The Inbetweeners U.S.A. - First Look

America has a habit of remaking some of our best shows. Shameless, The Offfice, Red Dwarf and Life on Mars are just some of those shows to experience the conversion treatment. The trouble is that there is a fine art involved in converting something so uniquely British into something the American public can appreciate. Shameless is so successful over here because we can relate to the Chatsworth Estate and lets face it, we all know a Frank Gallacher. Life On Mars triggered a nostalgic urge in us for the classic 70's Police series while Only Fools was just so utterly English. These things don't necessarily translate well to the American viewership which is why Life on Mars was cancelled after just one disastrous season and why Only Fools didn't get past a pilot. Shameless, on the other hand, is due to air it's 3rd season next year and The Office has just begun it's 9th season!

     The latest Brit show to receive an American makeover is The Inbetweeners. The UK version followed 4 friends as they negotiated 6th form life in a comprehensive. The 4 friends were different and each had their own 'thing'. Will was the geek, Jay the compulsive liar, Simon the hopeless romantic and Neil the stupid one. I guess that we could relate to them as they got into all kinds of scrapes and situations. The series is one of my favourite comedies of recent years and so I was slightly apprehensive when the idea was sold to the states. How could this series translate to the American audience without liberties being made with the idea. The answer is that it translates rather well.

The Yellow Car is a
welcome familiarity

     The basic premise is still the same and it does work in an American setting. It's very SuperBad in style and that's not a bad thing. There are one or two niggles I have with the characters though. Simon and Will are far too good looking and Neil is more stoner than lovable idiot. Jay is the best transfer of the 4 without a doubt which I'm pleased about because Jay was my favourite character in the original. Another problem I have is that some of the stories have been copied almost scene for scene. The theme park episode is almost an exact copy as is the one where the group go to a club. Despite these small niggles, the series does work and it has got legs (providing the American public stick with it). Some of the familiar things in the show (such as Simons yellow car) are very welcome. One off the arts required in a successful cross-pond conversion is the ability to strike the right balance. It's important to be familiar as not to take liberties with the original idea while being different. While The Inbetweeners U.S.A. strikes the right balance, just, it will need to up it's game and I believe it can. Whether it's got the ability to match the success seen by The Office remains to be seen. I'll write up a series review at the end of it's run.