Thursday, February 23, 2012

American Humor in Germany

There are a handful of American shows that make it on German TV, and are appreciated.  I emphasize the word "handful".

From recent years....two comedies have landed major German audiences.....King of Queens, and Two and a Half Men.  For some reasons....Germans identify with Doug, Arthur and Carrie.  For Two and a Half Men....Charlie Sheen's character probably is readily identified by half the German youth population.

This week....a major German media group walked in and picked up the German rights to Anger Management (the new vehicle for Charlie Sheen).  For a untested project, this has turned into a major effort.  People are putting their cash behind the German broadcast rights for the show.  Usually....there's some history....some gauge to measure success of the first year of broadcast in the US.  In this case....no measurements.  Serious cash is being put down in anticipation of a major success....with a guy who has been a bit crazy at times.

The odd thing about the start-up of this series.....there's one hundred episodes arranged on the deal....if the initial audience reaction reaches a certain level.  It's an odd deal....which no one has seen much before.  German media companies tend to be more on the careful side.  Obviously, they must know something.

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