Sunday's series premiere of
Betrayal happened to coincide with the season 3 premiere of the Dutch TV series
Penoza. In case you forgot, ABC made a remake of Penoza, called
Red Widow, which was cancelled after one season. Betrayal, which is a remake of the Dutch TV series
Overspel, is also unlikely to get a second season after its premiere numbers bombed. Why are the Dutch versions enormously popular while the American counterparts suck?
Just to be clear, I haven't seen either of the four shows. I am a Dutchman, but I am not a big fan of homemade TV series. When we watch TV, it will be an American scripted program 70% of the time. The other 30% is either a film (also English-languaged), news, sports events and sometimes a Dutch program, usually non-scripted (e.g. a quiz show or occasionaly The Voice). Since I have not seen any actual footage, I am completely relying on reviews and commentaries.
Penoza is said to possibly be "one of the best TV series ever made in The Netherlands". It's described as being so good that it almost feels as a non-Dutch series. "Director Diederik van Rooijen has succeeded in creating a pentrating and realistic image of the Dutch organized crime," one review writes. The acting is said to be excellent and believable, and the minor inconsistenties in the first episode are hardly noticed due to the magnificent cast. "The story is so thrilling and unpredictable that you can't wait for the next episode." Penoza is currently airing its third season.
Red Widow seems completely the opposite. Its two-hour pilot was "high-aspiring but poorly executed". The show is said to be too busy, and Penoza writer Pieter Bart Korthuis said that "many of the subplots from us that made the world more believable, have been left out". Penoza lead actress Monic Hendrickx said: "Red Widow appears to be more smoothly than Penoza. It lacks the raw part that I really enjoy." Director Diederik van Rooijen understood the cancellation of Red Widow. "It was too glossy," he says. "After two episodes it already went down hill. Our intention was too show what the underworld does to a family and never too romanticize the violence."
Overspel is a must see. "It is a very strong drama that knows how to pull viewers into the intrigues with both the story and the characters as well as the complete setting," a review writes. Critisc praise lead actress Sylvia Hoeks. "The way in which she visibly suffers under the pressure of adultery is impressive," says the reviewer. "She also knows how to show a fiery and strong woman as a surpressed and insecure woman." But it is not just the acting work that makes Overspel a good show. "You can feel that every image of the show has been thoroughly considered and thought about." Overspel's second season will premiere this month, and the series has already been renewed for a third season.
Betrayal is said to be a show that takes itself too seriously. "It does require a lightness of touch, an ability to acknowledge the camp factor without giving way to it," LA times writes. Another reviewer, who has seen Overspel, wrote: "[Overspel] was quite enjoyable. That proves to me that it’s not the premise that makes Betrayal as horrible as it is. Rather, it’s the extremely soapy feel that ABC tacked onto the story and the complete lack of chemistry between any of the characters." There are no good reviews to be found about Betrayal. It won't be this season's first cancellation (Lucky 7 was the first), but I believe it will be among the first five cancellations.
And which Dutch drama will be next to be remade?
Vuurzee was said to be also adapted by ABC, but it didn't make the cut. Perhaps they could try it once again? Or maybe they should just stop making remakes and instead broadcast the original show with English translations.
Cool article, interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing it Daniel.
I normally hate remakes of foreign shows, although in the last few years, The Bridge and The Killing have been brilliant exceptions.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe they should just stop making remakes and instead broadcast the original show with English translations
ReplyDeleteThis! In the last 5 years or so in the UK we have become obsessed with foreign language TV shows the Killing, the Bridge, Spiral and most recently The Returned. US audiences really need to learn to love subtitles!
Being danish I had the same worries about the americans remaking The Bridge and The Killing, but both turned out really good. It´s never quite the same feeling as I get from watching the danish shows, but that´s ok too. Both american versions are brilliant and well done, and it doesn´t have to be excactly the same. The Killing made a big mistake when they didn´t reveal the killer in season 1 (the danish version did) and it paid the price for that.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to seeing the remake og Rita. With Anna Gunn as Rita, it could turn out good.
Remakes are such tricky business!
ReplyDeleteDo you remake the original series by updating it or transplanting it into American culture? Do you put an original twist on it? Do you try to be true to the original series or go your own way on theme and ambiance?
I think too many remakes try to put too much of a spin on the original series. Whether it was to "American-ize" it or to place some new twist just to be different, the charm and magic of the original is often (if not usually) lost in the process.
Sometimes the changes of the remake can highlight the story or enhance aspects of the original, but more often than not they fall flat.In my opinion the key is to find that perfect parallel theme that let's you connect to the US audience, but still keeps the spirit of the original.
That becomes much harder if the US network decides to "pretty up" the cast or change major characters for no good reason. Most of these original series were brilliant because of how all the pieces fit together. If the US version changes too many pieces without any forethought the series is doomed to fail.
I think most remakes on network TV are likely to fail for all of those reasons. They tend to make things shiny and glossy losing the feel of the original. They tend to cast pretty faces in roles that frankly should not have a pretty face. The few successful remakes I can think of have been on cable networks that are less interested in putting some high glossy product out. They maintain the grit and nuance of the original and they are successful for it.
And so ends another installment of insomniac rant theatre....Apologies. XD
Really interesting article! I think ABC needs to put more thought into their pilots before just ordering them. Just become Red Widow and Betrayal look compatible to Revenge in paper doesn't mean it's going to work, and just because it's based on a successful series it doesn't mean it's going to work if you don't put some effort on it
ReplyDeleteI have to comment on two of the things you mention. First of all I agree that the cable networks seems to be a lot better at remaking foreign series. They are not afraid to go down a darker path and let good people/characters fail, that´s why it works.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, what is it with all the pretty people on american tv?! They do seem to cast all these beautiful faces, but it somehow makes the story less interesting. Take Betrayal for example, I think the story would have been better off with less fancy faces. I did not watch the original, so I can´t compare, but Betrayal comes off as a soap opera, which I don´t think the dutch version was. It´s a shame!
Instead of casting all the pretty people we need more Walter White, Boyd Crowder and William Masters. :-)
I don't hear well and use CC for almost all shows, so subtitles would work great for me. ;) DVRs have ruined me, when I go to a movie I keep wanting to pause or back up and miss my CC.
ReplyDeleteYou know why they get cancelled? Because wrong television channels make them, like ABC. They made a watered-down version of Penoza because of network television limitations. These shows could only work on cable and premium channels (AMC, FX, HBO, Showtime, Starz ...).
ReplyDeleteOr US audiences need to get used to foreign accents. I can't believe they're going to do a remake of Broadchurch, and with the same male lead too. Why not just air the original, which was outstanding?
ReplyDeleteIt seems like the major networks only cast pretty people as drama leads right?
ReplyDeleteI mean we may get a well-traveled character actor as the angry boss, the bad guy, or the comic relief, but as a lead? Not very often. On US shows inevitably the female lead detective is late-20's to early-30s, has some sort of fashion per diem judging by their wardrobe, and could eaily be confused for a model - partly due to the high heels she wears while kicking in doors and chasing bad guys in the woods. XD
Why I prefer cable TV and foreign series! XD
On UK crime shows if a character is too pretty they often get mocked for it!
I have Zero Clue why there has to be a "US version" of Broadchurch starring David Tennant with an 'American accent". Why not have a cable or Network station just buy the rights to air Broadchurch S1 for viewers that couldn't see the original broadcast on BBC America? Seems as if that would be the most cost-effective solution then remaking the whole show unless 'they' intend to drag "S1" out further by adding lots more filler.
ReplyDeleteMe, too, I have 'aging ears' so I often use the CC function.
ReplyDeleteYou are exactly right. That is why my favorite females on TV are people like Sarah Linden (who seems a lot more like a real detective) and Gemma Teller (who is just a badass and very interesting). Ok I also love Carrie on Homeland, and I do find Claire Danes very beautiful, but she fits the part and got cast for her brilliant performence, not for her beauty.
ReplyDeleteI too prefer cable TV. I got a little tired of UK crime shows, I´ve just seen one too many when I was younger. I love danish movies, they just have the right amount of dark humor.
I like British crime dramas because the stories are better, but I agree.... There are so many it does get repetitive.
ReplyDeleteAny new Danish crime dramas that are good? I've seen Forbrydelsen, Dem som Draeber, Bron/ Broen, and the Swedish Wallander and Sebastian Bergman..
I need to check out more Danish/ Scandinavian films...
Over the years I have caught a few I heard about during Oscar season like Breaking the Waves , Dancer in The Dark, and Let the Right One In... and I saw A Royal Affair and In a Better World in the last year or so, but I don't hear enough about the films to look for them honestly.
After seeing Ulrich Thomsen on Banshee I thought I would check out some of his work maybe... Joel Kinnamen too.. Any suggestions (with or without those two actors)?
ABC also did a watered down version of Mistresses. Although they did do one thing right by casting better looking actors than the British version.
ReplyDeleteBreaking the waves and Dancer in the Dark is both Lars von Trier. He made a lot of movies if you like that kind of movie. I think he is alright, but you really have to be in the mood for one of his films.
ReplyDeleteSuggestions could be:
- In a better world (won oscar)
- The Celebration (Ulrich Thomsen, Thomas Vinterberg made it, awesome movie)
- Flickering Lights (Mads Mikkelsen, Ulrich Thomsen, it´s old (2000), but I can always watch it, brilliant)
- Terribly happy (Kim Bodnia, from Broen, one of my favorite danish books made into a very dark awesome film)
Adams Apples is awesome, just watched in again last week!
I like Ulrich on Banshee and Mads on Hannibal, but it has been very strange seeing them in something so different.
There isn´t any new crime drama´s at the moment. I´ll let you know if something good comes on. :-)
I saw Betrayal and I can say I felt awkward during many of their infidelity moments. I understand the girls reason with that husband, but the dude, idk why he would cheat, fool has a loving wife with whom he didn't seem to have a problem with, and 2 grown ass kids who love him... yea I think this will get cancelled.
ReplyDeleteInterting article. I do agree with some of the things mentioned but I ultimatley feel like why network tv don't just air the original with subtitles is because advertisers won't invest in the show.
ReplyDelete