Ben Benner’s Blog

I remember reading old newspaper headlines talking about ‘British Invasions’ and what not during the time of the Beatles. And even since 2000, I believe I have seen headlines and topics to that effect in regards to a number of bands coming from the UK.

However, my statement is based upon British TV. Over the last 10 years (or more) there have been a number of British TV shows that have become popular here in the USA. However, they were not here under the guise of British TV, they were on TV as US shows.

The first that I can think of that was basically a mirror copy was the ‘Weakest Link’ game show. The next one is ‘The Office’, which I believe has found a strong voice of it’s own and can be quite funny at times.

But, as I am sitting here looking over the schedule for the conference I am attending over the next couple of days the TV is on in the background, and there is an advert for a new TV show. The clips are quick and visually jump around a lot, bringing about a feeling of chaos as I watched. I see Harvey Keitel, an actor that I have always felt doesn’t get nearly enough leading roles as he deserves.

Too be honest I cannot remember the words being spoken during the advert, but as the chaos is happening and I see Harvey and hear the words (that I cannot remember), I think to myself this feels familiar. I wonder if someone is doing a remake of a show I have seen before.

There was one clip, right before they showed the title that made me think, crap this looks like a British show I watched. Then the title came in, ‘Life on Mars’. I watched the original BBC version (which isn’t that old mind you, back in January).

I wonder if the networks are going to try to convert some more British TV shows as a way to get more content out there, given the GAP created by the writer’s strike.

Well, I need to figure out what I am going to do for breakfast.

Laterz