In typical American television fashion, a network is taking a popular TV series from the UK and giving it a special U.S. of A twist. This time, the series being deep-fried and dipped in barbecue sauce is Gogglebox, as Bravo has ordered a limited run of The People’s Couch, which will let us watch “real people” at home watching their favorite TV shows. I say “real people” with quotes because I don’t trust any network, let alone Bravo, as far as I can throw my own TV.
But the idea is interesting enough, as it asks the question: “What do other average Joes and Janes look like when they’re watching TV in the privacy of their own residences?” while adding in parentheses, “You know, with a camera pointed directly at them.”
The series will focus on the Fall television season by showcasing avid TV watchers in their homes, as they laugh, cry, talk, gasp, and scream at their TVs watching the network’s new and returning shows. Each episode will feature the same homes — whether it is a group of sorority sisters doing their nails or grandparents watching with their technology-obsessed grandchildren. “The People’s Couch is a funny, unfiltered comment on America’s current TV viewing habits,” said Bravo’s VP development Lara Spotts. (Via Deadline)
First of all, if this show is even sort of a hit, get ready for a million of these amateur videos of people at home trying to prove that they deserve to be on The People’s Couch because they’re so hilarious and America would totally love them. But more importantly, if we’re going to rip off Gogglebox and show actual Americans, I expect it to be less like this:
And more like this:
