US: How the spirited British sitcom found a new haunt

TV comedy Ghosts has become one of the most popular new sitcoms on both sides of the Atlantic, after a US remake of the beloved BBC original became a hit. The makers of both versions discuss how they leave viewers in high spirits.

Since it started in 2019, BBC One’s Ghosts has been a rare thing in the age of streaming choice and splintered viewing – a sitcom that the whole family can enjoy together.

And since the US version of the show launched earlier this year, it has become an even rarer thing – a successful American remake of a British sitcom.

The history of cross-Atlantic comedy remakes is littered with short-lived flops, but Ghosts has become the most successful translation since The Office and Veep (based on The Thick Of It).

The first season of the CBS adaptation ended last month as the top-rated new series on US TV, according to the network, as well as the number one comedy on streaming service Paramount+.

Joe Wiseman, one of the lead writers and producers of the US version, says the first time he watched the BBC original, he “loved it right away”.

“You could just tell immediately that it was a unique show, a unique premise,” he says. “And it was just so funny.”

The British series was created by the team behind Horrible Histories. “Behind the idea was just asking, ‘what can we come up with that means we get to dress up and be silly, and in a haunted house?'” Mathew Baynton, one of the team, explained backstage at the recent BBC Comedy Festival in Newcastle.

However, the team initially dismissed the concept, not thinking there would be much potential for humour in spirits who can’t really touch anything, go anywhere, and don’t, since they’re already dead, have much to worry about.

But then they realised having very different personalities from different historical eras who cannot escape each other, and are stuck together in a sort of cheerful purgatory for eternity, could actually be very funny.

The characters in the British original include caveman Robin, trouserless Tory MP Julian, a self-important Army officer known as The Captain, needy Georgian noblewoman Kitty, and affable scout leader Pat. They are joined in their crumbling stately home by a young (alive) couple – one of whom can see their phantom housemates.

Ben Willbond, who plays The Captain, says: “It’s basically this largely dysfunctional but very close family living together – arguing, resolving their differences, getting on, ultimately staying as entrenched as they ever were, but learning a little bit about themselves every week.”

Baynton, who also plays hopelessly romantic poet Thomas, describes the show as “a really warm embrace of a family sitcom”.

Willbond adds: “It’s such a such a lovely feeling. When people talk to me about it, that’s one of the first things they say, every time, ‘oh, I can sit down with my kids’.”

 

Source: BBC