We're not awfully fond of US remakes of hit British comedies here in entertainment towers: Just look at what they did to The Inbetweeners if you want a good reason. That said, the folks across the water did make a fair stab at The Office, so when we heard they were giving Gavin and Stacey the transatlantic treatment, we were more than willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.
The good folks over at Fox broadcast the pilot for the US remake, which was executive produced by James Corden and Ruth Jones. With Smithy and Ness getting in on the action, what could possibly go wrong? Well, we've had a look at the trailer for the show, which was picked up by the network for a full series by the by, and we have to say, we're not quite sure about it. It's clearly lacking a bit of Rob Brydon for one...
Parenthood's Jason Ritter seems to make a decent enough Gavin, but we're just not feeling Alexis Bledel as Stacey. Perhaps its because she's not Joanna Page? Or maybe because all we can see is Rory Gilmore... Meanwhile the wonderful Jane Kaczmarek, who does seem to be in flying form, is a little too Malcolm In The Middle for our liking. It may be the case that we just need a little more time to get used to seeing our favourite characters being played by someone else. Only time, as they say, will tell.
Us and Them hits Fox in the USA this autumn.
