US version of The Inbetweeners slammed as 'stupid' (+trailer)

A new trailer for the US version of hit British comedy show The Inbetweeners - the pilot for which was directed by Taika Waititi - has been slammed by viewers.

As reported by NME.com, since being posted on YouTube three days ago, the trailer has had just 465 'likes' - and more than 26,000 'dislikes'.

The original version of the show - which follows the increasingly awkward antics of four teenage school friends - ran for three successful seasons in the UK and sparked a hit spin-off movie in 2011.

The creators of The Inbetweeners, Damon Beesley and Iain Morris, are executive producers on the US version, which begins screening on August 20. Taika Waititi directed the pilot, which was picked up by MTV for one season of 12 episodes.

But viewers of the show's first trailer have reacted angrily, venting their frustration online.

"This looks so stupid and unreal. The thing about the original was that it seemed real and natural as that's what school is actually like," said one commentator. "Totally ruined it. Fact."

"Same plots and even the same jokes yet it has gone from hilarious (UK) to absolute garbage (US). If people in the US want to watch The Inbetweeners, just broadcast the UK version not this crap," said another.

Digital Spy reported Morris took to Twitter to defend the show, and pointed out Waititi's successful track record.

"I'm not going to comment on the American Inbetweeners a lot ... but the pilot director, Taika Waititi, has made consistently funny TV shows and one of my favourite films of all time in Boy," said Morris.

"Brad [Copeland], the showrunner, is a very funny man who has worked on Arrested Development and My Name is Earl, two shows I love. Damon [Beesley] and I didn't have a lot to do with it because we wanted it to be different and American, and it is, I think in a positive way."

He urged viewers not to make up their minds on the show based on the trailer.

"You might like it, you might hate it, but don't pre-judge it," he said. "And the original will always exist. Always. Never going away."

- Herald online