US version of Only Fools and Horses gets the green light
News and gossip from the world of TV
By Lorna Coops 30/01/2012 18:13
According to reports, US network ABC has given the green light to a pilot of Only Fools and Horses, the classic sitcom by the late John Sullivan.
The American version will be helmed by Steven Cragg (director of the likes of Desperate Housewives and Boston Legal, producer of Doogie Howser, MD) and Brian Bradley (producer of US comedy import, Happy Endings).
First broadcast in the UK back in September, 1981, Only Fools told the story of market trader Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter (David Jason), and his various endeavours to strike it lucky and become a millionaire.
Del Boy's brother Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst), and various members of his family and friends (including Granddad, Uncle Albert, Boycie, Trigger, Marlene et al) were also along for the ride.
After an inauspicious start, Only Fools and Horses eventually became the BBC's most popular and best-loved comedy. It contributed memorable moments to TV history (one word: chandelier), popularised slang terms ("cushty!"), and gave us catchphrases we'll never forget ("This time next year we'll be millionaires!").
Americans have remade numerous British shows over the years, but with varying results. Till Death US Do Part and Man About The House were successfully reinvented as All In The Family and Three's Company. More recently, Queer As Folk, Being Human and The Office have also made the cut on the other side of the pond.
However, Prime Suspect, Coupling and Skins (to name a few) were abject disasters. Let's hope that fate doesn't befall the US version of Only Fools and Horses.
What do you think? Will an American version of Only Fools and Horses work? Share your views by leaving a comment.
The American version will be helmed by Steven Cragg (director of the likes of Desperate Housewives and Boston Legal, producer of Doogie Howser, MD) and Brian Bradley (producer of US comedy import, Happy Endings).
First broadcast in the UK back in September, 1981, Only Fools told the story of market trader Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter (David Jason), and his various endeavours to strike it lucky and become a millionaire.
Del Boy's brother Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst), and various members of his family and friends (including Granddad, Uncle Albert, Boycie, Trigger, Marlene et al) were also along for the ride.
After an inauspicious start, Only Fools and Horses eventually became the BBC's most popular and best-loved comedy. It contributed memorable moments to TV history (one word: chandelier), popularised slang terms ("cushty!"), and gave us catchphrases we'll never forget ("This time next year we'll be millionaires!").Americans have remade numerous British shows over the years, but with varying results. Till Death US Do Part and Man About The House were successfully reinvented as All In The Family and Three's Company. More recently, Queer As Folk, Being Human and The Office have also made the cut on the other side of the pond.
However, Prime Suspect, Coupling and Skins (to name a few) were abject disasters. Let's hope that fate doesn't befall the US version of Only Fools and Horses.
What do you think? Will an American version of Only Fools and Horses work? Share your views by leaving a comment.
● Follow the TV editor on Twitter: coops_tv
37Comments
30/01/2012 18:41
30/01/2012 20:07
30/01/2012 19:34
30/01/2012 20:17
30/01/2012 18:57
30/01/2012 22:27
Don't you dare America. Dont you dare destroy our greatest ever sitcom. You destroyed Life on Mars and now Shameless. But only fools and horses is taking the p*ss. I so can not bear the shame of watching something so painful so I am not going to waste my time. Cos lets face it. If it gets commissioned for a series only one will be made.
30/01/2012 19:30
30/01/2012 19:46
there you go again the yanks tryin to make a classic it wont work the yanks dont have a clue there boring they dont get jokes they dont get ironey they have a complete diff culture than uk it wont work its just the yanks robbing our ideas and making money there i dont think i can name one tv show off the yanks that we have tried to remake that tells you lot the yank s will just rubbish the memory of a classic uk tv show i wont be watch in it it will just sully my mind and memory of the uk one next they will try and remake dads army
30/01/2012 22:38
30/01/2012 20:57
30/01/2012 19:11
30/01/2012 22:15
You'll Never manage it you americano's This Famous Fabulous Hysterical sitcom with all its Fabulous cast belongs to us Great Great Britain We are the Best and will remain the Best in making the world laugh with our Great British sense of Humour along with our First class actors such as our one and only Del Boy and Rodney and numerous more.
Simply the Best and Simply will remain Ours for Us To Boast About
To all that's Great Britain
30/01/2012 21:26
America dont have a clue about making comedy series and if they attempt this they are going to destroy a classic, Sorry for any Americans reading this but they just dont get the sarcastic sence of humour that is required to play Del Boy
Who the hell would they cast to play the parts???
They destroyed Shameless and the Office
30/01/2012 21:51
30/01/2012 21:14
30/01/2012 23:23
30/01/2012 19:12
30/01/2012 21:51
30/01/2012 23:11
30/01/2012 20:02
bbc america - do Americans pay to watch bbc service? are we as license payers able to watch this bbc service? its annoying we pay for this poor network to operate its even worse that we have to pay even if we choose not to watch bbc at all.
now they going to sully david jasons finest performances by letting the yanks play with it 2 wrongs dont make a right and bbc certainly only know go left. wheres our cut of money they getting for selling a British masterpiece? we paid for it we bought it yet we get no say!
now they going to sully david jasons finest performances by letting the yanks play with it 2 wrongs dont make a right and bbc certainly only know go left. wheres our cut of money they getting for selling a British masterpiece? we paid for it we bought it yet we get no say!
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Lorna CooperNicknamed 'Coops', Lorna is MSN's TV editor. She has too many TV faves to list, but she loves good telly. Read her opinions on the world of TV.
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