Fox has announced plans to make a pilot based on the UK hit The Vicar of Dibley. The Americanized version will be renamed The Minister of Divine. Of course, bringing comedies across the Atlantic to be retooled for the American audience is nothing new. What does remain to be seen is whether this latest attempt leans more toward the updated Office, or the updated Coupling. The Vicar of Dibley tells the story of Geraldine Granger (Dawn French). She comes to the small town of Dibley after their ancient vicar dies. Initially she encounters some reluctance, but eventually her outgoing spirit breathes new life into the failing congregation. Most of the show focuses on Geraldine and her interactions with the collection of misfits that make up the church council. It's very English and very funny.
Now if someone would bring Black Books across the pond, we'd really be in business...
[ via Digital Spy ]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-21-2006 @ 11:17AM
erroneous_nick said...
I hope I'm wrong, but as a fan of the Vicar's I think this is a terrible idea. I just don't see how a US version could be funnier than the original. Why not just pump money into making more of the "real" Vicar and we can all laugh heartily at a formula that works? I suppose US producers think we Americans just don't get British humor and that odd language they speak over there...whatever it's called.
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9-21-2006 @ 11:07AM
Sean P. Aune said...
nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
This show will NEVER work here! Half of it's charm is it's setting, and I'm sorry, but there is no place like Dibley in the USA! It's going to come off as some bizarre Northern Exposure mix with everyone just saying "Oh look at the quirky little towns people!" BAH!
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9-21-2006 @ 11:54AM
ALLISON said...
More than the place, who are they going to find that can bring the comic genius that Dawn French does? This woman is brilliant and, sadly, I don't see an American equivalent. Knowing how US TV execs think, they'll cast Christina Applegate in the lead role or some other pseudo-sitcom "comedienne". Ugh!
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9-22-2006 @ 1:21PM
MTH said...
nonononono...NO! :)
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9-21-2006 @ 11:56AM
Mark said...
There's no way you could do Black Books on American TV. That show WAS Dylan Moran.
As far as Vicar of Dibley, I think the show they should have brought to American TV is Father Ted.
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9-21-2006 @ 11:58AM
Vince said...
Have to agree with you, "Vicar" will not translate well outside of the original village. Turville is the village they show the series in and used mant exterior shots to give it a sense of place.
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9-21-2006 @ 12:12PM
Nicole said...
I agree with you about Black Books, love that show. I'm not sure if Vicar will work, but it will be fun to see.
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9-21-2006 @ 12:15PM
e said...
NO WAY. I will watch the American version of "Life on Mars", but a FOX version of "Vicar"? So wrong in so many ways.
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9-21-2006 @ 12:30PM
Carissa said...
Some British shows CANNOT be remaid in the US. Some have tried, and we know what happened to them. Here's my list.
Coupling (we're too afraid to do it right)
Absolutely Fabulous (see above note)
BlackAdder (note applies)
One Foot in the Grave (note applies)
Vicar of Dibley
Keeping Up Appearances
Come to think of it, fear of retaliation from every right and left wing group in America keeps our sitcoms down-right unfunny. Cutting edge my arse.
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9-21-2006 @ 3:01PM
Diane said...
I hate the fact that they keep redoing shows from one side or the other- come up with something good. As everyone else has pointed out and now I'll add my two cents worth- DONT DO IT! I think the biggest error is that they recast the role and those who've seen the original can only see the original people in it. Those shows were written by or for the people who starred in them (HELLO- BLACK BOOKS "dirty" LOL!!!!!)
So in short- BAD IDEA!!!
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