US VERSION OF SPACED AXED BEFORE LAUNCH

The British cast of hit sitcom Spaced

Friday May 16,2008

THE American version of Spaced is facing the axe before it even starts – months after British comedy star Simon Pegg hit out at plans for a remake of his sitcom.

Pegg, 38, – who starred in the films Hot Fuzz and Shaun Of The Dead, was furious that neither he nor fellow Spaced creators Jessica Hynes and Edgar Wright were ever consulted about the US adaptation of the Channel 4 show, which ran from 1999 to 2001.

In March, Simon – who signed away his ownership of the programme years ago – described the new spin-off as a “flagrant snub and effective vote of no confidence in the very people who created the show”.

But now US network Fox, which was due to broadcast the new series, has decided against making the show after being unimpressed by the pilot, starring American actors Josh Lawson and Sarah Rue.

Pegg’s colleague Wright said: “The past nine months or so have been painful, upsetting, frustrating and deeply depressing. So it’s nice to know that sometimes things work out.”