From Collider · Amanda M. Castro · · 3m
Timewasters: The 12-Episode Time Travel Comedy That Almost Got an American Remake
A British jazz band's time travel comedy almost got a US remake before quietly fading away.
In brief
A British jazz band's time travel comedy almost got a US remake before quietly fading away. Timewasters, a 12-episode British sci-fi comedy about a jazz band stranded in the 1920s and 1950s, was nearly remade in the US but stalled after 2021. Originally reported by Collider.
Timewasters: A British Jazz Band's Time Travel Comedy
Daniel Lawrence Taylor's British comedy followed four struggling musicians from South London who stumbled into a time machine hidden inside their apartment building elevator.
The Band Stranded in the 1920s and 1:1950s
Nick, Lauren, Jason, and Horace found themselves trapped in the past trying to survive without paradoxes or world-ending catastrophes.
The Jazz Band's Time Travel Adventure
The quartet spent two seasons traveling through time to explore the 1920s and 1950s jazz scenes while avoiding historical conflicts.
The American Remake Plans
LL Cool J was reportedly involved in an American remake set to air on ABC with a Harlem Renaissance setting.
The Remake Stalled After 2021
Production delays due to the pandemic and no major updates after 2021 led to the American remake quietly fading away.
The Band's Time Travel Challenges
The quartet faced racism, sexism, and class divisions in the 1920s and 1950s while trying to survive without modern conveniences.
The Jazz Band's Musical Adaptations
The band played modern hits in jazz form to bridge the gap between their time period and the present day.
The American Remake's Stalled Production
The US version would have taken place in New York and featured the Harlem Renaissance as a comedic backdrop.
The Remake's Final Status
The American remake stalled after 2021 with no major updates and production never starting.
The Band's Time Travel Impact
Timewasters became one of British television's most overlooked comedies with sharp writing and strong character chemistry.
The Remake's Potential Impact
The US remake could have brought the time travel comedy to a wider audience but never materialized.
The Band's Time Travel Legacy
Timewasters remains a 12-episode sci-fi comedy that offers a unique perspective on time travel and historical periods.
The Remake's Stalled Timeline
The American remake was set to begin production in 2021 but stalled due to pandemic delays and lack of updates.
The Band's Time Travel Success
Timewasters was praised for its social commentary and humor without overshadowing its time travel premise.
The Remake's Final Outcome
The American remake never got past the planning stage and remains an unrealized potential for the time travel comedy genre.
The headline
Timewasters, a 12-episode British sci-fi comedy about a jazz band stranded in the 1920s and 1950s, was nearly remade in the US but stalled after 2021.
_ONCE_UPON_A_TIME_IN_HARLEM_Courtesy_of_NEON.jpg?branch=production&width=2400&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)
