Scoundrels is just a copy of the new zealand show "Outragious Fortune"
Check it out on youtube
And don't let the lack of quality of the US version deter you, check out the original, it's amazing! It's up there in my top 5 with The Wire & Six Feet Under.
shareI could not agree more. I watched this out of boredom and I am shocked and horrified that they destroyed OF.
shareThe EnZed version is so much better. Why on earth could they not broadcast the Kiwi version on American national television? Every country on earth has US television programmes clogging up the evening. Outrageous Fortune is of such a calibre that it would surely attract in the USA also the fame and hoards of fans it already has world-wide . Americans would never take to such shows as the old Italian "Non รจ la RAI"-specific for a time and place--but OF has universal appeal. I cannot begin to count the fans from incredibly diverse countries who love OF, excepting the US of course. Americans cannot be that insular with such a high degree of immigration from every corner of the globe and claims to be multicultural. Simply give the US Outrageous Fortune in the original. Would it not play in Peoria? Why not?
shareBecause our network restictions are more conservative than yours. Cursing and explicit sexual situations can't be shown. Believe it or not, our likes aren't nearly as liberal as yours.
shareLametz, I am American. In this interconnected world, it wouldn't hurt to see some TV shows from other English speaking countries. The effing can be silenced or bleeped out. OF is a GREAT show. Wish more people knew about it.
shareI agree, but it can't be shown on network television. HBO or another cable network would have to air it.
shareI don't have a problem with foreign shows being adapted to a more American sensibility, because if done right both series can be equally as enjoyable for me. And personally I find the U.S. version of "The Office" vastly more entertaining and enjoyable than the original, but generally I love English comedies.
This series has been in development at ABC for at least three years, originally the pilot was written by Rob Thomas, who created "Veronica Mars" and "Party Down" (two of my favorites). There were a couple of reviews of that original pilot and they were very positive, but ABC obviously wanted something "simpler", which is a shame...this show probably won't get the chance but I'm sure it could improve. But ABC should have went with Rob Thomas' "Good Behavior", and premiered it during the fall.
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I have not watched the US version yet and I am just getting into the NZ version. I can say so far that the show is pretty awesome. I am from the US but I love shows from other countries and especially love the little differences in the language. (who thought root was getting it on?)
mamathomasrowland, You have to understand to just put a show on TV for a mainstream US audience, most of the general public just does not 'get' shows with accents or words that are non USA vernaculars or slangs. The majority I am speaking about just plop down after a long day and flip a channel. They see strange signs, cities, accents, actors etc. and they do not have the time to invest in the unfamiliar. It is tough enough following any show, let alone trying to get drawn into a whole different culture. You can call it small minded and maybe it is but that is the general public in most countries. The stakes are SOOOOOO high in the US for a show to have immediate SUPER HIGH ratings that many really cool US shows get canned without a chance. Let alone to allow room for any gems from other countries.
The only way this show could succeed is if there was a US version and if it is crap, that is too bad because the source material from the original is great so far.
In addition, the setting is always something that adds to the flavor of a show. For most of the viewers in the USA, they have not been to NZ. For a show to take place somewhere the knows helps them identify with the show.
Most people are afraid of the unknown, not just US. Since the US has been so prominent in entertainment on a global level, for a non USA person, most have seen so much of the major places in the US on film/TV, the issues is not as great.
Personally, I LOVE to see the little differences in shows from culture to culture, especially when they speak the same language and have many more similarities than differences.
Thanks John for a good explanation. I saw the I think it was second ep of Scoundrels tonight; it was almost verbatim from the original. Almost: the Samoan woman was changed into a Korean for some reason, though there are plenty of Samoans in California. No effing, no rooting etc. Well, the Van simulation did get it on with Mrs. Hong, but they didn't call it by its antipodean word. Oh, and the Jethro character was 17 when he rooted his teacher, not 15 as in the original.
It is unfortunate that many Americans are unwilling to watch TV from other English speaking countries. The accent and some words are different, but one learns that way. I have never been to New Zealand, but I have learned a lot from Outrageous Fortune, from the suburbs of Auckland to becoming an admirer of the shall we say quirky Janet Frame.
It is unfortunate that many Americans are unwilling to watch TV from other English speaking countries
i'm a canadian, and really there isn't that much of a chance...we show alot of brit stuff over here..but most of the good stuff goes to bbc canada, or bbc america.....and i don't have that station....i won't go the extra cable route....but there are three stations here that air alot of brit stuff.....and i think it's great, but this isn't their type of tv..
there used to be alot of aussie stuff on one particular station, and yeah even some nz stuff....but, with the station airing mostly stuff that's from teh american cable stations such as HBO, right now, how is there any room for the better british fair, and the rest of the commonwealth....and it costs alot to import, so that's another reason....
i started to watch a nz soap opera, and when i asked the station why they got rid of it, they said it cost too much to buy more....and that i believe was teh reason behind the two aussie soaps as well...
it's not that people don't want to see it, it's that they do not get the opportunity.....i know someone who lives in seattle, who basically watches only brit stuff.....she doesn't have cable, but there is a brit lovers group that she belongs to, and they get together at whoever's house to watch it all...
susan
I am up to season 5 episode 2 of outrageous fortune, where I am stuck till I buy the DVD cuz I can't find it online, and I LOVE it. I started out hating scoundrels and would compare the episodes to each other, getting frustrated that scoundrels copies it word for word for the most part. But, I'm ashamed to say, I actually kinda, sorta like it. It's not outrageous fortune, and I think that everyone on the planet should watch that, and would love it so much more, but I guess I'm saying I don't hate it. Don't hate me. I didn't mean for it to happen, it just did...............so sorry.
shareI'm interested in seeing the NZ version. Assuming you don't live in NZ, where did you see it? Any chance to see it online?
shareI have forced myself to watch the first 3 episodes of the US version and you are totally correct. The NZ version is better in every way. You would figure with the larger budget for the US version it should have higher production values, writing and acting.
The pacing, acting, writing etc. are not nearly as good as the original. The only one good thing, veteran Hollywood actress Virginia Madsen is good as the mother and may be up to par as the original actress. Other than that, I think the entire cast in the kiwi version are better fits.
Not to mention how watered down it is. They show a lot of raunchy content in the US but some of what was changed was REALLY lame. You all must think there are a bunch of prudes. This rehash is not indicative of what we see a lot on other channels.
The actor who plays the twins in the NZ ver is great. In the US version, they give the actor a wig and goatee to help us tell who is who. The NZ guy, I did not even realize until like episode 3 that they were the same actor. He changes characters just by the look on his face and posture and you know which brother he is. Sure they comb his hair but that is really it.
I totally agree about Van and Jethro. I guess I wasn't paying attention when they said they were twins until several episodes in when they were talking to each other. I was like, "why would they hire two actors who look so much alike?" And then I rewound it and it all clicked. Even when Jethro was pretending to be Van, we still knew who he was based on his subtle actions and behaviors. After Antonia Prebble, Antony Star is the best on the show.
sharemmm too bad your Ameriucan version is horse sh*t though ae
god obviously your a typical American who doesn't give a rats ass about something that isn't produced in your own country.
Just becasue its made in American doesn't mean it's good and the fact its ripped off from the New Zealand version pretty much word for word.
I mean you may not care less but at least we know how to make good televison.
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Oh my. I've always had a secret little opinion of the average American being stuck up and obnoxious; not willing to learn anything and have it all watered down for them so there's really no reason to give those braincells any excercise. I'm always over-joyed when I find proof of a negative stereotypes being wrong. Today however you've proven yourself to live up the expectations perfectly. Congrats.
There is absolutely nothing about the American version that I like. So far I have yet to see anyone (diverse or otherwise) on this planet prefer it over the original. And you, my friend don't count towards that because you are evidently neither, since you refuse to even consider the possibilities.
dr who cares
actually i do.....i never saw the original version...i never wanted to, but i love the ones that they're doing right now....
susan
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Scoundels isn't a copy, its a disaster. The writing for the US version is horrible and not believable for a second. The actors are totally wrong starting from the lead gal Cheryl whose is played by Madsen. She looks terrible with that facelift. Wolf is played by totally wrong actor; looks like he should play the role of Incred Hulk instead. Actor is playing the Van/Jethro character is trying way to hard. I hate the Hope character, she's ruining the original Loretta role. Wrong times 1000 for this show. Please cancel this train wreck.
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