10 US Adaptations Of UK TV Shows That Didn't Make It Past The Pilot

Now, you would think that with the huge sucess of M*A*S*H, the American audience would eat up a show such as Dad's Army. It turns out that was far from the case though.

Dad's Army is so engrained into British culture that, even without seeing a single episode, you already know the theme tune and catchphrases.

So, while all but two of the original cast have passed, their legacy will never be forgotten. The show ran for nearly a decade and received two theatrical versions, with actors such as Bill Nighy and Michael Gambon taking the roles in the later film.

When it came to an American adaptation, the odds seemed to be in the show's favour. The original writers Jimmy Perry and David Croft both signed on to create and write the show, but timing was not on their side.

During the aftermath of the Vietnam War, American audiences weren't interested in seeing military based shows. M*A*S*H had to pivot away from war and politics, meaning when Dad's Army finally aired its pilot, there wasn't even a crossover appeal.

Also, titling the show "The Rear Guard" won't have helped, however hilarious they thought it was at the time.