Germans to 30 Rock: Wir Verstehen Nicht!
30 Rock may wow the critics here in America—at least the fake parts—but in Germany, the New York Times' Dave Itzkoff reports, something got lost in translation. The first airing of 30 Rock auf Deutsch got a 0.0 rating. Which it turns out is also a 0.0 in the metric system! Itzkoff attempts an explanation in a followup.
It's a shame, but maybe the mistake was starting the series at the beginning. As the show moves along, it becomes one of the more German-oriented comedies on U.S. TV. There is, for starters, "Episode 210" above, in which Liz commits a linguistic faux pas when Jack asks her to deal with a group of German investors.
But that's not all! Tell me this musical moment wouldn't warm those chilly Teutonic hearts:
On the other hand, there may be such a thing as trying too hard:
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1
Yeah I could see 30 Rock being lost in translation. I work with several German colleagues and they never laugh at my “we believe in nothing, Lebowski. Nothing.” quotes or singing “So Long, Farewell” to them when they leave.
- poniewozik Loved the season. Mrs Tuned In wd have put u on the main list RT @boredtodeath Thank u for incl us in Time's Top 10. We'll take hon mention. - 4 hours ago
- poniewozik @carr2n Virgin is the best, LAX-JFK - 5 hours ago
- poniewozik Did NPR interview abt multiscreen multitasking. After, automatically reached for iPhone in pocket. Like don draper wd have for cigarettes. - 6 hours ago
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