The IT Crowd

[Kynch]

Hey everyone,

I'd like to talk about one of my favourite TV shows: The IT Crowd.

It's simply hilarious and has just launched so many inside jokes with my brother after watching them.

Anyway, before continuing, I would love it if someone in the UK could confirm that the The IT Crowd Limited Edition Series 1-3 Boxset was, indeed, coming out tomorrow (Monday the 16th).
I'd love to order it but I just wonder if anyone had any info.

Now you can chat about anything concerning the show, I just needed that info. ^^

Is there a 4th series in the works?

[PatrickL2009]

What is that television show and is it only exclusively in France/Europe?? Is it on American television?

[Kynch]

Originally Posted by PatrickL2009

What is that television show and is it only exclusively in France/Europe?? Is it on American television?

It's a British TV show which might have had some European coverage but it's still very British.

Here're a few YouTube vids:

This, Jen, is the Internet (Epic)
Piracy Ad

[STARSCREAM]

I've never heard of it. If it's really good I'm sure they will make a version for us over here in the USA just like they did with The Office.

[SeahawxBlu]

They just finished airing the third season on Independent Film Channel. Unfortunately, it sounds like the show is done now. The last episode that aired actually noted it was the Series Finale. I'll miss it. I loved the humor on the show. At least there's still Youtube. Plus, maybe IFC will start airing the repeats again.

[Kynch]

Originally Posted by STARSCREAM

I've never heard of it. If it's really good I'm sure they will make a version for us over here in the USA just like they did with The Office.

They actually shot a Pilot episode for the US but it never got aired.

[binarymelon]

Originally Posted by SeahawxBlu

They just finished airing the third season on Sundance Channel. Unfortunately, it sounds like the show is done now. The last episode that aired actually noted it was the Series Finale. I'll miss it. I loved the humor on the show. At least there's still Youtube. Plus, maybe Sundance will start airing the repeats again.

In the Uk seasons are referred to as series I believe.

[Roggster]

Originally Posted by STARSCREAM

I've never heard of it. If it's really good I'm sure they will make a version for us over here in the USA just like they did with The Office.

Firstly, this is not trying to be flamebait or a call for transalantic warfare but this sums up everything that annoys me about American attitudes (sometimes patrionising) to lil old England.

Why will the American audience only watch what is remade (badly) for you?
And why will you only assume it is worth watching if it has one of those bad remakes exclusively for the USA?

We watch all our excellent shows, and we watch all your excellent shows without having to recast, relocate, rewrite - quality is quality.

I don't get it.

Formula goes something like:
Take: The Office - groundbreaking, unique, observational comedy.
Give it to the 'experts' in the USA to make it more suitable for their audiences
Result: The Office USA - just another one of those American programs

The IT Crowd, just like Father Ted before it, will NOT translate (just like The Office for that matter).
You guys are REALLY missing out because your TV networks think they know what you will like.

Try out our versions - you will not regret it.

[TenEightyP]

Originally Posted by binarymelon

In the Uk seasons are referred to as series I believe.

Yes, we do call them series.

The I.T. Crowd is one of my current fav shows on British TV. Some great characters and superb writing. The German Cannibal and The Dinner Party are amongst my favorite episodes.

"Peter File" - you have to see that one on youtube to get the joke.

Here is a link to some info: http://www.theitcrowd.co.uk/

Wish it was coming out on Blu though.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Roggster

Why will the American audience only watch what is remade (badly) for you? And why will you only assume it is worth watching if it has one of those bad remakes exclusively for the USA?

We watch all our excellent shows, and we watch all your excellent shows without having to recast, relocate, rewrite - quality is quality.

I don't get it.

Formula goes something like:
Take: The Office - groundbreaking, unique, observational comedy.
Give it to the 'experts' in the USA to make it more suitable for their audiences
Result: The Office USA - just another one of those American programs.

I will explain it for you.

By the time one of your shows becomes known over here, odds are it has aired over here on BBC America or the SciFi channel, etc. Prime Time Network space usually isn't given (in America) to syndicated programming that the target audience has probably already seen airing on another channel, or already released on DVD. So, TV execs take the best of both worlds -- they take a concept that has already proven to be successful (minimizing risk) and they pay a simple royalty fee for the concept and title and remake it cutting all new contracts, or they just rip it off completely and feign innocence.

There is a belief that Television is an intimate medium because it is a media in your home, yes? And so, by selecting the shows you watch, you are inviting people via TV shows into your house. So, therefore, it is common dogma among the TV media that Americans want to invite Americans into their home. You put all these things together, its not secret why shows are "remade" for American audiences versus simply showing repeats of the same show.

Hope that helps.

[PatrickL2009]

The American version of the Office is far from bad. It's incredibly intelligent and funny. It's arguably the best show on American television. I've only a few episodes of the British version; I hated all of them. It's just a culture difference I guess. If NBC aired the British version, it would of been canceled in a week.

[Kynch]

Originally Posted by TenEightyP

Wish it was coming out on Blu though.

Especially since it was shot in 16:9.

I'm nonetheless going to order the Series 1-3 Boxset because I can't get enough of Moss and Roy.

[andyman1970]

Originally Posted by PatrickL2009

The American version of the Office is far from bad. It's incredibly intelligent and funny. It's arguably the best show on American television. I've only a few episodes of the British version; I hated all of them. It's just a culture difference I guess. If NBC aired the British version, it would of been canceled in a week.

That's your opinion. I personally find our Americanized version of The Office to be droll and boring compared to the British version which is actually quite funny. I think it's time for Steve Carell to move on to better things.

[matt2009]

Originally Posted by PatrickL2009

The American version of the Office is far from bad. It's incredibly intelligent and funny. It's arguably the best show on American television. I've only a few episodes of the British version; I hated all of them. It's just a culture difference I guess. If NBC aired the British version, it would of been canceled in a week.

the britsh version is so much better what planet are you on

[TenEightyP]

Originally Posted by Kynch

Especially since it was shot in 16:9.

I'm nonetheless going to order the Series 1-3 Boxset because I can't get enough of Moss and Roy.

I have to admit, I may have to purchase the DVD boxset myself. I find I keep watching the repeats.

[Kynch]

Too true, 10 80.

And guys, could we keep this about The IT Crowd and avoid blabbering on about The Office?

[Roggster]

A nice thought Ernest, but your first line further emphasises the inherent problem:
"By the time one of your shows becomes known over here....."

That again is the executives refusing to entertain anything other than home grown productions.

Also, if it were true it would work the other way round.
By the time we over here hear about:
Lost
24
Sex In The City
Six Feet Under
Sopranos
Dexter
need I go on....

we would already have have them on dvd and therefore need to remake them?
We have no real concept of regional and network TV in the same sense you do so therefore can't make a comparison to that point - perhaps that is the missing link here, making the two markets completely different.


By the way, back to the thread. The IT Crowd is awesome. Very, very funny and totally off the wall - pure genius.
I doubt it will hit blu-ray though, it's a pretty cheaply shot TV program. Also the content is everything - not PQ/AQ or cinematography etc.

Stuff like the American blockbusters (24, Lost etc) are a different matter. Out of interest are they shot on film?

and to those imaginary executives I like to blame: please watch our nice programs and let our American friends have them too

[Kynch]

I think LOST is shot on film.

[shinyblackkitty]

Anyone know if they will ever bring it out on bluray

seems really bizarre when its geared at techy people lol

[Secretagentnumber6]

I love the show, there is actually already a thread for it somewhere here that I started many months ago. It is in the tv section:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/television/112140-crowd.html