Wishful DrinkingWishful DrinkingAn Analysis of the Adaptation of An Analysis of the Adaptation of

ShamelessShameless

AdaptationAdaptation

Making necessary changes in a television show Making necessary changes in a television show after said show is sold to a different country.after said show is sold to a different country.

Key part of GlobalizationKey part of Globalization

ThesisThesis

In order to be successful, an adapted show In order to be successful, an adapted show must respond to its marketed culture. must respond to its marketed culture.

Creative ChangesCreative Changes

• Dialogue: lou=bathroomDialogue: lou=bathroom

• Character: Gervais VS CarrellCharacter: Gervais VS Carrell

• Aesthetic: brightness contrastAesthetic: brightness contrast

• Cultural Issues: America’s sensitivityCultural Issues: America’s sensitivity

The OfficeThe Office

• British television comedy first aired in 2001British television comedy first aired in 2001

• Mockumentary style situational comedyMockumentary style situational comedy

• Aired for two seasons (each consisting 6 Aired for two seasons (each consisting 6 episodes and 1 Christmas special)episodes and 1 Christmas special)

• Adapted for US audiences in 2008Adapted for US audiences in 2008

UK IntroUK Intro

US IntroUS Intro

The Office INTROThe Office INTRO

• INTRO: INTRO: • TONETONE• HUEHUE• CHARACTER DEVELOPMENTCHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

UK BossUK Boss

US BossUS Boss

The Office BOSSThe Office BOSS

UK: arrogance, ignorance, sexist, not entirely UK: arrogance, ignorance, sexist, not entirely likablelikable

DAVID BRENTDAVID BRENT

US: arrogance, ignorance, sexist, racist, BUT US: arrogance, ignorance, sexist, racist, BUT LOVEABLE LOVEABLE

MICHAEL SCOTTMICHAEL SCOTT

UK Staff DynamicUK Staff Dynamic

US Staff DynamicUS Staff Dynamic

The Office StaffThe Office Staff

• UK: condescending, intolerantUK: condescending, intolerant

• US: goofy, light hearted, supportive US: goofy, light hearted, supportive

ShamelessShameless

• Started 2004Started 2004

• On ninth seasonOn ninth season

• Follows the lives of the impoverished Follows the lives of the impoverished Gallaghers and their journey to survive Gallaghers and their journey to survive

Shameless UK & USShameless UK & US

Shameless: UKShameless: UK

• Class struggleClass struggle

• Disrespecting authorityDisrespecting authority

• More on their ownMore on their own

Class StruggleClass Struggle

• History of English rebellionHistory of English rebellion

• ““The English in the later 17th-century forged The English in the later 17th-century forged the first modern revolution, one with long-the first modern revolution, one with long-term causes and long-term consequences. term causes and long-term consequences. The English could not have transformed their The English could not have transformed their state and society…” (Pincus 10). state and society…” (Pincus 10).

Shameless USShameless US

• Hope Hope

• BeautyBeauty

• UnderdogUnderdog

• All very American IdeologiesAll very American Ideologies

Both television shows Both television shows compromised slightly in compromised slightly in order to give a voice to order to give a voice to their new marketed their new marketed audience audience