An esteemed NBC sitcom is poised for a revival. While some iconic comedies on the network, like Friends and Seinfeld, have remained untouched by reboots, others have transformed multiple times. The Office, initially a British series led by Ricky Gervais, has spawned various adaptations worldwide, largely due to the soaring popularity of its U.S. incarnation.
Several remakes of The Office exist, including those that pay homage to memorable scenes from the original. Recently, an Australian adaptation for Prime Video chose a unique approach by featuring a female character in the iconic role originally played by Michael Scott. Now, another beloved NBC workplace comedy is set to receive its second adaptation.
Superstore: A New Take Awaits
Adaptation Set for South Africa
The highly praised sitcom Superstore is on track for a remake. Created by Justin Spitzer, the original series premiered in 2015 and ran for six seasons, depicting the lives of employees at a fictional large retail store named Cloud 9. The ensemble cast featured America Ferrera, Ben Feldman, Lauren Ash, Colton Dunn, Nico Santos, Nichole Sakura, and Mark McKinney. The show garnered strong acclaim and is often viewed as an underrated gem in the workplace comedy genre.
In addition, Showmax has announced a South African version of The Office.
According to a report by Deadline, the African streaming service Showmax has commissioned a local adaptation of NBCUniversal’s Superstore. This production will be a Zulu-language version, created in collaboration with Barkers Media and Universal International Studios. While specifics regarding casting and plot remain under wraps, production is anticipated to commence later this year.
In expressing enthusiasm for the remake, Nicola van Niekerk, Executive Head of Programming at Showmax’s parent company MultiChoice, remarked on the impact of Cloud 9:
“We’re on Cloud 9. I laughed my way through every episode of Superstore and can’t wait to see how the funny and lovable characters are reimagined in our complex country.”
Sharing a similar sentiment, Hannah Mabruk, VP of Format Sales for NBCUniversal Formats, highlighted the show’s universal appeal:
“I cannot wait to see Superstore take on a whole new life in South Africa. It’s a format that resonates with audiences around the world because of its undeniable humour, heart, and universal themes of community and friendship flourishing in the workplace. Together with our longtime partners at Showmax and the team at Barkers Media, we look forward to bringing a uniquely South African spin to these lovable characters in a fresh and exciting new way.”
Showmax appears to be the perfect platform for this remake, especially as it currently streams the original version of Superstore. This initiative marks the second remake of the NBC series, following a Spanish-language version named Supertitlán, which premiered in 2022 and consisted of 48 episodes with a large ensemble cast.
Our Perspective on the Superstore Remake
A New Show to Explore
For fans longing for more of Spitzer’s humor, his latest creation, St. Denis Medical, is currently airing on NBC. This new mockumentary-style hospital sitcom features several familiar faces from Superstore and is a great option while audiences await the upcoming Showmax adaptation.
Source: Deadline
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