Comedies are a major part of our television culture. From iconic shows of the 1970s and 80s, such as All in the Family, Sanford and Son and Three’s Company, to modern day spectacles such as Whose Line is it Anyway? and The Office, there is a wide range of different comedies ready to make you laugh. But, did you know that some of our most beloved and American comedies actually were originally British?
Take, for example, The Office. Probably a fair amount of you are aware this show was originally a British incarnation, premiering in 2001. A few years later, the American staple debuted in 2005, and has just recently come to an end. The premise is very much the same—a documentary crew films the everyday office life in a mid-sized company’s regional office. In fact, both pilots, UK and US versions, are near word for word carbon copies of each other. Thus begging the question, are we just imitating the British?
When talking about The Office, in a way, yes. Most episodes of both series center on things that make each society squirm and cringe. The difference, of course, comes in what is considered risqué by the society.
“While I enjoy both the US and UK versions of The Office, I find myself laughing more at the American actors as opposed to their British counterparts,” said Samantha Stazko, a freshman business management major.
It should be noted that the UK version of The Office only lasted for two seasons, while the US version lasted much longer, for a total of nine seasons, thus allowing the plot to change and develop more than its UK counterpart.
Another example is Whose Line is it Anyway?, also originally a British concept first created and broadcasted in 1988, a full decade before the Americanized version. The series lasted for ten seasons, until 1998. This original improv series consisted of a mixture of UK, Canadian and American comedians. The premise, again, is basically the same—four competitors, normally a series of one to three regulars along with different guests, are playing for points during each show; in reality, however, they are merely entertaining us with their improvisation skills and physical comedy. The original host, Clive Anderson, was much more of the comedic straight man, and was more satirical and biting in the UK version. The tenth series was filmed in Hollywood, and often showcased the three regulars of the US version, Wayne Brady, Colin Mochrie, and Ryan Stiles. In fact, both Colin and Ryan joined the UK series around the fourth season.
Of course, when the series debuted in the US, Drew Carey took over the hosting job. His tenure hosting was seemingly more open, as home audiences could (and still can) see him often laughing at the performers right along with the studio audience.
“I think the activities on the British version are more fun, but overall I find the American version funnier because of the people and the host,” said Alana Boyles, a freshman marine biology major.
The US version took off and lasted for eight consecutive seasons, before leaving the air in 2006. However, on July 16 of this year, the series returned, with the original cast and a new host, Aisha Tyler.
Overall, both US versions of The Office and Whose Line is it Anyway?, while clearly copies of their UK contemporaries, have Americanized each concept enough that they are, in a sense, original and independent of the other. Because both US versions of these two shows were very successful, it may be safe to say that a fair amount of Americans prefer their own humor over that of the British.
“British comedy is much more stone-walled and tight lipped compared to the laid back Americans,” said Michaela Charlton, a freshman marine biology major.
Claire Farrow can be reached at claire.farrow@spartans.ut.edu