Ghosts - BBC

Scotch Mist · Nov 21, 2022

The American version told us in the first episode that the Thor/Robin character could make the lights flicker due to being struck by lightning. We had to wait a long time to find that out in the UK version. Thor is nowhere near as good as Robin and neither is the scout guy. They also made it too obvious about the soldier character being gay. There's a distinct lack of subtlety compared to the UK version.

Also the husband is just not as cute and endearing as Mike. I found the American version watchable but nowhere near as intriguing or funny as the British version.

supernintendochalmers · Nov 21, 2022

The hippie character in the US version is really annoying and one-note.

StephenTJackson · Nov 21, 2022

Scotch Mist said:
The American version told us in the first episode that the Thor/Robin character could make the lights flicker due to being struck by lightning. We had to wait a long time to find that out in the UK version. Thor is nowhere near as good as Robin and neither is the scout guy. They also made it too obvious about the soldier character being gay. There's a distinct lack of subtlety compared to the UK version.

Also the husband is just not as cute and endearing as Mike. I found the American version watchable but nowhere near as intriguing or funny as the British version.

The lack of nuance in the characters and how they are developed or not as the case may be is a flaw. It's too quick in spite of so many episodes so characters don't get to grow naturally they are thrown at us quickly. And with little we don't quickly find out about them.

Some People! · Nov 21, 2022

Semi-serious question...
Do Americans watch British TV with great writing and characterisation and think like... "Why the unnecessary subtlety?? Why the over-long slow burn? Tell me everything about everyone immediately!!"....?

OwlAtTheMoon · Nov 21, 2022

Some People! said:
Semi-serious question...
Do Americans watch British TV with great writing and characterisation and think like... "Why the unnecessary subtlety?? Why the over-long slow burn? Tell me everything about everyone immediately!!"....?

I was thinking exactly this! The UK Ghosts ensemble writing/acting team is incredible - so talented, so subtle, so laugh-out-loud funny. Robin's character is marvellous, at once hilarious and yet sofull of profound pathos and humanity. That episode just after the Queen had died and the ghosts were outside looking up at the stars and Robin was pointing up, naming them for each friend he'd lost... and then he said something like, 'That one is Elizabeth' - well, bloody hell I was in bits at that. American tv and film have many strong qualities but short-form, intelligent/pathos-soaked comedy (which they, alas, make long-form!) just isn't a format that translates.

sistersofpercy · Nov 21, 2022

Scotch Mist said:
The American version told us in the first episode that the Thor/Robin character could make the lights flicker due to being struck by lightning. We had to wait a long time to find that out in the UK version. Thor is nowhere near as good as Robin and neither is the scout guy. They also made it too obvious about the soldier character being gay. There's a distinct lack of subtlety compared to the UK version.

Also the husband is just not as cute and endearing as Mike. I found the American version watchable but nowhere near as intriguing or funny as the British version.

I have to give you credit for getting through it. I tried it on a flight earlier this month and lasted all of ten minutes. It just didn't feel right.

ElectricDreams · Nov 23, 2022

I'm not a huge fan of Jay, I don't think he is as good as Mike at acting like he can't see the ghosts. I listened to the podcast on the UK show and he said that he always looks slightly up into the air when he's talking to the ghosts because he thinks they are floating that's just a subtle little detail that's lost in the US one.

I think the US show has taken the idea and run with it as you see in later episodes, with the addition of new ghosts which makes it very different to the UK show which has stayed very much true to its roots. I like this about it and this is where I see them as two separate shows. I wish they had made all of the ghosts original and perhaps not had so many of them but I guess they wanted it to have some resemblance to the UK show.

Noodlecat · Nov 25, 2022

OwlAtTheMoon said:
I was thinking exactly this! The UK Ghosts ensemble writing/acting team is incredible - so talented, so subtle, so laugh-out-loud funny. Robin's character is marvellous, at once hilarious and yet sofull of profound pathos and humanity. That episode just after the Queen had died and the ghosts were outside looking up at the stars and Robin was pointing up, naming them for each friend he'd lost... and then he said something like, 'That one is Elizabeth' - well, bloody hell I was in bits at that. American tv and film have many strong qualities but short-form, intelligent/pathos-soaked comedy (which they, alas, make long-form!) just isn't a format that translates.

American here- been watching UK shows for decades- you do it so much better. So much more intelligence behind the humor and the writing.
I adore Ghosts and won’t watch the US version- will just keep re-watching the “real” one

Fanny Muchmore · Nov 27, 2022

The American version is OK - there are a few laughs here and there. But it's lacking the sweetness of the original Ghosts and like another poster mentioned, the US version isn't big on subtly. Within the first couple of episodes we had already learned how a handful of the ghosts had died - in the original it took many seasons to get that information. But in this they were just "hi I'm ####, I died by ####"

I was violently shipping Nigel and Issac by the end though, lol

Misssj80 · Nov 27, 2022

My son and I are still working our way through the US version. We are enjoying it but for different reasons as to why we love the British one.

StephenTJackson · Nov 29, 2022

Just seen there is gonna be a Christmas special again! Can't wait.

Cosmicpixiesb · Nov 29, 2022

Amazing news

CoffeeMamma · Nov 29, 2022

So I’ve been lurking on this thread and decided to try the US version! I think the two things I actually liked initially (on episode 3) was 1- that Sam’s fall was a genuine accident 2- the mucky politician is the one that is chasing her; it’s just funny! I definitely agree with the comments above- it’s not subtle at all, but if you take it for what it is, it’s a time waster (I’ve decluttered the whole toy box!)

50sGirl · Nov 29, 2022

CoffeeMamma said:
So I’ve been lurking on this thread and decided to try the US version! I think the two things I actually liked initially (on episode 3) was 1- that Sam’s fall was a genuine accident 2- the mucky politician is the one that is chasing her; it’s just funny! I definitely agree with the comments above- it’s not subtle at all, but if you take it for what it is, it’s a time waster (I’ve decluttered the whole toy box!)

I’ve just finished the US series.
I think it’s best not to compare it to the UK version because, other than the concept, it’s totally different.

Sam can see Ghosts wherever she goes. Could Alison do that in the UK version? I can’t recall. I liked when she met her mum again.

I don’t think the actor who plays Thorfinn is very good - is it just me or does his accent keeps slipping?

Trevor, the Wall Street Trader, who plays the equivalent of the UK politician character, is much more likeable than the UK character.

I miss a “Mary” equivalent.

Nigel reminds me of Matt Hancock facially!
The headless character seems to have been forgotten most of the time.

There is no way that Hetty would have been so accepting of Isaac admitting he was gay or shared a bedroom with him. Did we find out how she died? I’m also glad the Prom Queen was only for one episode as I didn’t enjoy that one.

Some People! · Nov 30, 2022

50sGirl said:
Trevor, the Wall Street Trader, who plays the equivalent of the UK politician character, is much more likeable than the UK character.

This is an excellent point. I think it takes a bit of bravery, great writing, and commitment to the style & concept to include a character so unlikeable as Julian and as as you say, the US version has really only borrowed the set-up to base a sitcom on.
I don't think they could have "an hilarious rotter", they'd want to write him as a villain.

IndominusRex · Nov 30, 2022

We’ve started the US one and it’s well written in terms of jokes but less in terms of characters.

50sGirl said:
Sam can see Ghosts wherever she goes. Could Alison do that in the UK version? I can’t recall. I liked when she met her mum again.

yes there is an episode where Alison sees other ghosts - the doctor joke is the same in both series.

LoopyLou47 · Nov 30, 2022

50sGirl said:
I’ve just finished the US series.
I think it’s best not to compare it to the UK version because, other than the concept, it’s totally different.

Sam can see Ghosts wherever she goes. Could Alison do that in the UK version? I can’t recall. I liked when she met her mum again.

I don’t think the actor who plays Thorfinn is very good - is it just me or does his accent keeps slipping?

Trevor, the Wall Street Trader, who plays the equivalent of the UK politician character, is much more likeable than the UK character.

I miss a “Mary” equivalent.

Nigel reminds me of Matt Hancock facially!
The headless character seems to have been forgotten most of the time.

There is no way that Hetty would have been so accepting of Isaac admitting he was gay or shared a bedroom with him. Did we find out how she died? I’m also glad the Prom Queen was only for one episode as I didn’t enjoy that one.

I think she could. The doctor scene is lifted from the UK show

I agree the US show is different. I am enjoying it, even though I agree they have rushed through the characters back stories, although I love the back stories. Isn't the trouserless guy a trader? They have got him spot on as a stereotype!

50sGirl · Nov 30, 2022

IndominusRex said:
We’ve started the US one and it’s well written in terms of jokes but less in terms of characters.

yes there is an episode where Alison sees other ghosts - the doctor joke is the same in both series.

LoopyLou47 said:
I think she could. The doctor scene is lifted from the UK show

I agree the US show is different. I am enjoying it, even though I agree they have rushed through the characters back stories, although I love the back stories. Isn't the trouserless guy a trader? They have got him spot on as a stereotype!

You both have way better memories than me. I’ve no recollection of Alison and the doctor!

mindlessness · Dec 1, 2022

I watched the first US Ghosts ep but wasn't enthralled. Should give it another go, perhaps for background tv while doing housework like you did @CoffeeMamma !

So glad we're getting a Christmas special.

I know this is a bit cheesy but I like thinking that we've got many more years of content to look forward to from this team as a collective and individually. I mean, what a legacy of television they already have with Ghosts, Yonderland, and Horrible Histories!

WeepingCassandra · Dec 2, 2022

50sGirl said:
You both have way better memories than me. I’ve no recollection of Alison and the doctor!

I didn’t either and it made me laugh a lot! I’m not disliking the US version - it’s definitely not the same but if it came first I think I’d have enjoyed it then too.

Ghosts - BBC

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