Being American...
So, I decided that I was being unfair by deciding I hated the American version of Being Human without having seen it. I knew they were planning to follow the same story on a different continent, and I just didn't think it would work. I was right. The original Being Human is an excellent show - intelligent, compelling, contemplative and often gloomy. It really delves into the emotions and reactions of beings who were once human but are no more. The characters often have subtle reactions that show a depth of emotion far beyond words, and the actors portraying the parts are quite good at this (I do still like the original Mitchell from the pilot better than the one they ultimately went with, but he turned out to be pretty good, too.) - their American counterparts, however, come across as hyperactive, whiny, over-caffeinated and loud. I found the energy levels completely wrong, and felt like I was watching a high school reenactment of the real
Being Human. Apparently, they decided to name the vampire Aidan as a tribute to the original show. How sweet, except that, if you want to pay tribute to one of the actors in the original, it should totally be Russell Tovey, because he is a brilliant actor and the only castmember they kept from the pilot. The constant, keening, overly distracting music was pointless and ridiculous, too.
They even tried to be funny, and we chuckled a little bit, but it was completely the wrong feel for this show.
I want to also mention that, while I am always happy to see LGBT characters in a show, it seemed like Josh's sister and her girlfriend were thrown in there for "edginess" - like the girlfriend having a broken arm because she was shrooming. They were also way too in your face with "Look! Josh is Jewish!" where it's just a part of who George is in the original.
Question to British friends: Have you seen the American version? Does it totally reinforce the negative stereotype of Americans being obnoxious whiny idiots?
I want to wrinte a more in-depth, professional review of this, but until then... something had to be said.
Being Human. Apparently, they decided to name the vampire Aidan as a tribute to the original show. How sweet, except that, if you want to pay tribute to one of the actors in the original, it should totally be Russell Tovey, because he is a brilliant actor and the only castmember they kept from the pilot. The constant, keening, overly distracting music was pointless and ridiculous, too.
They even tried to be funny, and we chuckled a little bit, but it was completely the wrong feel for this show.
I want to also mention that, while I am always happy to see LGBT characters in a show, it seemed like Josh's sister and her girlfriend were thrown in there for "edginess" - like the girlfriend having a broken arm because she was shrooming. They were also way too in your face with "Look! Josh is Jewish!" where it's just a part of who George is in the original.
Question to British friends: Have you seen the American version? Does it totally reinforce the negative stereotype of Americans being obnoxious whiny idiots?
I want to wrinte a more in-depth, professional review of this, but until then... something had to be said.