From Across the Pond: How British TV Shows Inspired Iconic American Hits
- Anglo Ingles
- Jun 16, 2023
- 5 min read
Do you find yourself binge-watching streaming services like Netflix while lounging on the sofa and munching on pizza?
Do you ever wonder about the differences between British and American shows?
If so, you're in the right place.
As a platform dedicated to helping you learn English, we've compiled a list of the distinguishing features of British and American TV shows to help you broaden your understanding of the English language and culture.
Join us as we explore the distinctions between British and American television programming, comedy styles, plus how sitting on the sofa watching telly (British colloquialism for TV) can help improve your English!
British television is known for its wide variety of programming, including sitcoms, dramas, and period pieces. It is also known for its "high-brow" programming, such as documentaries, literary adaptations, and political satires.
On the other hand, American television offers a diverse selection of genres, including crime dramas, reality shows, and sitcoms. American shows tend to have more episodes per series than their British counterparts, and they rely more heavily on advertising revenue.
When it comes to comedy, British humour is known for its dry, understated style that relies on subtlety, irony, and sarcasm. It often features political and social satire, as well as self-deprecating humour. This unique style has stood the test of time and many classic British comedy series from the past continue to be enjoyed today.
Here are some classic British comedy series that are worth watching:
"Dad's Army" - a relatable sitcom about a group of local volunteers during World War II
"Fawlty Towers" - a cult classic that is considered one of the greatest British sitcoms of all time
"Only Fools and Horses" - a comedy series that tackles serious themes with humour
"Blackadder" - a historical sitcom that features dark humour and well-written characters
"Yes Minister" and "Yes, Prime Minister" - a political satire sitcom that is known for its clever wit and ability to make complex political issues entertaining
For modern British comedies, check out:
"The Office" - a mockumentary-style sitcom that stars Ricky Gervais and is known for its cringe-worthy humour
"Peep Show" - a unique sitcom that shows the thoughts of the characters and follows their lives as roommates
"Gavin & Stacey" - a heartwarming sitcom about a long-distance relationship between two people from different countries
"Extras" - a satire of the entertainment industry that features star-studded guest appearances
"Derek" - a wonderfully heart-warming series that portrays the life of a nursing home caretaker with a mix of comedy and drama
British television dramas are also highly regarded for their high production values, strong character development, and powerful storytelling.
If you want intelligent, tense, high-quality British dramas then look out for:
"I, Claudius," "Line of Duty," "Downton Abbey," "After Life," "Sherlock," and "Broadchurch."
Famous Adaptions
There are many examples of famous American TV shows that were inspired or adapted from British television. We take a look at a few examples and a comparison of how they compare to their British counterparts:
The Office: I find not many Mexicans or Americans I encounter are aware of this, so brace yourselves... The American version of The Office was adapted from the British version, which originally aired on the BBC.
While both shows follow a similar format of a mockumentary-style comedy about the daily lives of employees working in an office, the American version expanded on the storylines of the original and developed its own unique characters.
The American version, which starred Steve Carell as the bumbling boss Michael Scott, went on to become a huge success in its own right and is often considered one of the best American TV comedies of all time.
The British one is still rather good though, I must say.
Shameless: Again, the American version of Shameless was adapted from British telly. It aired on Channel 4.
The show follows the story of the Gallagher family, who live in a rough neighbourhood in Chicago.
While the American version shares many similarities with the British version in terms of the characters and themes, it also diverges in significant ways.
The American version is more focused on the family's struggle to make ends meet in a city that is increasingly unaffordable, while the British version is more focused on the family's relationships with each other and the people around them.
House of Cards: It never took off in the same way but House of Cards did begin in Britain and originally aired on the BBC.
Both shows centre around the machinations of a ruthless politician who is willing to do whatever it takes to gain power. While the American version is set in Washington D.C. and focuses on the American political system, the British version is set in London and focuses on the British political system.
Both versions are known for their strong performances and gripping storylines, and both have been highly acclaimed by critics.
Overall, while these American TV shows were adapted or inspired by their British counterparts, they each developed their own unique style and flavour, and have become iconic in their own right.
How Watching Telly Can Improve Your English
Watching English television can be a great way to improve your English in several ways:
Vocabulary: By watching English television, you will be exposed to a wide range of vocabulary and idioms, as well as different accents and dialects, which can help to expand your own vocabulary and improve your comprehension skills.
Pronunciation: By listening to native speakers, you can improve your own pronunciation by observing how words are pronounced and how different sounds are made. This can also help you to understand spoken English more easily.
Grammar: Watching English television can also help to improve your grammar. By observing how native speakers use different grammatical structures and patterns, you can gain a better understanding of the rules of the English language, as well as pick up on common errors that non-native speakers make.
Understanding idioms and colloquial language: English is rich in idiomatic expressions and colloquial language, by watching British television you will encounter these expressions in context, which can help you to understand and use them in your own speech and writing.
Cultural context: By watching British television you will be exposed to British culture and customs, this can help you to understand the cultural context of the language and communication and also could broaden your understanding of British society and its history.
Listening practice: Consistently listening to native speakers can help you to improve your listening skills, by understanding the intonation, pacing, and rhythm of spoken English, you will be able to follow conversations more easily and understand spoken language more naturally.
It's important to mention that watching English television should be part of a larger strategy for learning the language, also it is recommended to use subtitles if available to help you follow the dialogue and pick up new words and phrases.
In summary, British and American television have distinct differences in terms of programming, comedy styles, and more. While American television tends to have more episodes and relies heavily on advertising revenue, British television is known for its unique comedy style and high-brow programming.
Regardless of your preference, both British and American TV shows offer something for everyone.
Get in touch if you think there's any I have forgotten about. Alternatively, enquire about signing up with us so we can discuss how Ricky Gervais' The Office is far superior to Steve Carell's Yankee version...
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