I thought I'd put a thread on with a critical analysis comparing the two, because a lot of people here have posted their opinions on both the Australian and the American versions of the show, but haven't really backed up their thoughts beyond "it sucks" or "it rocks".
I have been a fan of many of the cast members for close to 20 years, and have followed their careers a fair bit. I used to watch Jane Turner and Magda Szubanski on D-Generation in the 80s, and then when they joined Gina Riley and the rest of the Fast Forward team in 1989. Glenn Robbins and Peter Rowsthorn were a great source of inspiration to me as a teenage performer in the late 80s on The Comedy Company. I also studied drama at Rusden, where Jane and Peter learnt their craft. I am now a high school media and drama teacher, so part of my job is to get kids to think critically about media products beyond "it sucks".
So here's my summation of the show. When I first heard last year that there was to be an American Kath & Kim I did think it wouldn't work, simply because of the nature and purpose of the show. The characters, as we know, were created as a cultural response to outer eastern middle class Melbourne bogans, predominantly to portray an exaggerated viewpoint of the types of people you do see around the Berwick/Narre Warren/Fountain Gate area (the suburb name 'Fountain Lakes' is in fact a merging of Fountain Gate and Patterson Lakes, also in the outer east of Melbourne). Now, note the key word, here - exaggerated. Many of us in Australia find the show funny because we know people like them, but they are still an exaggerated caricature of the eastern suburbs try-hard trendy bogan, which is a unique to suburban Australia. The language, the kitsch, the muffin-tops, the bad fashion, the McMansion, it would be hard to expect jokes surrounding these issues to translate. In fact I find it hilarious when friends of my parents didn't find the show funny at all because in my mind they are the very people Kath and Kim are laughing at - we joke in my family the reason they don't find it funny is because they see is as a documentary!
The show itself also started on the ABC, a government run network which doesn't necessarily rely on ratings for revenue and can therefore afford to experiment and not go the mainstream route the commercial networks often take to attract as bigger audience as possible for the all-important advertising revenue. There is no advertising on the ABC, it's funded by the Australian government, in much the same way as the BBC in the UK are. So therefore shows are often produced to attract a more niche market. Kath and Kim was an avenue for Jane and Gina to make a full length episodes of the characters originally created for sketch comedy several years beforehand, without additional pressure of making the show "sellable", and they could also pick and choose many of their friends to be a part of the show as well, such as Marg Downey, Tony Martin etc to play bit parts. Now, these people are not actors, they are mostly comedy performers. There is a big difference. As it turned out the show had a massive appeal, bigger I think than Jane and Gina were expecting. The show has now transferred to Channel 7, where the commercial network can invest more money into the show as it has an established support base with its viewers.
In summary, therefore, it is a send up of an aspect of Australian culture, and as has been mentioned before, a chance for Australians to laugh at their own culture that they have created. It is not intended as anything else. So to ask for it to be able to translate overseas would be silly. Because the humour would be lost.
NBC doesn't have the luxury of the ABC of being able to produce programs for a niche market - they are a huge commercial network which must rely on advertising for revenue. There is a hell of a lot more at stake in America than in Australia because we are talking huge population differences - America has a population of around 300 million people - we have 20 million people. Content on American TV is predominantly locally produced, whereas content in Australia has perhaps 20% locally produced, the rest imported, mostly from America. There is a lot more pressure in America for shows to fire, simply because of the money it needs to invest to not only produce the shows, but to market them to as big an audience it can attract, because ratings is what makes or breaks a show there. So the American Kath and Kim had to appeal to a much larger audience from the outset than the Australian one. It can't afford to go for the niche market. It therefore couldn't afford to take unnecessary risks, or try to break any molds.
And I think that that is where the show fails.
There is a difference in the way the two countries are able to critically evaluate their own cultures. Australia has become expert at it over the last 20 or so years because it has had to compete with overseas influences, particularly from America, in TV content. We're able to dissimilate what is uniquely Australian and what is coming in from overseas. Only recently in shows like Arrested Development and 30 Rock have we seen Americans laughing at their own culture. Someone mentioned on one of the other threads that while it may be true Americans don't get our sense of humour, the same could be said in reverse. That person didn't realise though that because of the massive percentage of American culture on our screens, not to mention cinema and music, we do get American sense of humour. And in comparison, I find the Australian humour to be sharper and more satirical.
I read in an interview somewhere that Molly Shannon mentioned that one thing they attempted to do to the American version of the show which they didn't do in the Australian one is to "get to the emotional core of the characters." That simple quote had me shaking my head, because it told me that they just don't get it. The characters are shallow because they have no emotional core. They are exaggerated caricatures.
Kim's character failed because she is too whiney Kim is meant to be more scathing in her self-centredness. The Brett character (which for some reason has been changed to Craig) failed because he is represented as being this cool dude when in actual fact he lacks personality and confidence and is domineered by Kim. Kim also fails by the very noticeable lack of a Sharon character. I'm really wary about how Sharon can be replaced by a gay guy character without resorting to stereotyping. In fact the thought horrifies me.
Kath's character failed because she is portrayed as pretentious - in Australia, she's not that at all, she's just the way she is without pretense. She's the ultimate tryhard who isn't really trying, if that makes sense! The Kel character (which is called Phil in the American one) fails because he isn't sleazy enough. He's made too trendy, in fact why is he running a sandwich shop instead of being a 'perveyer of fine meats'?
In fact I think that's it, come to think of it, they're made too trendy, when in fact the nature of the show is that they are tragically daggy while thinking they're trendy. They're unworldly and quite unattractive.
What are other people's views? Do you agree, or do you have a fresh perspective?
Full Version: Negative Opinions
Hi dgen_fan,
You hit it on the head! Kath & Kim fans who are expecting purveyurs-of-fine-yumor are going to be very disappointed with anyone's attempt to reproduce it. Kath & Kim is the only TV show that I've seen where the "writing" is so very clever. Anyone who has not seen the real Kath & Kim need to see episodes 1 thru 3 (I wouldn't recommend season 4 when they changed to format of the show). Anyhow, "to each his own" and if NBC still wants to keep calling this show "Kath & Kim" then they better get Sharon in there and start reproducing how the characters are supposed to interact with each other. Otherwise, call it something else. NBC knows that Kath & Kim fans aren't going to dig this, it's too dumbed-down. But that's how giant corporations want us to be... "really dumb". -Sandy Freckle
You hit it on the head! Kath & Kim fans who are expecting purveyurs-of-fine-yumor are going to be very disappointed with anyone's attempt to reproduce it. Kath & Kim is the only TV show that I've seen where the "writing" is so very clever. Anyone who has not seen the real Kath & Kim need to see episodes 1 thru 3 (I wouldn't recommend season 4 when they changed to format of the show). Anyhow, "to each his own" and if NBC still wants to keep calling this show "Kath & Kim" then they better get Sharon in there and start reproducing how the characters are supposed to interact with each other. Otherwise, call it something else. NBC knows that Kath & Kim fans aren't going to dig this, it's too dumbed-down. But that's how giant corporations want us to be... "really dumb". -Sandy Freckle
QUOTE (dgen_fan @ Oct 17 2008, 09:50 PM) 
I thought I'd put a thread on with a critical analysis comparing the two, because a lot of people here have posted their opinions on both the Australian and the American versions of the show, but haven't really backed up their thoughts beyond "it sucks" or "it rocks".
I have been a fan of many of the cast members for close to 20 years, and have followed their careers a fair bit. I used to watch Jane Turner and Magda Szubanski on D-Generation in the 80s, and then when they joined Gina Riley and the rest of the Fast Forward team in 1989. Glenn Robbins and Peter Rowsthorn were a great source of inspiration to me as a teenage performer in the late 80s on The Comedy Company. I also studied drama at Rusden, where Jane and Peter learnt their craft. I am now a high school media and drama teacher, so part of my job is to get kids to think critically about media products beyond "it sucks".
So here's my summation of the show. When I first heard last year that there was to be an American Kath & Kim I did think it wouldn't work, simply because of the nature and purpose of the show. The characters, as we know, were created as a cultural response to outer eastern middle class Melbourne bogans, predominantly to portray an exaggerated viewpoint of the types of people you do see around the Berwick/Narre Warren/Fountain Gate area (the suburb name 'Fountain Lakes' is in fact a merging of Fountain Gate and Patterson Lakes, also in the outer east of Melbourne). Now, note the key word, here - exaggerated. Many of us in Australia find the show funny because we know people like them, but they are still an exaggerated caricature of the eastern suburbs try-hard trendy bogan, which is a unique to suburban Australia. The language, the kitsch, the muffin-tops, the bad fashion, the McMansion, it would be hard to expect jokes surrounding these issues to translate. In fact I find it hilarious when friends of my parents didn't find the show funny at all because in my mind they are the very people Kath and Kim are laughing at - we joke in my family the reason they don't find it funny is because they see is as a documentary!
The show itself also started on the ABC, a government run network which doesn't necessarily rely on ratings for revenue and can therefore afford to experiment and not go the mainstream route the commercial networks often take to attract as bigger audience as possible for the all-important advertising revenue. There is no advertising on the ABC, it's funded by the Australian government, in much the same way as the BBC in the UK are. So therefore shows are often produced to attract a more niche market. Kath and Kim was an avenue for Jane and Gina to make a full length episodes of the characters originally created for sketch comedy several years beforehand, without additional pressure of making the show "sellable", and they could also pick and choose many of their friends to be a part of the show as well, such as Marg Downey, Tony Martin etc to play bit parts. Now, these people are not actors, they are mostly comedy performers. There is a big difference. As it turned out the show had a massive appeal, bigger I think than Jane and Gina were expecting. The show has now transferred to Channel 7, where the commercial network can invest more money into the show as it has an established support base with its viewers.
In summary, therefore, it is a send up of an aspect of Australian culture, and as has been mentioned before, a chance for Australians to laugh at their own culture that they have created. It is not intended as anything else. So to ask for it to be able to translate overseas would be silly. Because the humour would be lost.
NBC doesn't have the luxury of the ABC of being able to produce programs for a niche market - they are a huge commercial network which must rely on advertising for revenue. There is a hell of a lot more at stake in America than in Australia because we are talking huge population differences - America has a population of around 300 million people - we have 20 million people. Content on American TV is predominantly locally produced, whereas content in Australia has perhaps 20% locally produced, the rest imported, mostly from America. There is a lot more pressure in America for shows to fire, simply because of the money it needs to invest to not only produce the shows, but to market them to as big an audience it can attract, because ratings is what makes or breaks a show there. So the American Kath and Kim had to appeal to a much larger audience from the outset than the Australian one. It can't afford to go for the niche market. It therefore couldn't afford to take unnecessary risks, or try to break any molds.
And I think that that is where the show fails.
There is a difference in the way the two countries are able to critically evaluate their own cultures. Australia has become expert at it over the last 20 or so years because it has had to compete with overseas influences, particularly from America, in TV content. We're able to dissimilate what is uniquely Australian and what is coming in from overseas. Only recently in shows like Arrested Development and 30 Rock have we seen Americans laughing at their own culture. Someone mentioned on one of the other threads that while it may be true Americans don't get our sense of humour, the same could be said in reverse. That person didn't realise though that because of the massive percentage of American culture on our screens, not to mention cinema and music, we do get American sense of humour. And in comparison, I find the Australian humour to be sharper and more satirical.
I read in an interview somewhere that Molly Shannon mentioned that one thing they attempted to do to the American version of the show which they didn't do in the Australian one is to "get to the emotional core of the characters." That simple quote had me shaking my head, because it told me that they just don't get it. The characters are shallow because they have no emotional core. They are exaggerated caricatures.
Kim's character failed because she is too whiney Kim is meant to be more scathing in her self-centredness. The Brett character (which for some reason has been changed to Craig) failed because he is represented as being this cool dude when in actual fact he lacks personality and confidence and is domineered by Kim. Kim also fails by the very noticeable lack of a Sharon character. I'm really wary about how Sharon can be replaced by a gay guy character without resorting to stereotyping. In fact the thought horrifies me.
Kath's character failed because she is portrayed as pretentious - in Australia, she's not that at all, she's just the way she is without pretense. She's the ultimate tryhard who isn't really trying, if that makes sense! The Kel character (which is called Phil in the American one) fails because he isn't sleazy enough. He's made too trendy, in fact why is he running a sandwich shop instead of being a 'perveyer of fine meats'?
In fact I think that's it, come to think of it, they're made too trendy, when in fact the nature of the show is that they are tragically daggy while thinking they're trendy. They're unworldly and quite unattractive.
What are other people's views? Do you agree, or do you have a fresh perspective?
I have been a fan of many of the cast members for close to 20 years, and have followed their careers a fair bit. I used to watch Jane Turner and Magda Szubanski on D-Generation in the 80s, and then when they joined Gina Riley and the rest of the Fast Forward team in 1989. Glenn Robbins and Peter Rowsthorn were a great source of inspiration to me as a teenage performer in the late 80s on The Comedy Company. I also studied drama at Rusden, where Jane and Peter learnt their craft. I am now a high school media and drama teacher, so part of my job is to get kids to think critically about media products beyond "it sucks".
So here's my summation of the show. When I first heard last year that there was to be an American Kath & Kim I did think it wouldn't work, simply because of the nature and purpose of the show. The characters, as we know, were created as a cultural response to outer eastern middle class Melbourne bogans, predominantly to portray an exaggerated viewpoint of the types of people you do see around the Berwick/Narre Warren/Fountain Gate area (the suburb name 'Fountain Lakes' is in fact a merging of Fountain Gate and Patterson Lakes, also in the outer east of Melbourne). Now, note the key word, here - exaggerated. Many of us in Australia find the show funny because we know people like them, but they are still an exaggerated caricature of the eastern suburbs try-hard trendy bogan, which is a unique to suburban Australia. The language, the kitsch, the muffin-tops, the bad fashion, the McMansion, it would be hard to expect jokes surrounding these issues to translate. In fact I find it hilarious when friends of my parents didn't find the show funny at all because in my mind they are the very people Kath and Kim are laughing at - we joke in my family the reason they don't find it funny is because they see is as a documentary!
The show itself also started on the ABC, a government run network which doesn't necessarily rely on ratings for revenue and can therefore afford to experiment and not go the mainstream route the commercial networks often take to attract as bigger audience as possible for the all-important advertising revenue. There is no advertising on the ABC, it's funded by the Australian government, in much the same way as the BBC in the UK are. So therefore shows are often produced to attract a more niche market. Kath and Kim was an avenue for Jane and Gina to make a full length episodes of the characters originally created for sketch comedy several years beforehand, without additional pressure of making the show "sellable", and they could also pick and choose many of their friends to be a part of the show as well, such as Marg Downey, Tony Martin etc to play bit parts. Now, these people are not actors, they are mostly comedy performers. There is a big difference. As it turned out the show had a massive appeal, bigger I think than Jane and Gina were expecting. The show has now transferred to Channel 7, where the commercial network can invest more money into the show as it has an established support base with its viewers.
In summary, therefore, it is a send up of an aspect of Australian culture, and as has been mentioned before, a chance for Australians to laugh at their own culture that they have created. It is not intended as anything else. So to ask for it to be able to translate overseas would be silly. Because the humour would be lost.
NBC doesn't have the luxury of the ABC of being able to produce programs for a niche market - they are a huge commercial network which must rely on advertising for revenue. There is a hell of a lot more at stake in America than in Australia because we are talking huge population differences - America has a population of around 300 million people - we have 20 million people. Content on American TV is predominantly locally produced, whereas content in Australia has perhaps 20% locally produced, the rest imported, mostly from America. There is a lot more pressure in America for shows to fire, simply because of the money it needs to invest to not only produce the shows, but to market them to as big an audience it can attract, because ratings is what makes or breaks a show there. So the American Kath and Kim had to appeal to a much larger audience from the outset than the Australian one. It can't afford to go for the niche market. It therefore couldn't afford to take unnecessary risks, or try to break any molds.
And I think that that is where the show fails.
There is a difference in the way the two countries are able to critically evaluate their own cultures. Australia has become expert at it over the last 20 or so years because it has had to compete with overseas influences, particularly from America, in TV content. We're able to dissimilate what is uniquely Australian and what is coming in from overseas. Only recently in shows like Arrested Development and 30 Rock have we seen Americans laughing at their own culture. Someone mentioned on one of the other threads that while it may be true Americans don't get our sense of humour, the same could be said in reverse. That person didn't realise though that because of the massive percentage of American culture on our screens, not to mention cinema and music, we do get American sense of humour. And in comparison, I find the Australian humour to be sharper and more satirical.
I read in an interview somewhere that Molly Shannon mentioned that one thing they attempted to do to the American version of the show which they didn't do in the Australian one is to "get to the emotional core of the characters." That simple quote had me shaking my head, because it told me that they just don't get it. The characters are shallow because they have no emotional core. They are exaggerated caricatures.
Kim's character failed because she is too whiney Kim is meant to be more scathing in her self-centredness. The Brett character (which for some reason has been changed to Craig) failed because he is represented as being this cool dude when in actual fact he lacks personality and confidence and is domineered by Kim. Kim also fails by the very noticeable lack of a Sharon character. I'm really wary about how Sharon can be replaced by a gay guy character without resorting to stereotyping. In fact the thought horrifies me.
Kath's character failed because she is portrayed as pretentious - in Australia, she's not that at all, she's just the way she is without pretense. She's the ultimate tryhard who isn't really trying, if that makes sense! The Kel character (which is called Phil in the American one) fails because he isn't sleazy enough. He's made too trendy, in fact why is he running a sandwich shop instead of being a 'perveyer of fine meats'?
In fact I think that's it, come to think of it, they're made too trendy, when in fact the nature of the show is that they are tragically daggy while thinking they're trendy. They're unworldly and quite unattractive.
What are other people's views? Do you agree, or do you have a fresh perspective?
I just thought of something else!!!
Further to what I was saying about the unattractiveness of the characters in the Australian one, it's a bit like with The Young Ones, the characters were created as unattractive as possible (not just physically but personality wise) so that the audience doesn't need to relate to them in order to get them. You're not meant to like them as people. So that when they do stupid things, you laugh more because you think they're an idiot.
Which gets back to the point of Molly Shannon's comment about getting to the emotional core of the characters. That is the clue here which tells me the American producers of the show don't get it, because to get to the emotional core means relating to the character and having empathy for them. The opposite of what is intended. The characters are too likeable atm, they're physically attractive which they're not meant to be and they're not over the top enough.
Perhaps if the producers and the writers considered this, the show may work.
Further to what I was saying about the unattractiveness of the characters in the Australian one, it's a bit like with The Young Ones, the characters were created as unattractive as possible (not just physically but personality wise) so that the audience doesn't need to relate to them in order to get them. You're not meant to like them as people. So that when they do stupid things, you laugh more because you think they're an idiot.
Which gets back to the point of Molly Shannon's comment about getting to the emotional core of the characters. That is the clue here which tells me the American producers of the show don't get it, because to get to the emotional core means relating to the character and having empathy for them. The opposite of what is intended. The characters are too likeable atm, they're physically attractive which they're not meant to be and they're not over the top enough.
Perhaps if the producers and the writers considered this, the show may work.
Oh, and get Molly and Selma out making appearances as their characters, not as themselves, to promote the show. That's one thing the cast in Australia have done very well, hence this example of Kath and Kel on Dancing With the Stars at the start of last year.
That's right, the show has already been axed.
Australians, Channel 7 do listen, it would appear. The ratings for the second episode were far lower than they were for the first episode, and apparently Channel 7 were flooded with complaints about the American series. So they acted, by axing the American series in favour of repeating Series 1 of the Australian.
I'm kinda speechless, really.
Australians, Channel 7 do listen, it would appear. The ratings for the second episode were far lower than they were for the first episode, and apparently Channel 7 were flooded with complaints about the American series. So they acted, by axing the American series in favour of repeating Series 1 of the Australian.
I'm kinda speechless, really.
Thought some of you may be interested in what the media over here has had to say about the American series:
Channel Seven Dumps US Kath & Kim - Daily Telegraph
US Kath & Kim 'Worse than Vegemite' - News.com.au
Kath & Kim - The American Series - The Sydney Morning Herald
Critics savage America's Kath & Kim - Melbourne Herald Sun
Lack of foxy morons as US takes on Kath & Kim - The Age, Melbourne
Kath & Kim US 'just effluent' - Adelaide Now
US Kath & Kim - the worse show ever? - LiveNews.com.au
Channel Seven Dumps US Kath & Kim - Daily Telegraph
US Kath & Kim 'Worse than Vegemite' - News.com.au
Kath & Kim - The American Series - The Sydney Morning Herald
Critics savage America's Kath & Kim - Melbourne Herald Sun
Lack of foxy morons as US takes on Kath & Kim - The Age, Melbourne
Kath & Kim US 'just effluent' - Adelaide Now
US Kath & Kim - the worse show ever? - LiveNews.com.au
I hope, NBC promptly cancels the American Kath & Kim and gets that show off the schedule right away. I am surprised that this show was ever approved for production, or at least, for broadcast.
The show got cancelled because the American season missed our Australian one badly it was not funny at all ours was so much better to tell you the truth I watched some of the first episode and I turned it off after the starting it was awful
1. Kim should be fat and ugly
2. They should speak weird not like Americans
3. It's not funny its like an awful soap operah
1. Kim should be fat and ugly
2. They should speak weird not like Americans
3. It's not funny its like an awful soap operah
QUOTE (Australian_Critic @ Oct 23 2008, 12:34 AM)
The show got cancelled because the American season missed our Australian one badly it was not funny at all ours was so much better to tell you the truth I watched some of the first episode and I turned it off after the starting it was awful
1. Kim should be fat and ugly
2. They should speak weird not like Americans
3. It's not funny its like an awful soap operah
1. Kim should be fat and ugly
2. They should speak weird not like Americans
3. It's not funny its like an awful soap operah
soap opera
Offensive statement.
I've just learned that another Australian show is going to be remade in America.
So first America bodges Thank God You're Here, then Kath and Kim, and now The Gruen Transfer is facing a similar fate.
Quick message to the American producers - remakes don't work, not when they're remakes of shows made in countries that specialise in satire and irony, two ingredients constantly absent in American comedy shows. Of all the remakes done in America, ask yourselves why all except two have failed (the two I'm referring to of course is The Office and Ugly Betty).
Please leave them alone. Please.
So first America bodges Thank God You're Here, then Kath and Kim, and now The Gruen Transfer is facing a similar fate.
Quick message to the American producers - remakes don't work, not when they're remakes of shows made in countries that specialise in satire and irony, two ingredients constantly absent in American comedy shows. Of all the remakes done in America, ask yourselves why all except two have failed (the two I'm referring to of course is The Office and Ugly Betty).
Please leave them alone. Please.
QUOTE (dgen_fan @ Oct 25 2008, 08:23 PM)
I've just learned that another Australian show is going to be remade in America.
So first America bodges Thank God You're Here, then Kath and Kim, and now The Gruen Transfer is facing a similar fate.
Quick message to the American producers - remakes don't work, not when they're remakes of shows made in countries that specialise in satire and irony, two ingredients constantly absent in American comedy shows. Of all the remakes done in America, ask yourselves why all except two have failed (the two I'm referring to of course is The Office and Ugly Betty).
Please leave them alone. Please.
So first America bodges Thank God You're Here, then Kath and Kim, and now The Gruen Transfer is facing a similar fate.
Quick message to the American producers - remakes don't work, not when they're remakes of shows made in countries that specialise in satire and irony, two ingredients constantly absent in American comedy shows. Of all the remakes done in America, ask yourselves why all except two have failed (the two I'm referring to of course is The Office and Ugly Betty).
Please leave them alone. Please.
yep, leave anything australian alone please.
I'm not just talking Australian, I'm talking any country's shows. In fact more than anything the remake of the English shows in recent years that have failed has been astronomical. Red Dwarf, The Young Ones, Absolutely Fabulous, Couplings, Life on Mars, etc etc have all failed. The Australian ones are only recent, but still, they've failed (The Australian Thank God You're Here, for example, lasted 3 series and will go to a 4th next year, the American lasted only a handful of episodes - given the structure of the show, how on earth could it fail? Lo and behold, America found a way)
Absolutely Fabulous is an intriguing one. A remake was attempted 10 years ago. It flopped. So what's the recourse? Try it again. Why bother, when there is already a failed attempt on the record?
America makes great shows. But the remakes are appalling. Come up with original ideas is all countries like UK and Australia are asking, and really, so should American audiences.
Absolutely Fabulous is an intriguing one. A remake was attempted 10 years ago. It flopped. So what's the recourse? Try it again. Why bother, when there is already a failed attempt on the record?
America makes great shows. But the remakes are appalling. Come up with original ideas is all countries like UK and Australia are asking, and really, so should American audiences.
QUOTE (dgen_fan @ Oct 27 2008, 03:58 PM)
I'm not just talking Australian, I'm talking any country's shows. In fact more than anything the remake of the English shows in recent years that have failed has been astronomical. Red Dwarf, The Young Ones, Absolutely Fabulous, Couplings, Life on Mars, etc etc have all failed. The Australian ones are only recent, but still, they've failed (The Australian Thank God You're Here, for example, lasted 3 series and will go to a 4th next year, the American lasted only a handful of episodes - given the structure of the show, how on earth could it fail? Lo and behold, America found a way)
Absolutely Fabulous is an intriguing one. A remake was attempted 10 years ago. It flopped. So what's the recourse? Try it again. Why bother, when there is already a failed attempt on the record?
America makes great shows. But the remakes are appalling. Come up with original ideas is all countries like UK and Australia are asking, and really, so should American audiences.
Absolutely Fabulous is an intriguing one. A remake was attempted 10 years ago. It flopped. So what's the recourse? Try it again. Why bother, when there is already a failed attempt on the record?
America makes great shows. But the remakes are appalling. Come up with original ideas is all countries like UK and Australia are asking, and really, so should American audiences.
i concur dgen_fan.
I was just thinking why Kath & Kim is struggling and realised that the original cast of Jane Turner and Gina Riley had spent years developing their characters before putting them into a series.
Unfortunately for the US version, the actors don't seem sure how far to push the characters nor have they found that chemistry required to pull the comedy off.
The producers need to work on finding ways to make the US cast find a way for audiences to love and loathe them so much they cant wait for next weeks episode.
Unfortunately for the US version, the actors don't seem sure how far to push the characters nor have they found that chemistry required to pull the comedy off.
The producers need to work on finding ways to make the US cast find a way for audiences to love and loathe them so much they cant wait for next weeks episode.
Very true, in fact the Australian Kath & Kim had a very similar start in that sense to what Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French did in so far as developing Absolutely Fabulous, which grew from a sketch they wrote for French and Saunders. Jane Turner and Gina Riley, along with Magda Szubanski, started the characters out initially in a sketch comedy program called Something Stupid all the way back in 1994, something like 8 years before the first series of Kath and Kim was made. But not only that, unlike the American series, the Australians not only starred in the show, but wrote all the episodes and produced the show, full artistic control. They were essentially writing for themselves as comedy performers playing comedy characters. Rather than getting in actors to play characters created for them.
I just need to chime in here and say after 1 and half episodes...I couldn't take it anymore and I change the station. It's such a bad show. Ive seen bits of the orginal and it's just ain't right is it.
NBC, please have the good sense in canceling the "Kath & Kim" show.
It is not funny, Molly Shannon and Selma Blair are horrible at these roles and the only reason it's been getting ANY ratings is because it's been riding on the coattails of "My Name is Earl".
It's not brain surgery to figure out that this show was placed in between "My Name is Earl" and "The Office" for ratings because people leave their tv's on and walk away while waiting for the next GOOD show.
NBC had a great lineup for Thursday nights and then they throw this disaster into the mix. Molly Shannon should be embarrassed for herself, or perhaps has no shame. Selma Blair should be used to it since it's the same personality/character she plays in every movie. No doubt her career is going down the toilet.
John Michael Higgins is the only worthy actor in this pile of crud, but he alone can't carry this show with all the BAD acting, BAD writing and BAD comedy.
PLEASE CANCEL THIS SHOW... !!!
It is not funny, Molly Shannon and Selma Blair are horrible at these roles and the only reason it's been getting ANY ratings is because it's been riding on the coattails of "My Name is Earl".
It's not brain surgery to figure out that this show was placed in between "My Name is Earl" and "The Office" for ratings because people leave their tv's on and walk away while waiting for the next GOOD show.
NBC had a great lineup for Thursday nights and then they throw this disaster into the mix. Molly Shannon should be embarrassed for herself, or perhaps has no shame. Selma Blair should be used to it since it's the same personality/character she plays in every movie. No doubt her career is going down the toilet.
John Michael Higgins is the only worthy actor in this pile of crud, but he alone can't carry this show with all the BAD acting, BAD writing and BAD comedy.
PLEASE CANCEL THIS SHOW... !!!
2nd that....this show is not remotely watchable
seriously? 
you actually need the show canceled because it's that hard to change the channel between My Name Is Earl and The Office?
you actually need the show canceled because it's that hard to change the channel between My Name Is Earl and The Office?
QUOTE (bprd @ Jan 9 2009, 12:48 PM)
seriously?
you actually need the show canceled because it's that hard to change the channel between My Name Is Earl and The Office?
you actually need the show canceled because it's that hard to change the channel between My Name Is Earl and The Office?
I really needed this laugh....thank you bp
Chazee, can you make me a favor?
This newbie, User428, have only one post, like OTHER who blame this show, and i start to think the person who wrote this flames post ARE ONLY ONE.
Can you check the ip please?
One computer, one person, one troll -___-
This newbie, User428, have only one post, like OTHER who blame this show, and i start to think the person who wrote this flames post ARE ONLY ONE.
Can you check the ip please?
One computer, one person, one troll -___-
QUOTE (chazee @ Jan 9 2009, 01:47 PM)
I really needed this laugh....thank you bp my pleasure...
about 95% of the shows on tv right now are worthless. they don't appeal to me, so guess what?
i don't watch them!
i don't demand that those shows be canceled just because i think they're lame. i just simply turn the channel.
without a DVR i couldn't watch much tv anyways. i really only have enough time to follow a couple of shows. Kath & Kim and The Office are the only shows that i care about right now on the big three networks. the other shows i watch are on cable channels or HBO & Showtime.
You know what, I CAN change the channel. And I know, this is the same point people argued with Howard Stern when he was on public radio, if you didn't like him you had a choice not to listen.
My point, for all you brilliant people with all the answers is that this show has no redeeming qualities. It sucks. I'm tired of changing the channel and then missing the first few minutes of "The Office". The acting is bad, the comedy is severely lacking and the show just overall stinks. NBC should get rid of it and bump "The Office" to this timeslot, or just replace "Kath & Kim" with some real quality comedy. Before this show, NBC had such a great lineup for Thursday nights, and then Molly Shannon and Selma Blair ruined it.
For those other users on this thread who think it's so great, you're probably the same group that thinks "Legally Blonde" is a "quality movie". Grow up, this show sucks. You think it's funny, go back to watching Nickelodeon.
And please, I'm quite computer saavy, as well. I don't need to be intimidated by people finding out my IP address. Ooooooh ! What am I going to do?
This is also why I never post on forums, because most people who participate in them are blind and ignorant.
P.S. - FNC, nice grammar. "Can you make me a favor?", and "the person who wrote this flames post ARE ONLY ONE". Didn't get much on the education level, did you... ? That's why you're watching this show.
My point, for all you brilliant people with all the answers is that this show has no redeeming qualities. It sucks. I'm tired of changing the channel and then missing the first few minutes of "The Office". The acting is bad, the comedy is severely lacking and the show just overall stinks. NBC should get rid of it and bump "The Office" to this timeslot, or just replace "Kath & Kim" with some real quality comedy. Before this show, NBC had such a great lineup for Thursday nights, and then Molly Shannon and Selma Blair ruined it.
For those other users on this thread who think it's so great, you're probably the same group that thinks "Legally Blonde" is a "quality movie". Grow up, this show sucks. You think it's funny, go back to watching Nickelodeon.
And please, I'm quite computer saavy, as well. I don't need to be intimidated by people finding out my IP address. Ooooooh ! What am I going to do?
This is also why I never post on forums, because most people who participate in them are blind and ignorant.
P.S. - FNC, nice grammar. "Can you make me a favor?", and "the person who wrote this flames post ARE ONLY ONE". Didn't get much on the education level, did you... ? That's why you're watching this show.
Has someone got the latest ratings figures for this show? Because I'd have to say, if the show does continue with poor ratings, as was indicated on the forum before Christmas, it's not going to last long. Networks like NBC couldn't give two hoots if a show is quality, only if they rate well, because it's ratings that bring in the revenue. Hell, if they thought about quality, they wouldn't insult their watchers with strings of those goddawful reality shows!
It would make sense if what User428 is say, that if a poor performing show is wedged between two high performing shows it will falsely inflate the ratings, as some people are inherently lazy creatures. But let's be honest, this show has had more negative reviews than positive. It's ordinary to the worse degree. I've only seen a handful of episodes, never laughed once, yet the Australian series has me in fits of laughter. Surely that's saying something. As is the fact that the Australian show here has entered into pre production for a fifth series, while the American series is struggling with its first.
What's also saying something is the comparison of the American series to Legally Blonde, whereas the Australian series often is compared to Absolutely Fabulous. Again, saying something much. The show is crap. I feel sorry there are some people out there who have to endure it, and that clearly NBC aren't listening to anyone. There is a reason the American series lasted only 2 episodes here in Australia before it was axed. It's because Channel 7 were savvy enough to know people hated it. And yet those same viewers were much happier when repeats of the Australian series were shown in subsequent weeks in that slot.
I may well have been skeptical of a remake long before it was shown, but there is good reason for it. American TV producers fail time and time again with remakes. And the list of failed remakes is growing, simply because the American producers fail to understand the original premise of the show. Sure, The Office was successful, but I find that show hard to watch, as the original premise is still lost in translation. And certainly this is the case with Kath and Kim, where NO attempt whatsoever was made to find that original premise and original intent. It should well have been left alone. I fail time and time again why American TV producer feel the need to insult the American public by assuming they can't handle watching shows that don't have American accents. The Australian series has got a cult following from screenings on the Sundance channel so their assumption that Americans won't understand the Australian show has no basis whatsoever.
Lastly, FNC, why do you say people who don't like the show are flamers? Flamers are people who come on to make personal attacks against members of the board. User428 hasn't done that, they've just come in stating their dislike for the show, which in a country sprouting the rights of freedom of speech, I find it odd you'd try to gag them and attempt to intimidate them by comments like "Can you check the IP please?" You have no evidence that people coming in here "flaming" (odd choice of word) is the same person, and there's nothing you can do with their IP address anyway. *******EDIT******I hate the show. Do your worse to me. Oh, that's right, you can't
It would make sense if what User428 is say, that if a poor performing show is wedged between two high performing shows it will falsely inflate the ratings, as some people are inherently lazy creatures. But let's be honest, this show has had more negative reviews than positive. It's ordinary to the worse degree. I've only seen a handful of episodes, never laughed once, yet the Australian series has me in fits of laughter. Surely that's saying something. As is the fact that the Australian show here has entered into pre production for a fifth series, while the American series is struggling with its first.
What's also saying something is the comparison of the American series to Legally Blonde, whereas the Australian series often is compared to Absolutely Fabulous. Again, saying something much. The show is crap. I feel sorry there are some people out there who have to endure it, and that clearly NBC aren't listening to anyone. There is a reason the American series lasted only 2 episodes here in Australia before it was axed. It's because Channel 7 were savvy enough to know people hated it. And yet those same viewers were much happier when repeats of the Australian series were shown in subsequent weeks in that slot.
I may well have been skeptical of a remake long before it was shown, but there is good reason for it. American TV producers fail time and time again with remakes. And the list of failed remakes is growing, simply because the American producers fail to understand the original premise of the show. Sure, The Office was successful, but I find that show hard to watch, as the original premise is still lost in translation. And certainly this is the case with Kath and Kim, where NO attempt whatsoever was made to find that original premise and original intent. It should well have been left alone. I fail time and time again why American TV producer feel the need to insult the American public by assuming they can't handle watching shows that don't have American accents. The Australian series has got a cult following from screenings on the Sundance channel so their assumption that Americans won't understand the Australian show has no basis whatsoever.
Lastly, FNC, why do you say people who don't like the show are flamers? Flamers are people who come on to make personal attacks against members of the board. User428 hasn't done that, they've just come in stating their dislike for the show, which in a country sprouting the rights of freedom of speech, I find it odd you'd try to gag them and attempt to intimidate them by comments like "Can you check the IP please?" You have no evidence that people coming in here "flaming" (odd choice of word) is the same person, and there's nothing you can do with their IP address anyway. *******EDIT******I hate the show. Do your worse to me. Oh, that's right, you can't
QUOTE (User428 @ Jan 10 2009, 02:01 PM)
You know what, I CAN change the channel. And I know, this is the same point people argued with Howard Stern when he was on public radio, if you didn't like him you had a choice not to listen.
My point, for all you brilliant people with all the answers is that this show has no redeeming qualities. It sucks. I'm tired of changing the channel and then missing the first few minutes of "The Office". The acting is bad, the comedy is severely lacking and the show just overall stinks. NBC should get rid of it and bump "The Office" to this timeslot, or just replace "Kath & Kim" with some real quality comedy. Before this show, NBC had such a great lineup for Thursday nights, and then Molly Shannon and Selma Blair ruined it.
For those other users on this thread who think it's so great, you're probably the same group that thinks "Legally Blonde" is a "quality movie". Grow up, this show sucks. You think it's funny, go back to watching Nickelodeon.
And please, I'm quite computer saavy, as well. I don't need to be intimidated by people finding out my IP address. Ooooooh ! What am I going to do?
This is also why I never post on forums, because most people who participate in them are blind and ignorant.
P.S. - FNC, nice grammar. "Can you make me a favor?", and "the person who wrote this flames post ARE ONLY ONE". Didn't get much on the education level, did you... ? That's why you're watching this show.
My point, for all you brilliant people with all the answers is that this show has no redeeming qualities. It sucks. I'm tired of changing the channel and then missing the first few minutes of "The Office". The acting is bad, the comedy is severely lacking and the show just overall stinks. NBC should get rid of it and bump "The Office" to this timeslot, or just replace "Kath & Kim" with some real quality comedy. Before this show, NBC had such a great lineup for Thursday nights, and then Molly Shannon and Selma Blair ruined it.
For those other users on this thread who think it's so great, you're probably the same group that thinks "Legally Blonde" is a "quality movie". Grow up, this show sucks. You think it's funny, go back to watching Nickelodeon.
And please, I'm quite computer saavy, as well. I don't need to be intimidated by people finding out my IP address. Ooooooh ! What am I going to do?
This is also why I never post on forums, because most people who participate in them are blind and ignorant.
P.S. - FNC, nice grammar. "Can you make me a favor?", and "the person who wrote this flames post ARE ONLY ONE". Didn't get much on the education level, did you... ? That's why you're watching this show.
first off, Legally Blonde is not why i became a selma blair fan. maybe Cruel Intentions and the Hellboy movies are the only movies you recognize her from...
second, i'm pretty sure that i'm older than you...the last time i cared about Nickelodeon, "You Can't Do That On Television" was still on...
third, i don't care if you post negative comments, just as long as you aren't stuffing the board with multiple fake users. post all you want under 'User428'...
fourth, FNC is Italian, and living in Rome. let's see you post here in your best Italian. go ahead, give it a try.
then we'll ask him how well you did with your grammer.
apparently My Name Is Earl is for the Mensa crowd...
last but not least, you should invest in a DVR. you can record The Office and not miss the first couple of seconds because of Kath & Kim. Any network that has a new show would be smart to wedge it between two successful shows. it's just business. despite the negative reviews, people are watching. as long as that is happening, the show will stay on the air.
so think about the DVR option...
QUOTE (dgen_fan @ Jan 10 2009, 06:12 PM)
"flaming" (odd choice of word) is the same person, and there's nothing you can do with their IP address anyway. ****EDIT***and I hate the show. Do your worse to me. Oh, that's right, you can't
again, FNC is Italian. his english isn't that great, as i'm guessing your italian is not.
i don't think he means it in a homophobic way what-so-ever. it's probably slang for something else.
gosh dgen_fan, i thought you were a guy this whole time! even when you said you kissed eric bana!
i think FNC was more worried about someone flooding the board with multiple fake user names.
that's why he asked about the IP address, not to try and ban them from the forum.
i guess now i can try and look you up on IMDB
i like the show. i would rather chat with people who like the show obviously, but i don't mind that you are here protecting your aussie version. i'm wondering though...if at some point this show actully takes off on it's own, will you continue to bash it here at this forum?
i know that you don't believe that it could possibly last on the air, but if it does, will you accept it? i mean you don't even live here. if the americans end up liking the series despite the reviews, can you live with it? or let it go?
Well then. In response to your sad defense...
I am well familiar with Selma Blair's work, (sadly), not just "Cruel Intentions" or "Hellboy", "the only movies I recognize her from", you say. Didn't she also do some movie with Jason Lee... ? And some other dumb one with Cameron Diaz... ? Yeah, she was horrible in those, too.
I don't care what your age is. I remember "You Can't Do That on Television", as well, so don't try to play "I'm the wiser, older one", with me. I feel sorry for you that you like this un-funny show and that you are indeed a grown adult.
You obviously do care about negative comments on this board because this is, "your show". I didn't realize you were assigned the job of the Forum Police and out patrolling and making sure everyone is in line. God forbid someone else agreed with me, no, it must be just me posting more than once. Now I'm afraid that you'll report User428 to the Board Patrol and I'll get kicked off or get my topic deleted. A topic that I started and exercised my free speech, whether to like or dislike something. Isn't that what these boards are for... ?? Open discussion... ??!
I don't know who FNC is, nor do I care. Nor am I going onto an italian board and posting topics there. Why would I... ? Now you're just being silly. And as for "My Name Is Earl", it too is falling kind of short of what their first seasons were, but still has some redeeming value. Oh God, Did I dare say something negative about "My Name Is Earl"... ? Heaven forgive me.
I'm not investing in a DVR, I shouldn't have to. Can't you just understand that this is a crappy show with lousy reviews, no redeeming value and as I stated in my first posting is solely riding off the coattails of "My Name Is Earl"... ? No, of course you wouldn't understand that, you're too smart for us, with your "Kath & Kim" sense of humor.
So now I'm done attacking you because you're not worth my time. The reason I posted was because I dislike this show. I have a right to. I also have a right to say it and post my opinion, just as you do. Not police what I say, just accept it.
And for the record, I dislike this show so much, that it made me sign up an account just so I could post that I didn't like it and hope it got cancelled. So there.
I hope you're proud of yourself. Pat yourself on the back.
End of conversation. Bye ! Bye !
I am well familiar with Selma Blair's work, (sadly), not just "Cruel Intentions" or "Hellboy", "the only movies I recognize her from", you say. Didn't she also do some movie with Jason Lee... ? And some other dumb one with Cameron Diaz... ? Yeah, she was horrible in those, too.
I don't care what your age is. I remember "You Can't Do That on Television", as well, so don't try to play "I'm the wiser, older one", with me. I feel sorry for you that you like this un-funny show and that you are indeed a grown adult.
You obviously do care about negative comments on this board because this is, "your show". I didn't realize you were assigned the job of the Forum Police and out patrolling and making sure everyone is in line. God forbid someone else agreed with me, no, it must be just me posting more than once. Now I'm afraid that you'll report User428 to the Board Patrol and I'll get kicked off or get my topic deleted. A topic that I started and exercised my free speech, whether to like or dislike something. Isn't that what these boards are for... ?? Open discussion... ??!
I don't know who FNC is, nor do I care. Nor am I going onto an italian board and posting topics there. Why would I... ? Now you're just being silly. And as for "My Name Is Earl", it too is falling kind of short of what their first seasons were, but still has some redeeming value. Oh God, Did I dare say something negative about "My Name Is Earl"... ? Heaven forgive me.
I'm not investing in a DVR, I shouldn't have to. Can't you just understand that this is a crappy show with lousy reviews, no redeeming value and as I stated in my first posting is solely riding off the coattails of "My Name Is Earl"... ? No, of course you wouldn't understand that, you're too smart for us, with your "Kath & Kim" sense of humor.
So now I'm done attacking you because you're not worth my time. The reason I posted was because I dislike this show. I have a right to. I also have a right to say it and post my opinion, just as you do. Not police what I say, just accept it.
And for the record, I dislike this show so much, that it made me sign up an account just so I could post that I didn't like it and hope it got cancelled. So there.
I hope you're proud of yourself. Pat yourself on the back.
End of conversation. Bye ! Bye !
QUOTE (User428 @ Jan 11 2009, 12:37 AM)
Well then. In response to your sad defense...
I am well familiar with Selma Blair's work, (sadly), not just "Cruel Intentions" or "Hellboy", "the only movies I recognize her from", you say. Didn't she also do some movie with Jason Lee... ? And some other dumb one with Cameron Diaz... ? Yeah, she was horrible in those, too.
I don't care what your age is. I remember "You Can't Do That on Television", as well, so don't try to play "I'm the wiser, older one", with me. I feel sorry for you that you like this un-funny show and that you are indeed a grown adult.
You obviously do care about negative comments on this board because this is, "your show". I didn't realize you were assigned the job of the Forum Police and out patrolling and making sure everyone is in line. God forbid someone else agreed with me, no, it must be just me posting more than once. Now I'm afraid that you'll report User428 to the Board Patrol and I'll get kicked off or get my topic deleted. A topic that I started and exercised my free speech, whether to like or dislike something. Isn't that what these boards are for... ?? Open discussion... ??!
I don't know who FNC is, nor do I care. Nor am I going onto an italian board and posting topics there. Why would I... ? Now you're just being silly. And as for "My Name Is Earl", it too is falling kind of short of what their first seasons were, but still has some redeeming value. Oh God, Did I dare say something negative about "My Name Is Earl"... ? Heaven forgive me.
I'm not investing in a DVR, I shouldn't have to. Can't you just understand that this is a crappy show with lousy reviews, no redeeming value and as I stated in my first posting is solely riding off the coattails of "My Name Is Earl"... ? No, of course you wouldn't understand that, you're too smart for us, with your "Kath & Kim" sense of humor.
So now I'm done attacking you because you're not worth my time. The reason I posted was because I dislike this show. I have a right to. I also have a right to say it and post my opinion, just as you do. Not police what I say, just accept it.
And for the record, I dislike this show so much, that it made me sign up an account just so I could post that I didn't like it and hope it got cancelled. So there.
I hope you're proud of yourself. Pat yourself on the back.
End of conversation. Bye ! Bye !
I am well familiar with Selma Blair's work, (sadly), not just "Cruel Intentions" or "Hellboy", "the only movies I recognize her from", you say. Didn't she also do some movie with Jason Lee... ? And some other dumb one with Cameron Diaz... ? Yeah, she was horrible in those, too.
I don't care what your age is. I remember "You Can't Do That on Television", as well, so don't try to play "I'm the wiser, older one", with me. I feel sorry for you that you like this un-funny show and that you are indeed a grown adult.
You obviously do care about negative comments on this board because this is, "your show". I didn't realize you were assigned the job of the Forum Police and out patrolling and making sure everyone is in line. God forbid someone else agreed with me, no, it must be just me posting more than once. Now I'm afraid that you'll report User428 to the Board Patrol and I'll get kicked off or get my topic deleted. A topic that I started and exercised my free speech, whether to like or dislike something. Isn't that what these boards are for... ?? Open discussion... ??!
I don't know who FNC is, nor do I care. Nor am I going onto an italian board and posting topics there. Why would I... ? Now you're just being silly. And as for "My Name Is Earl", it too is falling kind of short of what their first seasons were, but still has some redeeming value. Oh God, Did I dare say something negative about "My Name Is Earl"... ? Heaven forgive me.
I'm not investing in a DVR, I shouldn't have to. Can't you just understand that this is a crappy show with lousy reviews, no redeeming value and as I stated in my first posting is solely riding off the coattails of "My Name Is Earl"... ? No, of course you wouldn't understand that, you're too smart for us, with your "Kath & Kim" sense of humor.
So now I'm done attacking you because you're not worth my time. The reason I posted was because I dislike this show. I have a right to. I also have a right to say it and post my opinion, just as you do. Not police what I say, just accept it.
And for the record, I dislike this show so much, that it made me sign up an account just so I could post that I didn't like it and hope it got cancelled. So there.
I hope you're proud of yourself. Pat yourself on the back.
End of conversation. Bye ! Bye !
is this guy for real??
*yawn*
QUOTE (bprd @ Jan 11 2009, 01:35 AM)
is this guy for real??
*yawn*
*yawn*
how witty. that's the best selma blair impression I've heard. not very hard to pull off.
QUOTE (bprd @ Jan 11 2009, 12:03 AM)
again, FNC is Italian. his english isn't that great, as i'm guessing your italian is not.
i don't think he means it in a homophobic way what-so-ever. it's probably slang for something else.
i don't think he means it in a homophobic way what-so-ever. it's probably slang for something else.
Where did I question FNC's handle of English? Flame wars, as I mentioned earlier, is when someone comes on and attacks another person. As I'm rather confused as to where I've accused FNC of being homophobic, which has nothing to do with flaming, I'm guess English speaking people have trouble understanding its meaning as well.
QUOTE
i think FNC was more worried about someone flooding the board with multiple fake user names.
that's why he asked about the IP address, not to try and ban them from the forum.
that's why he asked about the IP address, not to try and ban them from the forum.
Again, I would question where is the evidence. Believe me when I say that there are more people who hate this show than like it, given the numerous negative reviews and lack of decent ratings.
QUOTE
i guess now i can try and look you up on IMDB
Hehe, go for it
QUOTE
i like the show. i would rather chat with people who like the show obviously, but i don't mind that you are here protecting your aussie version. i'm wondering though...if at some point this show actully takes off on it's own, will you continue to bash it here at this forum?
i know that you don't believe that it could possibly last on the air, but if it does, will you accept it? i mean you don't even live here. if the americans end up liking the series despite the reviews, can you live with it? or let it go?
i know that you don't believe that it could possibly last on the air, but if it does, will you accept it? i mean you don't even live here. if the americans end up liking the series despite the reviews, can you live with it? or let it go?
As long as American TV producers continue with their ridiculous practice of remaking successful foreign shows without a basic level of understanding of that show's premise, yes, I will object. I have objected to every remake of comedy and drama show that NBC/CBS/ABC have attempted over the last 20 years, and I find it, as a fan of the originals, highly objectionable. As an American who doesn't get a chance to see the original, better version of the shows, you should too. We watch foreign shows, many of my favourite shows are actually British comedies. Only about 10% of our television content is locally produced, and 80% is American. What percentage of American television is foreign? I'd estimate very little.
And by this article, it would appear the show is unlikely to make it to a second series anyway....
QUOTE (dgen_fan @ Jan 11 2009, 02:16 AM)
Where did I question FNC's handle of English? Flame wars, as I mentioned earlier, is when someone comes on and attacks another person. As I'm rather confused as to where I've accused FNC of being homophobic, which has nothing to do with flaming, I'm guess English speaking people have trouble understanding its meaning as well.
Again, I would question where is the evidence. Believe me when I say that there are more people who hate this show than like it, given the numerous negative reviews and lack of decent ratings.
Hehe, go for it
As long as American TV producers continue with their ridiculous practice of remaking successful foreign shows without a basic level of understanding of that show's premise, yes, I will object. I have objected to every remake of comedy and drama show that NBC/CBS/ABC have attempted over the last 20 years, and I find it, as a fan of the originals, highly objectionable. As an American who doesn't get a chance to see the original, better version of the shows, you should too. We watch foreign shows, many of my favourite shows are actually British comedies. Only about 10% of our television content is locally produced, and 80% is American. What percentage of American television is foreign? I'd estimate very little.
And by this article, it would appear the show is unlikely to make it to a second series anyway....
Again, I would question where is the evidence. Believe me when I say that there are more people who hate this show than like it, given the numerous negative reviews and lack of decent ratings.
Hehe, go for it
As long as American TV producers continue with their ridiculous practice of remaking successful foreign shows without a basic level of understanding of that show's premise, yes, I will object. I have objected to every remake of comedy and drama show that NBC/CBS/ABC have attempted over the last 20 years, and I find it, as a fan of the originals, highly objectionable. As an American who doesn't get a chance to see the original, better version of the shows, you should too. We watch foreign shows, many of my favourite shows are actually British comedies. Only about 10% of our television content is locally produced, and 80% is American. What percentage of American television is foreign? I'd estimate very little.
And by this article, it would appear the show is unlikely to make it to a second series anyway....
i guess you can't tell the tone of my "voice" when reading my reply.
i'm not arguing with you.
you said you were an actress, i'm curious to read about that in a good way on IMDB.
i think you are an extremely defensive person. i don't believe i've accused you of anything.
i know what flame wars are. i thought you were questioning his words like the other User was.
the evidence that people are still watching this show is that it's still on the air.
if they pull the show, i guess we'll know enough people stopped watching it.
QUOTE (User428 @ Jan 11 2009, 01:20 AM)
how witty. that's the best selma blair impression I've heard. not very hard to pull off.
you're still here??
i thought it was "bye bye end of conversation"?
i must be worth your time?
QUOTE (bprd @ Jan 11 2009, 09:34 AM)
i guess you can't tell the tone of my "voice" when reading my reply.
i'm not arguing with you.
you said you were an actress, i'm curious to read about that in a good way on IMDB.
i think you are an extremely defensive person. i don't believe i've accused you of anything.
i know what flame wars are. i thought you were questioning his words like the other User was.
the evidence that people are still watching this show is that it's still on the air.
if they pull the show, i guess we'll know enough people stopped watching it.
i'm not arguing with you.
you said you were an actress, i'm curious to read about that in a good way on IMDB.
i think you are an extremely defensive person. i don't believe i've accused you of anything.
i know what flame wars are. i thought you were questioning his words like the other User was.
the evidence that people are still watching this show is that it's still on the air.
if they pull the show, i guess we'll know enough people stopped watching it.
degen_fan,
as you know, we can't edit our posts here...
before you reply to this post, i ask that you check you email. i sent you a PM.
thanks,
Guys please back on topicQUOTE (bprd @ Jan 10 2009, 11:35 PM)
fourth, FNC is Italian, and living in Rome. let's see you post here in your best Italian. go ahead, give it a try.
then we'll ask him how well you did with your grammer.
then we'll ask him how well you did with your grammer.
Grazie cara Jen
QUOTE (bprd @ Jan 11 2009, 12:16 PM)
degen_fan,
as you know, we can't edit our posts here...
before you reply to this post, i ask that you check you email. i sent you a PM.
thanks,
jen
as you know, we can't edit our posts here...
before you reply to this post, i ask that you check you email. i sent you a PM.
thanks,
jen
PM read and replied, many thanks,
and for the record, yes, that is my real name!!!
I will have to say this I dont watch Kath and kim. But listing to everyone on this forum is funny. But I dont like 30 min. shows.
Flame on everyone!
Anyway, saw the thread title and had to chime in myself. Please, NBC, for the love of all you hold dear, cancel this show. And then shred the recordings, burn the shredded bits, then have the ashes sent up with a shuttle mission and get one of the astronauts to use a slingshot or something to launch it towards the sun. This show is horrible.
I had no idea it was yet another show swiped from another country. I'll have to check out the Australian version.
And here's a thought: Instead of attempting to "adapt" for US television, why not just syndicate the originals here? Is there some logical reason why this hasn't been attempted?
Anyway, saw the thread title and had to chime in myself. Please, NBC, for the love of all you hold dear, cancel this show. And then shred the recordings, burn the shredded bits, then have the ashes sent up with a shuttle mission and get one of the astronauts to use a slingshot or something to launch it towards the sun. This show is horrible.
I had no idea it was yet another show swiped from another country. I'll have to check out the Australian version.
And here's a thought: Instead of attempting to "adapt" for US television, why not just syndicate the originals here? Is there some logical reason why this hasn't been attempted?
QUOTE (MisanthropicOne @ Jan 27 2009, 04:05 AM)
And here's a thought: Instead of attempting to "adapt" for US television, why not just syndicate the originals here? Is there some logical reason why this hasn't been attempted?
yep, if you're an american...watch the original and you'll see why.
it was attempted. not in primetime though. it ran on the sundance channel for awhile.
QUOTE (bprd @ Jan 27 2009, 06:59 PM)
yep, if you're an american...watch the original and you'll see why.
bprd, I hope you don't mind me saying, but that makes no sense whatsoever.. are you suggesting it's bad because it's not American??? Or that American's won't understand the intent of the Australian show? If it's the latter, I think the number of Americans who have come on the board to say they preferred the Australian one would disagree with you on that.
QUOTE
it was attempted. not in primetime though. it ran on the sundance channel for awhile.
From my understanding, Sundance is a small channel not accessible to everyone in America. Certainly not providing the kind of exposure such as a network like NBC anyway. So no, you can't say that the Australian Kath and Kim has been attempted. And from the reports I've read, the Sundance screenings attracted quite a cult following from the Americans who have seen it. So if you look in terms of the audience it has raised, the Sundance screenings were in fact successful.
It does strike me as odd that it is presumed American audiences won't understand a non-American program, when it clearly isn't the case. And if I was an American, I would find the attitudes of networks like NBC quite insulting at the mere suggestion that I would only understand the intent of overseas-produced content.
And I note my question above still remains unanswered
QUOTE (dgen_fan @ Jan 28 2009, 07:12 AM)
bprd, I hope you don't mind me saying, but that makes no sense whatsoever.. are you suggesting it's bad because it's not American??? Or that American's won't understand the intent of the Australian show? If it's the latter, I think the number of Americans who have come on the board to say they preferred the Australian one would disagree with you on that
i said it was NOT attempted in primetime.
you're right. the sundance channel is small, and it's not a free channel like NBC.
what i meant about being american is...there are many americans who would not find the aussie version funny at all. there are americans who do find it funny, BUT those americans would understand why it would be hard for them to run the original version here. i'm sorry degan_fan, it's just my opinion, but i don't think the aussie version would do any better here than the US version is doing regardless of it's following else where.
i know you don't like what they are doing with the show here, but the original is not written with our audience in mind. i guess that doesn't mean it can't be funny, it's just a lot of people wouldn't care about it.
which question is not answered?
QUOTE (dgen_fan @ Jan 28 2009, 07:12 AM)
And I note my question above still remains unanswered
are you talking about why the rest of the world is forced to watch so much american televison and we as americans get very little imported tv??
i have my feelings about that but i won't post them here.
i can send you my explanation in a PM if you'd like...
QUOTE (bprd @ Jan 28 2009, 10:06 PM)
i know you don't like what they are doing with the show here, but the original is not written with our audience in mind. i guess that doesn't mean it can't be funny, it's just a lot of people wouldn't care about it.
Well, the Australian show has been a hit in every country it has been shown prime time in, including the UK. I fail to understand why America would be any different, unless Americans are so insular to only watch shows with American accents.
Which gets to the question I have asked on numerous occasions but never received an answer, which I'll ask again, since you so politely asked
It was, what percentage of content on American television would you estimate is locally produced and what is overseas content? I wasn't really wanting to go into what, as i have my own thoughts to that! But by all means, PM me your perspective as to why (although i think it would be an interesting discussion to have on the forum), I'm just at this stage wanting to know the what!
Ok, I choked down this show for the second time now. I really, really need someone to explain it to me. This show does not even approach being interesting? The main characters are all just stuck-up idiots?
That worked great on "Arrested Development" but A.D. had Jason Bateman as the straight-man for the humour. This show just seems to be a room full of annoying people and its really killing my thursday nights. Maybe its just me, but this show seems to be more suited for the "Ugly Betty" crowd (which I also can't stand) and its really out of place between My Name is Earl and the Office.
That worked great on "Arrested Development" but A.D. had Jason Bateman as the straight-man for the humour. This show just seems to be a room full of annoying people and its really killing my thursday nights. Maybe its just me, but this show seems to be more suited for the "Ugly Betty" crowd (which I also can't stand) and its really out of place between My Name is Earl and the Office.
Since this show is by far one of the worst pieces of garbage my wife and I have watched we needed to find something to fill in between my name is Earl and The Office. We found that show last night in "how I met your mother". Up until this season our TV never left the NBC channel but as NBC puts more garbage on we are finding other shows to watch. They led us to 2 and a half men as well this season. Wow have we been missing out. We are down to two shows on NBC now.....
MHO.......last episode was terribly painful to watch. I will again say, this program really need different screenwriters. 
Sadden to say that there are at least 4 more episodes left to watch.....I will be stunned if this program makes it to another season. If it does, NBC, please get new writers!!
Sadden to say that there are at least 4 more episodes left to watch.....I will be stunned if this program makes it to another season. If it does, NBC, please get new writers!!
QUOTE (chazee @ Feb 7 2009, 02:26 PM)
MHO.......last episode was terribly painful to watch. I will again say, this program really need different screenwriters.
Sadden to say that there are at least 4 more episodes left to watch.....I will be stunned if this program makes it to another season. If it does, NBC, please get new writers!!
Sadden to say that there are at least 4 more episodes left to watch.....I will be stunned if this program makes it to another season. If it does, NBC, please get new writers!!
it's too bad they can't write their own pieces like the aussies do.
i think the cast is more than capable, especially molly and selma. molly wrote all of her own stuff for SNL, and selma is a great writer herself. i think JMH is a genius, and have no doubt that he could hold his own.
What stuff has Selma written?
This show sucks. Glad to hear it is being canceled to make room for something I might actually watch. Nice work on the petition, 23 signatures should really swing the decision
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