US version of Verbotene Liebe

[Trish]

I know it's the story of Chrolli, but I think it will be it's on story. It will probably only be loosely based on it. I loved the US version of QAF. I saw similarities the first season, but after that it took on feeling all it's own. It was the actors that carried it and I think that a US version of Chrolli will be the same way. It might start of the same with Christian being involved with a woman and Olli comes into his life. He'll probably also be into boxing, but that will probably be the only real connection.

As someone said there is a German feel to Chrolli, which I don't completely agree with, but in that regard, they will pur more of a US feel or it, or something related to the town it takes place in. Like QAF took place in Philly and they tried to capture that in the story.

[devsah]

I am in two minds, QAF was a rarity for its time and manage to stay quite a few seasons before drawing to a close. But from from an outsiders point of view what shows i have seen in the US same sex relationships dont stand a long test on tv there.

Luke & Noah did even though i prefered Luke & Reid, but Kyle & Oliver were great as well and couldnt cut it over there.

The only other one i know that lasted was OZ and thats because of the prison system. From what I know about us shows there ability to keep the good ones going sadly lacks.

That or leading to my other point, they are sadly, extremely sadly lacking in casting properly or they destroy European/Asian scripts.

I have seen a few movies that have translated across, Shall We Dance (Japanese remake), City of Angels (European remake) were very disappointing, originals were way better and alot of american shows right now are okay but are rediculously casted.

Sorry if that seems harsh, I am a great lover of the pride and work that has taken in making and keeping Viebotene Liebe as it is with these guys, but if it cant be done right, leave it completely alone.

[dalphine]

I would love to see how they would bring VL to the US, but I do enjoy the original one. I wish Jo and Thore could do the American one that would be all about them. I know there would be other people in the storyline.

[blaykee]

Dec 11, 2011 18:27:39 GMT -5 devsah said:

I am in two minds, QAF was a rarity for its time and manage to stay quite a few seasons before drawing to a close. But from from an outsiders point of view what shows i have seen in the US same sex relationships dont stand a long test on tv there.

Luke & Noah did even though i prefered Luke & Reid, but Kyle & Oliver were great as well and couldnt cut it over there.

The only other one i know that lasted was OZ and thats because of the prison system. From what I know about us shows there ability to keep the good ones going sadly lacks.

That or leading to my other point, they are sadly, extremely sadly lacking in casting properly or they destroy European/Asian scripts.

I have seen a few movies that have translated across, Shall We Dance (Japanese remake), City of Angels (European remake) were very disappointing, originals were way better and alot of american shows right now are okay but are rediculously casted.

Sorry if that seems harsh, I am a great lover of the pride and work that has taken in making and keeping Viebotene Liebe as it is with these guys, but if it cant be done right, leave it completely alone.

QAF and Oz had five and six seasons on premium cable. That's a lot for an American tv show nowadays. Because they were on hbo/showtime they could be more explicit (read real). Luke/Noah et. al were soap operas. And sadly our (American) basic tv channels (especially soaps) are extremely conservative.

Having said that I agree with twatts that it should be loosely based on VL. Some chrolli storylines just won't translate well IMO.

[dalphine]

I loved Oz that show was great. I fell in love with Christopher Meloni watching Oz and follow him to Law and Order SVU.

[Trish]

That's the thing. The US has many shows, not just gay, that have beeen pick up from foreign television. The US version of VL will fail or succeed based on the actors that are used to portray the characters. If they have chemistry, they will survive. Luke and Noah were mentioned. Except for the intial s/l, they're s/l's pretty much sucked, but it was the chemistry of Jake/Van that kept people tuning in.

As I said before, the story will probably start off the same, but the writers are different and the actors relationship to each other with determine which direction they will take. So I think it's unfair to do a compairson of Jo/Thore's Chrolli until we know who will play the roles and we see how they react to each other.

[dalphine]

I believe if the chemistry is there it can work.

[valso]

Dec 12, 2011 1:08:07 GMT -5 Trish said:

That's the thing. The US has many shows, not just gay, that have beeen pick up from foreign television. The US version of VL will fail or succeed based on the actors that are used to portray the characters. If they have chemistry, they will survive. Luke and Noah were mentioned. Except for the intial s/l, they're s/l's pretty much sucked, but it was the chemistry of Jake/Van that kept people tuning in.

As I said before, the story will probably start off the same, but the writers are different and the actors relationship to each other with determine which direction they will take. So I think it's unfair to do a compairson of Jo/Thore's Chrolli until we know who will play the roles and we see how they react to each other.

I agree with you!! Like I said I'm really curious about how the US version will turn out and who will play Oliver and Christian in the english version.
I preferred the QaF US version but only thanks to Gail and Randy chemistry and that, along with Jo and Thore chemistry, shows as sometimes chemistry between the actors helps forget the flaws in the storyline.

[blake]

Here's the thing with 3 weeks left untill the new year I would hope that ShowTime or any network that was going to pickk this up would release some kind of statement either to confirm or deny this rumor.I mean it's been going on for almost year now that's why I always say unless you hear something either to confirm or deny this.Take everything you hear as a grian of salt yes it's true that sometimes second hand sources are true and sometimes they are not.I mean if this is really going to launch in August of 2012 then one would have to say ok they have the rights.They have the actors,producers,directors,writers everything to back it up I just wish we could hear some news.

[everettb100]

The thing to remember is that the interest in the US version is two fold. The first is that the American viewers have had the opportunity to witness an incredible love story that was written carefully and acting so responsibilty that we want to witness more. This is because of the unselfishness of Nanna, May and Joanna. By more, we mean give the viewers a glimpse into the lives of two people. who have a powerful love for each other and just want to have a great life, encountering and overcoming the challenges that everyone else faces. Nothing more and nothing less. Some serious, some petty, but all weathered with the help of a loving partner. Anyone who thinks this cannot make compelling drama, is nuts. The good news is that, by all accounts, aid + abet are approaching this project with a tremendous sense of responsiblity. They want to make it great or not do it at all. Everyone who cares about this subject should be grateful that an organization like this has opted for the rights. I have faith and I have hope that this production will continue the great work of VL - to cast an accurate and sensitive light on an important subject. The second motivator of the caring US viewer is to find a meaningful way to effect change. If they are lucky enought to case great actors with great chemistry - this drama could become the one that people are talking about many years from now, when all of this craziness is behind us. That, to me, is the great legacy of this project and to Jo an Thore, we all give thanks.

[ChrolliForever23]

Dec 13, 2011 18:55:16 GMT -5 everettb100 said:

The thing to remember is that the interest in the US version is two fold. The first is that the American viewers have had the opportunity to witness an incredible love story that was written carefully and acting so responsibilty that we want to witness more. This is because of the unselfishness of Nanna, May and Joanna. By more, we mean give the viewers a glimpse into the lives of two people. who have a powerful love for each other and just want to have a great life, encountering and overcoming the challenges that everyone else faces. Nothing more and nothing less. Some serious, some petty, but all weathered with the help of a loving partner. Anyone who thinks this cannot make compelling drama, is nuts. The good news is that, by all accounts, aid + abet are approaching this project with a tremendous sense of responsiblity. They want to make it great or not do it at all. Everyone who cares about this subject should be grateful that an organization like this has opted for the rights. I have faith and I have hope that this production will continue the great work of VL - to cast an accurate and sensitive light on an important subject. The second motivator of the caring US viewer is to find a meaningful way to effect change. If they are lucky enought to case great actors with great chemistry - this drama could become the one that people are talking about many years from now, when all of this craziness is behind us. That, to me, is the great legacy of this project and to Jo an Thore, we all give thanks.

Very nicely said, everettb100. I agree with you on everything you said. I absolutely can't wait to see if/when this production actually gets underway and we have the English version of Chrolli right before our eyes.

[blake]

I have a question about aid+abet.Do they have any contact with ShowTime executives?And this may be a stupid question but.Are they the production team producing this?I mean what exactly is their role in all this?

[vjay]

I won't watch the USA version because I think the German version is better. The American version of QAF was terrible compared to the British version. The American QAF was very bad the acting was poor and the storylines were superficial. The British version was superior. VL is a great show and I can't see an American version replacing it. Also, VL is a GERMAN show which was unique because I got to learn about gay life in Germany.
VL is GERMAN and I think that's important. It is very interesting to learn about homosexual couples in a different country. I liked the German cultural aspects of the show too. I think the GERMAN flavour is what separates VL from the American gay soaps.

An American version of VL is boring since I already know about gay life in the USA.

[blaykee]

how can it already be boring if it hasn't been made LOL

[nryabenko]

Dec 23, 2011 14:18:05 GMT -5 vjay said:

I won't watch the USA version because I think the German version is better. The American version of QAF was terrible compared to the British version. The American QAF was very bad the acting was poor and the storylines were superficial. The British version was superior. VL is a great show and I can't see an American version replacing it. Also, VL is a GERMAN show which was unique because I got to learn about gay life in Germany.
VL is GERMAN and I think that's important. It is very interesting to learn about homosexual couples in a different country. I liked the German cultural aspects of the show too. I think the GERMAN flavour is what separates VL from the American gay soaps.

An American version of VL is boring since I already know about gay life in the USA.

How can you say that. I loved the English version of QAF more than the Bristish version. It should you how love can grow if you give it time. The British version was just sex.

VL German is very good, we just have to wait for the American version before we say anything.

[everettb100]

I think any version of a storyline that depicts a love story that defies conformity and is represented with respect, passion, real life situations - has great potential for interest. If we are going to see the mystery of gay love removed, let the audiences see the everyday realities and let them get caught up in the chemistry of two great actors. Let them see that the important aspects of attraction, love and living life together; is indeed no different than what straight couples want. No better way to change perception than to get people to identify. I would support any venture and performers that make that commitment.

[Trish]

Dec 24, 2011 9:03:33 GMT -5 everettb100 said:

I think any version of a storyline that depicts a love story that defies conformity and is represented with respect, passion, real life situations - has great potential for interest. If we are going to see the mystery of gay love removed, let the audiences see the everyday realities and let them get caught up in the chemistry of two great actors. Let them see that the important aspects of attraction, love and living life together; is indeed no different than what straight couples want. No better way to change perception than to get people to identify. I would support any venture and performers that make that commitment.

I totally agree. Chrolli on VL has quite the international following, even with the language barrier. If a US version could get a similar following, it would do so much go for spreading how love is love.

I agree that QAF was about sex. The US version was too, but once you got though the initial season, you saw that all these people wanted was to be loved and accepted for who they were.

[adamjhumphreys]

You loved the English version of QAF more than the UK version? they're both the same one, unless your refering to the US version and made a small typo error.

[adamjhumphreys]

A US version of Verbotene Liebe's C+O? This could be interesting as normally in their soaps gay characters aren't written as realistically. In most cases it's the 'boy discovers he's gay, comes out and kisses another boy'- the end, or 'boy realises he's gay, comes out, gets a boyfriend and they do the deed' and you usually never hear from them again.

[HQ75]

On none of the above shows did this: his could be interesting as normally in their soaps gay characters aren't written as realistically. In most cases it's the 'boy discovers he's gay, comes out and kisses another boy'- the end, or 'boy realises he's gay, comes out, gets a boyfriend and they do the deed' and you usually never hear from them again. "

Please tell me on which US soap opera this refers to?

As far as I know, there were only 4 US soap operas that had gay characters prior to 2011 - One Life to Live (OLTL) , As The World Turns (ATWT) and Young and the Restless (Y&R) and General Hospital: Night Shift (GHNS).

I'm curious which US soap operas you mean?n.

OLTL - Oliver and Kyle had a relationship in college then reunited later (after a lot of drama obviously) . We the audience knew Oliver was gay early on (even if his girlfriend didn't). Also, Oliver and Kyle didn't disappear once they got together or had sex. It was way long after that.

Y&R - Both gay characters (Phillip & Rafe) are already gay when we meet them and neither of them kissed a boy then disappeared or had sex and disappeared. There storylines sucked but not because of what you said.

ATWT - Luke came out a year before he even met Noah. Noah was single, then dated Maddie, kissed Luke and like two weeks later (after some angst), came out. Then he was just out and gay. They had sex January of 2010 then proceeded to stay together for a year and a half with lots of screentime, kissing, and more sex (though only one sex scene).

General Hospital Night Shift
The show got canceled so we have no idea how much screen time Kyle and Eric would have had but what they did have on screen was a lot of kissing and romance. They were both out and gay when they met and there was no angst about that.

Days of Our Lives
As far as I know, those were the only US soap operas with gay characters and then Sonny came along on DOOL in 2011 and he was out and gay and proud from day one.

Every country has different guidelines about what they will and won't show on daytime television.

Premium cable channels (like HBO and SHOWTIME) are different. They are not advertiser dependent and they don't have the same rules and regulations as daytime soaps.

Comparing Queer As Folk to a soap opera is apples and oranges.
As is comparing a night time primetime cable show to an afternoon network soap

Whether or not VL is good if it is re envision in the US has nothing to do with the original German soap it will be all about writing, acting, directing and casting, Period.

Also, hundreds of US shows are remakes of foreign shows and they are brilliant and critically acclaimed and hundreds suck.

But England and Germany, et al take shows from other countries all the time and remake them (including US shows) and no one seems to care as long as the show is good.

The vast majority of US folks who even know what VL from Germany is learned about it from watching Youtube clips.

The vast majority of US Showtime or HBO subscribers is a different viewer population (should one of those networks pick up the new show). Most of the will have never seen the original VL from Germany

The US version of Chrolli could be amazing or it could suck. But not just because it is a remake

[Trish]

I totally agree with you. To say that it's a bad idea from the start is wrong. A US version won't take away from the original. Actually it might opern more interest. I didn't know about the British verson of QAF until after I had started watching the US one. Maybe that's why I like the US verson better.

[iritalia]

Only time will tell how this show will translate to an American adaptation.
I found it difficult to take the US QAF knowing the British version so well but I ended up loving it. Culturally speaking having lived in Manchester for five years (and having a Mancunian partner) I couldn't see it transferring to America but soon stopped comparing the two.
The same could also be said about Shameless but I really like the US version as well.
In my head Crolli are German through and through but if it is well enough written and directed it might just work.
Mind you if the producers have been following the writing this past year they may well have a change of heart! ;D

[mycatfox]

I would love to see the American take on VL , they did such an excellent job on its QAF version that I prefer it 10 times over the original (British). If the cast, the writing and the direction are good, chances are the final product will be good

About the comparisons...who really knows. What if the unthinkable occurs and the US version happens to be even better than the German one?

We just have to keep an open mind

[themechanic]

reasons why it won't work, from my perspective:

1) germans are the most serious folk i've ever come across, in a nationally, completely-generalizing sense. and this extends even to their very sincere soap opera, VL.
2) americans are the least.

fingers crossed though.

[iritalia]

If HBO were to get involved again then nobody does it better.