US network set to do a "Bad Girls" remake

[coolbyrne]

NBC orders a pilot episode for "Bad Girls" remake

While this rumour has circulated for quite some time, this does seem to be actually true this time. This entry was dated February 7th, so it's also very new. Will say that I'm not sure I would ever summarize the show thusly:

The project follows the ins-and-outs of a group of unlikely women in a federal prison: a scandalous female warden, her new protégé and a host of inmates – some mothers, some friends—who struggle with loyalties to people on the inside and the outside.



No word on casting except for Jurnee Smollett. Who will she play? And no word on an expected air date.

Thoughts? Reservations?

[topcat]

"scandalous female warden and her protege" If this is describing Helen, I think any decision to watch or not to watch would be redundant! I'm guessing the protege could be referring to Dominic, not Nikki. If it had said "scandalous male warden, I could have understood.

Hang on, could the Fenner role now be a woman? Do American prisons have male wardens in female prisons?

At one time, there was a rumour that Tyne Daly would be Bodybag and I would have had to watch to see that. This latest description does not appeal to me at all. Never heard of Jurnee Smollett.

[coolbyrne]

I can't figure it out, either. Scandalous in what way? Are they alluding to the relationship with Nikki? Because that doesn't get into the scandalous stage until season two. Of course, American TV seasons are longer than UK ones and they'll probably be able to fit 2 UK seasons into 1. And I never would have really considered Dominic a protege. I mean, he's certainly keen to please Helen and make a change in the system, but I never thought Helen took him under her wing in any way, even when they went for drinks to talk about his job.

A quick Google shows there are only 8 female wardens in all of the United States, so either the writers will have to make a special note of Helen's placement, or they'll just ignore the rarity of it. I have to say, based solely on this description, I'm not chomping at the bit to see this remake come to light. Hopefully we'll hear more specific details as the pilot gets written and the characters get cast.

[coolbyrne]

The more I hear about the US remake, the less I want to see it-

Jaime Pressly joins the cast.

And from that link-

Amy Smart and Karolina Wydra are also cast.

1. What are they doing with the character of Helen??
She’s a dark, sexy character who enjoys playing sadistic games with the prisoners under her watch.

2. Credit card fraud gets you sent to a FEDERAL prison??

I think the writer of the article summed up the remake nicely with this:

Neither of them sounds like the typical federal prisoner, but it does seem like that’s precisely the point. Bad Girls sounds like it’s anything but a realistic look into a prison life, but then maybe hot blondes who get in trouble with the law get to go to a very special prison for Barbie dolls.

Exactly. And so NOT the Bad Girls I know.

[topcat]

Apr 7, 2012 11:49:49 GMT -5 coolbyrne said:

Exactly. And so NOT the Bad Girls I know.

Unfortunately, it sounds like exactly what we all expected - typical Hollywood glamour types cast and having little or no resemblance to the original (well, the first couple of series).

In truth, though, I suspect that, had Shed made BG after their other 'successes' such as Footballers Wives, Rock Rivals and that thing set on Scotland, they would have had a completely different cast to the one they went with. The initial success of BG was the fact that unknowns were cast. None were household names. That changed at series 2 with the intro of 'soap queen' Claire King. It went rapidly downhill from there. Every new show they've done since has focussed on 'star names' (as BG did towards the end). I think that Simone, Mandana, Debra, Linda et al would not have stood a chance if BG was being cast today.

Basically, Shed have sold the name and 'idea'. There will be little or no similarity to our BG either in characters or stories. It some ways, I'm glad.

[operagoth]

Well I for one after reading that description of Helen definatly WON'T be watching it! Modern remakes of old shows are always crap!

I loved the original 'prisoner' watched 2 episodes of the remake - bore no resemblance to the origional and was utter balls!
Origional and best BG all the way!!