempts have been made to replicate it in America, but the only snippets we’ve come across are a leaked 2012 pilot episode from 2023. This production features John Leguizamo as Del, Dustin Ybarra as Rodney, and Christopher Lloyd as their Grandad. Unfortunately, these characters are incredibly grating, failing to capture the endearing qualities that made the original so popular. All nuance seems to have been discarded, leaving behind a garish, generic production filled with tired clichés. Thankfully, it didn’t progress beyond the pilot episode.

3
Unaired Adaptation of ‘Red Dwarf’ (1988 – Present)

Red Dwarf, a British sci-fi comedy series, ran from 1988 to 1999, gathering a devoted cult audience throughout its run. Named after the spaceship it’s set on, Red Dwarf presents an unusual assortment of characters as they deal with the challenges of outer space. The show is known for its clever humor, satire, and a generous helping of slapstick and wordplay, offering viewers both intellectual stimulation and ridiculous amusement.

American Sitcoms Tend to be More “Polished”

Two distinct attempts were made to adapt Red Dwarf for American audiences, but both met with unfavorable responses. A significant aspect of the original’s appeal lay in its intentionally modest visual style and absence of gloss, serving as a tribute to and a satire of classic sci-fi series from the past. When trying to replicate this for American viewers, test screenings indicated dissatisfaction due to the lack of the high-quality finish that viewers have grown accustomed to in larger-budget, modern TV shows.

In the end, it proved challenging for everyone involved to develop a product that stayed true to the original content yet appealed to a broad American audience. Consequently, they decided to abandon the project.

2
‘Amanda’s’ (1983)/ ‘Payne’ (1999)

Adapted From ‘Fawlty Towers’ (1975 – 1979)

Every single episode of the British comedy series Fawlty Towers showcases comedy excellence, set in a coastal hotel where the story unfolds around the owner’s chaotic life filled with conflicts not only with his guests, but also with his demanding wife and clumsy, good-hearted Spanish waiter.

John Cleese, who collaborated on the script with Connie Booth, portrays Basil Fawlty, the hotel owner in this production. With a frenetic energy and a witty, sarcastic edge to his dialogue, Cleese’s character is at once exaggerated and comical, yet remarkably accurate and incisive.

John Cleese Has Expressed an Interest in Rebooting the Show

The initial endeavor to adapt the British series “Fawlty Towers” in America took shape as “Snavely,” or “Chateau Snavely,” where instead of a seaside hotel, it was set in a roadside motel. The main characters were played by Harvey Korman and Betty White. Although a pilot episode was recorded, the show never made it to air—a fact that seems regrettable now, considering the leaked footage suggests it might have been more amusing than any subsequent adaptations that followed.

A different version of the show, titled “Amanda,” featured Bea Arthur and switched the genders of characters similar to Basil and Sybil. This adaptation aired on ABC in 1983 but received negative reviews and low viewership, resulting in its cancellation before completion. Another attempt at reviving the series called “Payne” was made in 1999, but it too was canceled mid-season due to poor reception. Interestingly, John Cleese has expressed his desire to reboot the show himself, suggesting that there may be a chance of seeing it return someday.

1
Unaired Adaptation of ‘People Just Do Nothing’ (2014 – 2018)

In simpler terms, “People Just Do Nothing” is a comedic series that unfolds on a council estate in West London and focuses on a group of aspiring pirate radio DJs and MCs playing UK Garage music, along with their naive yet enthusiastic manager, Chabuddy G. The show’s humor comes from its portrayal of this unique culture, which is not as prevalent or understood in the United States. As a result, an American adaptation may have struggled to connect with viewers due to these cultural differences.

‘Whet Desert’ Completely Missed the Mark

In an attempt to make it more relatable for American viewers, Amazon’s adaptation made significant alterations, however, they seem to have lost the essence that made the original series so delightful.

Originally, the down-to-earth British garage team from London’s grimy streets was swapped for a boastful group of EDM DJ wannabes known as Whet Desert, obsessed with social media, who took their place. The original characters’ likable working-class appeal vanished, replaced by a clique of self-entitled snobs. Leaked footage from the pilot suggests that these new characters have no positive traits whatsoever. Fortunately, it seems that the full series of Whet Desert never got broadcasted.

2025-04-21 01:08

10 ‘Call Me Kat’ (2021 – 2023)