The Prisoner : Please america?
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Re: Please america?
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"The U.S ( America is a continent which includes, North ,Central and South America )"
In point of fact, the Americas consist of two continents ie., North America and South America. The region commonly referenced as "central America" is a part of the North American continent. If you're going to issue condescending geography asides, you might first wish to familiarize yourself with the continents.
With that said, "America" is what people tend to call this nation where I reside, perhaps due to the fact that of all the American nation-states, we're the only one that employs the term "America" in our formal designation ie., "the United States of America." Mexico calls itself "the United States of Mexico," albeit in Spanish ("Estados Unidos Mexicanos, or something very similar), and not surprisingly, people call it "Mexico."
Gamera is really neat! He is made from turtle meat! We've been eating Gamera!
In point of fact, the Americas consist of two continents ie., North America and South America. The region commonly referenced as "central America" is a part of the North American continent. If you're going to issue condescending geography asides, you might first wish to familiarize yourself with the continents.
With that said, "America" is what people tend to call this nation where I reside, perhaps due to the fact that of all the American nation-states, we're the only one that employs the term "America" in our formal designation ie., "the United States of America." Mexico calls itself "the United States of Mexico," albeit in Spanish ("Estados Unidos Mexicanos, or something very similar), and not surprisingly, people call it "Mexico."
Gamera is really neat! He is made from turtle meat! We've been eating Gamera!
Re: Please america?
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Up against the wall, Limey! Me and all my American friends are here with our guns which we own legally in our country, while your beat cops, which you call "bobbies", only carry clubs. We're here to tell you that we'll do anything we please with your old shows. Didn't you see how we murdered "The Avengers" on the big screen? Hell, we even got Sean Connery to participate. Anything you can do, we can do better. Why? Because we've got more guns, more bombs, more breast implants, and more money to spend on cocaine that you could ever imagine. So suck on that Britain!
"Is this not a reasonable place to park?" - Raoul Duke
Re: Please america?
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Well Patrick McGoohan was an American, born in NY, USA, and he created the series and sold the rights to do the series when he was still alive, "Faulty Towers" was created, and written by John Cleese and Connie Booth and they along with the BBC sold the rights to do the American version of that series.
Norman Lear did buy the rights to several U.K. series but those series were owned by the producers of those series along with the BBC.
"All in the Family" had a very successful eight year run, and was based on the UK series "Till Death Us Do Part" again, the rights sold by the producers which included the BBC.
Since the BBC produces a lot of the series, you should send a letter to them and tell them to stop selling the rights to series they produce, BBC programming is paid for by British citizens who pay taxes to support those programs, and I guess the BBC just sees selling the rights as way to make more money, to produce more programs that are paid for using tax money from British citizens and selling the rights to other productions companies in other countries.
I think when people offer another production company, creator or writer of a series money, most of them sign away the rights because they make royalties on the use of the material every time it airs, both in first run, syndication, and now video, DVD, and internet streaming. If it gets butchered, I don't think these parties care, it's all money in the bank to them.
Movies will make you famous; Television will make you rich; But theatre will make you good.
Norman Lear did buy the rights to several U.K. series but those series were owned by the producers of those series along with the BBC.
"All in the Family" had a very successful eight year run, and was based on the UK series "Till Death Us Do Part" again, the rights sold by the producers which included the BBC.
Since the BBC produces a lot of the series, you should send a letter to them and tell them to stop selling the rights to series they produce, BBC programming is paid for by British citizens who pay taxes to support those programs, and I guess the BBC just sees selling the rights as way to make more money, to produce more programs that are paid for using tax money from British citizens and selling the rights to other productions companies in other countries.
I think when people offer another production company, creator or writer of a series money, most of them sign away the rights because they make royalties on the use of the material every time it airs, both in first run, syndication, and now video, DVD, and internet streaming. If it gets butchered, I don't think these parties care, it's all money in the bank to them.
Movies will make you famous; Television will make you rich; But theatre will make you good.
Re: Please america?
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On 15th November dave_silverman says You didn't list "Till Death Do Us Part," which Norman Lear turned into "All in the Family," which transformed the American sitcom in the 1970's.
And I would argue that any series that had Harvey Keitel running around in white leather shoes, whatever the source, was worth it (and I watched every ep of the American version). Until the last episode, it was worth the ride.
Dave my old son I just did a search on the IMBD under Harvey Keitel & according to the IMDB H.K. was never in an episode of All in the Family nor "Sanford and Son. What series are you referring to where H.K. ran around in white leather shoes?
On 15th November kingwoodbq01 says Up against the wall, Limey! Me and all my American friends are here with our guns which we own legally in our country, while your beat cops, which you call "bobbies", only carry clubs. "
kingwoodbq01 me old cock sparrow the only people who call British coppers bobbies are Americans. The term hasnt been used in Britain since the 1960s. In the 1970s they were referred to as The Filth a far more appropriate term for them. Nowadays some carry tasers & there are armed response units & yes you Americans did make an abortion of the Avengers.
And I would argue that any series that had Harvey Keitel running around in white leather shoes, whatever the source, was worth it (and I watched every ep of the American version). Until the last episode, it was worth the ride.
Dave my old son I just did a search on the IMBD under Harvey Keitel & according to the IMDB H.K. was never in an episode of All in the Family nor "Sanford and Son. What series are you referring to where H.K. ran around in white leather shoes?
On 15th November kingwoodbq01 says Up against the wall, Limey! Me and all my American friends are here with our guns which we own legally in our country, while your beat cops, which you call "bobbies", only carry clubs. "
kingwoodbq01 me old cock sparrow the only people who call British coppers bobbies are Americans. The term hasnt been used in Britain since the 1960s. In the 1970s they were referred to as The Filth a far more appropriate term for them. Nowadays some carry tasers & there are armed response units & yes you Americans did make an abortion of the Avengers.
Re: Please america?
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southwestern71 - "yes you Americans did make an abortion of the Avengers."
I hate to break it to you but the writer of "The Avengers" movie from 1998, Don MacPherson is British, and the director Jeremiah S. Chechik is a North American from Quebec, Canada, and except for Uma Thurman, most of the cast were from the UK, e.g. Sean Connery, Ralph Fiennes, Patrick Macnee the original "John Steed" from the television series, and it was filmed entirely in the UK.
All the Americans did was put up the money to produce the movie.
Movies will make you famous; Television will make you rich; But theatre will make you good.
I hate to break it to you but the writer of "The Avengers" movie from 1998, Don MacPherson is British, and the director Jeremiah S. Chechik is a North American from Quebec, Canada, and except for Uma Thurman, most of the cast were from the UK, e.g. Sean Connery, Ralph Fiennes, Patrick Macnee the original "John Steed" from the television series, and it was filmed entirely in the UK.
All the Americans did was put up the money to produce the movie.
Movies will make you famous; Television will make you rich; But theatre will make you good.
Re: Please america?
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Sentinel is correct, but anyone who knows film knows that writer's and director's only own the film up until the point the finished product is handed over, which happens to be Warner Brothers. At that point, the studio can demand edits, re-writes, re-shoots, and any number of other requests. Do you know what happens if the director and writer refuse? The studio, goes ahead and does so anyway, which is why the Director's Guild allows for any director who no longer what's to be named as such (I would assume in a form of protest) to use the pseudonym "Alan Smithee".
The Avengers was a 150 minute film edited down to a mere 90 minutes by Warner Brothers. Unfortunately, that does make WB / hollywood liable for the finished product. Any time someone says all the production company did was put up the money, they're blatantly ignoring what power and control that company has in the decision making.
However, I would just tune out people who resort to race pointing. I just can't take anything they say seriously after that point.
The Avengers was a 150 minute film edited down to a mere 90 minutes by Warner Brothers. Unfortunately, that does make WB / hollywood liable for the finished product. Any time someone says all the production company did was put up the money, they're blatantly ignoring what power and control that company has in the decision making.
However, I would just tune out people who resort to race pointing. I just can't take anything they say seriously after that point.
Re: Please america?
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Yes a studio can demand a lot of things, when they're the ones who have the most to lose, it's their money. If you have no skin in the game you really don't have anything to lose.
In this case "The Avengers" only had two writers credited with this film, Mr. MacPherson and the original writer of the television series. When a studio demands re-writes all the writers have to be credited on the project.
Where did anyone mention race? there only "THREE" races of humans Negroid, Mongoloid and Caucasoid. Being an American, Canadian or from any other country refers to a person's nationality and there are many different people with diverse ethnic backgrounds, none of which were mentioned. The original poster mentions Please America? America covers Canada, Mexico, The U.S. as well as all the countries in Central and South America.
FYI, Jerry Weintraub Productions, produced "The Avengers" in 1998. I don't know how much influence he makes on his films he produces a lot of different films "Ocean's Eleven" being one as well as the sequel, He also did the "Karate Kid" movies.
Warner Bros. was only the distributor, they were not the company that produced the film people confuse the two. A distributor makes their money from getting the film distributed into the market. They also screened the film and didn't allow any pre-release screenings, which usually indicates a distribution studio thinks the film is bad. The film was also cut from 150 minutes after it tested badly with test screening audiences. Again Warner Bros. bought the rights to distribute, and after viewing the film and getting audience reactions decided to cut the film to get it into distribution. A bad film is still a bad film, and they decided that more people would sit through a bad 90 minute film, than they would a bad 150 minute film.
The producers also don't have anything to do with how the actors act, and the fact that Diana Rigg was sent the script and decided to pass on the film even before it was shot speaks volumes.
The mistake was instead of updating the franchise to fit the times they basically did a satire of "The Avengers" original television series, even
"The New Avengers" from 1976 was an updated version.
I'm not into re-makes, but just about all movies can be compared to some piece of material that has previously been written.
If they had done "The Avengers" in the same vein as "The Bourne Identity", "Ronin" or even the revitalized version of Daniel Craig in the "James Bond" franchise. This was just another attempt to cash in on the let's remake a television series.
Even Patrick Macnee commented on the fact that they put Ralph Fiennes in a bowler hat, he stated it didn't fit with a modernized version of the character.
The owner of the rights is under no obligation to sale those rights to anyone, they can always find backers to produce the material themselves. I don't think Patrick McGoohan was ever interested in doing anything else with "The Prisoner", he told his story and moved onto other projects.
As long as people continue to want things remade or can't live with the fact that television series or movie has run it's course, there will be someone who will make it.
Movies will make you famous; Television will make you rich; But theatre will make you good.
In this case "The Avengers" only had two writers credited with this film, Mr. MacPherson and the original writer of the television series. When a studio demands re-writes all the writers have to be credited on the project.
Where did anyone mention race? there only "THREE" races of humans Negroid, Mongoloid and Caucasoid. Being an American, Canadian or from any other country refers to a person's nationality and there are many different people with diverse ethnic backgrounds, none of which were mentioned. The original poster mentions Please America? America covers Canada, Mexico, The U.S. as well as all the countries in Central and South America.
FYI, Jerry Weintraub Productions, produced "The Avengers" in 1998. I don't know how much influence he makes on his films he produces a lot of different films "Ocean's Eleven" being one as well as the sequel, He also did the "Karate Kid" movies.
Warner Bros. was only the distributor, they were not the company that produced the film people confuse the two. A distributor makes their money from getting the film distributed into the market. They also screened the film and didn't allow any pre-release screenings, which usually indicates a distribution studio thinks the film is bad. The film was also cut from 150 minutes after it tested badly with test screening audiences. Again Warner Bros. bought the rights to distribute, and after viewing the film and getting audience reactions decided to cut the film to get it into distribution. A bad film is still a bad film, and they decided that more people would sit through a bad 90 minute film, than they would a bad 150 minute film.
The producers also don't have anything to do with how the actors act, and the fact that Diana Rigg was sent the script and decided to pass on the film even before it was shot speaks volumes.
The mistake was instead of updating the franchise to fit the times they basically did a satire of "The Avengers" original television series, even
"The New Avengers" from 1976 was an updated version.
I'm not into re-makes, but just about all movies can be compared to some piece of material that has previously been written.
If they had done "The Avengers" in the same vein as "The Bourne Identity", "Ronin" or even the revitalized version of Daniel Craig in the "James Bond" franchise. This was just another attempt to cash in on the let's remake a television series.
Even Patrick Macnee commented on the fact that they put Ralph Fiennes in a bowler hat, he stated it didn't fit with a modernized version of the character.
The owner of the rights is under no obligation to sale those rights to anyone, they can always find backers to produce the material themselves. I don't think Patrick McGoohan was ever interested in doing anything else with "The Prisoner", he told his story and moved onto other projects.
As long as people continue to want things remade or can't live with the fact that television series or movie has run it's course, there will be someone who will make it.
Movies will make you famous; Television will make you rich; But theatre will make you good.
Re: Please america?
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there only "THREE" races of humans Negroid, Mongoloid and Caucasoid.
This is not a nitpick, but considered as a fourth is the Aborigine of Australia. But you are right about the recognized races.
Re: Please america?
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You can nit pick, but I write custom computer programs for various scientific research companies and I have studied genetics, based on aboriginal DNA they're genetic markers still put them in one of those three race categories. Most humans have more in common with each other than they're aware of, unfortunately people like to differentiate themselves by their nationality or ethnicity, you can change your nationality by moving and becoming a citizen somewhere else, you can't change your ethnic background or your DNA, you can mutate DNA, but the base genetic markers will still be there.
DNA from aboriginal native Americans has been linked to Mongoloid DNA strands, Native American mitochondrial DNA analysis indicates that the Amerind and the Nadene populations were founded by two independent migrations, a mitochondrial DNA analysis was conducted on the Amerind and Nadene populations of native American Indians. Detailed restriction pattern analysis revealed four distinct lineages constituting all native American populations. Each lineage could be identified by a particular mutation, which can be used as a genetic marker for these populations. Sequence divergence analysis also showed that the Amerind and the Nadene populations originated from separate founder populations, with the Amerind sequence data revealing an older lineage. The findings also revealed the possibility of a third source of mtDNA in American Indians. Southeast Asian mitochondrial DNA analysis reveals genetic continuity of ancient mongoloid migrations seven East Asian populations were subjected to a detailed mitochonrdial (mt) DNA analysis to determine the interrelationships and ancestry of the human populations in this region. The results showed that all the Southeast Asian populations have common origins, confirming an earlier hypothesis of a southern Mongloid origin of the populations in this region. The oldest population which formed the center of mtDNA radiation is the Southern Chinese population. Relationships were identified between populations from the Malay peninsula, Sabah and Papua New Guinea. Coastal Asians were characterized by a marked frequency cline for the COII/tRNA-Lys intergenic deletion.
With aboriginal Australians having genetic markers linked to Negroids, the mitochondrial D-loop hypervariable segment 1 (mt HVS1) between nucleotides 15997 and 16377 has been examined in aboriginal Australian people from the Darling River region of New South Wales (riverine) and from Yuendumu in central Australia (desert). Forty-seven unique HVS1 types were identified, varying at 49 nucleotide positions. Pairwise analysis by calculation of BEPPI (between population proportion index) reveals statistically significant structure in the populations, although some identical HVS1 types are seen in the two contrasting regions. Comparison with sequences from five published global studies reveals that these Australians demonstrate greatest divergence from some Africans, least from Papua New Guinea highlanders, and only slightly more from some Pacific groups (Indonesian, Asian, Samoan, and coastal Papua New Guinea), although the HVS1 types vary at different nucleotide sites. Construction of a median network, displaying three main groups, suggests that several hypervariable nucleotide sites within the HVS1 are likely to have undergone mutation independently, The distribution of these, requiring extended study, suggests that they may be signatures of different groups of prehistoric colonizers into Australia, for which the time of colonization remains elusive.
Movies will make you famous; Television will make you rich; But theatre will make you good.
DNA from aboriginal native Americans has been linked to Mongoloid DNA strands, Native American mitochondrial DNA analysis indicates that the Amerind and the Nadene populations were founded by two independent migrations, a mitochondrial DNA analysis was conducted on the Amerind and Nadene populations of native American Indians. Detailed restriction pattern analysis revealed four distinct lineages constituting all native American populations. Each lineage could be identified by a particular mutation, which can be used as a genetic marker for these populations. Sequence divergence analysis also showed that the Amerind and the Nadene populations originated from separate founder populations, with the Amerind sequence data revealing an older lineage. The findings also revealed the possibility of a third source of mtDNA in American Indians. Southeast Asian mitochondrial DNA analysis reveals genetic continuity of ancient mongoloid migrations seven East Asian populations were subjected to a detailed mitochonrdial (mt) DNA analysis to determine the interrelationships and ancestry of the human populations in this region. The results showed that all the Southeast Asian populations have common origins, confirming an earlier hypothesis of a southern Mongloid origin of the populations in this region. The oldest population which formed the center of mtDNA radiation is the Southern Chinese population. Relationships were identified between populations from the Malay peninsula, Sabah and Papua New Guinea. Coastal Asians were characterized by a marked frequency cline for the COII/tRNA-Lys intergenic deletion.
With aboriginal Australians having genetic markers linked to Negroids, the mitochondrial D-loop hypervariable segment 1 (mt HVS1) between nucleotides 15997 and 16377 has been examined in aboriginal Australian people from the Darling River region of New South Wales (riverine) and from Yuendumu in central Australia (desert). Forty-seven unique HVS1 types were identified, varying at 49 nucleotide positions. Pairwise analysis by calculation of BEPPI (between population proportion index) reveals statistically significant structure in the populations, although some identical HVS1 types are seen in the two contrasting regions. Comparison with sequences from five published global studies reveals that these Australians demonstrate greatest divergence from some Africans, least from Papua New Guinea highlanders, and only slightly more from some Pacific groups (Indonesian, Asian, Samoan, and coastal Papua New Guinea), although the HVS1 types vary at different nucleotide sites. Construction of a median network, displaying three main groups, suggests that several hypervariable nucleotide sites within the HVS1 are likely to have undergone mutation independently, The distribution of these, requiring extended study, suggests that they may be signatures of different groups of prehistoric colonizers into Australia, for which the time of colonization remains elusive.
Movies will make you famous; Television will make you rich; But theatre will make you good.
Re: Please america?
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As an American living in England all I can say to your statement is well said. The reason Americans in America have more money is that they don't have the NHS but soon will so expect higher taxes and much higher gas prices..
IceHappy
IceHappy
Re: Please america?
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They have more money until they get chronically sick and their health insurance (if they have it) fails to cover their treatment.
It makes sense for Britain to have higher petrol prices, it's a small densely populated country with too many cars.
If that money was spent on a decent public transport system people wouldn't feel the need to have a car for each foot.
There's nothing sillier than a tiny Lego house with five cars in the driveway or people caught in rush hour traffic being passed by casually strolling pedestrians while burning fuel.
It makes sense for Britain to have higher petrol prices, it's a small densely populated country with too many cars.
If that money was spent on a decent public transport system people wouldn't feel the need to have a car for each foot.
There's nothing sillier than a tiny Lego house with five cars in the driveway or people caught in rush hour traffic being passed by casually strolling pedestrians while burning fuel.
Re: Please america?
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Very good:) Makes me laugh My ****ing **s off, how right you are but how about the longest hours worked by the middle and lower class than anywhere in the world and the highest taxes paid paid by them? Don't forget sales tax of what little left over after taxes of 17.5% on everything! Coming to the state near where you live soon. I hope you voted for him. My vote don't count as proven in the first GW election as I don't live in the States. I sure miss the States as there is always a reason to go for a drive to see the beautiful country side where as here is all well you described it best. BTW I live in a detached cottage with 1/2 acre of garden looking at the Channel and if one could survive 200 foot cliff and jump futher than two sets of rail tracks one could swim in the channel. Having said than, this does not compare to the Redwoods, Highway 1, Carmel, Mt. Lassen and Blue Ridge Mountains I can go on and on and on. Yes I miss the States. The money spent here in taxes ends up in the government bosses expenses i.e. One good ole boy spent 10,000 of tax payers money on his mote clean up - if you can imagine that. And when found out he wasn't embarrassed! Most upset that it was even questioned Some ministers here in the UK were paid for housing expenses of homes they did not own or live in! I waited 2 years for surgery on my bad airborne ankle. America you don't want people like the Govenator saying when you can have medicine or surgery but soon that may become a reality like the reality programs that plague both American and English TV's. Thanks for the laugh or statement of reality!!!
IceHappy
IceHappy
Re: Please america?
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For all manner of reasons I can't live in the town I was born in (all my friends and family are there but I can't afford to stay there anymore).
The main reason was Thatcher turning Britain from a country that actually made things and people paid for what they needed out of wages they earned making things.
To a consumer based economy where everything is based on credit (fake money).
The few remaining jobs in the service industries are mostly based around London so people who work there try to move there pushing the price up until vital people (like doctors and teachers have to commute in from nearby towns) the houses in those towns have inflated prices so the local people can't live there any more and they move out.
Eventually the housing market had to crash, leaving all these displaced people and people being slaves to debt.
I've never had a car or a credit card and the only way I've been able to keep a roof over my head is to keep moving further and further away from the people I love and the town of my birth.
The abuse of tax payers money is a crime against the people of not just this country but almost every country in the world.
Party politics is an illusion, you can't vote for any alternative because there aren't any viable alternatives (only lunatic fringe parties claim to offer anything different).
We are all living in a bureaucratic corporate based anarchic system run by robber barons.
If they want to sell more of something they will find a place where workers have no rights and make their products there, sell it to people on credit and then get them to pay with more credit.
Vital services are run as businesses even if they are meant to be in the public sector.
People like Murdoch are allowed a near total monopoly on culture.
Wars are fought for inefficient fuels for pointless transport solutions.
I'm living in a country with a fragmented rail system (because it's too expensive to renationalise the trains) but the banking system has been largely nationalised on a whim.
Even the service industries are being farmed out to the far east.
Soon this country will have nothing to sell, everything to buy and nothing to do but watch itself on CCTV.
The Prisoner was way ahead of it's time, Britain is a test bed for the way the rest of the world seems to be heading.
Be seeing you in the global Village.
The main reason was Thatcher turning Britain from a country that actually made things and people paid for what they needed out of wages they earned making things.
To a consumer based economy where everything is based on credit (fake money).
The few remaining jobs in the service industries are mostly based around London so people who work there try to move there pushing the price up until vital people (like doctors and teachers have to commute in from nearby towns) the houses in those towns have inflated prices so the local people can't live there any more and they move out.
Eventually the housing market had to crash, leaving all these displaced people and people being slaves to debt.
I've never had a car or a credit card and the only way I've been able to keep a roof over my head is to keep moving further and further away from the people I love and the town of my birth.
The abuse of tax payers money is a crime against the people of not just this country but almost every country in the world.
Party politics is an illusion, you can't vote for any alternative because there aren't any viable alternatives (only lunatic fringe parties claim to offer anything different).
We are all living in a bureaucratic corporate based anarchic system run by robber barons.
If they want to sell more of something they will find a place where workers have no rights and make their products there, sell it to people on credit and then get them to pay with more credit.
Vital services are run as businesses even if they are meant to be in the public sector.
People like Murdoch are allowed a near total monopoly on culture.
Wars are fought for inefficient fuels for pointless transport solutions.
I'm living in a country with a fragmented rail system (because it's too expensive to renationalise the trains) but the banking system has been largely nationalised on a whim.
Even the service industries are being farmed out to the far east.
Soon this country will have nothing to sell, everything to buy and nothing to do but watch itself on CCTV.
The Prisoner was way ahead of it's time, Britain is a test bed for the way the rest of the world seems to be heading.
Be seeing you in the global Village.
Re: Please america?
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Amen Brother
I am a Viet Nam era vet who has two honourable discharges and a medal that contains a "V" device for Very *beep* Stupid! I could not return to my native town in Napa California because 1)my fiance ditched me in the first year servicing. 2) 5 minutes in town in dress uniform was spat on (no charges were filed against me but people I was in a fight were cuffed taken away) 3) My job at Safeway (retail clerks in America earn a reasonable Union wage) was denied dispite Congress promised my old job back on the condition of 1 honourable discharge no medals were necessary but with in 6 months of discharge. The Retail Clerks Union promised the same and issued me a military withdrawal card that states the above conditions. Within 6 months (after 6 years airborne rangers Two Honourable discharges in the 82nd Abn one soldier wanted to see the country he protected and friends who left the service before him so I traveled 4 months viewing the fanstastic views of America on two wheels riding through snow and rain storms etc {ETS Oct 8}) I arrived at Safeway in the famous Napa Valley California. Only to be turned away as the mgr said we are fully staffed who would you like me to fire to give you your job back? I asked to look at the seniority list and last one who received the job is sent packing but this is not my concerned but Union and Congress Promise and your managerial problems of sorting out your staff. I was turned away. Carl D****, Vallejo Union Rep for Napa Retail Clerks did not help. I choose to live in Marin County and there was a negitive 2% rental property available so finding affording accommodation was not easy. I moved to Oakland. Got a job in a warehouse. Got all the not so nice jobs. One night a fellow shift mate and I went to Berkley mountains and tripped on some good ole fashion Mushrooms. As we were coming down we had one of those trippy serious conversations and my friend said you are not what I expected and you are a good guy. I asked for an explaination and he said you know Walley our Manager who gives you all those dirty jobs doesn't like you because you are a Viet Nam era Vet and he was a hippy.. I quit that job and went back to University where I was before joining the Army with a low draft number. Why get drafted in the middle of a quarter of a school year - join and get over and done with.. Whilst going to school the Veterans Adminstation screwed with my GI Bill (monthly payments benefits of serving) saying it takes four months to get your records of university in the pay computer (I now know any soldier going to school that drops out (not able to pay your bills is one reason for dropping out of Uni) saves the government money! In Economics I learned that Transfer payments are payments to which no goods or services are rendered for examples of transfer payments, Welfare and Veterans payments, Quoted word for word from Economics 1A book. I joined the Viet Nam Vets Against the War and marched in 6 parades on Vets Day (6 year involvement 1 year for each served). Eventually I left school with a piece of paper which got me a job as an outside rep for a New York Company in California Great life it was wonderful. I then found that I could not get a job based on excellent sales results and track record as my figures were the highest in Californa could not be disputed, with a better company. I went to a headhunter who suggested I removed 6 years of my life off of my CV re the army experience was hurting my advancement. I quit and moved to my wife's home area in Devon England as the English people don't feel one way or the other about vets who served during my era I did start my own business in IT and have sold to the likes of Intel, IBM and other major Blue Chip companies - I did well enough until my disablities caught up with me and the manufacturer I was importing their technology from in America opened a factory with a sales office in Ireland. When one becomes older aches and pains become more of a problem so getting a job with a company was not possible as I would not pass a physical. For 20 years head down working and now medically retired I now know what I have missed - life like I had before moving here the abilitie to travel and camp at beautiful locations for the weekend around America and there are many places. Garlic festivals, pumpkin festivals, harvest festivals and watching people on the street enjoying life. I miss my culture and I thought I would have earned enough to go home but what I earned was mostly taxed away here in the UK. Now I am a man without a culture or a flag all because my feelings were hurt that I thought I did an honourable job and should have received respect rather than spit. Job advancement over the concerns of delayed stress syndrome (ticking time bomb, we don't know when he will explode!) thus for the company good passing over qualified vets. But now today here we are back at the same problems I faced when leaving the army for our young men and women who proudly served. Fighting in a war than nobody wanted and proof for Iraq war are now based on a Bush/Blair lied to the people as no WMD were found or ever will. These soldiers will come home or like me not. I wonder and worry about the respect and job prospects that they will face when they return in both USA and the UK. Oh by the way thanks to Naomi Wolf book "End of America" I now know why I receive extra attention when travelling by air. My tickets bear the "SSSS" which means I am on a no fly list. Read the book or see her movie with the same nam where Naomi explains the book and about public speakers outspoken against the American Government War Machine. Because of my days protesting the "Rich Mans War" See website or google "Viet Nam Vets Against the War" to understand more. I became a spokes person for my local chapter. I was on the news explaining "To Hell with National Honour we won't be used again"! slogan. Now considering what it has cost me for Americans to have a freedom of speech imagine how I feel when in internal area (departure gates) the 2 - 3 hours search I go through as I carry much in hand luggage what people look at me like the custom agents found a terrorist! What is sad after all that? We now have "The Iraq Vets Against the War!" group. History repeats itself. Reason for my marching and outspokeness whilst at Uni? So the younger generation was told what mine was not. I failed. Its cold I miss my culture and I am a man without a flag! Sorry for rambling but I hear what you said and reflected upon my own situation Thought I let you know that it rains on the Good People. If I was injured in a wet cold ditch I would want me to find and help me. I am sure you are like me in that regard as you understand your surroundings Have a better one M8!
BTW we are Prisoners of our own making, Be seeing you! as he circle his thump and forefinger raising the circle formed to his right eye!!!!
IceHappy
I am a Viet Nam era vet who has two honourable discharges and a medal that contains a "V" device for Very *beep* Stupid! I could not return to my native town in Napa California because 1)my fiance ditched me in the first year servicing. 2) 5 minutes in town in dress uniform was spat on (no charges were filed against me but people I was in a fight were cuffed taken away) 3) My job at Safeway (retail clerks in America earn a reasonable Union wage) was denied dispite Congress promised my old job back on the condition of 1 honourable discharge no medals were necessary but with in 6 months of discharge. The Retail Clerks Union promised the same and issued me a military withdrawal card that states the above conditions. Within 6 months (after 6 years airborne rangers Two Honourable discharges in the 82nd Abn one soldier wanted to see the country he protected and friends who left the service before him so I traveled 4 months viewing the fanstastic views of America on two wheels riding through snow and rain storms etc {ETS Oct 8}) I arrived at Safeway in the famous Napa Valley California. Only to be turned away as the mgr said we are fully staffed who would you like me to fire to give you your job back? I asked to look at the seniority list and last one who received the job is sent packing but this is not my concerned but Union and Congress Promise and your managerial problems of sorting out your staff. I was turned away. Carl D****, Vallejo Union Rep for Napa Retail Clerks did not help. I choose to live in Marin County and there was a negitive 2% rental property available so finding affording accommodation was not easy. I moved to Oakland. Got a job in a warehouse. Got all the not so nice jobs. One night a fellow shift mate and I went to Berkley mountains and tripped on some good ole fashion Mushrooms. As we were coming down we had one of those trippy serious conversations and my friend said you are not what I expected and you are a good guy. I asked for an explaination and he said you know Walley our Manager who gives you all those dirty jobs doesn't like you because you are a Viet Nam era Vet and he was a hippy.. I quit that job and went back to University where I was before joining the Army with a low draft number. Why get drafted in the middle of a quarter of a school year - join and get over and done with.. Whilst going to school the Veterans Adminstation screwed with my GI Bill (monthly payments benefits of serving) saying it takes four months to get your records of university in the pay computer (I now know any soldier going to school that drops out (not able to pay your bills is one reason for dropping out of Uni) saves the government money! In Economics I learned that Transfer payments are payments to which no goods or services are rendered for examples of transfer payments, Welfare and Veterans payments, Quoted word for word from Economics 1A book. I joined the Viet Nam Vets Against the War and marched in 6 parades on Vets Day (6 year involvement 1 year for each served). Eventually I left school with a piece of paper which got me a job as an outside rep for a New York Company in California Great life it was wonderful. I then found that I could not get a job based on excellent sales results and track record as my figures were the highest in Californa could not be disputed, with a better company. I went to a headhunter who suggested I removed 6 years of my life off of my CV re the army experience was hurting my advancement. I quit and moved to my wife's home area in Devon England as the English people don't feel one way or the other about vets who served during my era I did start my own business in IT and have sold to the likes of Intel, IBM and other major Blue Chip companies - I did well enough until my disablities caught up with me and the manufacturer I was importing their technology from in America opened a factory with a sales office in Ireland. When one becomes older aches and pains become more of a problem so getting a job with a company was not possible as I would not pass a physical. For 20 years head down working and now medically retired I now know what I have missed - life like I had before moving here the abilitie to travel and camp at beautiful locations for the weekend around America and there are many places. Garlic festivals, pumpkin festivals, harvest festivals and watching people on the street enjoying life. I miss my culture and I thought I would have earned enough to go home but what I earned was mostly taxed away here in the UK. Now I am a man without a culture or a flag all because my feelings were hurt that I thought I did an honourable job and should have received respect rather than spit. Job advancement over the concerns of delayed stress syndrome (ticking time bomb, we don't know when he will explode!) thus for the company good passing over qualified vets. But now today here we are back at the same problems I faced when leaving the army for our young men and women who proudly served. Fighting in a war than nobody wanted and proof for Iraq war are now based on a Bush/Blair lied to the people as no WMD were found or ever will. These soldiers will come home or like me not. I wonder and worry about the respect and job prospects that they will face when they return in both USA and the UK. Oh by the way thanks to Naomi Wolf book "End of America" I now know why I receive extra attention when travelling by air. My tickets bear the "SSSS" which means I am on a no fly list. Read the book or see her movie with the same nam where Naomi explains the book and about public speakers outspoken against the American Government War Machine. Because of my days protesting the "Rich Mans War" See website or google "Viet Nam Vets Against the War" to understand more. I became a spokes person for my local chapter. I was on the news explaining "To Hell with National Honour we won't be used again"! slogan. Now considering what it has cost me for Americans to have a freedom of speech imagine how I feel when in internal area (departure gates) the 2 - 3 hours search I go through as I carry much in hand luggage what people look at me like the custom agents found a terrorist! What is sad after all that? We now have "The Iraq Vets Against the War!" group. History repeats itself. Reason for my marching and outspokeness whilst at Uni? So the younger generation was told what mine was not. I failed. Its cold I miss my culture and I am a man without a flag! Sorry for rambling but I hear what you said and reflected upon my own situation Thought I let you know that it rains on the Good People. If I was injured in a wet cold ditch I would want me to find and help me. I am sure you are like me in that regard as you understand your surroundings Have a better one M8!
BTW we are Prisoners of our own making, Be seeing you! as he circle his thump and forefinger raising the circle formed to his right eye!!!!
IceHappy
Re: Please america?
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And then you have ones which dramatically improve on the original such as All in the Family and Three's Company
"If you're looking for a better steak in an arcade setting you're sh!t out of luck!
Re: Please america?
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All in the Family was good & probably the only decent Americanization of a British series but compared to Man About the House the American version Three's Company was a load of old bollocks.
Re: Please america?
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Red Dwarf had an American remake? I used to watch that show late at night on PBS!
Should I put something profound here?
Re: Please america?
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If I remember right, they actually made two different pilots for an American version of Red Dwarf. Neither of them got picked up. Which is good.
Re: Please america?
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I have to say, I agree. It doesn't work. Almost never with comedy based shows. The unaired Red Dwarf(us) pilot is the ultimate example. That should have been an international crime! The previews on YouTube from the Americanized versions are Aussie shows are painful too. 'Kath and Kim,' and 'Thank God You're Here.' The viewers miss out on so much with these remakes! Although, the rest of us should be thankful. What they do to English and Australian comedy is no where near as horrific as the American remakes of Asian movies. (eg. 'The Departed' from the original movie 'Infernal Affairs')
I don't understand why they don't just buy the original shows, already made in other countries. When its from other English speaking countries, it's just seriously insulting the intelligence and comprehension of their own audiences. These remakes normally fail too, so its also a waste of money buying the rights. The American audiences often don't like them any more than we do, so why not just buy the original and get viewers tuning in? Viewers ='s money. Its more financially sensible to just buy the rights to AIR the original show.
I live in fear of the day they make a 'Doctor Who (USA)' or an 'Inspector Rex in the USA'
The rest of the world makes some really FANTASTIC programs. Americans are really missing out. But it's their loss, not ours. Its up to American audiences to voice their annoyance at being left so totally closed off from the rest of the world.
I don't understand why they don't just buy the original shows, already made in other countries. When its from other English speaking countries, it's just seriously insulting the intelligence and comprehension of their own audiences. These remakes normally fail too, so its also a waste of money buying the rights. The American audiences often don't like them any more than we do, so why not just buy the original and get viewers tuning in? Viewers ='s money. Its more financially sensible to just buy the rights to AIR the original show.
I live in fear of the day they make a 'Doctor Who (USA)' or an 'Inspector Rex in the USA'
The rest of the world makes some really FANTASTIC programs. Americans are really missing out. But it's their loss, not ours. Its up to American audiences to voice their annoyance at being left so totally closed off from the rest of the world.
Re: Please america?
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"The rest of the world makes some really FANTASTIC programs. Americans are really missing out."
I didn't have a problem with anything you wrote up until this line. There is some very outstanding American programs currently (and even more from the last few years).
Dexter, Sons of Anarchy, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad are all top notch programs that are as good or better than anything else worldwide. Other series that have already ended but are still excellent are The Wire, The Shield, Battlestar Galatica, Rome, and The Sopranos.
I assume every girl I sleep with has herpes, that way I don't have to tell them about my herpes.
I didn't have a problem with anything you wrote up until this line. There is some very outstanding American programs currently (and even more from the last few years).
Dexter, Sons of Anarchy, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad are all top notch programs that are as good or better than anything else worldwide. Other series that have already ended but are still excellent are The Wire, The Shield, Battlestar Galatica, Rome, and The Sopranos.
I assume every girl I sleep with has herpes, that way I don't have to tell them about my herpes.
Re: Please america?
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STOP BUTCHERING OUR OLD PROGRAMS!!!!
There is a reason why english programs dont translate well into american, we are 2 very diverse and different countries.
Life on mars
Red Dwarf
Fawlty towers
men behaving badly
steptoe and son
upstairs downstairs
to name but a few, dont get me wrong im not trying to start an arguement here, most of my favourite tv shows are american, i just dont think you can take an idea and rewrite it to suit a completely different audience without killing the spirit of the original.
I know who you are! who are ya?
A remake of any of those shows even with different actors, directors, writers, etc. isn't likely to the same as the original regardless if it's made in the US or UK. Anyone who has seen their favorite Play done by a different cast likely isn't going to enjoy it as well. Putting all that aside, I have seen most of the UK production of The Prisoner. I'm in the US, so I would be interested for you to kindly point out what was so British about The Prisoner? Because I've missed that part. Of course, it's been a very long time since I've seen it.
There is a reason why english programs dont translate well into american, we are 2 very diverse and different countries.
Life on mars
Red Dwarf
Fawlty towers
men behaving badly
steptoe and son
upstairs downstairs
to name but a few, dont get me wrong im not trying to start an arguement here, most of my favourite tv shows are american, i just dont think you can take an idea and rewrite it to suit a completely different audience without killing the spirit of the original.
I know who you are! who are ya?
A remake of any of those shows even with different actors, directors, writers, etc. isn't likely to the same as the original regardless if it's made in the US or UK. Anyone who has seen their favorite Play done by a different cast likely isn't going to enjoy it as well. Putting all that aside, I have seen most of the UK production of The Prisoner. I'm in the US, so I would be interested for you to kindly point out what was so British about The Prisoner? Because I've missed that part. Of course, it's been a very long time since I've seen it.
Prisoner 1967
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* Not much was British about the Prisoner apart from the principal outdoor location. The actors,writers, producer werent born in the UK.
* If CBS hadnt insisted on 17 episodes we would only have had a series of 13.
* One episode "Living in Harmony" is set in the American wild west.
* The Prisoner deals with universal themes applicable to any country, not just the minutiae of living in Blighty.
If you dont like it dont watch it. Unless you worked on the show and dont want to see the memory of such a work of genius eclipsed by a more recent, more widely shown remake, you really havent got anything to complain about. If you are a fan, just think of the oneupmanship when someone tells you about this new TV series "The Prisoner" and you can say you have seen the 1960's original and consider it superior.
* If CBS hadnt insisted on 17 episodes we would only have had a series of 13.
* One episode "Living in Harmony" is set in the American wild west.
* The Prisoner deals with universal themes applicable to any country, not just the minutiae of living in Blighty.
If you dont like it dont watch it. Unless you worked on the show and dont want to see the memory of such a work of genius eclipsed by a more recent, more widely shown remake, you really havent got anything to complain about. If you are a fan, just think of the oneupmanship when someone tells you about this new TV series "The Prisoner" and you can say you have seen the 1960's original and consider it superior.
Re: Please america?
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I thought Touching Evil was done quite well when remadebut thats probably why it didn't last one season
Re: Please america?
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What part of this show is not British? The actors(except one or two),writer,film crew are from the UK, I don't understand.
Re: Please america?
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Patrick McGoohan (US), Leo McKern (Australia) Angelo Muscat (Malta) George Markstein (Germany).
Just because something is filmed in Britain doesnt make it a UK film, eg Star Wars, Full Metal Jacket.
The idea that any major series produced by ITC wasn't tailored to the American market flies in the face of umpteen examples. Muppet show, Thunderbirds, Danger Man, Persuaders, Dial 999 etc.
Of all the series remade in the US later on, The Prisoner is the one in least need of a different treatment. This re-imagining of the story will make for a completely different series.
Just because something is filmed in Britain doesnt make it a UK film, eg Star Wars, Full Metal Jacket.
The idea that any major series produced by ITC wasn't tailored to the American market flies in the face of umpteen examples. Muppet show, Thunderbirds, Danger Man, Persuaders, Dial 999 etc.
Of all the series remade in the US later on, The Prisoner is the one in least need of a different treatment. This re-imagining of the story will make for a completely different series.
Re: Please america?
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Hey, I'm an American, and there is nothing American about butchering a landmark series like the Prisoner and making this hash.
An Americanized "The Prisoner" could have worked. We have similar officious fools, and paranoids, and an English-like attachment to "progress" (symbolized by McGoohan with the bicycle emblem). They just wouldn't drink tea or use colorful British phrases. It doesn't mean that we would have to know about #2's dying wifeHeck, McGoohan did a *Western* in the original series to about the same effect. Not one spot of tea was consumed in the entire episode.
Also, I know the ugly American stereotype, but why is it that I find so many Europeans who are ready to put something like this to some sort of generalized American trait? And why that, rather than it's being too much influenced by Lost and not appropriately enough influenced by McGoohan's brilliant original series (which I as an American, oddly enough appreciate.)?
An Americanized "The Prisoner" could have worked. We have similar officious fools, and paranoids, and an English-like attachment to "progress" (symbolized by McGoohan with the bicycle emblem). They just wouldn't drink tea or use colorful British phrases. It doesn't mean that we would have to know about #2's dying wifeHeck, McGoohan did a *Western* in the original series to about the same effect. Not one spot of tea was consumed in the entire episode.
Also, I know the ugly American stereotype, but why is it that I find so many Europeans who are ready to put something like this to some sort of generalized American trait? And why that, rather than it's being too much influenced by Lost and not appropriately enough influenced by McGoohan's brilliant original series (which I as an American, oddly enough appreciate.)?
Re: Please america?
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There was an American Red Dwarf? Mind you, RD got a bit tedious towards the end.
Not to get into an argument either as most of the American versions of such shows have escaped my attention or I just missed because they were cancelled after 2 episodes.
However, I'm keeping an open mind to The Prisoner. I loved the original and this is clearly not the same as the original. It may not be as good, but they are throwing in different twists and there was a point tonight where I decided I hated it and another shortly after that made me think I really liked it.
At this point I'd say it's definitely worth a watch - don't expect the original, but don't hate it because it's not.
Getting back to Americans copying BBC programs, I think someone should produce "Yes, Obama" - Okay, maybe call it "Yes, Mr. President" so as not to offend anyone but that territory is ripe for the plucking in my opinion - if it were done right - uh, I mean well so as not to confuse to the left (jokers) or to the right (clowns), of course.
Not to get into an argument either as most of the American versions of such shows have escaped my attention or I just missed because they were cancelled after 2 episodes.
However, I'm keeping an open mind to The Prisoner. I loved the original and this is clearly not the same as the original. It may not be as good, but they are throwing in different twists and there was a point tonight where I decided I hated it and another shortly after that made me think I really liked it.
At this point I'd say it's definitely worth a watch - don't expect the original, but don't hate it because it's not.
Getting back to Americans copying BBC programs, I think someone should produce "Yes, Obama" - Okay, maybe call it "Yes, Mr. President" so as not to offend anyone but that territory is ripe for the plucking in my opinion - if it were done right - uh, I mean well so as not to confuse to the left (jokers) or to the right (clowns), of course.
Re: Please america?
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I'm still confused about the Fawlty Towers remake the OP mentioned. Anyone know what he's on about?
"I would sum up my fear about the future in one word: boring." JG Ballard
"I would sum up my fear about the future in one word: boring." JG Ballard
Re: Please America?
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There have been three attempts at a US remake of FT. "Angela's by the sea" with Katherine Helmond was one. She did say the major changes eg having Basil and Sybil love each other (!), did remove the motivation for most of the stories.
BTW there were only 12 episodes in two series four years apart. The quality would inevitably go down if they wrote enough episodes for it to go into syndication.
BTW there were only 12 episodes in two series four years apart. The quality would inevitably go down if they wrote enough episodes for it to go into syndication.
Re: Please america?
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I'm an American, and agree with the OP. We have the capacity to make quality, intelligent, ground breaking cinema. This was certainly NOT one of those times. Not entirely sure it's a problem of translating one culture to another, or one time frame to another, but certainly, the combination of both requires a certain talent and skill, and EXCEPTIONAL writers. The only good thing here was that the actors remembered their lines and hit their marks, and the camera was used properly. Garbage in, garbage out. Without quality writing, everything else is wasted effort. Stop butchering classics, period. Would someone say that Casablanca needed to be remade, because young people might better relate if we made it in color and with jets instead of air planes? A classic becomes a classic because of it's universal message, despite the passage of time. The message becomes that much more clear BECAUSE of the passage of time! I can't relate to Morocco in the 1940s. Does that mean I can't comprehend anything? No! The viewer's intelligence is a required to participate in the viewing of a classic. I see that the entire world is different, I can't relate much to it, but if I open my mind and use my imagination and think about what it'd be like IF I WAS THERE, aha! Then the universality becomes quite clear. I don't think it's just an issue of Brit vs American. It's just the trend in modern society to perpetually dumb things down for the unintelligent people with extremely short attention spans and a marked limitation of emotional processing capability, such that everything needs to be adrenaline and instant gratification all the time, as if that replaces all other forms thought and emotion.
Be seeing you.
Be seeing you.
Re: Please america?
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I understand that this is an old post but i haven't seen this mentioned.
I'd just like to point out that McGoohan himself pushed for an American remake of the Prisoner for something like 15 years. - Can't be bothered citing, partly because it's so easy to find evidence of the fact, i know it was on wikipedia pre-trivia purge.
I also believe McGoohan mentioned production values, modernisation and a desire to resolve the background as reasons for a - as he himself put it - "Hollywood Remake". He also didn't share the reverence for the original that many have here, feeling it wasn't as good as it could be due to the lack of creative control in certain areas - specifically the length of the series, which disrupted the uncovering of the mystery.
I don't think of Caviezel as the same number 6. I believe with number 93 being in the old number 6 uniform, the idea is to show that this is something new, the village has moved on. I'm willing to give the show a chance because I still like the story. I think Caviezel (or however you spell it) is weak so far, in that he hasn't settled into the role and the script hasn't provided opportunity for a huge range of expression. I think the show's intention is to develop that in him. The character is not a super-spy like number 6. He's not on a mental par with the number 2, or doesn't believe he is, yet. I'm sure it will be established. All in all, like some people have said it's not "The Prisoner" but is far more compelling than many other tv shows being peddled right now.
As for the reverence to original material, the US office IS better than the original. I don't care whether you like the show as a whole, but examine the storyline, the characters, the dialogue and it's all a bit more honed, a bit more confident. The production values are higher even if the straight men (persons?) - jim and pam- is poorly acted (by comparison to nearly everyone else) in a poorer version of the vaccuous love story. Everything else trumps the British version.
Life on Mars was a fantastic story and a great british programme. However, the new version has Harvey Keitel, who's even fantastic on a 'phone-in performance' in this. The story ports well to America too, in spirit. Better even, as the cowboy cop pastiche is far more believable of American police instead of English detectives.
All i'm saying is don't paint such broad strokes. The Americans do try and have much experience in making quality tv, they may sometimes lack in ideas, but they try very hard in execution and presentation.
I'd just like to point out that McGoohan himself pushed for an American remake of the Prisoner for something like 15 years. - Can't be bothered citing, partly because it's so easy to find evidence of the fact, i know it was on wikipedia pre-trivia purge.
I also believe McGoohan mentioned production values, modernisation and a desire to resolve the background as reasons for a - as he himself put it - "Hollywood Remake". He also didn't share the reverence for the original that many have here, feeling it wasn't as good as it could be due to the lack of creative control in certain areas - specifically the length of the series, which disrupted the uncovering of the mystery.
I don't think of Caviezel as the same number 6. I believe with number 93 being in the old number 6 uniform, the idea is to show that this is something new, the village has moved on. I'm willing to give the show a chance because I still like the story. I think Caviezel (or however you spell it) is weak so far, in that he hasn't settled into the role and the script hasn't provided opportunity for a huge range of expression. I think the show's intention is to develop that in him. The character is not a super-spy like number 6. He's not on a mental par with the number 2, or doesn't believe he is, yet. I'm sure it will be established. All in all, like some people have said it's not "The Prisoner" but is far more compelling than many other tv shows being peddled right now.
As for the reverence to original material, the US office IS better than the original. I don't care whether you like the show as a whole, but examine the storyline, the characters, the dialogue and it's all a bit more honed, a bit more confident. The production values are higher even if the straight men (persons?) - jim and pam- is poorly acted (by comparison to nearly everyone else) in a poorer version of the vaccuous love story. Everything else trumps the British version.
Life on Mars was a fantastic story and a great british programme. However, the new version has Harvey Keitel, who's even fantastic on a 'phone-in performance' in this. The story ports well to America too, in spirit. Better even, as the cowboy cop pastiche is far more believable of American police instead of English detectives.
All i'm saying is don't paint such broad strokes. The Americans do try and have much experience in making quality tv, they may sometimes lack in ideas, but they try very hard in execution and presentation.
Re: Please america?
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If I can paraphrase Robert Woodward's response to fellow British actors when they chastised him for participating in American television: "At least I have a job."
RIP, Robert Woodward.
I'm so tired of the club scene So are the baby seals.
RIP, Robert Woodward.
I'm so tired of the club scene So are the baby seals.
Re: Please america?
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I never saw the original "Steptoe & Son," but "Sanford & Son" is one of the great American classic sit-coms of all time, so no failure there, irrespective of how it was perceived by fans of the original.
And while this will obliterate much of my hipster street cred, so to speak, I prefer the American version of "The Office" to the British version. The American version of "The Office" is one of the only big three network TV shows I bother to watch anymore. What can I say? It makes me laugh. Hard, at times.
With that said, this present remake of "The Prisoner" is the artistic equivalent of a war crime. Thank God Patrick McGoohan died without having to witness this garbage. According to the New York Times review of it, the new incarnation actually intends to strike an anti-individualist theme. That's like doing a remake of "Schindler's List" where the Jews all deserved what they got! Transforming The Village into a suburban gated community filled with disco dancing 20somethings was probably the worst idea in the history of television. I didn't expect, or necessarily desire, a carbon copy of the original, but "The Prisoner," where Number Six isn't a stoic hero, just ain't "The Prisoner." McGoohan's Six had the charm, looks, and general capability of being a lady's man, but he had other priorities, and the sense enough to realize he couldn't trust the womenfolk of The Village any more (perhaps less?) than he could the men. Caviezel shows up, and practically the first thing on his agenda, is to try and get laid. What an abomination!
The Village doesn't work as a corporate enterprise. There are some things that people won't do for money, and keeping a place like that secret would be one of them. Only a misguided sense of patriotism could ever spawn an entity like The Village. Corporations just don't inspire that degree of loyalty; it takes a state.
Also, does anyone remember when some U.S. network made a 2-hour pilot for a version of "Dr. Who," starring some blond guy, 15-20 years ago? Christ, what a piece of dog crap that thing was!
Gamera is really neat! He is made from turtle meat! We've been eating Gamera!
And while this will obliterate much of my hipster street cred, so to speak, I prefer the American version of "The Office" to the British version. The American version of "The Office" is one of the only big three network TV shows I bother to watch anymore. What can I say? It makes me laugh. Hard, at times.
With that said, this present remake of "The Prisoner" is the artistic equivalent of a war crime. Thank God Patrick McGoohan died without having to witness this garbage. According to the New York Times review of it, the new incarnation actually intends to strike an anti-individualist theme. That's like doing a remake of "Schindler's List" where the Jews all deserved what they got! Transforming The Village into a suburban gated community filled with disco dancing 20somethings was probably the worst idea in the history of television. I didn't expect, or necessarily desire, a carbon copy of the original, but "The Prisoner," where Number Six isn't a stoic hero, just ain't "The Prisoner." McGoohan's Six had the charm, looks, and general capability of being a lady's man, but he had other priorities, and the sense enough to realize he couldn't trust the womenfolk of The Village any more (perhaps less?) than he could the men. Caviezel shows up, and practically the first thing on his agenda, is to try and get laid. What an abomination!
The Village doesn't work as a corporate enterprise. There are some things that people won't do for money, and keeping a place like that secret would be one of them. Only a misguided sense of patriotism could ever spawn an entity like The Village. Corporations just don't inspire that degree of loyalty; it takes a state.
Also, does anyone remember when some U.S. network made a 2-hour pilot for a version of "Dr. Who," starring some blond guy, 15-20 years ago? Christ, what a piece of dog crap that thing was!
Gamera is really neat! He is made from turtle meat! We've been eating Gamera!
Re: Please america?
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I am American and I am utterly devastated that this remake even exist. I used to catch the repeats of the original late on PBS when I was in high school. As far as I am concerned is, if it isn't broken, don't fix it.
Re: Please america?
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I'm an American and have seen very little British TV. Just out of curiosity, could you explain how Steptoe and Son differs from Sanford and Son and (even though you didn't name the series) how Til Death Do Up Part (sorry if I butchered the title) differs from All in the Family?
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Re: Please america?
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forget remaking British TV shows! I wish we'd stop remaking our own dang tv shows!!! Leave V alone!!!!
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Re: Please america?
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yoguls,
You are completely right on most counts, but let me interject if I may; there are/were two British shows that we Americans re-made for our own market in the U.S. (please note that caveat). Steptoe And Son became Sanford And Son and was one of the funniest shows on television in America in its day (1972-1977). More recently the wonderfully cringe-inducing The Office with Ricky Gervais has been remade here with the same name but a different, more American, flavor. I have seen the British Office and I watch the American Office religiously. I love them both; the American version has hit the tone that creates the same delicious cringeing factor with Michael as the British version did with David. Gervais is executive producer on the American The Office for whatever that is worth. Anyway, I agree with you except for those two shows. Those two were/are successful transplants.
You are completely right on most counts, but let me interject if I may; there are/were two British shows that we Americans re-made for our own market in the U.S. (please note that caveat). Steptoe And Son became Sanford And Son and was one of the funniest shows on television in America in its day (1972-1977). More recently the wonderfully cringe-inducing The Office with Ricky Gervais has been remade here with the same name but a different, more American, flavor. I have seen the British Office and I watch the American Office religiously. I love them both; the American version has hit the tone that creates the same delicious cringeing factor with Michael as the British version did with David. Gervais is executive producer on the American The Office for whatever that is worth. Anyway, I agree with you except for those two shows. Those two were/are successful transplants.
Re: Please america?
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I noticed British individuals get upset when anything that is theirs is re createdand to some extent, a lot of things have been butcheredthat is unfortunately the thing that may happen with a remake..
Remember with a remake, we are dealing with a cult hit that is becoming re created for the masses..it much be appealing to everyoneand original fan base will never like it for snobbish reasons (The actor looks different, the character is different, they added this character, they took away this character,e tc..)so then we have people who cry about it
But when it comes to The Office..it is an amazing show..if you are British and just steretyping because the Office was originally a UK show then please stop, because the US version is amazing..the cast is great, full of awesome comediansand the writing team is great..not to mention a cirtain someone from your version helps out on the American one *cough cough*
Conclusion, leave your bias at hometrust me, you will enjoy life more that way and be able to expand more on your narrow minded outlooks.
Remember with a remake, we are dealing with a cult hit that is becoming re created for the masses..it much be appealing to everyoneand original fan base will never like it for snobbish reasons (The actor looks different, the character is different, they added this character, they took away this character,e tc..)so then we have people who cry about it
But when it comes to The Office..it is an amazing show..if you are British and just steretyping because the Office was originally a UK show then please stop, because the US version is amazing..the cast is great, full of awesome comediansand the writing team is great..not to mention a cirtain someone from your version helps out on the American one *cough cough*
Conclusion, leave your bias at hometrust me, you will enjoy life more that way and be able to expand more on your narrow minded outlooks.
Re: Please america?
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Re: Please america?
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The only show I ever saw that was a Brit remake that worked better in the US was The Office. That's it and I was surprised The Office was so good.
I could say other things like American Idol, but I don't think either version of that is very good.
These "remakes" would work much better if the makes made them original ideas, because they tend to take a name and think that will get viewers without actually using any of the themes from the original.
The new Prisoner has no themes of the original Prisoner. You can try to say it does, but it doesn't. It's a new show will about 6% of the original, which would be names and catch phrases. That's it. Much less making it a story of man vs. government or class structure like the old Prisoner was. That would take a lot of time and research and thinking, which apparently us Americans don't have. We'd rather rip off the Matrix, thank you very much, that was a good American movie!
I am American and I write. But the sad thing is that writers with original ideas don't make it in the business unless they are really lucky. America just remakes a lot of stuff or make parodies of things already known. Most of the TV shows on here with original ideas, I would site shows like Reaper, Dollhouse, Firefly, Wonderfalls, Point Pleasant, Pushing Daisieswell, they get cancelled really quick, EVEN IF THEY WIN AWARDS. So even good writers with original ideas that are successful get put off to the side, why all these remakes and crap reality shows come in.
And I don't blame people who write on those things. You need to have a job.
I could say other things like American Idol, but I don't think either version of that is very good.
These "remakes" would work much better if the makes made them original ideas, because they tend to take a name and think that will get viewers without actually using any of the themes from the original.
The new Prisoner has no themes of the original Prisoner. You can try to say it does, but it doesn't. It's a new show will about 6% of the original, which would be names and catch phrases. That's it. Much less making it a story of man vs. government or class structure like the old Prisoner was. That would take a lot of time and research and thinking, which apparently us Americans don't have. We'd rather rip off the Matrix, thank you very much, that was a good American movie!
I am American and I write. But the sad thing is that writers with original ideas don't make it in the business unless they are really lucky. America just remakes a lot of stuff or make parodies of things already known. Most of the TV shows on here with original ideas, I would site shows like Reaper, Dollhouse, Firefly, Wonderfalls, Point Pleasant, Pushing Daisieswell, they get cancelled really quick, EVEN IF THEY WIN AWARDS. So even good writers with original ideas that are successful get put off to the side, why all these remakes and crap reality shows come in.
And I don't blame people who write on those things. You need to have a job.
Re: Please america?
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You missed 11th Hour
Its not just the Brit shows getting butchered, alot of older US shows are on the chopping block too and to date few have been worth mention. Porting shows to the US is allmost as old as TV. All in the Family is just one example. But somewhere along the line somethings getting lost and of late all these retreads and ports have missed the mark somehow one way or another.
Any more I cringe whenever someone mentions a new remake as it means one more failure likely on the way. Though to its credit the new Prisoner is interesting. But it has little in common with the original unfortunately. I rate it along with the new Bionic woman or Galactica. Interesting on their own. But they lack the connections to the original they are supposeddly updating. Each could have easily been called something else and succeeded as an unrelated film.
Thats just my thoughts on it from the recent glut of these things. And as allways, what I disline or was neutral on, someone else may love. And vis-a-vis.
Its not just the Brit shows getting butchered, alot of older US shows are on the chopping block too and to date few have been worth mention. Porting shows to the US is allmost as old as TV. All in the Family is just one example. But somewhere along the line somethings getting lost and of late all these retreads and ports have missed the mark somehow one way or another.
Any more I cringe whenever someone mentions a new remake as it means one more failure likely on the way. Though to its credit the new Prisoner is interesting. But it has little in common with the original unfortunately. I rate it along with the new Bionic woman or Galactica. Interesting on their own. But they lack the connections to the original they are supposeddly updating. Each could have easily been called something else and succeeded as an unrelated film.
Thats just my thoughts on it from the recent glut of these things. And as allways, what I disline or was neutral on, someone else may love. And vis-a-vis.
Re: Please america?
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When are the yanks going to remake the Frankie Howard vehicle "..and Mr Churchill said to me?"
Re: Please america?
You didn't list "Till Death Do Us Part," which Norman Lear turned into "All in the Family," which transformed the American sitcom in the 1970's.
And I would argue that any series that had Harvey Keitel running around in white leather shoes, whatever the source, was worth it (and I watched every ep of the American version). Until the last episode, it was worth the ride.
As for the rest, you're correct (including a very lame attempt by Roseanne to try to make an American Ab Fab, and Coupling was dismal)we probably shouldn't do it. But as someone else pointed out, your show creators are doing this, as they can't quite make enough by selling the originals to PBS.
Cheers!
Dr. David S. Silverman
Assistant Professor of Communication Arts and Theater Studies
Kansas Wesleyan University