british tv

We constantly hear of the British invasion of American TV (The Office, Life on Mars and many others), but there is one executive producer swimming against the current. Former Friends executive producer Adam Chase is working on a sci-fi comedy series called Clone starring Jonathan Pryce for BBC3.

The show is about a scientist who invents the first successful human clone to be used as a prototype super-soldier, but the clone ends up acting like a pacifist. The series is also being directed by The King of Queens alum, Rob Schiller.

Will the show work? I'm honestly not sure. The British are a different audience than the American one and they have a different style for their comedies. Their seasons are traditionally six episodes and all written by the same person. This format allows for more risk-taking in their programming and no question of ownership. Many American shows have enjoyed success over there, but I can't think of a single example of an American being the creative force behind an original and successful British show.

I just hope Mr. Chase can adjust to the much smaller budgets of British productions.

(S03E05) The episode started with a young woman jumping into the Thames... a suicide attempt. After she arrived at the hospital (unconscious, but alive), we learned that she, Emily, was one of Stacie's good friends. Not only was she a kind friend, but she led a children's charity and had devoted most of her life to it. Emily's severe depression was caused by a vicious tabloid's claim that she had defrauded her own charity and had embezzled loads of money. Stacie went to visit Emily and, after seeing what a poor state she was in, vowed to seek revenge on the Weekend World.

Hey, me too!

Great interview in the UK edition of GQ (it's up at Gervais' site) where they talk about everything from The Office to The Simpsons to the state of British television to his home life and the fact that he wears "unremarkable" V-neck sweaters, T-shirts, and trousers.

Any of our overseas friends want to dispute his claims, or do you agree with him?

(Oh, and does anyone know what "abstemious" means?)

[via Chortle]