// you’re reading...

Action drama

MI5 – Do we really need an American version?

By Bill Young ⋅ August 14, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment
Filed Under  , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Spoiler Alert: For those of you that find yourself shying away from really fast rides at carnivals and fairs these days because of a weak stomach, please be advised you shouldn’t read any further.

On the heels of the news of an upcoming Top Gear USA and possible American versions of both Doctor Who and Torchwood comes this news from the ABC Television Network. I have now come to the realization that there are no new ideas out there in the world of broadcast television in America. Even the casual reader to this blog will know how I feel about the brilliant MI5 (Spooks in the UK). And, probably, you really know how I feel about attempts by American television producers to re-make British television series. Insert Life On Mars, Red Dwarf, Spaced, Coupling and Fawlty Towers here.

Simply put, for my money, there is not a better drama series on the air from sign-on to sign-off than MI5. Others in the neighborhood such as The Shield, are generally on cable television networks. Broadcast networks do good comedy. I’m open for anyone to convince me otherwise, but they just don’t get it right when it comes to drama.

For now, I will rest with the knowledge that season 9 of MI5 is currently in production and set for a late Fall premiere on the BBC with a mid-2011 broadcast on many public television stations nationwide.


Related Posts:

  • Lisa C.

    No. Gracious! People here should just stop trying to replicate excellence.

  • Dylan S.

    Please, no! It’s going to be nowhere as awesome as the orignial

  • http://tellyspotting.org Bill Young

    Dylan: Unfortunately, or fortunately, we have history on our side that says it doesn’t stand a chance of being anywhere near the level of the original.

  • edith

    Thanks KERA, without you airing, there are no great shows on the telly like MI-5, Waking the Dead, BBC Masterpiece and New Tricks. Will you be getting the Hustle? more Inspector Linley? more Fowley’s War?

  • http://tellyspotting.org Bill Young

    Edith: Definitely Hustle in January 2011. Will check on Lynley, etc. and let you know.

  • Tex

    Haven’t we had this before? I thought “The Agency” was a pretty good show, until CBS canned it. If we must have ANOTHER spy show, why not bring that back?

  • John Freeman

    What is the show Life on Mars?

  • http://tellyspotting.org Bill Young

    John: From the producers of MI5, it’s the story of a 21st century Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) who is hit by a car and wakes up in 1973 in the lower rank of Detective Inspector (DI). Story revolves our him not knowing if he has died, gone mad, in a coma or what as he tries to either wake up or get back to 2006. Was briefly re-made for American television this past year with Harvey Keitel but ran only one season and was cancelled. Hope you check it out.

  • Lynn

    Pleeeez NO! It would be as horrible as Being Human USA.

  • http://tellyspotting.org Bill Young

    @Lynn: Fortunately, I have heard no more about this at this point. Did not see any of the Being Human USA series and have no interest. Have two episodes left to watch from season 3 of the UK Being Human. Can’t bring myself to watch as I know what happens, but also know it will be another year before season 4 comes out. Maybe I’ll watch one every six months to spread it out until S4 starts.

Sponsored by
Become a KERA Sponsor