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The IT Crowd US Pilot (2007) [video]

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Re: The IT Crowd US Pilot (2007) [video]

#21

Post by bckygldstn »

autoexec wrote: post #14
googlryas wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not at all. There's a cadre of people who enjoy British television programming in America, but they don't count. I'd estimate that the number of people that have watched for example the UK office is maybe 1% or less than the people that watched the US office in the US.

You wouldn't have look very hard to find an American who has seen Downton Abbey, Doctor Who, or Bake Off. The biggest problem keeping Americans from watching UK TV is access, not some inherent dislike or disinterest in compelling television whenever British people are involved. A show has to be wildly popular before Americans even get the chance to be exposed to it, which really limits the amount of viewers for UK pr…

There was a US remake of Taskmaster, which is like 50% a panel show. It was exceedingly terrible despite keeping 1 of the 2 UK hosts, and especially compared to the excellent New Zealand and Swedish Taskmaster remakes.

I agree about access though. I've introduced a bunch of US friends to Taksmaster who devour the seasons available on youtube, but are then out of options to see the rest.

Re: The IT Crowd US Pilot (2007) [video]

#22

Post by umeshunni »

googlryas wrote: post #12
dotBen wrote: post #8

I'm pretty sure this pilot is the same script as episode 1 of the original UK series. Clearly someone felt the need to recast and reshoot the series with US actors (plus Richard Ayoade), like they did the US Office. I wonder if that's old thinking (or wasn't actually needed) - the amount of UK TV that's now on Netflix and other OTT platforms seems to suggest that US audiences are open to enjoying original UK series w…

Not at all. There's a cadre of people who enjoy British television programming in America, but they don't count. I'd estimate that the number of people that have watched for example the UK office is maybe 1% or less than the people that watched the US office in the US.

But is that 1% number higher now (e.g shows like Bridgerton or the Crown) because of Netflix and other OTT platforms?

Re: The IT Crowd US Pilot (2007) [video]

#23

Post by mellosouls »

FullyFunctional wrote: post #11
OJFord wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Although if there had only ever been a pilot of The Office (US) I would've felt the same way about that, whereas once it got going I could appreciate it as 'different'. (To be blunt, in the beginning it's just the same jokes with far worse delivery.)

I agree. I actually didn’t fully enjoy the British version of the office (Gervasi wasn’t my taste), but the US version was brilliant. It really chocked me as I can’t think of many remakes that are better than the original. I think original IT Crowd is perfect and should be left that way.

It really shocked me as I can’t think of many remakes that are better than the original.

It isn't better than the original. It's very good though.

Re: The IT Crowd US Pilot (2007) [video]

#24

Post by vlunkr »

dotBen wrote: post #10
OJFord wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Although if there had only ever been a pilot of The Office (US) I would've felt the same way about that, whereas once it got going I could appreciate it as 'different'. (To be blunt, in the beginning it's just the same jokes with far worse delivery.)

There were only two series of the UK version made, and a lot of it was unscripted or loosely scripted and a lot of improv on Ricky Gervais's part. The first two series of the US edition of The Office was kind of uncomfortable because it was essentially the scripting and acting of what was previously improvised. I hear the 3rd series onwards was better received in part because it was originally written for the US audi…

That’s not really accurate. The pilot episodes have nearly identical scripts, but none of the other episodes do. They borrow some episode concepts and character arcs, but the scripts are original.

That said, there is definitely a tonal shift away from the UK series in the beginning, most notably starting with season 2.

Re: The IT Crowd US Pilot (2007) [video]

#25

Post by krade »

dotBen wrote: post #8

I'm pretty sure this pilot is the same script as episode 1 of the original UK series. Clearly someone felt the need to recast and reshoot the series with US actors (plus Richard Ayoade), like they did the US Office. I wonder if that's old thinking (or wasn't actually needed) - the amount of UK TV that's now on Netflix and other OTT platforms seems to suggest that US audiences are open to enjoying original UK series w…

no, they've changed quite a bit, only the first scene is sticking somewhat with the original version. 5 minutes in at least half the dialog has been rewritten. and all the changes are for the worst.

Re: The IT Crowd US Pilot (2007) [video]

#26

Post by autoexec »

vlunkr wrote: post #24
dotBen wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There were only two series of the UK version made, and a lot of it was unscripted or loosely scripted and a lot of improv on Ricky Gervais's part. The first two series of the US edition of The Office was kind of uncomfortable because it was essentially the scripting and acting of what was previously improvised. I hear the 3rd series onwards was better received in part because it was originally written for the US audi…

That’s not really accurate. The pilot episodes have nearly identical scripts, but none of the other episodes do. They borrow some episode concepts and character arcs, but the scripts are original. That said, there is definitely a tonal shift away from the UK series in the beginning, most notably starting with season 2.

Yeah, the US office turned into it's own thing pretty quickly considering it started with the same premises and characters. The pilot is painful to watch, but it took the general concept and ran with it until it doesn't seem fair to compare the two anymore. They're two very different shows.

Re: The IT Crowd US Pilot (2007) [video]

#28

Post by boomboomsubban »

ShakataGaNai wrote: post #15
quietbritishjim wrote: post #6

That wasn't nearly as atrocious as I was expecting. Partly because the script is almost the same as the UK first episode, of course, but even putting that aside it was OK. Richard Ayoade is still great but also Joel McHale is a pretty decent choice as Roy. Even the actress playing Jen, although a bit annoying, wasn't too bad. And the twist that the boss actually isn't crazy is interesting. Not like the US Red Dwarf p…

I'd be really curious to find out what Richard Ayoade thought of the entire situation. "So you want me to come play the exact same character, saying the exact same lines and doing the exact same things ... but now it's a 'US' version?"

I believe it led to him directing episodes of Community and potentially helped lead to him directing his movies. So he probably has great things to say about the experience.

Re: The IT Crowd US Pilot (2007) [video]

#29

Post by ALittleLight »

krade wrote: post #25
dotBen wrote: post #8

I'm pretty sure this pilot is the same script as episode 1 of the original UK series. Clearly someone felt the need to recast and reshoot the series with US actors (plus Richard Ayoade), like they did the US Office. I wonder if that's old thinking (or wasn't actually needed) - the amount of UK TV that's now on Netflix and other OTT platforms seems to suggest that US audiences are open to enjoying original UK series w…

no, they've changed quite a bit, only the first scene is sticking somewhat with the original version. 5 minutes in at least half the dialog has been rewritten. and all the changes are for the worst.

I watched the scene where they first introduce the IT guys and was disappointed to see they cut the finger-licking for some reason.

Re: The IT Crowd US Pilot (2007) [video]

#30

Post by lostlogin »

ShakataGaNai wrote: post #15
quietbritishjim wrote: post #6

That wasn't nearly as atrocious as I was expecting. Partly because the script is almost the same as the UK first episode, of course, but even putting that aside it was OK. Richard Ayoade is still great but also Joel McHale is a pretty decent choice as Roy. Even the actress playing Jen, although a bit annoying, wasn't too bad. And the twist that the boss actually isn't crazy is interesting. Not like the US Red Dwarf p…

I'd be really curious to find out what Richard Ayoade thought of the entire situation. "So you want me to come play the exact same character, saying the exact same lines and doing the exact same things ... but now it's a 'US' version?"

The guy is a legend. Travel Man is excellent and a great format. Rewatched during lockdown and completely recommend.
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