<a href="/topics//ABC">ABC</a>'s "Family Tools," debuting May 1, stars J.K. Simmons as a retiring handyman who has to turn his business over to his layabout son (Kyle Bornheimer). It's also the latest example of an American comedy to be based on a British TV show, in this case, "White Van Man." Here are five others, all of which became huge hits. 
 1. ALL IN THE FAMILY -- Based on "Till Death Do Us Part," which focused on the East End's Garnett family, headed by Alf Garnett, a racist, anti-socialist working-class man. 
 2. SANFORD AND SON -- In "Steptoe and Son," Albert and Harold Steptoe, father-and-son junk collectors (known in <a href="/topics//United_Kingdom">Britain</a> as "rag-and-bone men") lived together and spent most of the time arguing with each other. 
 3. THREE'S COMPANY -- "Man About the House" offered the then-risque premise of two women (also named Chrissy and Jo) sharing their flat with a man, named here Robin Tripp. 
 4. TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT -- Based on "Keep It in the Family," about a talented illustrator named Dudley Rush (as opposed to <a href="/topics//Ted_Knight">Ted Knight</a>'s Henry Rush) whose two daughters move into the vacant downstairs apartment. 
 5. THE OFFICE -- In the British version, <a href="/topics//Ricky_Gervais">Ricky Gervais</a> starred as David Brent, the clueless general manager of the Slough branch of the Wernham Hogg Paper Co. (He also created the series.)

ABC's "Family Tools," debuting May 1, stars J.K. Simmons as a retiring handyman who has to turn his business over to his layabout son (Kyle Bornheimer). It's also the latest example of an American comedy to be based on a British TV show, in this case, "White Van Man." Here are five others, all of which became huge hits. 1. ALL IN THE FAMILY -- Based on "Till Death Do Us Part," which focused on the East End's Garnett family, headed by Alf Garnett, a racist, anti-socialist working-class man. 2. SANFORD AND SON -- In "Steptoe and Son," Albert and Harold Steptoe, father-and-son junk collectors (known in Britain as "rag-and-bone men") lived together and spent most of the time arguing with each other. 3. THREE'S COMPANY -- "Man About the House" offered the then-risque premise of two women (also named Chrissy and Jo) sharing their flat with a man, named here Robin Tripp. 4. TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT -- Based on "Keep It in the Family," about a talented illustrator named Dudley Rush (as opposed to Ted Knight's Henry Rush) whose two daughters move into the vacant downstairs apartment. 5. THE OFFICE -- In the British version, Ricky Gervais starred as David Brent, the clueless general manager of the Slough branch of the Wernham Hogg Paper Co. (He also created the series.)

Entertainment

ETTAKE28.WEB

'Three's Company' and more Americanized 'Britcoms'

Newsday

family tools cropped

Entertainment trending

Take our quizzes

50 best LI movies

AI's effect on entertainment

Jones Beach summer 2026 concerts

Most Popular

Entertainment Rail Module

And who could forget two other legendary announcers, Johnny Olson and Don Pardo?

This is Johnny Gilbert, the voice of 'Jeopardy!'

Meet Sheryl Lee, Ray Wise and Michael Horse from David Lynch's cult series on Sept. 20.

The Suffolk to host stars from 'Twin Peaks'

The venerable game show is more popular than ever with four spinoffs going strong.

Too much of a good thing? 'Jeopardy' spinoffs put the show in overdrive.

Friends and colleagues gathered at Volpe Ristorante in Woodbury to pay tribute.

'Sopranos' star Vincent Pastore goes out on a high note

Friends and colleagues gathered at Volpe Ristorante in Woodbury to honor the late 'Sopranos' star. NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland has more.

'He was a dear friend'

The Oscar winner will join the London-set "Only Murders in the Building" next season.

Olivia Colman is a new 'Murders' suspect

Sign up for Newsday's Entertainment newsletter

Entertainment newsletter widget

More Entertainment

Entertainment Article Bottom Module

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

On Thursday an "accidental electrical fire" damaged several areas of the historic Milleridge Inn's main property.

'Accidental electrical fire' damages Milleridge Inn

Cleaning crews were hard at work after a tornado ripped through the Sun and Surf Beach Club in Atlantic Beach Thursday evening. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'It was just a whistling sound that came right through'

Jones Beach Theatre concertgoers were hit by a massive storm Thursday night, causing the show to be delayed. Some attendees thought the concert should have been canceled. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

'100% should have been cancelled'

Newsday travel reporter Carissa Kellman learns about renting and driving a skiff boat at Ted's Fishing Station in Point Lookout.

Cruise Long Island's shoreline on your own private boat

Since girls flag football became an official sport in New York high schools in the spring of 2023, participation in the sport has increased nearly 70%, NewsdayTV's Jared Valluzzi reports.

Flag football taking over spring sports

Ken Buffa stopped by La Cucina Paisanos in Farmingville to try their "pull apart soul-bowls," which are bread bowls stuffed with pasta.

Trendy Bites: Get stuffed with these Italian 'soul-bowls'

Mandates could include requiring new systems when old septic tanks fail or when houses are sold. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Environmentalists want more mandates to replace Suffolk septic systems as program falls behind

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed shows us the dedication it takes to keep bees at the Hallockville Museum Farm in Riverhead.

Out East: All the buzz at the Hallockville Museum Farm

Newsday travel writer Carissa Kellman visits Onda Bella Cruises for a boat ride from Northport Harbor.

Cruise from Northport Harbor on the Onda Bella

Long-forgotten unpaid traffic infractions in other states are causing a delay in New York State license renewals. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

Outstanding out-of-state tickets holding back NYS license renewals 

Sitewide Video Playlist

The "flip-flop" comes days after Newsday revealed the findings and raises questions about enforcement of fair housing laws. Newsday investigative reporter Josh Solomon has the story.

'I have never seen anything this egregious'

Hockey fans flocked to The Rinx in Hauppauge to see Sound Beach native and Stanley Cup champion Brandon Bussi of the Carolina Hurricanes. NewsdayTV's Jamie Stuart reports.

Bussi brings Cup to LI for 'unforgettable experience'

An overturned tanker truck spilled fuel on Rockaway Turnpike in Meadowmere on Wednesday.

Busy roadway closed after tanker overturns

Long Island is home to 13 of the top 50 high schools in the state, according to a new U.S. News & World Report ranking. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

High schools that made the list, and one that dropped

Community and faith leaders gathered with Suffolk County officials to decry the vandalism as police continue their investigation. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed has more.

'Religious hate is not going to be accepted'

A 911 call reporting the burglary at the popular restaurant was received early Monday morning, according to police.

Police release photos of burglary suspect

Suffolk police are investigating a hate-crime related incident at the construction site of The Islamic Center of Shirley-Mastic. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'It was disappointing'

'It's ridiculous'

The NYC medical examiner is using 3D printing to help identify human remains, a program that could help close cases on Long Island. Newsday special writer Anthony DeStefano has more.

'Students ... recreate the face'

Suffolk created a street takeover task force in 2024 that has broken up more than 100 incidents in the county.

What local police departments do to combat the problem

Nassau Republicans awarded over $1 million in taxpayer-funded legal contracts to the one-man law firm of Sheharyar Ali, a longtime GOP ally. Ali's father is an adviser to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa and Newsday Nassau County politics reporter Bahar Ostadan have the story.

'Democrats say this is a misuse of taxpayer funds'

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

TV - megaslot

Newsday TV critic Verne Gay reviews new TV shows and series from Netflix, Max, Hulu and more. Plus, what Long Island actors are working on and Long Island filming locations.

'Three's Company' and more Americanized 'Britcoms'

Most Popular

Top Stories

Stay logged in.