Well, it has been several weeks since my last rant against U.S. producers trying to re-make British comedy genius. Please don’t insert “But, look at The Office…” here. As I’ve said repeatedly, it’s a short list with The Office, Steptoe and Son and Till Death Do Us Part. Not bad for over 40 years of trying.

If I remember right, word surfaced back in 2007 that NBC was considering a U.S. re-make of The IT Crowd. Thankfully, the idea was put on the shelf not long after, but it seems to have reared its ugly head again.

For those that are fans of the original series by the great Graham Linehan (Black Books, Father Ted) here’s a clip from the original pilot that was produced a couple of years ago. Thankfully, like Spaced, someone came to their senses. I think they even acquired the original music, the exact scripts and even cast Richard Ayoade from the British original and it was still shelved before it saw any broadcast time in the U.S.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7XN6Q_qyLo

Anyone make it through all 10 minutes of the clip? On the U.K. front, the fourth season has just ended and a fifth series has been commissioned. Hopefully, this will make its way to public television stations in the U.S. sooner rather than later. Any interest?