10 UK Sitcoms That Were Disastrously Remade in the USA
British sitcoms have a unique charm—whether it's their dry wit, awkward silences, or self-deprecating humor. But when Hollywood gets its hands on them, things often go terribly wrong. Here are 10 UK sitcoms that were disastrously remade in the USA, with side-by-side comparisons of the original and the ill-fated American versions.
1. Fawlty Towers → Payne (1999)
The Original: Fawlty Towers (1975–1979)
John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers is considered one of the greatest British sitcoms of all time. With only 12 episodes, it follows the misadventures of Basil Fawlty, a short-tempered hotel owner, and his long-suffering staff.
The Remake: Payne (1999)
The US remake starred John Larroquette as Royal Payne (yes, really), a Basil Fawlty knockoff running a hotel in California. It lacked the sharp wit and fast-paced chaos of the original and was canceled after just eight episodes.
2. The IT Crowd → The IT Crowd (2007)
The Original: The IT Crowd (2006–2013)
Graham Linehan’s cult classic about the socially inept IT department of a massive corporation starred Richard Ayoade, Chris O’Dowd, and Katherine Parkinson.
The Remake: The IT Crowd (2007)
NBC’s attempt to recreate the magic copied the UK script word-for-word, even keeping Richard Ayoade as Moss. But somehow, without the British awkwardness and charm, it flopped, and only the pilot was ever aired.
3. Absolutely Fabulous → AbFab (2009)
The Original: Absolutely Fabulous (1992–2012)
Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley made AbFab a riotous success with their portrayal of hard-partying, self-absorbed fashionistas Edina and Patsy.
The Remake: AbFab (2009)
The US version stripped away the British edge, replacing it with bland, sitcom-style humor. It never made it past the pilot stage—probably for the best.
4. Men Behaving Badly → Men Behaving Badly (1996–1997)
The Original: Men Behaving Badly (1992–1998)
This show followed two immature, beer-guzzling flatmates and their hilarious misadventures. It was rude, crude, and a hit in the UK.
The Remake: Men Behaving Badly (1996–1997)
Despite starring Rob Schneider, the US version toned down the edginess, which killed the humor. It lasted two seasons but never reached the same cult status.
5. Red Dwarf → Red Dwarf USA (1992)
The Original: Red Dwarf (1988–Present)
This sci-fi comedy follows the last human alive, his hologram bunkmate, a humanoid cat, and a neurotic robot. A mix of smart writing and absurd humor made it legendary.
The Remake: Red Dwarf USA (1992)
NBC tried to Americanize it, replacing most of the cast and stripping it of its British weirdness. It was too generic and never got past the pilot.
6. The Office → The Office (2005–2013) (An Exception?)
The Original: The Office (2001–2003)
Ricky Gervais’ awkward, painfully realistic workplace mockumentary was a game-changer for comedy.
The Remake: The Office (2005–2013)
Unlike the others on this list, the US Office found its own identity after the first season and became a massive hit. But the pilot? A shot-for-shot remake of the UK version—and it bombed.
7. Coupling → Coupling (2003)
The Original: Coupling (2000–2004)
A raunchy, witty take on modern dating, Coupling was often described as the UK’s answer to Friends.
The Remake: Coupling (2003)
NBC wanted their own Friends rival but failed miserably. The show was stiff, unfunny, and canceled after four episodes.
8. Gavin & Stacey → Us & Them (2013)
The Original: Gavin & Stacey (2007–2010)
This warm-hearted rom-com sitcom charmed audiences with its relatable characters and clever humor.
The Remake: Us & Them (2013)
Despite starring Jason Ritter and Alexis Bledel, the US version felt forced and lifeless, never making it past the pilot.
9. The Inbetweeners → The Inbetweeners (2012)
The Original: The Inbetweeners (2008–2010)
A hilarious, painfully accurate look at teenage awkwardness, The Inbetweeners was relatable, crude, and brilliant.
The Remake: The Inbetweeners (2012)
The American version removed the crudeness but kept the cringe, making it painful to watch. It was axed after one season.
10. Peep Show → Peep Show USA (2005)
The Original: Peep Show (2003–2015)
A uniquely shot sitcom that put viewers inside the minds of two dysfunctional flatmates, it was a comedy masterpiece.
The Remake: Peep Show USA (2005)
The US remake dropped the POV-style filming, which was the whole point of Peep Show! It never made it past the pilot.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to remaking British sitcoms, Hollywood often gets it horribly wrong. The unique charm of UK humor doesn’t always translate, and these disastrous attempts prove that sometimes, it's best to leave a classic alone.