From Parenthood to Tutto può succedere: Ready-Made Elements and Cultural Translation

In our article we propose an analysis of the Italian TV series Tutto può succedere, a remake of the American TV series Parenthood (NBC 2010-2015). The Italian remake precisely reproduces some Parenthood’s ready-made elements: the two series share the main plot, many storylines and characters’ personalities, dealing with the ups and downs of a large family, formed of four siblings, their parents and their children. We will focus on the differences and similarities of the two shows from several perspectives, such as formal and content divergences, and their cultural, social and production implications. On the one hand, the Italian remake loses the distinguishing style and the faster pace of the original series to adjust to Rai’s more basic aesthetics; on the other hand, Rai chooses to focus on specific plots and characters that match its own purposes. Indeed, we can assume that youngest characters are the means by which Raiuno tries to connect with younger viewers, and the same function is assumed by the role played by music in the series and by the on-screen presence of young Italian musicians.

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