WHEN COMEDY GOES BAD...OR REMADE IN THE USA
Classic British comedy was funny because the writers had a great flair for the English language, coupled with great timing and had the use of some of the best comedic actors in the World. I mean, who else could have pulled off the insane antics of Basil Fawlty other than John Cleese?
When these classics are remade for the American audience, most of them fail miserably. Why is this? Is it because there is little use of irony or sarcasm in the US (aside from electing Trump as President that is), or is it due to the change in the language to make it more suitable for a different culture of audience. Either way, this quiz (if you have managed to read this far without moving swiftly to the questions) is all about US remakes of classic British comedy shows. QUESTIONS 1. There have been three attempts: Chateu Snavely, Amanda’s and Payne, in the US to remake which classic UK comedy? 2. Robert Llewellyn appeared as which character in the pilot of a US remake of Red Dwarf? 3. Miranda, starring Miranda Hart has had a US makeover and renamed, Call Me Kat, but what sort of business does Kat run instead of a joke shop? 4. Which English actor appeared in both US and UK versions of ‘The IT Crowd’? 5. Which Ricky Gervais comedy saw Steve Carrel take over the main character duties in the US version? 6. Which US TV channel ran its version of The Inbetweeners in 2012 which was cancelled after just one series? 7. Beane’s of Boston was an American attempt to show life in an old fashioned department store based on which 70’s UK classic? 8. Not a comedy unless you count Bradley Walsh’s laughing and jokes, but The Chase has been exported to the USA and uses only one chaser from the UK version. Who is it? 9. Us and Them was a US remake of which James Corden and Ruth Jones production? 10. The Minister of Devine was a remake of which comedy created by Richard Curtiss of a character based on Joy Carroll? ................................................ANSWERS BELOW.............................. .................................................................. ......................................... ..................... ANSWERS 1. There have been three attempts: Chateu Snavely, Amanda’s and Payne, in the US to remake which classic UK comedy? FAWLTY TOWERS 2. Robert Llewellyn appeared as which character in the pilot of a US remake of Red Dwarf? KRYTEN 3. Miranda, starring Miranda Hart has had a US makeover and renamed, Call Me Kat, but what sort of business does Kat run instead of a joke shop? CAT CAFE 4. Which English actor appeared in both US and UK versions of ‘The IT Crowd’? RICHARD AYOADE 5. Which Ricky Gervais comedy saw Steve Carrel take over the main character duties in the US version? THE OFFICE 6. Which US TV channel ran its version of The Inbetweeners in 2012 which was cancelled after just one series? MTV 7. Beane’s of Boston was an American attempt to show life in an old fashioned department store based on which 70’s UK classic? ARE YOU BEING SERVED 8. Not a comedy unless you count Bradley Walsh’s laughing and jokes, but The Chase has been exported to the USA and uses only one chaser from the UK version. Who is it? MARK LABBETT, a.k.a. THE BEAST 9. Us and Them was a US remake of which James Corden and Ruth Jones production? GAVIN AND STACEY 10. The Minister of Devine was a remake of which comedy created by Richard Curtiss of a character based on Joy Carroll? THE VICAR OF DIBLEY If you liked this quiz why not check out the Daily Quiz Questions Facebook page or contact us by email with your thoughts |
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