Lexi Webster
The Australian show Wilfred is different from its American counterpart in many ways. The Australian version is darker, edgier, and funnier than the toned-down American version. The Australian show has a dry, subtle, and dark sense of humour, which is more similar to British comedy. The American version is more lighthearted and hopeful, whereas the Australian show is cynical. The Australian show also has a smaller budget, and the characters have stronger Australian accents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tone | The Australian version is darker, edgier, and funnier. |
| Production quality | The American version has a higher budget and more recognizable stars. |
| Accent | The Australian version has a heavier accent. |
| Story arc | The American version has a continuous story arc, while the Australian version is more sitcom-like. |
| Humour | The Australian version has dry humour, while the American version has light comedy. |
| Character development | The Australian version has better character development. |
| Appeal | The American version has broader international appeal. |
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What You'll Learn
Australian Wilfred's darker tone
The Australian version of "Wilfred" has been described as having a darker tone compared to its American counterpart. The series is a dark comedy that revolves around the main character Adam, who sees his girlfriend's dog Wilfred as a man in a dog suit. Over the course of the series, Adam encounters various challenges, including losing a toe, drowning, faking Wilfred's death, and killing a man. The Australian version is also said to have a drier and more subtle type of humour, which may be more relatable to UK or NZ audiences.
The Australian "Wilfred" is considered more menacing and less welcoming in his presence than the American version. It is described as darker and edgier by some reviewers, who generally preferred it to the "toned-down" American version. The Australian show's exploration of mental health themes and the deeply flawed nature of its characters were also praised.
The Australian version's humour is described as dry, subtle, and dark, with one reviewer noting that the large budget and recognisable faces of the American version took away from the original's appeal. The Australian show's lower production values and focus on characterisation over plot are also noted, with one reviewer stating that the Australian "Wilfred" is "one of those rare sitcoms that joins the likes of Fawlty Towers, I'm Alan Partridge, and The Office".
The Australian show's creator, Jason Gann, noted that the US version was more taxing to write and that he had to give up a lot of creative control. Gann also suggested that the US version's poor ratings may have been due to its focus on mythology rather than comedy.
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Dry Aussie humour
The Australian version of the show Wilfred has been described as having "dry Aussie humour", "creepiness and unexpectedness", and "sheer outrageous originality". The show's dark comedy has been praised for its "perfect characterisation of the three leads", and its exploration of mental health themes. The Australian version has a darker tone and more morbid twists than the American version, which has been described as "toned down" in comparison.
The Australian version of Wilfred is considered to have lower production values than the American version, which had a much larger budget. The American version also features recognisable stars, which some viewers felt took away from the show. The Australian version has been described as more realistic and subtle, with humour that is "all in between the lines". The Australian version also lacks a continuous story arc, making it more like a sitcom.
The Australian version of Wilfred is considered to be more cynical than the American version, which took on a more lighthearted and hopeful tone. The American version also added more plot and was created with a wider, international audience in mind. The Australian version is considered more similar to British shows like Monty Python and Blackadder, while the American version is more similar to shows like Parks and Rec and Arrested Development.
The Australian version of Wilfred is considered to be quite different from the American version, despite the near-identical premise and even the same lead actor. The Australian version is generally considered superior by those who watched it first, while viewers who started with the American version may find the Australian version harder to follow due to differences in dialect and humour.
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Lack of international appeal
The original Australian version of Wilfred has been described as having a "dry Aussie humour, creepiness and unexpectedness, [and] sheer outrageous originality". This type of humour may not have the same comedic effect on an international audience, particularly in the United States.
The Australian version of Wilfred was created with a semi-government-funded TV station, which meant that the budget was significantly lower than that of the US version. The original series was only meant to be a short film made for Australians, and the creators did not expect it to become an international success.
The Australian version of Wilfred is also more cynical and darker in tone, with some morbid twists. It has been described as having a "dark resolution", which may not have had the same appeal to international audiences. The dry and subtle humour of the Australian version may have been lost on audiences outside of Australia, who may have found the darker themes off-putting.
David Zuckerman, who adapted the show for American television channel FX, believed that the show's lack of international appeal was due to a lack of clear rules that the fantasy elements of the show could follow. He prioritised setting and following certain rules in the new series to make it more appealing to a wider audience.
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Character development
The Australian series *Wilfred* has been described as having "perfect characterisation of the three leads". Adam, the depressed boyfriend of Sarah, is described as capable of great evil, but he always tries to do the right thing. He has a difficult family history, having been in foster care, and brought up his younger brother Spencer on his own.
Sarah, Wilfred's owner, is described as "foul-mouthed" and "loving". She sees Wilfred as an actual dog, rather than a man in a dog suit, as Adam does.
Wilfred himself is described as "a guy in a dog suit", behaving badly, smoking, drinking, and terrorising the neighbourhood. He is psychopathic, "cigarette-, weed-, and alcohol-bingeing", and a bit of a dog. He is also described as menacing, almost frightening, and a far less welcome presence in the human world than in the US version.
The Australian version of the show is considered to have darker themes and more morbid twists than its US counterpart, with one reviewer noting that "dark resolutions" are not mentioned again, and matter less.
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Production values
The original Australian version of Wilfred was created by and starred Jason Gann, with Gann playing the titular dog/man. The series was made by a semi-government-funded TV station, so the budget was significantly lower than that of the US version. The Australian version has been described as having a "dry Aussie humour, creepiness and unexpectedness, [and] sheer outrageous originality".
The Australian version of Wilfred has been praised for its dark comedy, with one reviewer noting that "the laughs are unfettered by some falsely reassuring framework of whether or not it's all real". The series has also been described as having "realistic and subtle" dialogue, with humour that is "all in between the lines".
However, some viewers have criticised the Australian version for its lack of production values, with one viewer stating that the show is "drier" and has less of a continuous story arc compared to the US version. The Australian version has also been described as having a heavy accent that may be difficult for some viewers to understand.
Overall, the Australian version of Wilfred has been well-received by audiences and critics, with many praising its dark humour and realistic dialogue. While some may criticise its production values and accent, others appreciate its originality and edginess.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian and American versions of Wilfred share the same premise and lead actor, but reviewers have commented on the Australian version's darker and edgier tone. The Australian version is also said to have dry humour, which is more relatable to a UK or NZ audience.
The Australian Wilfred follows Adam, a depressed man who moves in with his new girlfriend Sarah and her dog Wilfred. Wilfred appears as a grown man wearing a dog suit. The show revolves around Wilfred's cigarette, weed, and alcohol binges, and his general terrorising of the neighbourhood.
The Australian Wilfred has been compared to other Australian shows like Monty Python and Blackadder. It has also been likened to British classics like Fawlty Towers, I'm Alan Partridge, and The Office.
