I love BBC Ghosts, and I am genuinly of the opinion that more countries SHOULD make their own versions of it. Not everyone had a Victorian Era, or a captain from WW2 or even witch trials, so this concept is a perfect excuse for other countries to dive into their very own unique history. I like that the american version has a native american ghost and a dead flapper from the speakeasy era, that's excellent! I just hope that they actually use that to their advantage instead of copying too much from the original. Every country should own their horrible history! ❤
@@alexbostock7826 I did say "not everyone", didn't I...? 🤔 Most countries were undoubtedly *affected* by WW2 (it was a global conflict in every sense of the word), but keep in mind that it was mainly the Axis powers and the Allies that actually fought in it. I'm from Sweden, so should a Swedish production of Ghosts ever see the light of day, it would raise more than just a few of questionmarks if there was a Swedish WW2 officer among the ghosts... 😅
In my country (Romania) instead of the plague victims, or Mary, we'd have people tortured and killed by the Turks, Kitty would be replaced by someone who died in a 18th century peasant uprising , instead of Lady Button, someone who died in the peasant revolt of 1907. Instead of Thomas, we'd have an 1848 revolutionary, we'd also have a few soldiers from WWI and II. Instead of Pat, we'd probably have an intellectual killed by communists, since such a big house would have been requisitioned and turned into a prison for the "enemies of the people". We'd also have some teenager shot in the 1989 Revolution, and finally we'd have not one, but several corrupt politicians. OMG i've just realised my country's history is kind of depressing.
Stephen Fry is on point about the differences between UK and US comedy and the Americans don't do self-deprecating or 'losers'. They are perfectly entitled to do a re-make but I doubt it will work in the same way as the original, just as The Office re-make didn't work in the same way as the original.
They lost the plot with Kath and Kim, too. Americans just don't get the basic jokes in the first place, nor will they, while they refuse to laugh at themselves.
I liked Mike's character in BBC original. His screen presence is entertaining like he was good hearted but slightly dumb. One of the best characters in ghosts.
The BBC version is such a comfort show, It’s like watching a family and I enjoy it so much, not to mention most of us were brought up by most of the cast with Horrible Histories and Yonderland 🥺
As an American who watched the BBC version originally, I really agree with your review! I was bothered by them explaining and showing everything. I also didn't like the pacing either. I feel like something was missing from the first 2 episodes. Also we didn't see the headless ghost as much as we see Humphrey. I also think some of the issue is that the main cast of BBC ghosts have acted together for a while so they have mastered their chemistry and know how to bounce off each other. Which I think could be why some of the cast in the American version didn't seem to be as cohesive. But I'm not sure.
As another American who has seen BBC version first also - I agree - I liked Rose McIver from iZombie & was hopeful for the US Ghosts, but so far I'm not feeling it
I’ve only seen the trailer but “being walked through, probably the worst pain I can think of!” annoyed me massively. They’re just saying it out loud to make sure the audience knows it, rather than trusting them to see that it’s uncomfortable for the ghosts.
@@ladylestranj I just finished watching the first season and I only saw the headless guy twice, both times just a background joke which was disappointing. I personally feel that the American version is lacking the charm of the original. Though I do enjoy the remake, I much prefer the original.
Possibly one of the biggest disappointments is that when Sam has to explain "talking to herself" she keeps taking an easy out by pretending to be talking on a hidden Bluetooth phone. In the original, Alison always excuses what she's said with an attempt to reword what she's just said so that it makes vague sense in the context of the room around her.
The thing i had the biggest issue with was the change in how Sam had her head injury. In the UK version, Julian purposely pushes Alison out of the window which is a vital part of his character building. It shows how he is selfish and doesn't think before he acts. With Trevor pushing the vase off the table and then Sam slipping completely changes the perspective. I know that his character is quite different Julian but at the same time, it changes the perspective of him. It wasn't on purpose like what Julian did to Alison. It was just something that really bugged me for some reason
Just finished watching us version after it came to BBC iPlayer a few weeks ago, and I have to agree. By all means, I like Trevor, but the difference is I LOVE Julian. I found Trevor disappointing
In later episodes I believe it's either in season one or season two titles "Trevor's Pants" it shows him genuinely being a kind person in life. Therefore, it wouldn't make sense for him to push Sam down the stairs, or out of a window like what Julian did with Alison.
@@stephenshelton4267I don’t know whether you are American or British, but it is very common for British shows to centre a more darker and meaner cast and style. Think of Peep Show.
@@lailadobb9221 I'm American, but Ive seen UK shows. I watched the Doctor Who revival, and infrequently watch other shows like Doctor Martin and the Vickor of Dicker comedy. I never noticed that the péople were mean though.
America will call things 'an original' because it is original to that specific US channel. They did that with Canadian show 'anne (with an e)' as a Netflix original. And The Listener or Flashpoint and Rookie Blue. All Canadian shows.
I'm an American who loves the BBC Ghosts. I watched the first three episodes of the American version and I think it will become it's own thing eventually. I think the walk-through/smell joke would've been better if they walked through Flower and smelled pot. I agree with everything you said, I'm just surprised by the reception it's received so far. I'm also happy that the Idiot Six's names are in the credits as well.
By episode 2 of BBC Ghosts, the only death we are given explicit details on is Lady B By episode 2 of CBS Ghosts, you already know a lot of the ghosts deaths I know which option I prefer
In BBC's 80's sitcom "Dear John", there was a reveal after seven episodes that the flashy obnoxious character of Kirk was an introvert outside of the one hour a week where he interacted with the other characters. The US remake revealed that in the pilot.
My issue was with their version of the Captain. In the BBC version, his sexuality is handled with such care and respect. Its not his entire personality, nor is it constantly shoved down your throat that he is gay. Infact it's a large part of his character that he is hiding it and the tragic part of his past. In the American version, Holy fuck could they not have chosen a more stereotypical gay to play this character. They are so over the top with how gay they are, down to the movements and voice. And if that's not obvious enough they make about 10 blunt as all fuck innuendos that bludgeon you over the head with the fact that he is gay, in just the first episode. His sexuality is turned into a joke. Him being gay is the entire joke. And it is not a funny one.
@@creeperslayer241 I, as an American viewer, see the entire joke as "him not being Hamilton". Perhaps I misunderstand American audiences, but my personal view is that our birth as a nation is infinitely more important to us than WWI or WWII. If the character had been a WWI Captain, perhaps I would notice the fact that he is gay more. To me, as an American, the joke is that he is not the great hero that we imagine all Americans were at that time. This character is shooting down our inflated self-image. Since you didn't grow up with that same inflated self-image, maybe you notice the gay aspect more. Well, that's how I see it.
As an American who prefers the UK version, this was an interesting watch. (Spoiler: I prefer the UK version.) I've read that after ep. 3, the US version diverts from the UK source material, so I will be curious to see how that goes. Network shows in the US run 30 or 60 min (inc commercials). I don't know of any comedy on a network that's more than 30min. I think if they had avoided showing us the house as a b&b & how annoying it could be for the ghosts, there would have been time to show some of Sam & Jay's life in NYC. I would've liked to have seen that, for the contrast. The show was better than the trailers suggested, and that was a nice. I was disappointed that we learned so much about how the ghosts died so early on. I liked having it revealed in bits. I'll keep watching to be supportive of the Idiot 6, but I'm hoping the BBC give them a few more seasons.
Having watched both, I find the CBS version much better but I don't dislike the BBC version. The pilot episodes of both were very similar, and there is an episode coming up in both where there's a dinner with the neighbors that goes ooorly and is resolved with a tip from a ghost, but aside from that the shows are very different.
I thought it was okay. Was it as good as the UK version? Nowhere near, but as you said, it’s meant for an American audience and I’m glad it’s doing well. I agree with you on the show-don’t-tell. In the UK version, the only ghost we were explicitly given a death story for in the first episode(s) was Fanny. We could make assumptions about the others (Pat, Thomas etc because of their visible wounds), but they left it a mystery to discuss until their death story episodes. With the US version, I feel like I already know how at least half of them died. I really liked Jay as a character, and while I wasn’t as keen on Sam, I think she’ll definitely grow on me. I really liked Flower and Alberta, and Hetty surprised me too! She felt similar to Fanny but also different enough to feel fresh. Like you, I’m not sure on Isaac, but I did like the Hamilton jokes. I do think the biography storyline could be really fun though. I feel like it’s probably this way because most American sitcoms are, but it felt so bright and cheery. One thing I love about BBC Ghosts is it has this really muted lighting and it’s so atmospheric which obviously suits the whole “ghosts” idea. It has a really lovely gothic feel while still being a comedy. It was better than I expected though! And I’m excited to see where it goes!
So this is my take on CBS ghosts before I watch the video. It was alright but nothing compared to the BBC version which is my favourite show. While watching the two episodes I was basically making comparisons to the original
I love how sensible and chill you are about the CBS version, and it makes me realize that I might have been a little too harsh to it. I didn't HATE the CBS version, but I had some major issues with it. Two of my biggests irks where the ones you brought up, mainly the rather tedious gay jokes (I counted 3-4 in each episode) and how they spoiled so many of the ghosts' deaths in the first 2 episodes which is a real bummer... Your suggestion about showing the claw marks on Flower instead of straight out telling what killed her, would have been amazing and would have left me wanting to know more about her and her story. I'm also a little annoyed how the viking's language isn't consistent. Sometimes he speaks like a caveman with a very limited vocabulary (probably because he's supposed to be based on Robin) and in the next he uses complex sentences, so I feel the writer's aren't on the same page here... I will admit that I do like Jay, and I'm coming over Sam being a bit of an airhead. I'm definitely watching episode 3 as well, to give the show a fair chance, and my hope is that things can only get better from here.
if you cant do funny gay jokes youre not worthy to call yourself a remake of anything made by the six idiots. theyre the governing body of funny gay jokes
I had initially been very nervous about the CBS remake. I found out that the six idiots are listed as producers on the CBS one. I’m still nervous to watch it, but it’d be interesting to see what they do
@@mandymagnolia1966 I'm on episode 9 now, and I can tell that it got significantly better (in my opinion)! It's still lacking the distinct charm and nuance that the BBC ghosts have, but that being said I actually started enjoying it more when they properly deviated from the source material instead of making their own spin on already exisiting jokes or plotlines. There are even some really well written emotional scenes that genuinly made me tear up, so I'd say it's definitely worth a watch. (And kudos to the writers for making an episode about D&D that is actually accurate 🤣)
Yeah the viking should really sound a viking and the native american should i say should have a native feel to it. Ghosts keep a bit of themselves when they die
Whilst Isaac is played by a gay actor (Which is obviously a very good thing) from what I've seen and heard he's very stereotypical and doesn't have that depth that the Captain does. Overall I prefer the Captain, he's just written far better but it is good that Isaac is played by a gay actor (I'm queer just btw this is coming from someone fruity)
As an American viewer who stumbled onto the US version 5 days ago, and then tried to watch the UK version (I could only find series 1), I think both are entertaining in their own right. In regards to the characters, I'd actually say the only 2 are really "the same." Pete is Pat. There's no real alteration to his backstory or character that I can see. And they also copied the story with his family, but did it differently in the US version, making it into a question of if the living couple should interfere in the ghosts' business. And I have to say I like Pete better than Pat, if I have to pick. In addition to the family visitation episode, he also got the focus in a story arc where he stands up for himself as a peacemaker and someone who believes the other ghosts can be better even if they are so often a mess. He's also a bit more of a leader at times, the more subtle one who keeps the group going (the leadership role gets shared around a bit). His chipper optimism is just very appealing to Americans. The other character is Hetty, who is the US version of Fanny. And in this case I don't really care for this character that much. I might like the UK version better if I have to pick, but it's by a very narrow margin. For me, in both versions, the characters just kind of exist because they need to as the only one feeling a blood tie to the mortal couple. For me the mortal couples in both are kind of the same. I like the UK version a bit better. But I do like that the US couple has actual skills and jobs and might realistically be able to pull the B&B thing off, whereas the UK couple ... has a really be house with a title and history attached and that's about it. US Jay's actor really needs to come up with a better "acting like I'm not seeing a crowd of people" plan though. He looks like he's looking over the ghosts' heads so that he deliberately can't see them, rather than looking at an empty room. Like pick a lamp or a chair and talk to it like it's a person or something. It's better than this "unfocused and looking too high" thing. I would say that the other characters are actually much different, and though they may have similarities, such as Trevor and Julian both having no pants and being sexually deviant, and Robin and Thorfin being the oldest and having electricity powers, the personalities are different, and I wouldn't try to choose one cast over the other, as it's choosing maybe between a Granny Smith apple and a Golden Delicious apple. They're both apples, but they don't taste the same. I WISH Isaac were more like the Captain, though. He's sort of a combo of the Captain and Thomas, and really really obviously gay. So gay that it's the overriding aspect of his character, and makes it hard to take him seriously doing anything else. They set up a gay romance between him and a British Red Coat that he killed, and it's kind of adorable and I like where that is going other than 1) the two actors both needed better posture when sitting down (it's so bad I noticed it and made me not believe in the story they were telling) and 2) the overriding gayness of all previous episodes made it a little less special than it could have been, if that makes any sense. Maybe the best way to say it is that it comes off as too modern whereas the Captain's gayness comes across with fewer comments and as period appropriate to a man who could have been castrated because of it. And he seems to have more facets to his character than just being "the gay one." In terms of the story, I don't mind the abrupt start. The UK one seemed to take a little long to get to the meat of the story during the house hunting (though I think that paid off in the last episode when they go house hunting again). The UK "annoying" sequence was awesome and so much better than what they did in the US version (I'm thinking time constraints were the issue). However, I definitely prefer Trevor accidentally causing Sam's accident (which seemed totally on brand for that character and was a genuine accident) to Julian's failed murder attempt of Alison. It's just very hard to come back from as a character, and while they're two very different characters in a lot of ways, I really didn't like Julian, even before that, so he totally lost me with the murder and I have no interest in seeing him around, whereas Trevor is definitely a douchebag, but he's a tolerable douchebag who maybe could be a better person some day, 300 years from now. He also makes for an interesting "buddy" of sorts for Pete, as they're the youngest and understand each other the best, even as they disagree. They did also do the "dinner party" episode. UK version is definitely the better of the two not only for the blackmail seeming a bit more appropriate an end after the deal and then the gambling and the failed gambling cheat, but also for the totally US reasons that I've lived in New England where this seems to be set (I'm a little unclear if they're just in upstate New York or Connecticut or possibly New Jersey), but they started talking about a "carriage house" being torn down and I'm like "no, it should be an old barn." There's other little things, but that episode felt very much like someone in California adapting a thing he doesn't understand (a UK comedy) to a thing he doesn't understand (the culture and terrain of New England). You complained about the episode length of the US version, and I can agree with you there, but at the same time, our seasons are longer, so shorter episodes could lead to better focus as time goes on. Thus far, they've had an episode about Flower's past, an episode where Alberta meets a fan (and her and Isaac do at least have an interesting dynamic over a desire for fame and leadership), and the return of Hetty's husband. They've also had Sam meet more ghosts outside the house whereas Allison seems to want to avoid them from the little I've seen. I'm really hoping they bring back the newsboy in future episodes as a guest character, as well as the Red Coats. They've also built up Sass as not only a gossip, but a "storyteller" of his people, which is a nice change from a stereotyped warrior or medicine man, so I'm hoping to see more to his character. But we're only halfway through the first season and it's been picked up for a second season in the US, meaning it will have a minimum of 44 episodes compared to the UK 18 or 24 at this point.
I’m American, and love the original version. I tried to suspend judgment because the US Office came into their own after they stopped ripping off the original. But CBS is not a channel known for quality comedy, and their Ghosts so far is just lacking. It’s not funny, and the cast doesn’t have any chemistry. I will probably not watch for long, but I hope for the Six Idiots’ sake that it does well. They deserve all the financial success possible because they have created such wonderful content over the years. Totally agree with your pros and cons.
Agree with your review, did not think it was awful by any stretch of the imagination and think it has some really interesting avenues to take however one of the things that made Ghosts really special for me was the cast and I didn't feel the same with this one. Also found the couple a little harder to like. but then again must give it some time still early days !!
I am half way through the BBC version which my wife and I are really enjoying, but I love the American version, which at this point we have seen all 10 episodes. I think I enjoy the US version more because, as some have mentioned, that it is attuned to American history and pop-culture. But I also found the US version a little more sentimental with a little more of an arc for all the characters. I like that we see that there is also a post-death personal history between the ghosts. But this really does point out the subtle differences between US and UK taste in humor.
American here. I've never seen the BBC version or even heard of it until I started watching your Taskmaster videos so I was going into it by what I've heard from you. I only watched your take on the trailer for the CBS version and heard what you thought about it. I would have tried looking up the BBC version to see what you meant of the similarities and differences but I decided to go into the CBS with a clean pallet. I really enjoyed the show. I laughed a lot and really liked the premise. I can't wait for more episodes. As for your thoughts, I probably would have had the same reaction as you but what made it, for me, better was I didn't have anything to compare it to. The same thing happened to The Office. Watched US version first then saw UK version and was more in tuned to the US version. Maybe might happen if I watch BBC version now. Not at all trying to say anything bad about UK versions of shows, but saying going into new shows without any knowledge of previous versions allows the viewer a non-biased opinion while watching, but of course you probably know that. The show is great and I hope it continues for a while. About the time differences, from what I understand is you only have so many per season, yet we will be getting quite a bit more, right? They might fill the extra episodes with stuff they couldn't fit in a single episode. But anyways, thanks for the review and I will continue watching to see how you take this version.
Yeah i can get this but I’d definitely say the uk version is better in my experience and you should give it a watch most likely it’s because there the horrible histories cast and basically every British person loves that show but it’s just such a great group of friends. Because of how long they have been working together they just bounce right of each other and the shows humor is so cleverly done. I’ve not seen the American one yet so i can’t be too quick to judge but I’m guessing it wouldn’t really be my cup of tea :)
As someone who 1000% prefers the US office to the UK office , BBC ghosts is an absolute delight, don't need to be nervous about it (but also fair enough to watch them one at a time haha)
Obviously I’m basing my opinion so far on the trailer. I have an issue with American remakes, as they tend to miss the point of the original, for example Red Dwarf, Life on Mars and The IT Crowd. I think American comedy style is so different to our UK style that remakes will never compare favourably. The trailer looked clunky and desperate to get the story established fast so that it could get right on with cramming as many crude, suggestive jokes in as possible, and judging by your review I’m not far off the mark. The UK Ghosts has a found family vibe, the Ghosts are stuck with each other and although the joke about it they all would miss each other should one be…no I can’t say that Mary! And speaking of Mary, anyone else find it strange that with America’s history of Witch Trails there was no Mary character? The scene in the last episode of series 3 around the table is so heartwarming, it’s subtle, sweet and I really don’t see Americans remake matching that level of closeness within the characters. By the 2nd episode of UK Ghosts, each character was established and already had a place in my heart, I don’t see that happening with the US version, it’s just a little flat in that way. Overall from what little I’ve seen, I don’t think it will ever match up, America should stick to its own comedy styles and work on ideas that suit it, not by pasting over a UK framework and hoping for the best. Not that I don’t love American TV because there’s things that wouldn’t work in a UK remake.
I agree and I think part of that found family vibe in the UK version comes from the incredible closeness of the cast. The 6 have had years working and writing together and the other cast members slotted into the dynamic really well. You can see so clearly in the behind the scenes how the sense of fun and friendship carries over into the show.
Wow this is really what i was thinking. I think the bbc ghosts are made with love and bonded together as a family and thats make this show click. And this is the first comedy that ever made me cry with the christmas episodes. Its heartwarming and touching and not so "forced" like the american version
Just a little observation - ALL of the cast of UK Ghosts have performed at the Edinburgh fringe at some point. They are comedians who act, not actors attempting to do comedy.
Your second sentence does not follow from the first. With the possible exception of Lolly, the cast are all actors primarily. Comedy actors yes, but actors nonetheless.
My gripe is that now I have to specify BBC/UK when looking for ghosts content. The US version seems to be taking over search results despite it only having one series currently and it’s annoying af.
Have you continued to watch it? In my opinion, as soon as it starts diverting from the original and having it's own vibe and story, it gets much better.
I understand the comments about it being branded a 'CBS Original', but I think it is just something that in TV terms doesn't have the same meaning, for a lot of TV companies and channels 'original' doesn't mean it is the origin of an idea, but rather that it is something they own and have made for themselves, something to distinguish their content from other shows that have bought in. Generally the big US television networks are locally scheduled and show syndicated programming during the day, so when they have a show in the evening that is networked across all the affiliated stations across the country, they want you to know that it is their programme. A similar situation here recently is Sky's revival of Never Mind The Buzzcocks, which as it is a Sky production that they've paid to produce, it is branded as A Sky Original, which it technically is, the show itself may have had its origins on the BBC, but Sky have paid for the show to be made. If Sky were to repeat the old BBC episodes, they wouldn't brand them as Sky Originals as they don't own those shows.
Yes, I think it means it was produced by that network, instead of being re-aired from somewhere else. It sounds misleading in this case, but I suppose that’s a bit oh well!
I've watched the first 3 eps now and I enjoyed it. I thought it was successfully Americanised. Like yes, the tone and pace are different but I didn't even notice the shorter run time, because I was in American show mode watching it, and it just felt like an American show, if that makes sense. I agree with you on a lot, but especially on the overbearing telling, though I'm hoping that fizzles out a bit once the universe of the show is established. Do I think it's an incredible show? Maybe not, but it's a cute fun little comedy and for now I'll keep watching.
My only biggest problem with it is bbc ghosts is of people who are like iconicly british but like Americas has Rose Mciver who i love but like it would've been so interesting to have iconic American personalities.
I think a big difference is even from how they attempt to get them to leave. In the original they take it in turns 24/7 to batter Alison at full volume: th-cam.com/video/TZrwvGxX3yQ/w-d-xo.html In the CBS version they "pester them out" repeatedly casually chatting to Sam, during the day(?). My personal favourites from the U.K. are: Mary, repeatedly "get out, get out, get out, get out, get out, get out…" Captain sings "the very model-major-general" song, - a *very* fast song.
Seen all 6 episodes now, I have to say episode 6 was probably my favourite. It's the American retelling of the UK episode Pats Death Day. If anything I preferred the American version of Pat's / Petes episode. The secondary storyline was also very good (no spoiler)
They previously lived in Manhattan so, if you know Manhattan, you already know most apartment dwellers live in cramped spaces. They do allude to their previous Manhattan lifestyle where they had an active social lifestyle. Not everyone, who die of bear attacks sustain multiple wounds. One strategic scrape on the body can be lethal. The cast did discuss how each ghost will have their backstory told. I like the CBS version for different reasons than the BBC verion. They are different because the history and characters are different.
It's actually in some respects better than original. Because they have 20+ episodes to flesh out characters. They put three british series content into one season. And they explore more outside ghosts of the house. The BBC version has hardly had any ghost encounters outside of Button house.
One of the things I loved about the BBC version, is that you could relate to every character. They also didn't harp on 'injustices of the past", because the ghosts have been around for a long, time, and have vented most of that. Only the Grey Lady and the Military guy are kind of stuck in their demand for order of things, but you can still see them as relatable. Also, we didn't get to know about the ghosts' deaths until season 2 in the BBC version, because the story was so interesting, and it was more about the interactions. Season 2 they have to write faster, so they did what most writers do, go for the easy fruit. US writers start with the easy fruit. Copy from a show that already works, and change it suit your beliefs. The US version is a bit too... on-the-nose about things. The character seems to take a cue from the BBC version, but then went to a cartoon level of stereotype. I don't watch comedies to be preached to about social injustice. BBC > CBS
I’m American. I tried watching the American version twice. I couldn’t get through the first episode. The acting is what immediately killed it for me. All the characters are played so over-the-top and stereotypical (through the lens of an American). The dude who plays the Viking acts like what a 21st century American Proud Boy would think a Viking acted like. If the Viking was a badass, it would show through his actions (decisions he made, abilities, opinions), not through his strutting and posing, or even his looks. His character was definitely conjured by an out-of-touch-with-reality-in-a-bad-way American. The over acting goes for all the ghosts. This is the subtlety she spoke of that the British are so good at and Americans ravage. The character traits are so in-your-face and shoved down your throat in the American version that it makes watching it wholly unpalatable. I freaking LOVE BBC’s Ghosts.
I would love to see an updated review and see if your opinions have changed at all. I was not a big fan of the first few episodes but I found myself falling in love with the characters. It actually surprised me as I am British and I don't tend to be a fan of American sitcoms but I am really enjoying the show, as much as the original is some ways. I like that it is deviating from the British version and bringing in new things. If you have watched until episode 14 I would love to hear what you think. One of my favourite parts so far was *SPOILERS* the reveal that Thorfin was the person who used to sing to Hettie as a child and how excited he had been to be able to speak to her again. I don't think we've really had an element in the BBC version of a ghost interacting with another before their death so I thought that added a really interesting element. I am loving the show and the vibe of the cast together.
I agree with every point! I would also like to add that there was at least one scene where the cuts between only Sam and Jay to them and the ghosts weren't done really well ... like their hands or something were not in the same position and it kinda ruined the magic for me
I finally got around to binge watching the 8 episodes that are currently out, so now I'm here. My expectations were low (especially considering US remake pilots like The IT Crowd and Peep Show) but I was pleasantly surprised and actually had a decent time watching it. The biggest thing for me was the lack of subtlety, but that was expected as that's just one of the typical differences between UK and US humour. I didn't let myself get too annoyed by it. With the ghosts themselves, I really like what they chose to change/keep the same. The only ghost that is exactly the same as the UK version is Pete (Pat), but that makes sense as Scouts is a universal concept. And I suppose their version of Fanny is basically the same but seemingly younger. I found myself really liking most of the other ghosts and I think they've utililised US history very well, without making things too serious. The episode length is something that I noticed but didn't really think about while watching. Although I agree that it would have been nice for them to be longer. Overall, it's decent stuff, and regardless, the original version hasn't gone anywhere 😂
I enjoyed the BBC version a lot as an American. Truth be told it took a few episodes to stop comparing the US version to the original. Once I got past that I found I was able to watch and enjoy the new version on it's own merits and for it's differences. Some characters are not as engaging as in the original. But the ensemble cast is about as good and the writing and purely American interpretation of same concept still works
Alison and Mike worked for something to do with farming, but that was after they'd inherited the house. We have no information on them pre house other than the flat they were viewing
I have totally enjoyed the US Version. I had not seen the BBC Version until I searched TH-cam.. I will be honest with you that so far 13 episodes, the US Version is really well done as well as the characters are really good!
Just saw the last episode for the year. I really enjoy the characters, their story lines and how they are evolving. Thanks writers, actors and director!
Absolutely awful. We’ve watched BBC Ghosts three times and just purchased the DVD set. The acting is terrible on the remake, don’t they even see this. Come on now.
I'm an American, and I've watched all of the BBC's season 1,2, and 3 and all of the 13 episode's of the American version. I love them both, but based on culture differences of the British and Americans I feel they're both spot on. They each reflex the tempo of the respective culture. No disrespect to either country but American culture is a bit more fast pace while the British culture is more laid back and easy going. Therefore I wasn't disappointed by either version, but in fact like the change of pace represented by each culture. Also as the American version progressed the story lines started to take on more American culture. In fact I think it needed to mirror the original version for a few episode to pull in the American audience.
on the length of the show, US shows on the networks are always either 30 or 60 minute slots. Comedies are mostly 30 minutes, and dramas are 60 minutes. This is changing with the streaming services, they aren't tied to trying to fit around certain time constraints so making them as long as needed. The ghost changes make sense for the area, but I do miss Mary. They could have included her as witch burnings occurred here too.
How i wish they could have added a mary character with a noose on her neck that would be good..and there are many witches from america that came mostly from britain so they could have made that connection
I just came from watching the first two episodes so this video was perfectly timed. I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as you did. On the whole I don't think it was that great. I completely agree with your point about the lack of subtlety. I felt especially with the condensed run time everything felt very spelt out, like they did not need Pete to say he got shot through the neck with an arrow. Also yeah, the gay jokes with Isaac were way overdone. Like I think just in the first episode there were about as many as the whole of the UK series. There were some good moments though, I actually really liked Pete's dialogue as Sam was taken to hospital, unlike the rest of the episode it was a nice quiet scene. I just hope that now they've covered the essentials they can get on with some more original content.
I look forward to your comparison after watching the complete US season as I started the US version and am currently 18 episodea in. (Spoilers ahead...) I discovered the UK version after and the difference is huge. Even the first two episodes which you claim are virtually identical has some pretty major differences , that set the overall trajectory of the show on a much darker path. The fact that in the UK version Julian straight up murders (attempted) Alison. I can't remember if they ever even addresed that. Also the drawn out way in which Pat ultimately succumbs to his arrow wound. You can really see the panic and him getting on the bus and driving into the tree while the kids watched. Then to make it even darker the kid that shot him frames the younger kid by placing the bow in his hands. This dark humour is something that is lost and makes the US version seem tame by comparison. The other thing i noticed is that the budget in the UK version is higher and I think this leads to far more creative scenarios. The show seems to do more scenes outside and around the house and seems to have more guests on set .. liie the scene with Mike on the rooftop or the filming of a movie in the house. Another thing I love in the UK version that Alison and Mike tend to take the moral low ground alot times to get ahead because things dont tend to workout positivly for the all the time (they seem to have really Bad Luck) , the fact that they even still have day jobs is brutal. In The US version every problem thrown their way is resolved with little issue and works out for them way too easily. E.g in the US version when they desparetly need $, Hetty's dead husband happens to have an expensive item on him that solves all of their financial problems just like that. In the UK version Fanny hands her a box and its empty. And the best part was Alison's total lack of surprise at it..she knew that with her luck not to get her hopes up in the first place. Sorry long post but last point, the humour in the UK is also less worried about offending people. I loved the joke when they were shooting pheasant and the Captain says something about Mikes shooting and Alison remarks to Mike that he said something mildly racist. Or when Alison visibly pukes after seeing Mike get sprayed with Pigeon poop after falling off the roof ROFL such bad luck.
I’m British and a huge ghosts fan. I watched the American version of the show and can honestly say that a little part of me actually died. You might see me at button House as a ghost in the next series if I dare watch any more of that CBS ‘thing’. Love your channel btw.
Imo the remake lacks charm, the comedic timing is off with many reused jokes, the chemistry isn’t there between the characters, added some “potty humor” which wasn’t needed and it’s adding politics that weren’t in the original. Examples of “politics”…again, this is just my opinion and not meant to ruffle any feathers. The remake makes it a point to show that the 20s character had problems with racism, the First Nation character and his land stolen, feminism with the women and the soldier IS GAY! Plus from the episodes I’ve seen there’s no “Screaming Woman” storyline (too dark?) and the main woman’s death was accidental unlike the original when she was pushed. I know the original soldier is gay too but it was subtle…it was a part of him, not what defined him. Most people I believe aren’t defined by only one aspect of who they are, nor should they be. I’m not just my skin tone, I’m not just my sexual orientation, I’m not just my gender, I’m not just my religious or political views…I’m those plus a whole lot more. So when one aspect of a person is trumpeted over and over, to me it takes away from all the others. You’re only seeing one side of them when I’d like to see more.
I watched the American one first, but subsequently watched the British one on a 'Ghosts' binge. I do have to say, I am in agreement that the show has been in some ways almost too similar, but I do like most of the changes made. I think the Pete arc in the American is superior to the British one. It is drawn out, but the payoff is better whereas I felt it almost went too quick in the UK version. American seasons do give the writers more time to play with as they can go up to around 20 episodes. I didn't think it was too quickly paced. Primarily because what the BBC did in one episode, CBS did in 2. If anything, they've drawn it out a bit. The quickness I feel is more for episode length then actual speed of the actions themselves.
I think the US budget for SFX is *very* limited. In the US version the =Humphrey has his head mostly in place, no SFX, with only a tiny makeup "cut" around his neck. & only "bear scratch" on her back & a tiny bit around the neck. The cellar people, despite being called "zombies" =plague pit, look normal, and are just wearing loose fiting basic rough cloth sacks. In the UK version the plague pit cast is the full "Them-There"&Katy&Lolly all have makeup of lumps & boils etc ...although the UK version reuses cast so *needs* to have Humphrey's head never in the same shot as from Robin, because it's the same person!🤯 Humphrey's body is played by someone else!🤯
I feel like if US version had a limited SFX budget they should've just tailored the ghost deaths for that? No need for anyone to be headless or a mauling victim!
Ghosts UK is my go-to comfort viewing. It has warmth and heart. Detectorists is the same - both rely on characters rather than jokes and whimsy levels are off the scale. Admittedly I haven’t seen full episodes of the US version, just TH-cam clips, but it seemed to be a pale imitation too reliant on jokes and punchlines. Where was the affection between the ghosts? Despite their frustration at being trapped together for centuries they care for and support each other. Ghosts UK occasionally makes me teary - eg, when Mary moves on and the Ghosts gather and name a star after her; Pat forgiving the man responsible for his death; Robin’s loneliness for centuries defined by his identification with the moona. It’s touching, adorable, funny and strangely relatable. I know I’m not making a comparison based on a fair sample and I stand to be contradicted but, on the evidence I’ve seen, it’s no contest.
100% on the runtime, 100% on Isaac v. the captain, 100% on the show-don't-tell. Although the fart dysentery thing, while crude, is just so "American" that it works. We'll see how much is in the tank considering American TV seasons are 20 some odd episodes.
Not yet, so far they have only be ordered for 13 episodes…so the cast is currently filming as we speak in Montreal, canada. If the show gets high ratings and does well with audiences CBS will order for more episodes but right now it’s currently at 13. I’m friends with a cast member that’s how I know
@@egala005 Fair enough, I don’t know how many ideas they can take this. It would have to be about the quality of the jokes and the fact that audiences love the characters in order for it to continue past 1 or 2 seasons. The concept can really only go so far…the show itself has to be really funny and people need to fall in love with the actors/characters in order to keep tuning in. That’s true of any show though. The Big Bang Theory had a concept of 2 nerds befriend a hot chick…boom done now go run for 10 seasons…and it did bc we fell in love with the jokes and characters. Same with the office. Now with Ghosts once they set up the concept, tell the ghosts stories in flashbacks and cover all the ideas that’s when the true test of a show comes in…how much will audience REALLY fall in love once they tire of the “concept”
so sammy want pushed on purpose? wheres the fun in that? julian deadass tried to kill alison and its played for a laugh and thats so damn dark and hilarious because it backfires so badly. there will only be one "ghosts". idgf. and seriously? you wanna shade ben willbond for playing a gay man? you went there. ok.
What I like about the us version they add some drama when pete wife came to visit it was funny and tender when he saw his daughter. I like to see one of the ghosts get to live again.
i thought the first episode was really bad, the comedy and pacing was really rushed and everything was overexplained. i did give it another go after ep1 and it does improve but not sure if ill keep watching it
Stumbling across your video and seeing how well you were able articulate the differences between the two, i felt that you did both shows justice. As an American that watched the original BBC version of ghosts, I can say I definitely enjoyed that version of the show, and can understand how frustrating it can be to look for the place to stream a remake. I’m not sure how it works across the way, but I know that the Paramount+ streaming service has the remake of Ghost in their list. Anyway, I wish you all a happy watching!
one of the things I noticed in the bbc version the creepy plague girl in the closed is not see again i liked her she was cute too bad does she show up later ?
As a big fan of original Ghosts, I have been a bit curious about the remake, but also afraid it would be disappointing. Finding this video was the motivation I needed! Gonna watch it very soon.
I liked your review. I love American Ghosts. I don’t know where I could find Original Ghosts. We don’t have a 40 minute slot in the US. We only have 22 minutes and 42 minutes. 22 is for a 30 min show - which you already know. 42 is for hour shows. Our network TV is used to serve ads to people- like car ads and drug ads - yuck! We also have public tv which is a step towards British TV and it’s not as popular as network TV. Public TV does have British content
No 40 minute shows on network TV... with the exception of supersized episodes of select NBC 90s sitcoms. If GHOSTS was on one of our streaming services though, that would've been a different story. That being said... I recently binged thru the US version, and I've also binged a bunch of TH-cam clips of the UK version. Both, hilarious! Characters are distinct enough where I probably wouldn't mind binging the UK version. I feel bad that the actor that plays Thorfin will probably never have an opportunity to tell the "bear" anecdote that Robin does... as their characters are too different with respect to their speech patterns and the way Robin tells that is pretty unique to him, and funny AF. And I'll give credit to the American show's actors... as far as the stuff they're emulating from the UK version... especially the Ghosts, they seem to be doing a great job.
I've tried. I've really tried. I've really really tried to like this version. Mainly to honour our British original and the fact that the idiot 6 have had a hand in it. But I'm sorry it just isn't great. The depth of the characters just isn't there. The atmosphere isn't there. I think maybe the fact that it's filmed in a studio rather than on location has a hand in that, but it really makes a difference. Just feels like yet another weak, desperate for laughs US comedy show. I'm British so I'm clearly biased that our comedies are constructed and written better resulting in the show just having a quality feel to it. This version just feels... Cheap. The subtleties of actors little mannerisms, looks, off hand comments, that make the original a joy to watch, are just absent in this. To be fair it was a lot to ask of the US cast to produce the same quality, the UK troupe have been writing, performing and even socialising together for years. That just isn't something you can reproduce at the drop of a hat. I think in the next series they should just completely stray far far far away from the plot lines of the original if they stand any hope of it being funny, because the trouble at the moment is that fans of the original will constantly compare it and let's face it, its not even in the same league. Even the viking funeral which might of seemed like an original plot was let's face it, just "moonah ston" episode 5 of UK version. The US churns out comedies like Simon Cowell does with singers but the quality just isn't there 90% of the time. There's obviously been some exceptions.. Cheers, friends, etc but if they maintain recreating UK comedies they need to make it their own version and completely change it... Which kinda begs the question of Why make it in the first place. Despite my ramblings, I was actually routing for it to be good, the writers of the Original deserve to make some serious coin out of their idea and be rewarded for their hard work, especially for filming through all the covid stuff which must have been a nightmare. Anyway final comment is this. Disappointing... But not at all surprised.
At the top, I'm an American and believe with the right motivated writers you could remake it and Americanize the ghosts and reflect our history. But like you've said, the jokes, the glances, the atmosphere, the badly obvious social cue music, just isn't there and makes a far worse quality to it. Secondly, They've been too diplomatic with the american ghost character choices, and were avoiding our history. BBC's version only has one character, Robin, pre-civil war so likewise I'd be careful around pre our civil war. Like I know its supposed to be a comedy show, so slavery would be too painful to address. But, I mean, its possible, cause its in the north, not sure but guessing adirondacks, where many people didn't own slaves and were anti-slavery. But I do incidentally like the choices pre-civil war: the native American (but clearly the writers are afraid to affront the community, and have made him one-dimensional), the revolutionary captain, and the Viking. They just have to, which they did, avoid land owning high society ghosts from pre-civil war. Could they not find more interesting characters than borrowing from the BBC version? In the 1800s America has a storied history of Frontiersmen like Davey Crockett and Daniel Boone. I could imagine instead of the Pat/Pete character they had an 1880s male who was in New England but read the Adventures of Tom Sawyer, heard tales of Boone/Crockett, and died engaging a bear in a fight on the property. And yea, the hippie girl is trope-y for me and its terrible that a charcter that historically has to be very liberal is written in a way to not offend anyone on either side of the spectrum. She's just always high? Ugh. Obviously with a much shorter history time, we'd need characters who never lived on the property but came there for work or something and died there. I'm not really sure when newspapers got big but neither does most Americans, so you could get a newsboy-type character from the 1700s kinda (broke my timeline rule but nbd), who -plot twist- is not biased and straight with facts. I think he, or she, could be the Pat/Pete character in terms of being the most likeable one that makes events and clubs for the ghosts. An inventor/small contractor that was shocked to death in the early days of electricity. A performance magician like Harry Houdini died in an accident (a Thomas equivalent, a romantic/poet/performer type). A woman who thought she'd be a star in 1900s broadway or on early radio, who was at the house putting on a play, who is around Hetty's time but in a different social class. They wasted the gearhead James Dean character on the decapitation- again, wtf with just copying the BBC's characters which like you said almost will always mean just copying the plots and always being compared to the BBC version. I'm searching to understand how he's get his head severed but inside the grounds of the property. I'm american but I would list 8 British shows in my current Top 10 scripted shows I'd recommend, and since i first discovered The Office BBC will almost always prefer the UKs 28ish minute format, deadpan humor, wittig dialogue and friendliness to wordplay and puns. And the main difference is the way american TV is always walking in lockstep with our "in God we trust' culture where the Uk just keep is seperated like from TV. Like for instance, on lee mack's Not Going Out, lucy's parents are uptight and posh but its about religious values- just older generation values. A farmer or farmer's wife from literally ANY decade from 1660 to 1960 is Mary. Honestly, why did they get rid of Mary- she and Robin are my favorite- and American had witch trials too. This show's producers seemed to just jump from 1776 to 1920. If i were to guess its cause they are afraid of uber Karens and any story that would play like Fanny's backstory in the christmast episode where women just couldn't advance. But honestly, I've been saying this for years (I'm in my 30s), that network TV only thinks of suburban moms and Karens from 5 in the morning until 11:30 at night. It's much worse than you can imagine. But personally, I think its wasted too, cause as Joss Whedon's career as an example, a showrunner can write some of the strongest, female characters on TV for 15 yrs but then still get cancelled because of "rumors'. And then have all your former leads come out and throw you under the bus while sitting on the high horse of money she wouldn't have without his writing.
Exactly i mean they could have just gone with sam having an accident and seeing the ghosts and have a different plot after that i mean whats the point of making a remake if its all the same 😂😂😂😂
@@Alwaysbusking Wrong. Most network shows are made for suburban dads and male Karens, as (like ghosts), they're run by suburban dads and male Karens. Stop trying to project your privilege onto women.
@@Alwaysbusking What mis0gyny. Most network shows are catered to suburban dads and maIe Carens, as (like Ghosts) they are created by suburban dads and male Carens. Literally every late night talk show host is a yt maIe. Do not try to put your priviIege onto women.
One big critique I had was that everything looks too nice. I found it hard to believe that they thought the house was falling apart at all lmao! Not only that, I think the lighting just looks too pretty, I feel like Ghosts should look darker- also I did NOT like Trevor, I thought it was a really strange decision to make him have a crush on Sam? With Thomas’ crush on Alison, it’s kind of funny and sweet, but Trevor just made me kind of uncomfortable
I definitely agree with you on the Trevor thing. It's clear that Trevor is supposed to be a combination of Thomas and Julian, but I think that was a bad decision that the writers made. In the UK version, although Julian is generally quite sexist, he's not infatuated with Alison and therefore respects her boundaries. Conversely, although Thomas is infatuated with Alison and often disrespects her boundaries, he's not sexist in general. Because of this, both Thomas and Julian have their own redeeming qualities as characters. However, in the US version, Trevor is both infatuated with Sam and just sexist in general, so he doesn't have any redeeming qualities. He just comes off as a huge sleaze.
Im going to feel like a traitor here as a Brit but i never saw the British version (even though i knew of its existence) So my first encounter with the show is when i stumbled across American version by accident. I thought id give it a go and have really enjoyed the American version.
I'm only a couple of episodes in, but so far, the us version seems to be unaware of "show, don't tell". There are a lot of information given just in the first few episodes that the audience are directly told about rather than inferred or seen through visuals. For example, the couple's old apartment. With the UK's Alison and Mike, as Jamie said, you see them looking around apartments which indicates the kind of place they're currently in. In the US version, Jay just talks about being able to reach the fridge from the bed. And that is one of the more subtle examples. Thor's cause of death is basically immediately revealed to have been being stuck by lightning and that's why he can affect the lights, meanwhile UK's equivalent, you only lear ln he can control lights and it left the audience to theorize how he died for at least a season before it was revealed. I would have loved for Flower to not have said how she died, instead you just see the claw marks and she says she died while hugging a friend, only to reveal later that she was trying to hug a bear.
I think one criticism I don't agree with is the number of breaks the American Ghosts has. I don't know about British TV but in the United States, a season for a TV series is really considered as a year. Now no tv series can do 52 episodes in a season so they do around 22. By the way, I'm referring to traditional broadcast not streaming. So, to stretch the season they need to put in the summer and winter breaks.
What I don’t understand is why didn’t cbs just show the bbc version. Is there a rule against this? What people missed is the message that we’ve been fighting over for the last few years. The fight is about systemic racism. YES. The bbc version has a Victorian era black woman and in 3 seasons they’ve yet to feel the need to explain her blackness. But leave it to america to cast her as a prohibition cabaret singer. Inclusion is just casting an actor.
Sasappis should have been cast with a Lenape actor, or at least a Turtle Islander who isn't mixed with a much more upfront Japanese ancestry. Just because Roman has long hair, it doesn't do much to make him look believably fully Turtle Islander. Really, his casting just reminded me of Booboo Stewart getting the role of Seth in the Twilight franchise. Booboo isn't Indigenous at all, just like Taylor Lautner isn't. Solomon Trimble would have been a good casting choice for Sasappis.
Regarding program length -- US TV doesn't have 40-minute slots on commercial networks -- it's either 30 or 60 minutes (with ads) for most programming. On the other hand, US TV makes more episodes per series than the UK does. Ghosts in the US already has 16 episodes! So while the individual stories are fast-paced (given the 22-minute limit per episode) but they will cover more material per series because there are so many more episodes. It has been renewed for a second season (series), so pretty well-received.
This is a great essay about both Ghosts series. I love both for different reasons. It is just like us to take steal something “make it better”. Like WW1 and Native American deaths.
American humour is so different to British humour. Also, how do we watch it in the UK. i wanna watch it with my dad cause he loves ghosts but hates American remakes of things Also, what works so well with the BBC Ghosts, is that the ghosts are actually friends in real life and you can see that through the show
I’m not too familiar with which sites run in the UK (due to VPN or whatever rule that controls that portion), but if you are able to get paramount+, they have it running on their streaming service. 😅
my main issue with this series is that it’s so similar to the original that i feel like there’s no point making another version they might as well have just played the original. i’ve only seen clips but it feels like the same jokes with an american accent. i do love flower though
I am American, I Never seen the UK version. I wish the show was 45 minutes long, like the UK version. I like how fast paced the jokes are, and how it has some touching moments. I’ve seen all of season one and I instantly knew I’m going to Buy the whole series. I hope we see all the backstory of each ghost as the show goes on.
Watch to the first 3 episodes here on TH-cam. Thought it was really funny. Also biased because my friend Roman is the Native American character. Trying to figure out whether his character Lenape, but haven't asked him
Alison was injured by the british version of the ghost that can touch and move things, Julian. She was leaning out of a high window trying to hunt down a pigeon and was possibly about to fall out anyway, and then Julian pushed her and she fell out of the window :)
I love BBC Ghosts, and I am genuinly of the opinion that more countries SHOULD make their own versions of it. Not everyone had a Victorian Era, or a captain from WW2 or even witch trials, so this concept is a perfect excuse for other countries to dive into their very own unique history. I like that the american version has a native american ghost and a dead flapper from the speakeasy era, that's excellent! I just hope that they actually use that to their advantage instead of copying too much from the original. Every country should own their horrible history! ❤
I’m pretty sure MOST countries had a captain in WW2…it’s called a World War for a reason.
@@alexbostock7826 I did say "not everyone", didn't I...? 🤔
Most countries were undoubtedly *affected* by WW2 (it was a global conflict in every sense of the word), but keep in mind that it was mainly the Axis powers and the Allies that actually fought in it. I'm from Sweden, so should a Swedish production of Ghosts ever see the light of day, it would raise more than just a few of questionmarks if there was a Swedish WW2 officer among the ghosts... 😅
In my country (Romania) instead of the plague victims, or Mary, we'd have people tortured and killed by the Turks, Kitty would be replaced by someone who died in a 18th century peasant uprising , instead of Lady Button, someone who died in the peasant revolt of 1907. Instead of Thomas, we'd have an 1848 revolutionary, we'd also have a few soldiers from WWI and II. Instead of Pat, we'd probably have an intellectual killed by communists, since such a big house would have been requisitioned and turned into a prison for the "enemies of the people". We'd also have some teenager shot in the 1989 Revolution, and finally we'd have not one, but several corrupt politicians.
OMG i've just realised my country's history is kind of depressing.
@@naly202 wow! Sounds like you’ve got the Romanian Ghosts already written! I’d definitely watch it to learn more about your history and culture!
We I’m sure the USA did!
Your comment about how they don't use "Show Don't Tell" made me think of "Talk about clunky exposition!" from Bill haha
Stephen Fry is on point about the differences between UK and US comedy and the Americans don't do self-deprecating or 'losers'. They are perfectly entitled to do a re-make but I doubt it will work in the same way as the original, just as The Office re-make didn't work in the same way as the original.
They lost the plot with Kath and Kim, too. Americans just don't get the basic jokes in the first place, nor will they, while they refuse to laugh at themselves.
@@Plethorality That's ridiculous. There's all kinds of American humor that involves self-deprication or losers.
Yes, that American version of the Office was so darn unsuccesful.
I liked Mike's character in BBC original.
His screen presence is entertaining like he was good hearted but slightly dumb.
One of the best characters in ghosts.
The BBC version is such a comfort show, It’s like watching a family and I enjoy it so much, not to mention most of us were brought up by most of the cast with Horrible Histories and Yonderland 🥺
As an American who watched the BBC version originally, I really agree with your review! I was bothered by them explaining and showing everything. I also didn't like the pacing either. I feel like something was missing from the first 2 episodes. Also we didn't see the headless ghost as much as we see Humphrey.
I also think some of the issue is that the main cast of BBC ghosts have acted together for a while so they have mastered their chemistry and know how to bounce off each other. Which I think could be why some of the cast in the American version didn't seem to be as cohesive. But I'm not sure.
As another American who has seen BBC version first also - I agree - I liked Rose McIver from iZombie & was hopeful for the US Ghosts, but so far I'm not feeling it
I’ve only seen the trailer but “being walked through, probably the worst pain I can think of!” annoyed me massively. They’re just saying it out loud to make sure the audience knows it, rather than trusting them to see that it’s uncomfortable for the ghosts.
We didn't see the headless one at after a glimpse in the pilot.
@@ladylestranj I just finished watching the first season and I only saw the headless guy twice, both times just a background joke which was disappointing.
I personally feel that the American version is lacking the charm of the original. Though I do enjoy the remake, I much prefer the original.
@@mayukurasaka5344 Agree
Possibly one of the biggest disappointments is that when Sam has to explain "talking to herself" she keeps taking an easy out by pretending to be talking on a hidden Bluetooth phone.
In the original, Alison always excuses what she's said with an attempt to reword what she's just said so that it makes vague sense in the context of the room around her.
are u sure u didnt switch them around
The thing i had the biggest issue with was the change in how Sam had her head injury. In the UK version, Julian purposely pushes Alison out of the window which is a vital part of his character building. It shows how he is selfish and doesn't think before he acts. With Trevor pushing the vase off the table and then Sam slipping completely changes the perspective. I know that his character is quite different Julian but at the same time, it changes the perspective of him. It wasn't on purpose like what Julian did to Alison. It was just something that really bugged me for some reason
Just finished watching us version after it came to BBC iPlayer a few weeks ago, and I have to agree. By all means, I like Trevor, but the difference is I LOVE Julian. I found Trevor disappointing
The deeply selfish nature of these ghosts has made it hard for me to like them, but then we do learn that Julian has been drunk for 27 years.
In later episodes I believe it's either in season one or season two titles "Trevor's Pants" it shows him genuinely being a kind person in life. Therefore, it wouldn't make sense for him to push Sam down the stairs, or out of a window like what Julian did with Alison.
@@stephenshelton4267I don’t know whether you are American or British, but it is very common for British shows to centre a more darker and meaner cast and style. Think of Peep Show.
@@lailadobb9221 I'm American, but Ive seen UK shows. I watched the Doctor Who revival, and infrequently watch other shows like Doctor Martin and the Vickor of Dicker comedy. I never noticed that the péople were mean though.
America will call things 'an original' because it is original to that specific US channel.
They did that with Canadian show 'anne (with an e)' as a Netflix original. And The Listener or Flashpoint and Rookie Blue. All Canadian shows.
When you watch the show, it is clear it is a collaboration between CBS and the BBC.
I'm an American who loves the BBC Ghosts. I watched the first three episodes of the American version and I think it will become it's own thing eventually. I think the walk-through/smell joke would've been better if they walked through Flower and smelled pot.
I agree with everything you said, I'm just surprised by the reception it's received so far. I'm also happy that the Idiot Six's names are in the credits as well.
Thanks for explaining the Dorothy reference at 13:45. I was a bit confused as to why The Captain would say "Ahh Dorothy"
By episode 2 of BBC Ghosts, the only death we are given explicit details on is Lady B
By episode 2 of CBS Ghosts, you already know a lot of the ghosts deaths
I know which option I prefer
In BBC's 80's sitcom "Dear John", there was a reveal after seven episodes that the flashy obnoxious character of Kirk was an introvert outside of the one hour a week where he interacted with the other characters. The US remake revealed that in the pilot.
My issue was with their version of the Captain.
In the BBC version, his sexuality is handled with such care and respect. Its not his entire personality, nor is it constantly shoved down your throat that he is gay. Infact it's a large part of his character that he is hiding it and the tragic part of his past.
In the American version, Holy fuck could they not have chosen a more stereotypical gay to play this character. They are so over the top with how gay they are, down to the movements and voice. And if that's not obvious enough they make about 10 blunt as all fuck innuendos that bludgeon you over the head with the fact that he is gay, in just the first episode.
His sexuality is turned into a joke. Him being gay is the entire joke. And it is not a funny one.
@@creeperslayer241 I, as an American viewer, see the entire joke as "him not being Hamilton". Perhaps I misunderstand American audiences, but my personal view is that our birth as a nation is infinitely more important to us than WWI or WWII. If the character had been a WWI Captain, perhaps I would notice the fact that he is gay more. To me, as an American, the joke is that he is not the great hero that we imagine all Americans were at that time. This character is shooting down our inflated self-image. Since you didn't grow up with that same inflated self-image, maybe you notice the gay aspect more. Well, that's how I see it.
@@teacherjoedeveto I’m also an American, and no. His entire joke is his sexuality. It’s not even slightly subtle.
Why reveal it all at once its like eating a whole cake all at once and you cant swallow it all😂😂😂
I gotta say, both shows are great.
I'm glad we have two versions to watch. Makes me hyped!
As an American who prefers the UK version, this was an interesting watch. (Spoiler: I prefer the UK version.)
I've read that after ep. 3, the US version diverts from the UK source material, so I will be curious to see how that goes.
Network shows in the US run 30 or 60 min (inc commercials). I don't know of any comedy on a network that's more than 30min. I think if they had avoided showing us the house as a b&b & how annoying it could be for the ghosts, there would have been time to show some of Sam & Jay's life in NYC. I would've liked to have seen that, for the contrast.
The show was better than the trailers suggested, and that was a nice. I was disappointed that we learned so much about how the ghosts died so early on. I liked having it revealed in bits.
I'll keep watching to be supportive of the Idiot 6, but I'm hoping the BBC give them a few more seasons.
Having watched both, I find the CBS version much better but I don't dislike the BBC version. The pilot episodes of both were very similar, and there is an episode coming up in both where there's a dinner with the neighbors that goes ooorly and is resolved with a tip from a ghost, but aside from that the shows are very different.
I thought it was okay. Was it as good as the UK version? Nowhere near, but as you said, it’s meant for an American audience and I’m glad it’s doing well.
I agree with you on the show-don’t-tell. In the UK version, the only ghost we were explicitly given a death story for in the first episode(s) was Fanny. We could make assumptions about the others (Pat, Thomas etc because of their visible wounds), but they left it a mystery to discuss until their death story episodes. With the US version, I feel like I already know how at least half of them died.
I really liked Jay as a character, and while I wasn’t as keen on Sam, I think she’ll definitely grow on me. I really liked Flower and Alberta, and Hetty surprised me too! She felt similar to Fanny but also different enough to feel fresh. Like you, I’m not sure on Isaac, but I did like the Hamilton jokes. I do think the biography storyline could be really fun though.
I feel like it’s probably this way because most American sitcoms are, but it felt so bright and cheery. One thing I love about BBC Ghosts is it has this really muted lighting and it’s so atmospheric which obviously suits the whole “ghosts” idea. It has a really lovely gothic feel while still being a comedy.
It was better than I expected though! And I’m excited to see where it goes!
So this is my take on CBS ghosts before I watch the video. It was alright but nothing compared to the BBC version which is my favourite show. While watching the two episodes I was basically making comparisons to the original
I concur. The bbc ghosts is made with much love and respect. Its a comedy done with great joy and pride.
I love how sensible and chill you are about the CBS version, and it makes me realize that I might have been a little too harsh to it. I didn't HATE the CBS version, but I had some major issues with it. Two of my biggests irks where the ones you brought up, mainly the rather tedious gay jokes (I counted 3-4 in each episode) and how they spoiled so many of the ghosts' deaths in the first 2 episodes which is a real bummer... Your suggestion about showing the claw marks on Flower instead of straight out telling what killed her, would have been amazing and would have left me wanting to know more about her and her story.
I'm also a little annoyed how the viking's language isn't consistent. Sometimes he speaks like a caveman with a very limited vocabulary (probably because he's supposed to be based on Robin) and in the next he uses complex sentences, so I feel the writer's aren't on the same page here...
I will admit that I do like Jay, and I'm coming over Sam being a bit of an airhead. I'm definitely watching episode 3 as well, to give the show a fair chance, and my hope is that things can only get better from here.
if you cant do funny gay jokes youre not worthy to call yourself a remake of anything made by the six idiots. theyre the governing body of funny gay jokes
I had initially been very nervous about the CBS remake. I found out that the six idiots are listed as producers on the CBS one. I’m still nervous to watch it, but it’d be interesting to see what they do
@@mandymagnolia1966 I'm on episode 9 now, and I can tell that it got significantly better (in my opinion)! It's still lacking the distinct charm and nuance that the BBC ghosts have, but that being said I actually started enjoying it more when they properly deviated from the source material instead of making their own spin on already exisiting jokes or plotlines. There are even some really well written emotional scenes that genuinly made me tear up, so I'd say it's definitely worth a watch. (And kudos to the writers for making an episode about D&D that is actually accurate 🤣)
Yeah the viking should really sound a viking and the native american should i say should have a native feel to it. Ghosts keep a bit of themselves when they die
Whilst Isaac is played by a gay actor (Which is obviously a very good thing) from what I've seen and heard he's very stereotypical and doesn't have that depth that the Captain does. Overall I prefer the Captain, he's just written far better but it is good that Isaac is played by a gay actor (I'm queer just btw this is coming from someone fruity)
I love how the CBS version became more original and that made me enjoy it a lot :)
As an American viewer who stumbled onto the US version 5 days ago, and then tried to watch the UK version (I could only find series 1), I think both are entertaining in their own right.
In regards to the characters, I'd actually say the only 2 are really "the same." Pete is Pat. There's no real alteration to his backstory or character that I can see. And they also copied the story with his family, but did it differently in the US version, making it into a question of if the living couple should interfere in the ghosts' business. And I have to say I like Pete better than Pat, if I have to pick. In addition to the family visitation episode, he also got the focus in a story arc where he stands up for himself as a peacemaker and someone who believes the other ghosts can be better even if they are so often a mess. He's also a bit more of a leader at times, the more subtle one who keeps the group going (the leadership role gets shared around a bit). His chipper optimism is just very appealing to Americans. The other character is Hetty, who is the US version of Fanny. And in this case I don't really care for this character that much. I might like the UK version better if I have to pick, but it's by a very narrow margin. For me, in both versions, the characters just kind of exist because they need to as the only one feeling a blood tie to the mortal couple. For me the mortal couples in both are kind of the same. I like the UK version a bit better. But I do like that the US couple has actual skills and jobs and might realistically be able to pull the B&B thing off, whereas the UK couple ... has a really be house with a title and history attached and that's about it. US Jay's actor really needs to come up with a better "acting like I'm not seeing a crowd of people" plan though. He looks like he's looking over the ghosts' heads so that he deliberately can't see them, rather than looking at an empty room. Like pick a lamp or a chair and talk to it like it's a person or something. It's better than this "unfocused and looking too high" thing.
I would say that the other characters are actually much different, and though they may have similarities, such as Trevor and Julian both having no pants and being sexually deviant, and Robin and Thorfin being the oldest and having electricity powers, the personalities are different, and I wouldn't try to choose one cast over the other, as it's choosing maybe between a Granny Smith apple and a Golden Delicious apple. They're both apples, but they don't taste the same. I WISH Isaac were more like the Captain, though. He's sort of a combo of the Captain and Thomas, and really really obviously gay. So gay that it's the overriding aspect of his character, and makes it hard to take him seriously doing anything else. They set up a gay romance between him and a British Red Coat that he killed, and it's kind of adorable and I like where that is going other than 1) the two actors both needed better posture when sitting down (it's so bad I noticed it and made me not believe in the story they were telling) and 2) the overriding gayness of all previous episodes made it a little less special than it could have been, if that makes any sense. Maybe the best way to say it is that it comes off as too modern whereas the Captain's gayness comes across with fewer comments and as period appropriate to a man who could have been castrated because of it. And he seems to have more facets to his character than just being "the gay one."
In terms of the story, I don't mind the abrupt start. The UK one seemed to take a little long to get to the meat of the story during the house hunting (though I think that paid off in the last episode when they go house hunting again). The UK "annoying" sequence was awesome and so much better than what they did in the US version (I'm thinking time constraints were the issue). However, I definitely prefer Trevor accidentally causing Sam's accident (which seemed totally on brand for that character and was a genuine accident) to Julian's failed murder attempt of Alison. It's just very hard to come back from as a character, and while they're two very different characters in a lot of ways, I really didn't like Julian, even before that, so he totally lost me with the murder and I have no interest in seeing him around, whereas Trevor is definitely a douchebag, but he's a tolerable douchebag who maybe could be a better person some day, 300 years from now. He also makes for an interesting "buddy" of sorts for Pete, as they're the youngest and understand each other the best, even as they disagree.
They did also do the "dinner party" episode. UK version is definitely the better of the two not only for the blackmail seeming a bit more appropriate an end after the deal and then the gambling and the failed gambling cheat, but also for the totally US reasons that I've lived in New England where this seems to be set (I'm a little unclear if they're just in upstate New York or Connecticut or possibly New Jersey), but they started talking about a "carriage house" being torn down and I'm like "no, it should be an old barn." There's other little things, but that episode felt very much like someone in California adapting a thing he doesn't understand (a UK comedy) to a thing he doesn't understand (the culture and terrain of New England).
You complained about the episode length of the US version, and I can agree with you there, but at the same time, our seasons are longer, so shorter episodes could lead to better focus as time goes on. Thus far, they've had an episode about Flower's past, an episode where Alberta meets a fan (and her and Isaac do at least have an interesting dynamic over a desire for fame and leadership), and the return of Hetty's husband. They've also had Sam meet more ghosts outside the house whereas Allison seems to want to avoid them from the little I've seen. I'm really hoping they bring back the newsboy in future episodes as a guest character, as well as the Red Coats. They've also built up Sass as not only a gossip, but a "storyteller" of his people, which is a nice change from a stereotyped warrior or medicine man, so I'm hoping to see more to his character. But we're only halfway through the first season and it's been picked up for a second season in the US, meaning it will have a minimum of 44 episodes compared to the UK 18 or 24 at this point.
I’m American, and love the original version. I tried to suspend judgment because the US Office came into their own after they stopped ripping off the original. But CBS is not a channel known for quality comedy, and their Ghosts so far is just lacking. It’s not funny, and the cast doesn’t have any chemistry. I will probably not watch for long, but I hope for the Six Idiots’ sake that it does well. They deserve all the financial success possible because they have created such wonderful content over the years.
Totally agree with your pros and cons.
Agree with your review, did not think it was awful by any stretch of the imagination and think it has some really interesting avenues to take however one of the things that made Ghosts really special for me was the cast and I didn't feel the same with this one. Also found the couple a little harder to like. but then again must give it some time still early days !!
I am half way through the BBC version which my wife and I are really enjoying, but I love the American version, which at this point we have seen all 10 episodes. I think I enjoy the US version more because, as some have mentioned, that it is attuned to American history and pop-culture. But I also found the US version a little more sentimental with a little more of an arc for all the characters. I like that we see that there is also a post-death personal history between the ghosts. But this really does point out the subtle differences between US and UK taste in humor.
Apparently Hettie is based a real person who lived in the area where it’s filmed, whose name was Hettie and they kept the husband’s name too,
American here. I've never seen the BBC version or even heard of it until I started watching your Taskmaster videos so I was going into it by what I've heard from you. I only watched your take on the trailer for the CBS version and heard what you thought about it. I would have tried looking up the BBC version to see what you meant of the similarities and differences but I decided to go into the CBS with a clean pallet. I really enjoyed the show. I laughed a lot and really liked the premise. I can't wait for more episodes. As for your thoughts, I probably would have had the same reaction as you but what made it, for me, better was I didn't have anything to compare it to. The same thing happened to The Office. Watched US version first then saw UK version and was more in tuned to the US version. Maybe might happen if I watch BBC version now. Not at all trying to say anything bad about UK versions of shows, but saying going into new shows without any knowledge of previous versions allows the viewer a non-biased opinion while watching, but of course you probably know that. The show is great and I hope it continues for a while. About the time differences, from what I understand is you only have so many per season, yet we will be getting quite a bit more, right? They might fill the extra episodes with stuff they couldn't fit in a single episode. But anyways, thanks for the review and I will continue watching to see how you take this version.
It’s on HBO Max and it’s delightful. The cast has been working together on comedy since 2009, and are effortless.
Yeah i can get this but I’d definitely say the uk version is better in my experience and you should give it a watch most likely it’s because there the horrible histories cast and basically every British person loves that show but it’s just such a great group of friends. Because of how long they have been working together they just bounce right of each other and the shows humor is so cleverly done. I’ve not seen the American one yet so i can’t be too quick to judge but I’m guessing it wouldn’t really be my cup of tea :)
@@eilidh156 I will see it eventually but for now I will stick with US version to stay fresh. Thanks.
As someone who 1000% prefers the US office to the UK office , BBC ghosts is an absolute delight, don't need to be nervous about it (but also fair enough to watch them one at a time haha)
No one can replace fanny!
I really like CBS's Ghosts. I like the two main characters and all the ghosts. My favorite is the Viking.
Obviously I’m basing my opinion so far on the trailer. I have an issue with American remakes, as they tend to miss the point of the original, for example Red Dwarf, Life on Mars and The IT Crowd. I think American comedy style is so different to our UK style that remakes will never compare favourably. The trailer looked clunky and desperate to get the story established fast so that it could get right on with cramming as many crude, suggestive jokes in as possible, and judging by your review I’m not far off the mark. The UK Ghosts has a found family vibe, the Ghosts are stuck with each other and although the joke about it they all would miss each other should one be…no I can’t say that Mary! And speaking of Mary, anyone else find it strange that with America’s history of Witch Trails there was no Mary character? The scene in the last episode of series 3 around the table is so heartwarming, it’s subtle, sweet and I really don’t see Americans remake matching that level of closeness within the characters. By the 2nd episode of UK Ghosts, each character was established and already had a place in my heart, I don’t see that happening with the US version, it’s just a little flat in that way.
Overall from what little I’ve seen, I don’t think it will ever match up, America should stick to its own comedy styles and work on ideas that suit it, not by pasting over a UK framework and hoping for the best. Not that I don’t love American TV because there’s things that wouldn’t work in a UK remake.
I agree and I think part of that found family vibe in the UK version comes from the incredible closeness of the cast. The 6 have had years working and writing together and the other cast members slotted into the dynamic really well. You can see so clearly in the behind the scenes how the sense of fun and friendship carries over into the show.
OHH NOOO not the life on mars remake 💀
Wow this is really what i was thinking. I think the bbc ghosts are made with love and bonded together as a family and thats make this show click. And this is the first comedy that ever made me cry with the christmas episodes. Its heartwarming and touching and not so "forced" like the american version
Just a little observation - ALL of the cast of UK Ghosts have performed at the Edinburgh fringe at some point. They are comedians who act, not actors attempting to do comedy.
Your second sentence does not follow from the first. With the possible exception of Lolly, the cast are all actors primarily. Comedy actors yes, but actors nonetheless.
My gripe is that now I have to specify BBC/UK when looking for ghosts content. The US version seems to be taking over search results despite it only having one series currently and it’s annoying af.
Have you continued to watch it? In my opinion, as soon as it starts diverting from the original and having it's own vibe and story, it gets much better.
its around 7 ep its gets better
I just know sooner or later Jay and Sam are going to go to Las Vegas and see a ghost of an Elvis Imperaonator.
I understand the comments about it being branded a 'CBS Original', but I think it is just something that in TV terms doesn't have the same meaning, for a lot of TV companies and channels 'original' doesn't mean it is the origin of an idea, but rather that it is something they own and have made for themselves, something to distinguish their content from other shows that have bought in. Generally the big US television networks are locally scheduled and show syndicated programming during the day, so when they have a show in the evening that is networked across all the affiliated stations across the country, they want you to know that it is their programme.
A similar situation here recently is Sky's revival of Never Mind The Buzzcocks, which as it is a Sky production that they've paid to produce, it is branded as A Sky Original, which it technically is, the show itself may have had its origins on the BBC, but Sky have paid for the show to be made. If Sky were to repeat the old BBC episodes, they wouldn't brand them as Sky Originals as they don't own those shows.
Yes, I think it means it was produced by that network, instead of being re-aired from somewhere else. It sounds misleading in this case, but I suppose that’s a bit oh well!
I've watched the first 3 eps now and I enjoyed it. I thought it was successfully Americanised. Like yes, the tone and pace are different but I didn't even notice the shorter run time, because I was in American show mode watching it, and it just felt like an American show, if that makes sense.
I agree with you on a lot, but especially on the overbearing telling, though I'm hoping that fizzles out a bit once the universe of the show is established. Do I think it's an incredible show? Maybe not, but it's a cute fun little comedy and for now I'll keep watching.
My only biggest problem with it is bbc ghosts is of people who are like iconicly british but like Americas has Rose Mciver who i love but like it would've been so interesting to have iconic American personalities.
Hey, where were you able to watch this from the uk?
I think a big difference is even from how they attempt to get them to leave.
In the original they take it in turns 24/7 to batter Alison at full volume:
th-cam.com/video/TZrwvGxX3yQ/w-d-xo.html
In the CBS version they "pester them out" repeatedly casually chatting to Sam, during the day(?).
My personal favourites from the U.K. are:
Mary, repeatedly "get out, get out, get out, get out, get out, get out…"
Captain sings "the very model-major-general" song, - a *very* fast song.
Seen all 6 episodes now, I have to say episode 6 was probably my favourite. It's the American retelling of the UK episode Pats Death Day. If anything I preferred the American version of Pat's / Petes episode. The secondary storyline was also very good (no spoiler)
I was on the fence until that episode. It made me cry 😭 From them on, I decided the show was for me
They previously lived in Manhattan so, if you know Manhattan, you already know most apartment dwellers live in cramped spaces. They do allude to their previous Manhattan lifestyle where they had an active social lifestyle.
Not everyone, who die of bear attacks sustain multiple wounds. One strategic scrape on the body can be lethal.
The cast did discuss how each ghost will have their backstory told.
I like the CBS version for different reasons than the BBC verion. They are different because the history and characters are different.
It's actually in some respects better than original. Because they have 20+ episodes to flesh out characters. They put three british series content into one season. And they explore more outside ghosts of the house. The BBC version has hardly had any ghost encounters outside of Button house.
One of the things I loved about the BBC version, is that you could relate to every character. They also didn't harp on 'injustices of the past", because the ghosts have been around for a long, time, and have vented most of that. Only the Grey Lady and the Military guy are kind of stuck in their demand for order of things, but you can still see them as relatable.
Also, we didn't get to know about the ghosts' deaths until season 2 in the BBC version, because the story was so interesting, and it was more about the interactions. Season 2 they have to write faster, so they did what most writers do, go for the easy fruit.
US writers start with the easy fruit. Copy from a show that already works, and change it suit your beliefs.
The US version is a bit too... on-the-nose about things. The character seems to take a cue from the BBC version, but then went to a cartoon level of stereotype.
I don't watch comedies to be preached to about social injustice.
BBC > CBS
Where did you watch it? I’d like to give it a view. See if any good.
^^^^
Me too
On the high seas!
@@beansontoast8819 it’s a euphemism for pirating it
@@sdrrshock5594 yeah, I don't really know how.
I’m American. I tried watching the American version twice. I couldn’t get through the first episode. The acting is what immediately killed it for me. All the characters are played so over-the-top and stereotypical (through the lens of an American). The dude who plays the Viking acts like what a 21st century American Proud Boy would think a Viking acted like. If the Viking was a badass, it would show through his actions (decisions he made, abilities, opinions), not through his strutting and posing, or even his looks. His character was definitely conjured by an out-of-touch-with-reality-in-a-bad-way American. The over acting goes for all the ghosts. This is the subtlety she spoke of that the British are so good at and Americans ravage. The character traits are so in-your-face and shoved down your throat in the American version that it makes watching it wholly unpalatable.
I freaking LOVE BBC’s Ghosts.
I would love to see an updated review and see if your opinions have changed at all. I was not a big fan of the first few episodes but I found myself falling in love with the characters. It actually surprised me as I am British and I don't tend to be a fan of American sitcoms but I am really enjoying the show, as much as the original is some ways. I like that it is deviating from the British version and bringing in new things. If you have watched until episode 14 I would love to hear what you think.
One of my favourite parts so far was *SPOILERS* the reveal that Thorfin was the person who used to sing to Hettie as a child and how excited he had been to be able to speak to her again. I don't think we've really had an element in the BBC version of a ghost interacting with another before their death so I thought that added a really interesting element.
I am loving the show and the vibe of the cast together.
I agree with every point! I would also like to add that there was at least one scene where the cuts between only Sam and Jay to them and the ghosts weren't done really well ... like their hands or something were not in the same position and it kinda ruined the magic for me
I finally got around to binge watching the 8 episodes that are currently out, so now I'm here. My expectations were low (especially considering US remake pilots like The IT Crowd and Peep Show) but I was pleasantly surprised and actually had a decent time watching it.
The biggest thing for me was the lack of subtlety, but that was expected as that's just one of the typical differences between UK and US humour. I didn't let myself get too annoyed by it.
With the ghosts themselves, I really like what they chose to change/keep the same. The only ghost that is exactly the same as the UK version is Pete (Pat), but that makes sense as Scouts is a universal concept. And I suppose their version of Fanny is basically the same but seemingly younger. I found myself really liking most of the other ghosts and I think they've utililised US history very well, without making things too serious.
The episode length is something that I noticed but didn't really think about while watching. Although I agree that it would have been nice for them to be longer.
Overall, it's decent stuff, and regardless, the original version hasn't gone anywhere 😂
I enjoyed the BBC version a lot as an American. Truth be told it took a few episodes to stop comparing the US version to the original. Once I got past that I found I was able to watch and enjoy the new version on it's own merits and for it's differences. Some characters are not as engaging as in the original. But the ensemble cast is about as good and the writing and purely American interpretation of same concept still works
Sam and Mike , didn’t they work as gardeners or similar in the uk?
Alison and Mike worked for something to do with farming, but that was after they'd inherited the house. We have no information on them pre house other than the flat they were viewing
I have totally enjoyed the US Version. I had not seen the BBC Version until I searched TH-cam.. I will be honest with you that so far 13 episodes, the US Version is really well done as well as the characters are really good!
Just saw the last episode for the year. I really enjoy the characters, their story lines and how they are evolving. Thanks writers, actors and director!
Absolutely awful. We’ve watched BBC Ghosts three times and just purchased the DVD set. The acting is terrible on the remake, don’t they even see this. Come on now.
Exactly they feel bland to me and incohesive...maybe a lil salt should do the trick 😂😂😂
I'm an American, and I've watched all of the BBC's season 1,2, and 3 and all of the 13 episode's of the American version. I love them both, but based on culture differences of the British and Americans I feel they're both spot on. They each reflex the tempo of the respective culture. No disrespect to either country but American culture is a bit more fast pace while the British culture is more laid back and easy going. Therefore I wasn't disappointed by either version, but in fact like the change of pace represented by each culture. Also as the American version progressed the story lines started to take on more American culture. In fact I think it needed to mirror the original version for a few episode to pull in the American audience.
Jamie - are you planning on doing a follow up review to CBS ghosts once the first season is wrapped up?
on the length of the show, US shows on the networks are always either 30 or 60 minute slots. Comedies are mostly 30 minutes, and dramas are 60 minutes. This is changing with the streaming services, they aren't tied to trying to fit around certain time constraints so making them as long as needed. The ghost changes make sense for the area, but I do miss Mary. They could have included her as witch burnings occurred here too.
How i wish they could have added a mary character with a noose on her neck that would be good..and there are many witches from america that came mostly from britain so they could have made that connection
Trevor not wanting Sam to spoil the 'get sucked up/off' reference 😂🤣😂🤣
Just because a ghost wants to "carry on with his fun" Sam suddenly starts using the term!
Would Alison do that??????
I just came from watching the first two episodes so this video was perfectly timed.
I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as you did. On the whole I don't think it was that great.
I completely agree with your point about the lack of subtlety. I felt especially with the condensed run time everything felt very spelt out, like they did not need Pete to say he got shot through the neck with an arrow.
Also yeah, the gay jokes with Isaac were way overdone. Like I think just in the first episode there were about as many as the whole of the UK series.
There were some good moments though, I actually really liked Pete's dialogue as Sam was taken to hospital, unlike the rest of the episode it was a nice quiet scene.
I just hope that now they've covered the essentials they can get on with some more original content.
A good review I would like to see the American version can I ask where I can watch it please x
Here, the show is on Paramount plus. Not sure the cost of a monthly subscription.
I look forward to your comparison after watching the complete US season as I started the US version and am currently 18 episodea in. (Spoilers ahead...)
I discovered the UK version after and the difference is huge.
Even the first two episodes which you claim are virtually identical has some pretty major differences , that set the overall trajectory of the show on a much darker path. The fact that in the UK version Julian straight up murders (attempted) Alison. I can't remember if they ever even addresed that.
Also the drawn out way in which Pat ultimately succumbs to his arrow wound. You can really see the panic and him getting on the bus and driving into the tree while the kids watched. Then to make it even darker the kid that shot him frames the younger kid by placing the bow in his hands.
This dark humour is something that is lost and makes the US version seem tame by comparison.
The other thing i noticed is that the budget in the UK version is higher and I think this leads to far more creative scenarios. The show seems to do more scenes outside and around the house and seems to have more guests on set .. liie the scene with Mike on the rooftop or the filming of a movie in the house.
Another thing I love in the UK version that Alison and Mike tend to take the moral low ground alot times to get ahead because things dont tend to workout positivly for the all the time (they seem to have really Bad Luck) , the fact that they even still have day jobs is brutal.
In The US version every problem thrown their way is resolved with little issue and works out for them way too easily.
E.g in the US version when they desparetly need $, Hetty's dead husband happens to have an expensive item on him that solves all of their financial problems just like that. In the UK version Fanny hands her a box and its empty. And the best part was Alison's total lack of surprise at it..she knew that with her luck not to get her hopes up in the first place.
Sorry long post but last point, the humour in the UK is also less worried about offending people. I loved the joke when they were shooting pheasant and the Captain says something about Mikes shooting and Alison remarks to Mike that he said something mildly racist.
Or when Alison visibly pukes after seeing Mike get sprayed with Pigeon poop after falling off the roof ROFL such bad luck.
I’m British and a huge ghosts fan. I watched the American version of the show and can honestly say that a little part of me actually died. You might see me at button House as a ghost in the next series if I dare watch any more of that CBS ‘thing’.
Love your channel btw.
Completely agree. I tried to watch the first episode and couldn't even make it to the 5-minute mark.
Imo the remake lacks charm, the comedic timing is off with many reused jokes, the chemistry isn’t there between the characters, added some “potty humor” which wasn’t needed and it’s adding politics that weren’t in the original.
Examples of “politics”…again, this is just my opinion and not meant to ruffle any feathers.
The remake makes it a point to show that the 20s character had problems with racism, the First Nation character and his land stolen, feminism with the women and the soldier IS GAY! Plus from the episodes I’ve seen there’s no “Screaming Woman” storyline (too dark?) and the main woman’s death was accidental unlike the original when she was pushed.
I know the original soldier is gay too but it was subtle…it was a part of him, not what defined him. Most people I believe aren’t defined by only one aspect of who they are, nor should they be. I’m not just my skin tone, I’m not just my sexual orientation, I’m not just my gender, I’m not just my religious or political views…I’m those plus a whole lot more. So when one aspect of a person is trumpeted over and over, to me it takes away from all the others. You’re only seeing one side of them when I’d like to see more.
I watched the American one first, but subsequently watched the British one on a 'Ghosts' binge. I do have to say, I am in agreement that the show has been in some ways almost too similar, but I do like most of the changes made. I think the Pete arc in the American is superior to the British one. It is drawn out, but the payoff is better whereas I felt it almost went too quick in the UK version. American seasons do give the writers more time to play with as they can go up to around 20 episodes. I didn't think it was too quickly paced. Primarily because what the BBC did in one episode, CBS did in 2. If anything, they've drawn it out a bit. The quickness I feel is more for episode length then actual speed of the actions themselves.
You're getting really good at these videos!
I think the US budget for SFX is *very* limited.
In the US version the =Humphrey has his head mostly in place, no SFX, with only a tiny makeup "cut" around his neck.
& only "bear scratch" on her back & a tiny bit around the neck.
The cellar people, despite being called "zombies" =plague pit, look normal, and are just wearing loose fiting basic rough cloth sacks.
In the UK version the plague pit cast is the full "Them-There"&Katy&Lolly all have makeup of lumps & boils etc
...although the UK version reuses cast so *needs* to have Humphrey's head never in the same shot as from Robin, because it's the same person!🤯
Humphrey's body is played by someone else!🤯
I feel like if US version had a limited SFX budget they should've just tailored the ghost deaths for that? No need for anyone to be headless or a mauling victim!
Ghosts UK is my go-to comfort viewing. It has warmth and heart. Detectorists is the same - both rely on characters rather than jokes and whimsy levels are off the scale. Admittedly I haven’t seen full episodes of the US version, just TH-cam clips, but it seemed to be a pale imitation too reliant on jokes and punchlines. Where was the affection between the ghosts? Despite their frustration at being trapped together for centuries they care for and support each other. Ghosts UK occasionally makes me teary - eg, when Mary moves on and the Ghosts gather and name a star after her; Pat forgiving the man responsible for his death; Robin’s loneliness for centuries defined by his identification with the moona. It’s touching, adorable, funny and strangely relatable. I know I’m not making a comparison based on a fair sample and I stand to be contradicted but, on the evidence I’ve seen, it’s no contest.
100% on the runtime, 100% on Isaac v. the captain, 100% on the show-don't-tell. Although the fart dysentery thing, while crude, is just so "American" that it works. We'll see how much is in the tank considering American TV seasons are 20 some odd episodes.
Does that make that there'll be 20 episodes of the American Ghosts then?
@@thejintymyster6396 unless it gets cancelled quickly it'll be close to, if not over, 20
Not yet, so far they have only be ordered for 13 episodes…so the cast is currently filming as we speak in Montreal, canada. If the show gets high ratings and does well with audiences CBS will order for more episodes but right now it’s currently at 13. I’m friends with a cast member that’s how I know
@@danaconnolly8574 Regardless, my point is that's already 6 less than the ENTIRE run of BBC Ghosts. How many good ideas can they manage?
@@egala005 Fair enough, I don’t know how many ideas they can take this. It would have to be about the quality of the jokes and the fact that audiences love the characters in order for it to continue past 1 or 2 seasons. The concept can really only go so far…the show itself has to be really funny and people need to fall in love with the actors/characters in order to keep tuning in. That’s true of any show though. The Big Bang Theory had a concept of 2 nerds befriend a hot chick…boom done now go run for 10 seasons…and it did bc we fell in love with the jokes and characters. Same with the office. Now with Ghosts once they set up the concept, tell the ghosts stories in flashbacks and cover all the ideas that’s when the true test of a show comes in…how much will audience REALLY fall in love once they tire of the “concept”
I didn't know it was a remake til I came across your reviews. Now I find myself binging on the bbc version. I like them both
so sammy want pushed on purpose? wheres the fun in that? julian deadass tried to kill alison and its played for a laugh and thats so damn dark and hilarious because it backfires so badly.
there will only be one "ghosts". idgf.
and seriously? you wanna shade ben willbond for playing a gay man? you went there. ok.
What I like about the us version they add some drama when pete wife came to visit it was funny and tender when he saw his daughter. I like to see one of the ghosts get to live again.
i thought the first episode was really bad, the comedy and pacing was really rushed and everything was overexplained. i did give it another go after ep1 and it does improve but not sure if ill keep watching it
Stumbling across your video and seeing how well you were able articulate the differences between the two, i felt that you did both shows justice. As an American that watched the original BBC version of ghosts, I can say I definitely enjoyed that version of the show, and can understand how frustrating it can be to look for the place to stream a remake. I’m not sure how it works across the way, but I know that the Paramount+ streaming service has the remake of Ghost in their list. Anyway, I wish you all a happy watching!
I think you were spot on. A concise and intelligent review. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Look forward to seeing your upcoming reviews!
it's hard to imagine Ghosts without the six idiots though.....
one of the things I noticed in the bbc version the creepy plague girl in the closed is not see again i liked her she was cute too bad does she show up later ?
As a big fan of original Ghosts, I have been a bit curious about the remake, but also afraid it would be disappointing. Finding this video was the motivation I needed! Gonna watch it very soon.
I really liked both, sure both shows are similar but I think it is showing two different worlds. Mostly what relates to the US and Britain
I liked your review. I love American Ghosts.
I don’t know where I could find Original Ghosts.
We don’t have a 40 minute slot in the US.
We only have 22 minutes and 42 minutes.
22 is for a 30 min show - which you already know.
42 is for hour shows.
Our network TV is used to serve ads to people- like car ads and drug ads - yuck!
We also have public tv which is a step towards British TV and it’s not as popular as network TV.
Public TV does have British content
Look Up ABC IVIEW
When trevor gave a 🤔'yea, sure' reaction to isaac 'hamilton' saying he's a manly military guy, but modern trevor sees the campyness in him.
Anyone know where this is available in the UK?
i believe that the people from the BBC series helped get this one going and offering advice, not meant to be a direct copy
No 40 minute shows on network TV... with the exception of supersized episodes of select NBC 90s sitcoms. If GHOSTS was on one of our streaming services though, that would've been a different story. That being said... I recently binged thru the US version, and I've also binged a bunch of TH-cam clips of the UK version. Both, hilarious! Characters are distinct enough where I probably wouldn't mind binging the UK version. I feel bad that the actor that plays Thorfin will probably never have an opportunity to tell the "bear" anecdote that Robin does... as their characters are too different with respect to their speech patterns and the way Robin tells that is pretty unique to him, and funny AF. And I'll give credit to the American show's actors... as far as the stuff they're emulating from the UK version... especially the Ghosts, they seem to be doing a great job.
Have you watched any of the new episodes? They are getting progressively better as the season unfolds.
I've tried. I've really tried. I've really really tried to like this version. Mainly to honour our British original and the fact that the idiot 6 have had a hand in it. But I'm sorry it just isn't great. The depth of the characters just isn't there. The atmosphere isn't there. I think maybe the fact that it's filmed in a studio rather than on location has a hand in that, but it really makes a difference. Just feels like yet another weak, desperate for laughs US comedy show. I'm British so I'm clearly biased that our comedies are constructed and written better resulting in the show just having a quality feel to it. This version just feels... Cheap. The subtleties of actors little mannerisms, looks, off hand comments, that make the original a joy to watch, are just absent in this. To be fair it was a lot to ask of the US cast to produce the same quality, the UK troupe have been writing, performing and even socialising together for years. That just isn't something you can reproduce at the drop of a hat. I think in the next series they should just completely stray far far far away from the plot lines of the original if they stand any hope of it being funny, because the trouble at the moment is that fans of the original will constantly compare it and let's face it, its not even in the same league. Even the viking funeral which might of seemed like an original plot was let's face it, just "moonah ston" episode 5 of UK version. The US churns out comedies like Simon Cowell does with singers but the quality just isn't there 90% of the time. There's obviously been some exceptions.. Cheers, friends, etc but if they maintain recreating UK comedies they need to make it their own version and completely change it... Which kinda begs the question of Why make it in the first place.
Despite my ramblings, I was actually routing for it to be good, the writers of the Original deserve to make some serious coin out of their idea and be rewarded for their hard work, especially for filming through all the covid stuff which must have been a nightmare.
Anyway final comment is this. Disappointing... But not at all surprised.
At the top, I'm an American and believe with the right motivated writers you could remake it and Americanize the ghosts and reflect our history. But like you've said, the jokes, the glances, the atmosphere, the badly obvious social cue music, just isn't there and makes a far worse quality to it.
Secondly, They've been too diplomatic with the american ghost character choices, and were avoiding our history. BBC's version only has one character, Robin, pre-civil war so likewise I'd be careful around pre our civil war. Like I know its supposed to be a comedy show, so slavery would be too painful to address. But, I mean, its possible, cause its in the north, not sure but guessing adirondacks, where many people didn't own slaves and were anti-slavery. But I do incidentally like the choices pre-civil war: the native American (but clearly the writers are afraid to affront the community, and have made him one-dimensional), the revolutionary captain, and the Viking.
They just have to, which they did, avoid land owning high society ghosts from pre-civil war. Could they not find more interesting characters than borrowing from the BBC version? In the 1800s America has a storied history of Frontiersmen like Davey Crockett and Daniel Boone. I could imagine instead of the Pat/Pete character they had an 1880s male who was in New England but read the Adventures of Tom Sawyer, heard tales of Boone/Crockett, and died engaging a bear in a fight on the property. And yea, the hippie girl is trope-y for me and its terrible that a charcter that historically has to be very liberal is written in a way to not offend anyone on either side of the spectrum. She's just always high? Ugh. Obviously with a much shorter history time, we'd need characters who never lived on the property but came there for work or something and died there. I'm not really sure when newspapers got big but neither does most Americans, so you could get a newsboy-type character from the 1700s kinda (broke my timeline rule but nbd), who -plot twist- is not biased and straight with facts. I think he, or she, could be the Pat/Pete character in terms of being the most likeable one that makes events and clubs for the ghosts. An inventor/small contractor that was shocked to death in the early days of electricity. A performance magician like Harry Houdini died in an accident (a Thomas equivalent, a romantic/poet/performer type). A woman who thought she'd be a star in 1900s broadway or on early radio, who was at the house putting on a play, who is around Hetty's time but in a different social class. They wasted the gearhead James Dean character on the decapitation- again, wtf with just copying the BBC's characters which like you said almost will always mean just copying the plots and always being compared to the BBC version. I'm searching to understand how he's get his head severed but inside the grounds of the property.
I'm american but I would list 8 British shows in my current Top 10 scripted shows I'd recommend, and since i first discovered The Office BBC will almost always prefer the UKs 28ish minute format, deadpan humor, wittig dialogue and friendliness to wordplay and puns. And the main difference is the way american TV is always walking in lockstep with our "in God we trust' culture where the Uk just keep is seperated like from TV. Like for instance, on lee mack's Not Going Out, lucy's parents are uptight and posh but its about religious values- just older generation values.
A farmer or farmer's wife from literally ANY decade from 1660 to 1960 is Mary. Honestly, why did they get rid of Mary- she and Robin are my favorite- and American had witch trials too. This show's producers seemed to just jump from 1776 to 1920. If i were to guess its cause they are afraid of uber Karens and any story that would play like Fanny's backstory in the christmast episode where women just couldn't advance. But honestly, I've been saying this for years (I'm in my 30s), that network TV only thinks of suburban moms and Karens from 5 in the morning until 11:30 at night. It's much worse than you can imagine. But personally, I think its wasted too, cause as Joss Whedon's career as an example, a showrunner can write some of the strongest, female characters on TV for 15 yrs but then still get cancelled because of "rumors'. And then have all your former leads come out and throw you under the bus while sitting on the high horse of money she wouldn't have without his writing.
Exactly i mean they could have just gone with sam having an accident and seeing the ghosts and have a different plot after that i mean whats the point of making a remake if its all the same 😂😂😂😂
@@Alwaysbusking Wrong. Most network shows are made for suburban dads and male Karens, as (like ghosts), they're run by suburban dads and male Karens. Stop trying to project your privilege onto women.
@@Alwaysbusking What mis0gyny. Most network shows are catered to suburban dads and maIe Carens, as (like Ghosts) they are created by suburban dads and male Carens. Literally every late night talk show host is a yt maIe. Do not try to put your priviIege onto women.
One big critique I had was that everything looks too nice. I found it hard to believe that they thought the house was falling apart at all lmao! Not only that, I think the lighting just looks too pretty, I feel like Ghosts should look darker- also I did NOT like Trevor, I thought it was a really strange decision to make him have a crush on Sam? With Thomas’ crush on Alison, it’s kind of funny and sweet, but Trevor just made me kind of uncomfortable
I feel like american tv always has a problem with showing what a poorer lifestyle looks like
@@nellrose4699 exactly, like everything just looks too nice
I definitely agree with you on the Trevor thing. It's clear that Trevor is supposed to be a combination of Thomas and Julian, but I think that was a bad decision that the writers made.
In the UK version, although Julian is generally quite sexist, he's not infatuated with Alison and therefore respects her boundaries. Conversely, although Thomas is infatuated with Alison and often disrespects her boundaries, he's not sexist in general. Because of this, both Thomas and Julian have their own redeeming qualities as characters.
However, in the US version, Trevor is both infatuated with Sam and just sexist in general, so he doesn't have any redeeming qualities. He just comes off as a huge sleaze.
How did you manage to watch it? I tried using a VPN (I’m in the UK) and it just won’t play 😩
Im going to feel like a traitor here as a Brit but i never saw the British version (even though i knew of its existence) So my first encounter with the show is when i stumbled across American version by accident. I thought id give it a go and have really enjoyed the American version.
I'm only a couple of episodes in, but so far, the us version seems to be unaware of "show, don't tell". There are a lot of information given just in the first few episodes that the audience are directly told about rather than inferred or seen through visuals.
For example, the couple's old apartment. With the UK's Alison and Mike, as Jamie said, you see them looking around apartments which indicates the kind of place they're currently in. In the US version, Jay just talks about being able to reach the fridge from the bed. And that is one of the more subtle examples.
Thor's cause of death is basically immediately revealed to have been being stuck by lightning and that's why he can affect the lights, meanwhile UK's equivalent, you only lear ln he can control lights and it left the audience to theorize how he died for at least a season before it was revealed.
I would have loved for Flower to not have said how she died, instead you just see the claw marks and she says she died while hugging a friend, only to reveal later that she was trying to hug a bear.
Mike eating the potpourri in the lawyers office😂🤣😂
Then next series it was his granola🤣😂🤣
I think one criticism I don't agree with is the number of breaks the American Ghosts has. I don't know about British TV but in the United States, a season for a TV series is really considered as a year. Now no tv series can do 52 episodes in a season so they do around 22. By the way, I'm referring to traditional broadcast not streaming. So, to stretch the season they need to put in the summer and winter breaks.
What can you watch cbc ghosts on?
What is the name of u.k version
Sam and Jay had retirement and proper money living in NYC. Nice to see them acknowledge that was a factor in their ability to move.
What I don’t understand is why didn’t cbs just show the bbc version. Is there a rule against this? What people missed is the message that we’ve been fighting over for the last few years. The fight is about systemic racism. YES. The bbc version has a Victorian era black woman and in 3 seasons they’ve yet to feel the need to explain her blackness. But leave it to america to cast her as a prohibition cabaret singer. Inclusion is just casting an actor.
America would have an hour slot, minus 15 minutes of adverts. So...45 minutes running time.
They also called original show for broklyn 99 and mrs brown adaptation from Québec
I guess the budget couldn't stretch to more participation from headless biker dude.
Sasappis should have been cast with a Lenape actor, or at least a Turtle Islander who isn't mixed with a much more upfront Japanese ancestry. Just because Roman has long hair, it doesn't do much to make him look believably fully Turtle Islander. Really, his casting just reminded me of Booboo Stewart getting the role of Seth in the Twilight franchise. Booboo isn't Indigenous at all, just like Taylor Lautner isn't. Solomon Trimble would have been a good casting choice for Sasappis.
Regarding program length -- US TV doesn't have 40-minute slots on commercial networks -- it's either 30 or 60 minutes (with ads) for most programming. On the other hand, US TV makes more episodes per series than the UK does. Ghosts in the US already has 16 episodes! So while the individual stories are fast-paced (given the 22-minute limit per episode) but they will cover more material per series because there are so many more episodes. It has been renewed for a second season (series), so pretty well-received.
I love the America Ghost show on CBS, it is hilariously funny! I hope this show runs for a very long time 😊
It recently got renewed for a second season, so that a start!
This is a great essay about both Ghosts series. I love both for different reasons. It is just like us to take steal something “make it better”. Like WW1 and Native American deaths.
American humour is so different to British humour. Also, how do we watch it in the UK. i wanna watch it with my dad cause he loves ghosts but hates American remakes of things
Also, what works so well with the BBC Ghosts, is that the ghosts are actually friends in real life and you can see that through the show
I’m sure a bit of digging on the internet will give you a website to watch it.
I’m not too familiar with which sites run in the UK (due to VPN or whatever rule that controls that portion), but if you are able to get paramount+, they have it running on their streaming service. 😅
Hbomax
my main issue with this series is that it’s so similar to the original that i feel like there’s no point making another version they might as well have just played the original. i’ve only seen clips but it feels like the same jokes with an american accent. i do love flower though
I am American, I Never seen the UK version. I wish the show was 45 minutes long, like the UK version. I like how fast paced the jokes are, and how it has some touching moments. I’ve seen all of season one and I instantly knew I’m going to Buy the whole series. I hope we see all the backstory of each ghost as the show goes on.
Watch to the first 3 episodes here on TH-cam. Thought it was really funny. Also biased because my friend Roman is the Native American character. Trying to figure out whether his character Lenape, but haven't asked him
How did the Allison get injured and was able to see the ghosts?
Alison was injured by the british version of the ghost that can touch and move things, Julian. She was leaning out of a high window trying to hunt down a pigeon and was possibly about to fall out anyway, and then Julian pushed her and she fell out of the window :)