Being Human (SyFy/BBCA)

[bicker]

I had watched the BBC version on occasion, then I saw where they were airing a series on SyFy so I dvr'd it. Well..........I like the show fine. I am a little disappointed because much of the storyline feels "ripped off" from the BBC. I know, I know - it's the same show - but it just feels like they took the BBC script, handed it to SyFy actors, and said "Read this, but with an American accent."

If that is your impression, then we can consider the series a success. It would make absolutely no sense to aim the Syfy series at that small portion of the US population that would be interested in watching the UK version of the series; if that were the intended target audience, then they should just show the UK version. Rather, the series is very clearly intended to present the great ideas in the UK series to a larger audience within the US who are explicitly unwilling to seek out and accept UK programming. Broadcasters shouldn't foist the UK programming on a US audience that is less receptive to it than they would be a US re-do. Rather, they should choose the approach that best serves their objectives. Eventually, and perhaps even along the way, they may diverge from what the UK team came up with, and that would be good too. The whole point of the connection between the two series is to derive benefit for the producers and broadcasters - whatever benefit they can derive from the connection is good, and whatever benefit they can derive through other approaches is good.

I genuinely *like* the Sally character but I don't really *get* her, you know. First, what the heck is with that horrid outfit? I get the "shades of grey" thing since she's a ghost but......it's just so tacky.

I don't see it as tacky at all. It is dull, and that's meaningful.

It should be noted that there are some practical considerations. Since the character, by its very nature, cannot change clothing, it makes production easier if what the character is wearing works well, for the actress inside the character, in various environments.

I was very concerned about this character in the US version: First, the actress is a relative unknown. I think for her first comparatively big role, she's going a great job. She isn't getting swallowed up by two co-stars who have vastly more featured, on-screen experience, and that's saying something. Second, without going into details of the UK series, I was worried about how the US series would address the reality that the intention for the production must be to last at least 100 episodes. While the essential nature of that (syndication) is flagging over the years, the intention is still prominent, and a production that plotted out a character's path that had a short horizon would have a harder time in the US than in the UK. (I know that they can "solve" the problem in the UK, and often do, but I believe that sort of "solve it later" approach is less appreciated here than there.)

 

[beachlover9395]

I haven't watched the SyFy version, but I love the BBC version and I'm so glad we get BBC America on our cable! So my comments are about the BBC show.

Love Aidan Turner (Mitchell)!

I've been a bad girl this morning and read ahead on some spoilers for the show. I'm sad now, but it's been alluded to this whole new season (or series, as the Brits call it.)

 

[gometros]

It should be noted that there are some practical considerations. Since the character, by its very nature, cannot change clothing, it makes production easier if what the character is wearing works well, for the actress inside the character, in various environments.

Another show that I noticed has the same limited wardrobe is Stargate: Universe. Eli has been wearing the same 'You are here' tshirt since day one (as viewers of this show know, this is because the crew and civilians literally had to run away from a battle with the shirts on their backs and ended up on the Destiny.)

 

[Arielle22]

Another show that I noticed has the same limited wardrobe is Stargate: Universe. Eli has been wearing the same 'You are here' tshirt since day one (as viewers of this show know, this is because the crew and civilians literally had to run away from a battle with the shirts on their backs and ended up on the Destiny.)

I always wondered why, with the limited food on the Destiny he didn't lose weight? Obviously the actor can eat whatever he wants but it would have been realistic to lose some weight.

 

[bicker]

You'd be surprised how quickly a body can react to minimal food, by down-shifting metabolism.

 

[akhenaten]

Re: sally's clothes...
the only thing I thought was if you are stuck wearing what you died in forever... thank goodness she was in comfortable clothes and shoes... LOL
The last episode with the boy was disturbing.. especially the twist at the very end..

 

[browneyes106]

I was making myself watch the syfy version but after last nights ep. with Rebecca being seen on camera.. im sorry but you cant change vamp folklore.. (and the twilight sparkly vamps dont count as real vamps)

i understand that they want to make it its own show but if thats the case then why name it the same thing they should have made an original series or as original as tv shows get these days

Different TV shows and book series have different takes on vampire folklore. I think the writers and producers of the SyFy version of Being Human borrowed some aspects from True Blood. On True Blood vampires can be seen in photographs, video and they have reflection in mirrors.

Toby Whithouse the creator of the original Being Human sold the story and character rights to SyFy and companies in several other countries for remakes. He said that he will be ok with remakes of Being Human in other countries and he understands that the American version will change some things from the original.

 

[Kycha]

I just watched the season finale of the BBC version(DVR'd) and I have to say how much I love this show! I was totally shocked(and saddened) by the ending. Now, I can't wait for Season 4 to start! In the meantime, I've started watching the SyFy version. I hope I'm not disappointed.