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A Good Idea for an American adaptation of a British Sitcom?

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (22)

matt-leblanc.jpg

What the hell happened to Matt LeBlanc, anyway? Ten years on “Friends,” two years on the hortastic “Joey,” and then: Poof. Dude disappeared. And it’s not like he was the least talented “Friend” (that would be David Schwimmer), although it was a little annoying how most of the “Friends” characters morphed into a variation of dumb Joey by the end of the series.

Anyway, Matt LeBlanc is back, and he’s perfectly cast in what looks to be a fairly excellent idea for a sitcom. Showtime and BBC are partnering up for a show called “Episodes.” It’s about two British producers who decide to adapt their successful British sitcom for American television, only to see it get dumbed down for American audiences. Matt LeBlanc, appropriately, would play a fictional version of himself, as an actor in the dumbed-down version of the American show.

It’s meta-cool, although the idea is very similar to what Ricky Gervais did in “Extras,” without the American component, and like “Extras,” this will be a look behind the scenes of behind the scenes of a television show, and if it gets too cute with itself, the heads of American viewers — hoping just to see Joey eat a sandwich — may explode. That’s just kind of a bonus, though.

Six episodes have been ordered and set to debut on both BBC and Showtime in 2010.









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Comments

Hmm... Combined with Showtime, it might have some clout. I could dig it if it's done right.

Posted by: Sapphiar at October 1, 2009 11:09 AM

I cannot agree that David Scwimmer is the least talented friend. His work on "Band of Brothers" was nothing less than stellar and I believe he even directed one of the episodes.

And in regards to MLB, he's got more money than God, so don't worry about him. All the friends do. Aniston only "works" to keep her name in lights before her ovaries shrivel into raisins and she's left with a withered shell of her vapid, one time it-girl self.

Posted by: John Denver's Wingman at October 1, 2009 11:12 AM

And neither is David Schwimmer. Early morning spelling errors, I'm on the left coast.

Posted by: John Denver's Wingman at October 1, 2009 11:14 AM

I forgot how untalented Schwimmer was, he couldn't act his way out of a nutsack.

I always had a soft spot for Friends, it's not a great show, but it's still one of the most fun retarded sitcoms of all time. It's a pity that most other retarded sitcoms don't know how to be entertaining. (I'm looking at you, According to Jim and Two and a Half Men)

Posted by: George at October 1, 2009 11:16 AM

Friends annoyed me to no end. Especially when I found myself watching it, which I did from time to time.

I love John Denver's Wingman. Sick name, man.

But this show is not only like "Extras" but also supposed to echo 30 Rock? Is that right?

Think I'll pass. Oh yeah, I don't have Showtime anyway!

Posted by: Snuggiepants the Deathbringer at October 1, 2009 11:27 AM

Yeah, come on, "Kissing A Fool"!

Posted by: Jay at October 1, 2009 11:29 AM

Not for nothing, but I think Lisa Kudrow was the only decent actor on Friends and she's kind of a one note johnny herself.

Posted by: Snuggiepants the Deathbringer at October 1, 2009 11:31 AM

Schwimmer was good as Greenzo on 30 Rock too. Why isn't Matthew Perry doing more stuff? Or at least better things than Zac Efron vehicles.

Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at October 1, 2009 11:31 AM

You retract that bit about David Schwimmer! He was NOT the least talented Friend, and as a matter of fact he's the only one besides Matthew Perry I can stand.

Matt LeBlanc? Lost In Space was decent, now GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!

Lisa Kudrow? Ok...maybe there's three Friends I can stand, because she was kinda funny in Analyze This.

Courtney Cox? Meh. Any goodwill was erased in two words: Cougar Town.

Jennifer Aniston? Right up there with Chenoweth on my Hollywood Hit List! I'd kill her career faster than OJ at the Playboy Mansion.

Posted by: Doctor Controversy at October 1, 2009 11:33 AM

not gonna lie, kinda love Friends

not gonna lie, kinda gonna wait in the queue to have a cup of coffee in the Central Perk they have set up in SoHo to celebrate the 15th anniversay of the show

and that is nothing to be ashamed about, dammit!

Posted by: bethy at October 1, 2009 11:39 AM

Oh I saw something about the Central Perk thing in the paper the other day. Gunther was there! I'm gonna go queue too.

I love Friends. I love that when nothing else is on tv it is bound to be on E4. I still laugh at it, even though I've seen it a million times. I am not ashamed. Am I supposed to be?

I did hate the way everyone ended up though, with the yelling and screeching and Monica's 'I KNOW!' every two minutes. It's crazy to see how they changed. Monica was the sensible one in the beginning. Madness.

Posted by: Carrie at October 1, 2009 11:50 AM

"Friends" (much like "Grey's Anatomy") was, in it's first season, one of those little shows that you felt belonged to you alone. "Surely" you thought, "no one watches this besides me and a few other cool people". By season two it was a freaking phenomenon and by season three you were sick to death of seeing the actor's mugs plastered on every magazine and tabloid cover, hearing the simpering voices all over the airwaves and hating the fact that the show you once loved had bought into its own hype and imploded.
Having said that, I hope this show does well and that LeBlanc redeems himself.

Posted by: Spender at October 1, 2009 11:52 AM

Why must these Friends folks continue to pollute the airwaves?

Go AWAY already.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at October 1, 2009 11:53 AM

David Schwimmer directed Run Fat Boy Run which was actually quite good.

Posted by: returnofthesmith at October 1, 2009 11:56 AM

The guys who did the theme song for Friends HATE the song now and have for many years. They also hate that it turns out that's all they're known for.

Posted by: Snuggiepants the Deathbringer at October 1, 2009 12:01 PM

Anybody remember the Friend's episode where Ross bleached his teeth so white they glowed in the dark? Obviously not Matt LeBlanc. Damn his teeth are shiny.

Posted by: Ava at October 1, 2009 12:09 PM

Thanks for the love on the name StD...wait...STD? Was that by design, because it is a terrific acronym!

Posted by: John Denver's Wingman at October 1, 2009 12:37 PM

I've gotta respect an actor willing to stick his head up a turkey ass. Or do I?

Posted by: Cindy at October 1, 2009 1:40 PM


BSlim,
That sound like a "Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest" call to arms.
I am at you service, My Liege.

Friends had some genius moments in its run, but it did get a little assy in the end.

Posted by: Lindsey with an 'e' at October 1, 2009 1:59 PM

That sounds meta-tastic. I'm in.

I've got to say, Showtime has really been hitting it out of the park with it's original programming of late. I never even watch HBO anymore, all the good stuff is on Showtime.

Speaking of Showtime/Ex-Friends: Matthew Perry recently starred in/co-wrote a pilot called 'The End of Steve' that was supposed to be on Showtime but apparently didn't get picked up. Sounds kind of interesting, hopefully it goes somewhere because for my money, Perry was the break-out talent on 'Friends'.

Posted by: Cruise at October 1, 2009 3:08 PM

Schwimmer's performance on Band of Brothers was extremely committed and strong but I thought he sometimes just slipped over the line from inflexible stickler and zealot into petulant fuss-pot.

Posted by: cpt.rum at October 1, 2009 6:44 PM

Friends had its moments...Chandler's 'Phil Spiderman' bit cracked me up.

Posted by: stryker1121 at October 1, 2009 7:48 PM