American audiences have historically shown mixed reactions to the remaking of Australian comedies. However, the recent show featuring Academy Award-nominated star Stephanie Hsu from Everything Everywhere All at Once has caught the attention of both critics and viewers. While beloved Australian children’s entertainers like The Wiggles and Bluey have thrived in the US market, attempts to adapt Australian sitcoms often faced challenges in gaining traction.
One notable example occurred in 2008 when NBC attempted to adapt the iconic Australian sitcom Kath & Kim, which humorously portrays a quirky mother-daughter dynamic. This version, featuring Molly Shannon and Selma Blair, faced severe backlash from critics, with some remarks suggesting that its failure could threaten diplomatic ties with Australia. Although it was initially greenlighted for a full 22-episode season, the show was ultimately cut short, with only 17 episodes produced before its cancellation.
Insights from the Creators of Stephanie Hsu’s Australian Adaptation
A Delicate Balance by Nahnatchka Khan & Sally Bradford McKenna
Stephanie Hsu’s role in the new comedy series Laid, which premiered on Peacock on December 19, represents a more favorable attempt at adapting an Australian classic compared to 2008’s Kath & Kim. Laid is inspired by the 2011 Australian series of the same name and follows the life of a woman in her thirties who discovers a disturbing connection between her ex-lovers’ untimely deaths and their romantic history. The show has impressed audiences with a remarkable 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
In an interview with Screen Rant, the creators, Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna, shared their insights on bringing this adaptation to American viewers. They expressed admiration for the original’s awkward humor but indicated a desire to modernize the narrative by giving Hsu’s character more depth—including elements of entitlement and self-awareness that resonate with contemporary American audiences. This approach ensures that the adaptation remains relevant while still respecting the essence of the source material.
Khan: Yeah. I mean, we really appreciated the awkward humor of the Australian version, which they did incredibly well. But I think taking that and bringing it into our show, while giving Ruby this sense of entitlement and lack of awareness of who she is and her place in the world felt very relevant to us, and very modern and current —
McKenna: And American. [Chuckles]
Khan: And American! Yeah, listen, we don’t really know. So, I think that was a really fun challenge, in terms of updating it and making it feel modern.
McKenna: We loved the premise from the beginning. The original is so good; we kept everything we loved about it. While we allowed our version to evolve differently, the pilot closely aligns with the original, which is exceptional and prime for adaptation.
Evaluating Laid’s Adaptation Compared to Its Australian Original
Successful Adaptations: The Potential of Australian & Other International Shows
While numerous adaptations of Australian comedies have stumbled, the enthusiastic reception of Laid indicates that not all remakes are destined for failure. Khan and McKenna’s endeavor to reimagine the series for American audiences showcases their effective balance in staying true to the original while allowing new layers to emerge. This suggests that with the right approach, adaptations of international shows can resonate well and thrive in new contexts.
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