The Energon Pub

I recently fell in love with Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares on BBC, so you can imagine my glee when I discovered the American version--twice the show. I love them both, but WOW, the difference! Funny how you can take the same basic premise for a show, and the execution will turn out completely different because of your audience. The UK version is a lot less flashy, with little to no music, dramatization, very little voiceovers of the people in the show, and extreme differences in the entire way it's shot.

Honestly, the UK version would probably be axed immediately if shown in a Primetime slot, only because it's simply not dramatic enough. The only thing that might help it is Ramsay's flair. But even that's not enough in the US! Why don't you Brits require more pizzaz in your programming? Keep in mind that I do like some British television and movies, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the UK version quite a bit. But this extra drama (even if it's cheated a little), and the simple fact that I can't always understand what's said, makes me like ours a bit more.

What do you guys think? Any of you Brits prefer our programming?

it's like the office for UK and US. both are great and hilarious, but different.

Big difference sometimes in humor.

I will say that Kitchen Nightmares music in the US version is a tad distracting at times. Other than that, the production values are better.

Well, you know when the States rip something off, they want to do it "right". Just look at Iron Chef.

Isabelle wrote:Well, you know when the States rip something off, they want to do it "right". Just look at Iron Chef.

Yes, America is the greatest nation on the face of this Earth and any other 'Alternate' Earths, like Earth-2, Second Earth, or even Planet Doom (All hail President Doom!)

Isabelle wrote:Well, you know when the States rip something off, they want to do it "right". Just look at Iron Chef.

What the show that completely cut out the fun part of the original (the "serous" duel feel) that made me lose interest after a couple eps?

zorian wrote:

Isabelle wrote:Well, you know when the States rip something off, they want to do it "right". Just look at Iron Chef.

What the show that completely cut out the fun part of the original (the "serous" duel feel) that made me lose interest after a couple eps?

Except the American version has Mark Dacascos.

That immediately makes it cool.

I find it funny that a lot of the Brits I have met hate Hugh Laurie now because he's on House.

They all claim that its a plotless, pointless American drama.

The show is hilarious, and not pointless or plotless.

Original Sin wrote:

zorian wrote:

Isabelle wrote:Well, you know when the States rip something off, they want to do it "right". Just look at Iron Chef.

What the show that completely cut out the fun part of the original (the "serous" duel feel) that made me lose interest after a couple eps?

Except the American version has Mark Dacascos.

That immediately makes it cool.

I find it funny that a lot of the Brits I have met hate Hugh Laurie now because he's on House.

They all claim that its a plotless, pointless American drama.

The show is hilarious, and not pointless or plotless.

and i bet all those brits love "wooster and jeeves" right?

Original Sin wrote:I find it funny that a lot of the Brits I have met hate Hugh Laurie now because he's on House.

They all claim that its a plotless, pointless American drama.

The show is hilarious, and not pointless or plotless.

House is the reason TV was invented.

I grew a bit tired of House, because it became redundant after a while, but I see why people like it a lot. One show I haven't tired of since it's been on the air is Desperate Housewives, because it's ever-changing and doesn't really get old.

And hey, folks rip off American shows too. And we all know that we make some of the best movies ever.

The best is the UK version of Pimp my Ride.


Some thin white guy named "Westwood" (oooh that's hard!) comes out and starts trying to talk gangster with a London accent, and then he goes up to this conservative girl in a turtleneck sweater and turns her beat up old little british car into a shinier one with a new paint job, an XBOX, and a racing stripe. Then she says "oh thank you so much" and shakes his hand.

My parents could have done a better show.

zorian wrote:

Isabelle wrote:Well, you know when the States rip something off, they want to do it "right". Just look at Iron Chef.

What the show that completely cut out the fun part of the original (the "serous" duel feel) that made me lose interest after a couple eps?

Exactly. That show is crap now. If the same ever happens to Ninja Warrior, I will totally denounce American tv. Except Hells Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares. Ramsey is my freaking hero.

This is my favorite show this season.

My husband and I are now addicted to Kitchen Nightmares, and I've got a major crush on Ramsay (sorry, but there's something about him women just love! ), and of course the show is good too.

Ninja Warrior is pretty awesome, and it should stay just as it is.

I wouldn't say American TV is that good...
The Singing Bee just started here in Australia, and we even have the American host.

It is a strong contender for "worst show ever".

And you Yankees are getting some good stuff from us, Thank God your Here for example, not to mention the US version of Kath and Kim (which I hate, but it rocks the socks off here).

I know what you mean about the culture differences.

When I was in London two years ago, they had a billboard that showed a throw pillow, like, for your grandma's couch, and embroidered on there was this saying, "Bless this Crackhouse".

Can you guess what show it was for?

It was for Extreme Home Makeover, the Sunday night ABC version of This Old House on steroids with a mission statement of brotherly love.

We took a picture and if wasn't before we converted to digital format, I would show it here. It was hilarious.

I love House. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Anyhow. I have felt the American remakes of British shows such as Supernanny/Wife Swap have been far too dramatized. The music accentuates this to no end. It is so cringeworthy, cheese doesn't begin to sum it up.

Probably because whoever controls/regulates TV in teh states has a problem with naughty words, like ****, and bugger.

I saw Forrest Gump on TV when I was in Florida back in 2000, and I honestly couldn't believe the inane butchery that was "It happens".

We're actually watching a lot more British tv in my house now. We watch How Clean is Your House?, some sitcom from the 90s my hubby loves, and of course, my precious Gordon Ramsay. So I am a fan of both kinds of tv. My husband also likes Japanese stuff, which I'll pass on for the most part. The language is really grating to me. The English accent(s) was for me, but I'm trying to get used to it so I can enjoy the programming.

Don't watch many game shows, unless it's Price is Right, and even that is rare now. They can be fun, but they all seem the same now. I do love Wife Swap and Trading Spouses, and I don't know where they originated, but I loves it. Thank God for God Warrior!

*cough*
Monty Python RULES
*cough*

Moonbase2 wrote:I recently fell in love with Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares on BBC, so you can imagine my glee when I discovered the American version--twice the show. I love them both, but WOW, the difference! Funny how you can take the same basic premise for a show, and the execution will turn out completely different because of your audience. The UK version is a lot less flashy, with little to no music, dramatization, very little voiceovers of the people in the show, and extreme differences in the entire way it's shot.

Honestly, the UK version would probably be axed immediately if shown in a Primetime slot, only because it's simply not dramatic enough. The only thing that might help it is Ramsay's flair. But even that's not enough in the US! Why don't you Brits require more pizzaz in your programming? Keep in mind that I do like some British television and movies, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the UK version quite a bit. But this extra drama (even if it's cheated a little), and the simple fact that I can't always understand what's said, makes me like ours a bit more.

What do you guys think? Any of you Brits prefer our programming?

No offence intended to any fellows on the left side of the atlantics, but it seems the majority of americans are just so used to holywood effects that nothing less will do. A movie with a good plot and no effects will bomb, same with TV shows. Us brits dont need canned laughter in our comedys and I wouldnt like it either.

I love american programming, dont get me wrong, 24, lost, heroes, prison break, csi, numbers, journeyman, life, reaper, k-ville, ugly betty - the list goes on and on, but I love the subtleness of some british programming.

Never mind the buzzcocks and top gear.

I do appreciate some of the subtlety in British shows and movies, as it requires some brainpower to enjoy it. And I think it's sad when a poofest like Norbit makes over $100 million dollars, while a fantastic, well-acted and thoughtful film like The Lookout utterly bombs. That is sad to me (by the way, if you haven't seen that movie, go rent it!!).

The show Pushing Daisies kinda reminds me of what the British might come up with. I watched that the other night and it was great! Dark comedy, not incredibly stupid or in-your-face. I also recommend that. Plus it's narrated by a Brit so there you go.

tequila stu wrote:Never mind the buzzcocks and top gear.

Top Gear Season 10 is on, I'm so happy!
I have been looking forward to this moreso than the new seasons of anything else bar Scrubs.

Dark Zarak wrote:The best is the UK version of Pimp my Ride.


Some thin white guy named "Westwood" (oooh that's hard!) comes out and starts trying to talk gangster with a London accent, and then he goes up to this conservative girl in a turtleneck sweater and turns her beat up old little british car into a shinier one with a new paint job, an XBOX, and a racing stripe. Then she says "oh thank you so much" and shakes his hand.

My parents could have done a better show.

Don't get me started on Timothy "Middle-class white boys 'n da hood" Westwood. I think most of us hate his guts too...

I'd also like to put my wotsits in for Buzzcocks and Top Gear. I don't even give a monkey's about cars, but I'm always watching the old reruns of Top Gear.