FOX Going Forward with Spaced Remake

[Cop]

FOX Going Forward with Spaced Remake

Pilot ordered for new version of British cult series.

 

US, February 29, 2008 - FOX is going forward with their remake of the British cult series Spaced, ordering a pilot for the new incarnation, says Variety.

Since the project was announced last fall, director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead / Hot Fuzz) who directed every episode of the original -- which was created by and written by Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson -- has been vocal with his displeasure over the remake, saying he, Pegg and Stevenson were not consulted on it.

Wright has said that since he went public with his issues, producers did approach him, but that essentially, it was too late. The new Spaced is being executive produced by Adam Barr (The New Adventures of Old Christine / Will & Grace), along with McG and Robert Green.

Fox is also ordering another pilot based on a British series, Outnumbered, about a family struggling to raise their three overly intelligent children. Larry Levin (Seinfeld / Doctor Doolittle is writing and executive producing the new pilot.

http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/855/855913p1.html

 

[Strawbs]

From the man himself...

Thoughts on the subject of an American Spaced. Feel free to skip to the end.
Now that the pilot has been officially announced, I thought it might be a good idea to clarify my position on the subject. The whole affair seems to have inspired some spirited debate and some heartening displays of loyalty and love. All this for a show which is almost 10 years old, is all rather wonderful and a vindication of all the blood, sweat and tears (both of joy and pain) we shed in the show's creation. It was always our aim to create a comedy which spoke to its audience on such a personal level, it almost felt one on one. It would seem the fan reaction to the news that Fox has appropriated the format, confirms at least, that we succeeded.

As far as remaking TV shows for different territories is concerned, I don't have a problem. The Office remake being a perfect example. Yes, the original British version is a wonderful and compact piece of comedy writing and performance, but I think it's bit much to expect a large scale American television audience to fully relate to the minutiae of day-to-day business life in an obscure British suburb. I'm sure if you're reading this, you are the type of person who takes pleasure in the variety of entertainment you enjoy, relishing the differences between our various cultural touchstones but there is a massive audience out there, which perhaps isn't as culturally savvy (euphemistic phrase for 'geeky') as we are and need their signifiers to be a little more familiar. So, Slough is replaced by Scranton, and the office archetypes become a little more archetypal to an American audience. The spirit of the show remains intact. The performances are uniformly great and the show scores big ratings and wins EMMYs, whether we as comedy purists prefer the original or not. The success of the remake is born out by it's undoubted success and appeal.

My main problem with the notion of a Spaced remake is the sheer lack of respect that Granada/ Wonderland/Warner Bros have displayed in respectively selling out and appropriating our ideas without even letting us know. A decision I can only presume was made as a way of avoiding having to give us any money, whilst at the same time using mine and Edgar's name in their press release, in order to trade on the success of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, even professing, as Peter Johnson did, to being a big fan of the show and it's creators. A device made all the more heinous by the fact that the press release neglected to mention the show's co-creator and female voice, Jessica Hynes (nee Stevenson). The fact is, when we signed our contracts ten years ago, we had neither the experience or the kudos to demand any clauses securing any control over future reversioning. We signed away our rights to any input in the show's international future, because we just wanted to get the show made and these dark days of legal piracy seemed a far away concern. As a result, we have no rights. The show does not belong to us and, those that do own it have no obligation to include us in any future plans. You would perhaps hope though, out of basic professional respect and courtesy, we might have been consulted. It is this flagrant snub and effective vote of no confidence in the very people that created the show, that has caused such affront at our end. If they don't care about the integrity of the original, why call it Spaced? Why attempt to find some validation by including mine and Edgar's names in the press release as if we were involved? Why not just lift the premise? Two strangers, pretend to be a couple in order to secure residence of a flat/apartment. It's hardly Ibsen. Jess and I specifically jumped off from a very mainstream sitcom premise in order to unravel it so completely. Take it, have it, call it Perfect Strangers and hope Balkie doesn't sue. Just don't call it Spaced.

It's a shame, since the pilot is now a certainty, whether we like it or not, a simple phone call and a few reassurances might have helped to at least curtail the tide of indignation from fans and creators alike. I have, as of yet, heard nothing.

Simon Pegg

 

[Cop]

I think that is a very honest assessment from Pegg. There are plenty USA remakes that wasn't recieved too well, “Red Dwarf” and “Men Behaving Badly” were awful, but some do work - “The American Office” being an excellent example. So I don't have a problem with Spaced being remade for the American audience, because it could be really good. I am also looking forward to the US version of “Life on Mars”.

Granada / Wonderland / Warner Bros / whoever - should have told Wright, Stevenson and Pegg, and I respect that none of them have kicked up a fuss demanding something from it, although they can't legally. But they are not losing a great deal, as in grand scheme of things “Spaced” catapulted their careers.

 

[Strawbs]

The main problem seems to be that the American side of things were trading on Simon and Edgar's more recent success with Shaun Of The Dead and Hot Fuzz. They were selling the production to American/worldwide audiences as something that was endorsed by Simon and Edgar when infact they hadn't even been consulted. In turn, that's caused people to question that this remake will even carry a fraction of the original spirit Spaced is based on. It looks, feels and smells like a cash in on FOX's part which sullys the remake before it's even made.

The Office - latterly The American Office - worked in the US because it had a universal premise that can be adapted to suit the culture. The same goes for Queer As Folk, which, like The Office, was extended beyond the remakes of the original UK episodes and ran longer with original scripts because the basic premise of the drama was universal. The other big thing about them was that the original writers - Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Russell T Davies - were consulted and involved in the initial set up of the remakes so they had a steady starting point.

The US remakes of Red Dwarf, Fawlty Towers and Men Behaving Badly failed because the original UK episodes were very tied in British humour and British settings. By changing anything about them to suit the American audience is losing half the basic drive of the shows, hense they failed. Although, the same has happened the other way round too. The UK version of That 70s Show - Days Like These - was awful. The main reason being is that That 70s Show is very based in American culture and even more than that a retro American culture. The switch to 70s England just didn't match up, especially given that American pop culture is actually 10-15 years behind ours. Hense FOX only seeing Spaced as a possible hit now...nearly 10 years after it first aired.

By the way, Simon followed up his statement with this...

At the time of writing I was not aware that Jessica and myself, will in fact receive some payment for the use of our ideas. The issue however remains one of principal and respect rather than one of compensation.

And Jessica has said this...

"Spaced in America by Jessica Hynes. March 4th 2008
Things have really hotted up in the last few days – 'Simon Pegg vs Mc.G!' 'Mc.G is a fat douche bag!' 'It's a f***ing travesty!' (that's fucking). I felt a tear come to my eye when I went on PINKRAYGUN.COM, because she kind of said it for me. When someone else fights your corner and feels your injustice for you it rocks, let me tell you. So can I just say thank you for that. You know who you are. x

It might make everyone feel better to know that I am planning a counter attack; A British re-make of 'Charlies Angels' called 'Charlies Angles' – about three female architects who love to design buildings make biscuits, and wear button up cardigans. That's gonna hurt you Mc.G huh?– a remake of one of YOUR films with no titties?? Huh??! HUH!!!

Anyway I'm going to keep it short – just wanted again to reiterate that Simon, Edgar and I were not approached – at any stage or consulted in anyway. In fact I approached THEM in a very English way wondering if, you know I'd been in the garden when they called, but have been politely told that no official, meaningful involvement ( save wheeling us out to placate the fans) is possible.

So don't watch it, don't think about it – buy our D.V.D coming out in America in the summer and SAVE YOUR SOUL!!!!!"

I'm with Jess on this one.

 

[Cop]

GO JESS! I love that girl to bits...

She is right though, but I will give Spaced US a look anyway, just out of curiosity. I hope it does OK in the states, only for it create more awareness and DVD sales of the proper UK version.

 

[Strawbs]

The good Americans I know already have it on DVD. They too are appalled by the remake.

 

[Strawbs]

There is a quite horrible rumour on the net that this is what the US version of Spaced is to be...

While out apartment hunting, two high school pals have an impromptu reunion at a local Starbucks. Game designer Peter Barkley (Topher Grace, "That 70's Show," "Spider-Man 3") and sassy blogger Lily Savage (Sara Rue, "Less Than Perfect," "Idiocracy") quickly rekindle their old friendship. On a whim, they decide to pose as a professional couple in order to fit the requirements for a cheap apartment owned by permanently stoned landlady Molly Klein (Molly Shannon, "Saturday Night Live," "Superstar"). But little do they know, they'll also have a gaggle of off-the-wall neighbors to deal with, including volunteer fireman Kyle Mendoza (Horatio Sanz, "Saturday Night Live," "Boat Trip"), zany conceptual artist Evan Head (French Stewart, "3rd Rock From the Sun"), and sexy model Twist O'Neil (Lauren London, "Entourage," "ATL"). Peter, Lily, and the gang are in store for loads of laughs in this pop-culture filled romp that's been described as Adult Swim meets It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

It's probably made up, but in case it's true...ugh!

 

[Cop]

Lily Savage

Sounds like the concept to Spaced UK, but altered here and there. The thing about the UK one is that they claim to be in their respected industry, but they are are not, they have the qualifications but none of the them have the determination to do what they want to do...

• Out of work Comic book artist - Video Game designer (yeah becuase becuase thats cooler)
  
• Out of Work Jouro - Sassy Blogger (Sassy, yeah!)
  
• Army enthusiast - Volunteer Fireman (Dwight Shrutte)
  
• Alcoholic Landlady - Stoned Landlady (Down with the kids)
  
• Zany Conceptual Artist - Zany Conceptual Artist (Nothing different there then)
  
• Out of Work Fashion Designer - Sexy Model (I think they are missing the point there)
  

You wont be anything as good as "Always Sunny..." though, that show is EXCELLENT!

 

[Strawbs]

Lily Savage

That's what makes it very likely to be a joke and so thankfully not true.

However, news just in suggests the role of "Tim" in the remake will be played by Australian actor Josh Lawson. I know Josh from the Aussie version of Thank God You're Here and he's actually a very funny and talented bloke. Which is a shame as I want to hate the remake absolutely as much as possible but I very much like Josh Lawson.

 

[curtinparloe]

I for one think it's a great idea, and I can't wait for the US version!

Nah, just kidding.

 

[Strawbs]

Basically...US Spaced sucked!

So glad this is now dead and buried.