Animation Source Forums

The latest example being, the Life on Mars debate.

As you may or may not know, Life on Mars was a very sucessful BBC TV series that ran for two seasons between January 2006 and March 2007. It was a ratings hit over here in the UK and also gained worldwide popularity, particually in the United Staes when it aired on BBC America. It was so successful that it spawned a new spin-off series named Ashes to Ashes. It was announced much to my distress during the last few episodes of Life on Mars that the American TV network called ABC had bought the rights to produce their own version of the show using the same premise as it's UK counterpart.

Incase you don't know Life on Mars, here's some background information...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_on_Mars_(TV_series)

Earlier this year ABC produced a 60 minute pilot episode. However the pilot ran into numerous problems when showed to Television executives. But this now unaired pilot episode which was supposed to be kept a secret from the public has now leaked onto the web and has caused quite a stir amongst British fans of the original show and critics alike. An example of which can be veiwed here...

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/tv/2008/06/ ... _befo.html

The link to the pilot can be found here...

http://www.surfthechannel.com/info/tele ... ?aid=97459

This may seemed like ramblings, but I do have a point. Has American TV completely run out of ideas now that they have to start doing their own versions of British shows?

To name a few...

The Office
Queer as Folk
Coupling
Men Behaving Badly
Cold Feet
The Weakest Link

Have all been atempted by the Yanks but the majority of which have either failed miserably or have been mildly successful but have completely missed the original concepts of their British conterparts. It seems now that Top Gear is no longer safe.

Why can't they leave our shows alone? Why can't they just enjoy what we offer them?

We don't make a mess of their hit shows like CSI, Star Trek, Bones or even Ugly Betty (although exactly why Ugly Betty is a success is beyond me).

Is this going to be whats on offer now from accross the pond?

Really, I didnt know some of these shows even came from the uk originally. although many many other shows are a complete failure that have nothing to do with uk shows and completely are US originals, we do have many other shows that are huge may i bring up American Idol? a high rated US show that now has like over 32 different versions in other countries

There is also going to be an American version of Top Gear , which really annoys me. I find Top Gear to be a true British show as its been around since the early eighties ( I think) Not only America but Australia and Germany are doing versions of these shows. How many more do they want to rip off?!

Not to mention Fawlty Towers - at least two attempts were made to try and 'Americanize' this classic British comedy series. Ugh, what's next, an American Doctor Who?