Plans afoot for US version

The makers of Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon comedy The Trip are hoping to sell the idea to America, with two US comedians embarking on the road journey.

Revolution Films, which co-produced the original six-part series with Coogan’s company Baby Cow Productions, is looking for the right comics for the idea.

A second BBC series is already in the pipeline, which is likely to see Coogan and Brydon travel through Italy, again playing heightened versions of themselves.

But Andrew Eaton, co-founder and producer at Revolution, told Screen International the company was ‘curious’ about the idea of an American version.

He added: ‘We’re talking to a few people about for American TV.

‘The way to do it, if you wanted to open it up for a wider audience in America, is to do it with American comedians. It could be fun.

‘If you got the right people, it’s an interesting format. You could try it anywhere really.’

Meanwhile, a US version of Channel Five comedy Suburban Shootout is also in the works.

A pilot was previously made for HBO in 2008, but was not picked up. Now ABC is working on an hour-long version, with Fast Forward producer and writer Byron Balasco working on the script.

Published: 12 Oct 2011