‘Ghosts UK’: How Does It Compare to the U.S. Version? (POLL)
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Ghosts UK Season 1, Episode 1, “Who Do You Think You Are?” & “Gorilla War.”]
Ghosts UK has landed stateside as the original inspiration behind CBS‘s fan-favorite Ghosts made its Season 1 debut on the network.
As with most TV influences, Ghosts UK strikes a strong resemblance with its American counterpart — which debuted on CBS in 2021, two years after UK‘s launch in 2019 — as viewers are introduced to Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe), a young couple who are searching for a new home when they get an exciting call. Alison has inherited Button House, a home full of restless spirits. Sound familiar?
While Alison and Mike may be the counterparts to Rose McIver‘s Sam and Utkarsh Ambudkar‘s Jay, they are their own characters with their own quirks. Unlike Jay, Mike isn’t a chef, and Alison’s career isn’t quite defined when we meet her either. All we know is they share the same need to find a home and the ambition to turn it into a Bed & Breakfast.
(Credit: Mark Johnson/Monumental Pictures)
In this iteration, Alison and Mike call it a hotel. And just like the spirits from Woodstone, the ghosts of Button House are eager to rid the house of its latest inhabitants. Implementing their various talents to try and spook them out, their efforts yield minimal results. When Alison ends up leaning out a window though, pantless ghost Julian (Simon Farnaby) gives her a little push.
Unlike Sam tripping on a vase knocked over by pantless finance bro Trevor (Asher Grodman) in the American version, Alison takes a literal tumble out of the window. Of course, just like Sam, this near-death experience leaves Alison with the superability to see spirits, which are abundant at Button house.
Initially, she’s spooked, but when she realizes she’s stuck with them, Alison learns to embrace her new roommates by the end of the second episode, which also aired alongside the first installment for premiere night. But what did you think of the British version? Let us know your thoughts in the poll and comments section, below.
And don’t miss more of Ghosts UK as we await the return of Ghosts on CBS in the new year.
Ghosts UK, Season 1, Thursdays, 9/8c, CBS
Conversation40 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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B
Bit silly to have the 'it was too similar to the other version' poll option when the UK version was the original and the US copied it
42 1
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C
There is no UK 'version,' there is the original, and then a 'US version.' The poll really needs to have the option to say the original is better than the copy.
36 3
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G
how is there not an option for the UK virsion being better?? its the original....
34 3
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O
The UK version is the original from which the US version is a copy. Nuff said. Original always wins.
30 3
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P
I’ve been waiting for the last season of Ghosts with such excitement. I could care less about the American rip off version. I’m glad Taskmaster failed in the US as well. British TV is 100 times better.
15 3
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O
The UK version is original and best. I've seen both uk and us series all the way through and uk wins but you do get more episodes to explore characters in us version, unfortunately this does mean it can get a tad repetitive tho and lacks the freshness of the uk one. In answer to the other comment about Robin the caveman, stick with him, he's my fav (and pat)
28 3
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G
The UK version is far superior in my opinion! I’ve been waiting to see the final season. I feel more connected to the UK characters for some reason.
15 2
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B
The UK version is the original and so cleverly conceived and written. Later episodes (series 5 has just finished) tie in to previous episodes in terms of plot, back-story and character development. The writing team deserve great credit. I can understand why US wanted to copy it.
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G
Wow those poll answers aren't bias at all where the ' I prefer the original version' bit. I liked us version and I love rose McIver but ....it just wasn't as funny and why do the ghosts suddenly have 'special powers' and why does it have to be so dramatic for us version ? :s
5 1
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G
The ORIGINAL UK version wins hands down, although I do enjoy the US version.
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B
The UK version is the original, you absolute muppets.
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G
I've seen both and like BBC version better. Maybe it's the context of humor from Brits opposed to standard usage in this country, but I like the caveman much better than the viking/native American. Both are almost equally enjoyable, overall i'd say its 57% to 43% BBC favorite. That could be due to its a copy of what started elsewhere as Hollywood seems dry of material.
5 2
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P
The UK version is the original version, was this article written by broken AI?
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P
The UK version is the original so to compare it to the american one as if that came first is weird.
The original is better though.
1
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B
I think the UK is way better than the American one also, more funnier and a lot better acting
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C
Why no option for the UK version is better?
And why write it as if UK copied USA version when it was out a full 2 years before and the USA one is the copy?
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R
I have seen every episode of both. The US has more episodes and explores some interesting storylines, but overall the UK version is far superior. I have belly laughed and full on sobbed at the original series. The US usually gets a snort at best and really gets me even close to tears.
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C
"CBS Original" my foot. BBC original and the fact CBS thinks they can pull off that lie is sad. The original version or nothing. The original cast has worked together for years and has a chemistry that can't be built with randos.
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P
Ghosts UK is the original and by far and away the better show. The US version is a very pale imitation with extra characters that dont really work and (poorly) rewritten scripts. I am afraid it falls into the long list of shows which should never be remade for anotjer country. Watch ghosts U.K. and witness some masterful comic performances.
2 1
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O
I like them both
1
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C
"It was too similar to the us version" yeah bc the us is a rip off of the original and better uk version. If you're gonna write an article get your facts right
2 1
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B
I love both versions.
Very clever of the poll to not have the original is best as an option so that everyone comments.
I find the original funnier, and the acting is superior. The Horrible Histories team create these over-exaggerated characters that are somehow all very endearing.
But I love the more existential angle of the US version too.
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J
I've never seen any of the other shows you mention. And I wouldn't say that many Americans don't get British humor.....
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J
I agree with you about Jay being funnier as the husband of woman who sees the ghosts. I just don't like the hubby in the British series, I don't think he really adds anything. And I too like Thorfinn better than the Neanderthal.
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P
Personally I had never heard of Ghosts before until I watched the US version, and only recently discovered it was based on the UK version of the show. I did start watching the UK version, but so far I like ours better, but I’m only two episodes into UK, so it’s a bit too early to say for sure.
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O
I think both were great. I like how the US copies us and we copy them. I've seen both versions every single episodes, it's sad if they both come to an end but I suppose there's only a certain amount you can write about.
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B
The UK version is great. Now, I know why CBS made an American version. The The UK version finished Season 5 not too long ago. All of us in American are waiting for Season 3 of the American version. I hope CBS leaves both versions of it on.
1 1
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G
US version is rubbish!
Original UK version is obviously better!!
At least do your research before writing stuff!
2 2
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J
What does research have to do with your opinion?
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O
Ghosts uk-imdb rating 8.4
Ghosts us-imdb rating 7.9
Tell's you all you need to know
1 2
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B
The UK version came first, yes.
American version was done so much better!
Rose McIver and Utkarsh Ambudkar are amazing together.
Rose is sooo much cuter than the English counterpart.
Their chemistry is perfect together.
The entire cast is an upgrade.
A Must see!
1 3
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P
I have watched all the seasons of the British version. I am not from either country so I am impartial.I usually love British TV more than American, but in this case I have to go with the American version being much funnier. I think Jay makes the American show better. I also like the Viking better than the Neanderthal.
4 6
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G
Bit of a shame, Robin gets some really emotional moments later down the line. Turns out he's also multilingual, which was a hysterical revelation 😂
2 1
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J
I wouldn't say that Alison "learns to embrace" her new roommates, so much as she resigns herself to their presence. Also, instead of a Viking, this British version seems to have a... neanderthal? I'm sure it'll get better, but he's kind of hard to understand. This version seems to be a bit... darker than the US show. That may not be the right word, as it's a sitcom so it's not really dark, but it wasn't quite as funny as the American Ghosts. So far I'm glad I saw the US version first.
5 20
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B
UK version is the original US copied it and changed the character
13
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J
Yes, I'm aware.
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G
Americans generally don't get our humour, we are a dark humoured country. That's why when we make a show the US has to remake it, so you can understand. Like Shameless, Being Human, Big Brother, The Office, Veep, Mad Dogs, Queer as Folk, Mistresses, House of Cards, AbFab, us and them, the inbetweeners, Men behaving badly, threes a crowd, sirens, life is wild, and more I'm forgetting.
Coincidentally, we watch American shows all the time, we don't need the humour ...... well let's just say, no ones ever had to change the title of a book/film of a major franchise so we"d understand it.
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G
Oddly enough, that caveman becomes one of my favourite characters. He does get some fantastic moments later on. He's been around a loooooong old time and is a lot smarter that he seems. Can also be rather lonely 😢 he's seen a lot of friends come and go
7
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P
You are of course entitled to your oppinion. As am i. My oppinion is that you could not be more wrong. Ghosts UK (the original which the US version os based) is a much better and funnier show. And Robin the cave man is probably the best character in the show.... like practically all U.K. made comedy, U.S. remakes are not as good. Examples: The Office and Shameless.
1 1
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J
I can't say if "US remakes are not as good;" I've never watched either THe Office or Shameless. I can only speak about Ghosts. And I really enjoy the US version. I've only seen the two UK episodes shown the other night, so my opinion is based on those 2 episodes.
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