Why the American remake of a British comedy classic failed to launch
In short: When MTV attempted to transplant the hit British sitcom The Inbetweeners to American soil, the result was a critical and commercial mismatch. Despite a high-profile creative team and a pilot directed by Taika Waititi, the series vanished after just one season.
The journey of the American version of The Inbetween to the screen began years after an unsuccessful 2008 attempt by ABC. In late September 2010, MTV announced it had hired Brad Copeland, a writer recognized for his work on Arrested Development and My Name Is Earl, to develop the script. The pilot episode was directed by New Zealander Taika Waititi, signaling significant creative ambition for the adaptation.
By March 31, 2011, MTV officially expanded the order to a twelve-episode first season. The series, which featured a cast including Joey Pollari, Bubba Lewis, and Brett Gelman, premiered on August 20, 2012. However, the momentum did not last. By November 5, 2012, the original run concluded, and by November 28, 2012, MTV officially canceled the series following poor ratings and critical reception.
The failure of the show had ripple effects on planned spin-offs. While a U.S. adaptation of The Inbetweeners Movie was announced on July 3, 2012, the cancellation of the television series ensured the film was never produced. Although Jim Field Smith was later linked to a project titled Virgins America in August 2013, no further developments have been reported as of 2026.
The reception of the show was deeply divided by geography. While Metacritic recorded a score of 62 out of 100 based on nine reviews—suggesting generally favorable critic opinions—the show was a notable failure in the UK. British newspapers reported the series 'flopped,' and it was eventually recognized by Metro as one of the top British comedies whose American remakes failed.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Inbetweeners (American TV series)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-the-inbetweeners-american-tv-series.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
