Why did the series Red Dwarf not catch on in America? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 10-05-2023, 02:44 AM

Multiple reasons, including:

Its star, Craig Charles, was never popular in the United States - Unlike say…Simon Pegg, Charles was a British performer who never managed to appeal to American audiences.
It’s a very British series - The series is geared toward audiences in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth and like many other series it didn’t appeal to Americans as a result.
No Americans in the cast - While the series didn’t need any, its lack of an American actor may not have given much reason to be attractive to American viewers.
No aliens - American science fiction likes aliens and Red Dwarf makes it plain that the only “aliens” are descendants of Earth creatures. Science fiction here without aliens never works, so an import with no aliens wouldn’t.
It’s not easy to get into - The series requires that you know the characters and the general background of the narrative if you want to enjoy it. You can’t just “drop in” and start watching and enjoying it.

Spiny Norman · 10-10-2023, 07:09 AM

Oh sorry, for a second I thought you were asking a question. But you already copied the answers.

Anyway the most OBVIOUS reason isn't even given here...! Namely, Red Dwarf - and most other British comedy - is about antiheroes. And that doesn't really work well in the USA.

The attempted US remake of Red Dwarf proved this by miscasting the lead - even the actor himself said so. He was a loveable underdog, too much in the cool, sort of Han Solo direction.

Spiny Norman · 10-10-2023, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

Multiple reasons, including:

PS Have you deleted my comment on quora that I prefer another explanation?
If so, HOW INCREDIBLY CHILDISH!

TMC · 05-22-2024, 04:52 AM

It Was a Thing on TV: Episode 473--Red Dwarf USA, pilot 2

Quote:

During last year's pilot month, we covered the 1992 Red Dwarf pilot for NBC in Episode 375. A second pilot, of sorts, was done shortly after. Running a mere 11 minutes long including previews of two episodes, this ambitious endeavor looked like it was shot in a broom closet, and that was before the lackluster quality of the video available online.

10-05-2023, 02:44 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,835	Why did the series Red Dwarf not catch on in America? Multiple reasons, including: Its star, Craig Charles, was never popular in the United States - Unlike say…Simon Pegg, Charles was a British performer who never managed to appeal to American audiences. It’s a very British series - The series is geared toward audiences in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth and like many other series it didn’t appeal to Americans as a result. No Americans in the cast - While the series didn’t need any, its lack of an American actor may not have given much reason to be attractive to American viewers. No aliens - American science fiction likes aliens and Red Dwarf makes it plain that the only “aliens” are descendants of Earth creatures. Science fiction here without aliens never works, so an import with no aliens wouldn’t. It’s not easy to get into - The series requires that you know the characters and the general background of the narrative if you want to enjoy it. You can’t just “drop in” and start watching and enjoying it.

10-10-2023, 07:09 AM	#2
Spiny Norman Imaginary Hedgehog Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 04, 2014 Posts: 253	Oh sorry, for a second I thought you were asking a question. But you already copied the answers. Anyway the most OBVIOUS reason isn't even given here...! Namely, Red Dwarf - and most other British comedy - is about antiheroes. And that doesn't really work well in the USA. The attempted US remake of Red Dwarf proved this by miscasting the lead - even the actor himself said so. He was a loveable underdog, too much in the cool, sort of Han Solo direction.
	__________________ This is nøt å signåture.™ offers - wishes