Men Behaving Badly: Simon Nye and Sitcom Adaptations in America (Part 1)

The original Men Behaving Badly, and its American counterpart (inset)

Simon Nye is a British novelist and screenwriter. Some of his most notable television work over the last 25 years includes The Larkins (an adaptation of The Darling Buds of May); Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This; Reggie Perrin (alongside the original character’s creator: David Nobbs); Carrie & Barry; and Hardware. He is probably best-known for penning the book and subsequent long-running and critically acclaimed sitcom, Men Behaving Badly (1992-1998).

As the title implies, Men Behaving Badly is about two male flatmates largely preoccupied with beer and women, and their female neighbors-sometimes-partners. It was most recently adapted to a stage play, running from January to March this year. But in 1996, it was adapted for American television by Carsey-Warner Productions, on NBC. Despite the fact that the Originator of Successful British Sitcom Adaptations in America, Beryl Vertue, had convinced Nye to adapt his novel to TV and produced the British show, the USA adaptation only lasted around one-and-a-half American seasons. Nye is therefore a perfect person to ask about his experience, and his views on the practice of American adaptations. With huge thanks to him: on with the interview!

Simon Nye

Do you have any favourite sitcoms – British or American? Any thoughts on why they are your favourites?

Currently I particularly love from America: THE ENGLISH TEACHER (Disney+). It’s sharp and smart and it deals with contemporary issues head-on, showing how complicated they are but never forgetting to keep the gag-rate high. I also adored PARTY DOWN, because it was just charming. And I loved SUPERSTORE - real populist blue-collar setting, and a touching central love story. And in the UK on at the moment: SUCH BRAVE GIRLS, beautifully subversive and unprecious about tricky mental health areas, and DADDY ISSUES because it has the brilliant Aimee Lou Wood in it.

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