The Proof's on the Telly

They're blaming it on the Great Writer's Strike of 08/09: It's been reported that 6 out of the 19 scripted series (comedies and dramas, not "reality" shows or game shows) slated for next season are going to be reworked foreign offerings. And the lion's share of those are, you guessed it, from Great Britain.

Of course, I disagree with the basic premise that the strike made it somehow harder mine the ideas of local talent.

But in reading an article about the trend, if just hit me like a ton of bricks that some of the most influential shows -- shows that have a major impact on our culture here in North America -- actually sprung from British minds. It's almost a cliche to bring up All in the Family and Three's Company when discussing this topic, but when you see them amongst the others, it's pretty impressive:

All in the Family
Sanford and Son
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
American Idol
Dancing with the Stars
The Office

These aren't tiny little shows ... these are major water-cooler-conversation shows, shows that contribute catchphrases, cheesy products, and spinoffs. Shows that launch legendary careers, ranging from Rob Reiner to Kelly Clarkson.

Naturally, the list could be much, much longer if they'd leave the bloody things alone and just air them as is. After all, there's only one Carroll O'Connor, and only one John Ritter. Case in point: Are you telling me that Harvey Korman (bless his memory) ever had one moment in his entire comedy career that was half as funny as the scene were John Cleese beats up his car in Fawlty Towers? Why did they even try and adaptation? Were the references that incomprehensible to an American audience? Nutt House was cancelled after six episodes, even though Mel Brooks was an executive producer, and even though my fellow alumn, Brian MacNamara had a recurring role.

Ditto for the Stephen Moffat creation, Coupling. That show, featuring Jack Davenport from the Pirates of Caribbean films and Richard Coyle as the insane Welchman Jeff Murdock, was one of the most inventive sitcoms I've ever seen. The American version came and went in just 10 episodes even though they performed the Moffat scripts nearly word for word.

It's amazing they never did a show called "Morry Cobra's Soaring Carnival" or "Mr. Franks and Beans" or something.

There's a new Ricky Gervais podcast! There's a new Ricky Gervais podcast!

Ricky Gervais has had a ocassional podcast for a long time now.

If you lot haven't heard it, it features the co-creator of The Office and Extra, Stephen Merchant and a friend of their called Karl Pilkington. Essentially, it's three lads sitting around, having a go at each other. But the wildcard is this Pilkington. Evidently he was their producer when Ricky and Stephen had a radio show on XFM, and according to Ricky the best way to describe him is that he's a "shaven monkey with a head like a f**king orange."

The best part of the show is Ricky's reaction to Pilkington's "observations." (Once, famously, I think they were talking about eating rude parts of a kangaroo and he came out with the gem, "I could eat a knob at night," which was then turned into a dance mix -- actually several dance mixes.) Who knows if it's an act, but in the world of the show, Karl sort of skates through life, taking it all literally. (i.e., People who live in glass houses shouldn't knock about with actual stones, or their house will broken, etc.) There's no way to convey the tone of the show, so I won't try, but it is hilarious.

I encourage you to jump on the free podcast, available here if you have iTunes in America. This appears to be a one-off, a favor to a former boss who is now running New Music Express's station in the UK. I think the last one they did was in November of '07 and it may be donkey's years before they do another, with Ricky doing two movies and coming to America to do his standup show. Beside, the M.O. seems to be to send these out for free, and then sell each series ones some time has gone by. My suggestion is to listen to the ones that are still on iTunes and if you like them as much as I do, by the other downloads later. There are many hours of hilarity.

Everything is available throught the Ricky Gervais site, Ricky Gervais ... Obviously.

The one, the NME broadcast is pretty representative. Some out-loud laughs, but no "first-time-you-saw-the-Fawlty-Towers-where-he-beats-up-his-car-with-a-branch" moments. (Nick Hornby coined that description.)

Totally worth listening.

SPEAKING OF PODCASTS, check out The Secret Policeman's Ball. Yes, the comedy institution to benefit Amnesty International came back in '06. Stephen Merchant does some of the interviews. He was a little too hard on Jimmy Fallon and a a little too easy on Chevy Chase, but it turns out that in addition to co-creating history-making TV shows, he is very good interviewer.