The Cellar - Separated by a Common Language?

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Quote:

Originally Posted by monster (Post 651335)

The UK is tiny and old. We have many many accents and dialects, but as a nation, we have pretty much shared the same history and backgrounds for hundreds of years and we have probably all met someone from most corners of the country. America is huge, most people's families have only been here for a few generations and they have come from all over the world. Very little shared history, vocab, colloquialisms etc. Even less chance of contact with Brits and their background. Fair enough, I hear you cry, but why the need to make it appeal to everyone? Because almost all TV here is commercial. Advertisers want their commercials to be seen by as many people as possible. Very few would be interested in time during a show watched by a handful of anglophiles and expats. No advertising revenue = no money to buy the show. It needs to be understood by a wider range of people to be worth buying. So it gets Americanized.

Also, I remember hearing there's something to do with the actor's union too, but I can't remember exactly what that was and can't find any corroboration right now. Maybe Clodfobble or UG could help on that?

Excellent observations, Monster. I am still surprised by the successful translation of The Office. Into a dozen languages or summat? innit? I think it must have something to do with the universality of that type of awfulness.

You hit the nail on the head there.

That said, The Office only tips the needle at occassionally slightly amusing on my scale.... but i'm lucky enough that I don't have to work in one.

Yeah, I think Gervais is much funnier at standup. I feel really uncomfortable watching either Gervais or Carrel as their Office characters. I don't think I could work in an office.

Gervais gives me the creeps. And he stole my friend's artwork.

that sucks. was it a holdup or an I'm not going to pay you thing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster (Post 651350)

I did not get any of the American slangs. :neutral: Are these slangs common?

Quote:

Originally Posted by squirell nutkin (Post 651364)

that sucks. was it a holdup or an I'm not going to pay you thing?

John Megahan is my friend, Ricky asked his permission for this, he said no.