There are no shortage of American TV shows that are quietly based on British TV shows from years earlier. Before Steve Carrell led "The Office" in the US., Ricky Gervais led "The Office" in the UK. Before Emmy Rossum starred as Fiona Gallagher in America's "Shameless," Anne-Marie Duff was playing Fiona in the original British version. Whenever a hit new American show comes out, you should always look around for a grittier, lower-budget British version. There's a good chance you'll find one.

This trend isn't new. Back in the '70s, there were two major American sitcoms that were also based off British shows: "Sanford and Son" and "All In the Family." The former was based off the show "Steptoe and Son," which premiered in '62 and continued into '74. Both shows feature the same basic dynami

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