For several years, I was an Executive Producer and the principal director of a popular comedy series on HBO. (I left after the fifth season to direct a movie in England.) While there, I discovered the brilliant British series, “Peep Show.” On one of my trips back to the states, I started talking about how much I loved the series. The owners of the Brit series (who would be the equivalent of Granada, in the case of “Spaced”) got very excited about my creating an American version of “Peep Show.”

Here was the first thing out of my mouth during that first meeting: “I would only attempt to do this if I have the full blessing and cooperation of the the original creators.” (Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong.) I went on to say that if, for any reason, they weren’t comfortable with my doing it, I had no intention of going forward. Furthermore, I’d want them to be available to consult during the development phase, to look at my writing while in progress, and to give me any notes they wanted.

For that matter, I also said that I had to think hard about whether I felt I could even bring something new to a series that was already perfect. In other words, there had to be a legitimate creative reason to even attempt this.

Before things went any further, I immediately contacted Bain & Armstrong who were thrilled that I wanted to do this (they were fans of my work on the HBO series) and were happy to be involved in whatever capacity I wanted. Only after a few encouraging conversations with them did I agree to take on the project.

I might also add that I told the network I felt it was equally important to find exactly the right actors to cast as the American counterparts to Robert Webb and David Mitchell — a very tall order. I made it clear that no matter how excited everyone might be about the finished script, if I felt the casting was compromised at all, again, I would not proceed.

Although the series did eventually hit a roadblock, I remain friendly with Bain, Armstrong, Mitchell, and Webb (and for that matter Olivia Coleman and Matt King).

THAT, Mr. Green and Mr. McG, is how you show respect for the creators of a series whose shoulders you are trying to climb onto, once they’ve done all the heavy lifting.

By the way, I should add that my “Peep Show” pilot was not the awful one that Fox attempted a couple of years earlier. Why did that first attempt go so wrong? Could it have been because the writers/producers of the remake had no contact whatsoever with the British creators?

Cheers,
-RBW

As a fan, I have seen too many of Hollywood’s attempts to recreate fabulous British series.. they don’t get them, don’t get why they were popular there, or developed a loyal following on this side of the pond… and the end result tanks. The only exception to the rule has been The Office, and that was because the American company behind it reached out to Gervais and Merchant.

If anyone wants to point fingers, point them at fans like myself. We have collectively been incensed about this injustice and firmly committed to not watching the sad effort that will result.

Here’s a hint, next time there’s a sensational hit from Britain, rather than ripping it off, why not buy the series to broadcast the original episodes on US tv?

And I must say that, again if this is in fact really Mr. Green, he is doing a poor job indeed of selling the project and defending his decision. To openly spit on the fan base of the show with such a crude attack is baffling.

And as one of the “idiots on websites” and probably part of their intended target demographic, I say to them… F*ck off you bloody wankers!

The fact that you claim to have nothing but respect for your project’s original creators while simultaneously insulting them and your potential audience doesn’t surprise us either. Though if does make me wonder who the hell taught you about PR.

And when you’re not insulting people you’re just plain ignoring them - again, why no mention of Jessica Stevenson?

If you ever want to know what it’s like for someone to take your creation and turn into a beast you never intedned for, just ask Akira Toriyama about Dragonball. I’m sure he’ll hate you for it.

Green’s comments are akin to taking a shit on someone’s doorstep, then getting all hurt and aggressive because the owner of the house not only complains but also doesn’t help clean up the mess. The McSpaced camp has no right to act hard done by. They fucked up and the original creators of the show have every right to feel put out. It’s amazing that Granada and McG are now positioning themselves as the victims. I say all this with a very clean chin.

You’re really on the ball. Nice to see you only included *one* of the writers of the show in this statement - how convenient to forget Jessica Stevenson, co-writer and co-star, who sadly did not get enough Hollywood buzz recently to be included in your press releases about the remake of the show and has been subsequently ignored by you, McG and everyone involved with the project.
Appalling.

Hey, Robert, comments like that are not going to win over us “idiots”.

I don’t appreciate your ruse, ma’am.