At a time when we were showing strength and resilience post 9/11, The American Embassy could have been a contender. But it was axed too soon, and it could have been a contender with the axis of evil being one to contend with.
23 Reviews
Who in their right mind would cancel this ?
Jordan_Patrick_Drew9 May 2002
I saw the Pilot for THE AMERICAN EMBASSY when I was channel surfing at a friends house. From the moment it started I was glued to the set. Having traveled to England twice makes me appreciate how cool it is to see an American TV show being filmed in such a cool place.
The other plot involved the main character, Emma Broady, leaving behind a broken Engagement and becoming the new Vice Console to the Embassy in Britain. She meets her cool transvestite neighbor, who can often give her eye opening views about the world around us. She also works with `Q' ( The Boss ) and had a very interesting love Triangle with ( Lord )Jack Wellington and Doug Roach ( CIA ).
The Narration of the show usually followed the theme of Emma writing e-mail to her sister, Julia, which turned out to be a very strong first person viewpoint.
After the Events of Sept 11th 2001, This show, of course, had to feature a Terrorism theme. The continuing Arc involved tracking down a terrorist group who had placed a car bomb outside the embassy in the pilot. Each week, we where not only treated to the witty yet realistic storylines involving the funny and lovable Emma Broady and her colleagues, but we where given a sort of "Update" on the status of the search for the terrorists.
I don't have Cable at home, so every Monday night I had to go down to the Gym where I workout and watch THE AMERICAN EMBASSY while working out on a treadmill for an hour ( It was a wonderful motivator to keep going ).
This show was a winner and a pleasure to watch from the start!
Everyone I know who watched it fell in love with it. I became addicted to it and after the effort I have had to put into watching it you can imagine how disappointed I was to show up and be stuck with, in my opinion, the worst show on tv : EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND!
Whoever the network suits are who pulled the plug on this is should be lined up and shot! With FOX's Lousy programming these days and the complete lack of any publicity for this show are they surprise that the rating weren't good at first ?
The American Embassy was one of the best tv-shows of recent years. If the people at FOX judge their work by numbers instead of Quality then lets hope they are soon replaced!
ATTENTION FOX : IF THERE IS ANY CHANCE OF REVIVING THIS SHOW FOR A SECOND SEASON OR AT LEAST PLAYING THE LAST 3 EPISODES PLEASE DO SO!
The other plot involved the main character, Emma Broady, leaving behind a broken Engagement and becoming the new Vice Console to the Embassy in Britain. She meets her cool transvestite neighbor, who can often give her eye opening views about the world around us. She also works with `Q' ( The Boss ) and had a very interesting love Triangle with ( Lord )Jack Wellington and Doug Roach ( CIA ).
The Narration of the show usually followed the theme of Emma writing e-mail to her sister, Julia, which turned out to be a very strong first person viewpoint.
After the Events of Sept 11th 2001, This show, of course, had to feature a Terrorism theme. The continuing Arc involved tracking down a terrorist group who had placed a car bomb outside the embassy in the pilot. Each week, we where not only treated to the witty yet realistic storylines involving the funny and lovable Emma Broady and her colleagues, but we where given a sort of "Update" on the status of the search for the terrorists.
I don't have Cable at home, so every Monday night I had to go down to the Gym where I workout and watch THE AMERICAN EMBASSY while working out on a treadmill for an hour ( It was a wonderful motivator to keep going ).
This show was a winner and a pleasure to watch from the start!
Everyone I know who watched it fell in love with it. I became addicted to it and after the effort I have had to put into watching it you can imagine how disappointed I was to show up and be stuck with, in my opinion, the worst show on tv : EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND!
Whoever the network suits are who pulled the plug on this is should be lined up and shot! With FOX's Lousy programming these days and the complete lack of any publicity for this show are they surprise that the rating weren't good at first ?
The American Embassy was one of the best tv-shows of recent years. If the people at FOX judge their work by numbers instead of Quality then lets hope they are soon replaced!
ATTENTION FOX : IF THERE IS ANY CHANCE OF REVIVING THIS SHOW FOR A SECOND SEASON OR AT LEAST PLAYING THE LAST 3 EPISODES PLEASE DO SO!
A disappointingly early finish
Inliten31 March 2003
A promising new show, 'The American Embassy' was pulled far too quickly after only a few short episodes. Arija Bareikis, who played the main character, looked poised to fill the void left when 'Ally McBeal' ended its run. Unfortunately, Fox didn't allow this upstart to gain an audience, which is certainly a shame. While the cast made the show watchable, it was the general topic that made the show interesting - finally a somewhat "exotic" show about diplomats and their jobs after the flood of shows about lawyers, doctors, and inept family men. And to think that a promising show such as this was replaced with so much Fox reality show trash is truly a shame.
Bring back Emma!!
charlie-ann22 April 2003
I was a faithful follower of Ally McBeal even in its later rotten years... I was bitter about the show's slow death, but when this fresh new show called American Embassy came on the scene, I forgave Fox for the last two years of crap. Then boom, as soon as it apppeared, it disappeared. If Fox gave American Embassy half the advertising it gave its other stupid shows, I am certain the AE would have gained popularity. But alas, no such luck... I hope we continue to champion the show in the hopes that Fox execs would wake up and smell quality TV when it hits them in the face.
give me a break
juicewithajee16 May 2006
This show was a joke. My dad is an FSO (Foreign Service Officer). This show came out while he was still in training in D.C. and his classmates used to watch it and count the security violations in each episode. They were numerous to say the least. Foregive me, but how did this lady manage to skip the amazingly hard Foreign Service Exam (which very few people pass), the Oral Interview (which even fewer people pass), all of the months of basic training, more months of detailed training, get promoted, and then get to London on her first tour? It can take over a year just to get your security clearance so you can even be hired, not to mention a health clearance. Its insane. And apart from this embassy life is not accurately portrayed. Regardless of post everyone upon arrival is greeted by a social sponsor, who shows you around etc, and an office sponsor, who helps one to settle down in the office. And there are strict regulations regarding living space alloted to officers. No one is made to share a house or apartment. This is not the armed forces for heaven's sake. (And yes, I am aware that one cannot demand or expect accuracy in network television. But if they are going to call the show "The American Embassy" they ought to at least try a little bit. After all, one does not make a show about baseball players, then show them playing football instead.) Clearly the makers of the show either never spoke with Department of State officers, or ignored their advice completely. And even if she did manage all of this, she would have been kicked out for her nutty conduct. On the other hand, that might explain why she got to London on her first tour. It could be what is known in the business as a "lovely parting gift". Over all, this show was a complete and utter joke, from start to finish.
Why would FOX debut a good show then cancel?
mmartin197119 July 2002
After watching the first episode of American Embassy I was hooked. I was shocked to see that it was going to be canceled after only 6 episodes. With Fox on a canceling spree (Ally McBeal, The X-Files) they need to have something of quality on their lineup and I believe American Embassy is it. It could have easily slid into one of the recently vacated time slots and had the potential of being another major hit. Having visited England before it was a nice change to see something that was actually filmed there. Fox should reconsider and bring back the series for the fall and let the viewers decide if it should stay or go. Re-run the original 6 episodes (so we can finally see how the story line ends) and take it from there.
Enjoyable television
harlech28 January 2003
The American Embassy has just started screening here and, after watching the first two episodes, I had decided that this was a series I would watch. I am dismayed to learn that it was canceled after only six episodes, and that the final three episodes were not broadcast. With only three episodes listed in my guide, I am yet to learn if I will see the final three episodes. In any event, I found this program very entertaining as a television drama (this is not a documentary!!!)and the characterizations, treatment of material and resolutions both intelligent and satisfying. With the present invasion of our screen with rubbish "reality television", I search out good programs and was happy to come across The American Embassy. I join the chorus for its reinstatement.
Backward thinking Networks
amykj105 August 2002
Finally a show comes along that I was hooked on from the first episode. American Embassy was one of the best shows I have seen in a long time. Now I have nothing to watch or appreciate on tv.
I think with better advertising to proper target markets and demographics this show could be more successful than Ally McBeal and Felicity combined (because they were never really that great to begin with).
I could easily say this was one of my all time favorite television shows ever. Emma was someone young females can relate too and look up to, a woman trying to find her way and figure herself out in a foreign country.
If the network had any brains they would re- introduce Emma Brody to television viewers and give it a decent chance at gaining a larger viewership. I feel that out of the people I know, I was the only one that had even heard of this show or watched it because advertising was so pathetic. I think Arijta Beirikas could be a big star someday.
I think with better advertising to proper target markets and demographics this show could be more successful than Ally McBeal and Felicity combined (because they were never really that great to begin with).
I could easily say this was one of my all time favorite television shows ever. Emma was someone young females can relate too and look up to, a woman trying to find her way and figure herself out in a foreign country.
If the network had any brains they would re- introduce Emma Brody to television viewers and give it a decent chance at gaining a larger viewership. I feel that out of the people I know, I was the only one that had even heard of this show or watched it because advertising was so pathetic. I think Arijta Beirikas could be a big star someday.
Yet another show cancelled....
Lby5422922 October 2005
Yet another mistake by the Fox network.... I was very upset when Fox cancelled The American Embassy. I really got into watching it and found its story very intriguing...but, alas, Fox cancelled.
Another recent show Fox cancelled was The Inside. What were they thinking? The only show they brought back onto air after cancellation (that I know of)after realizing they made a huge HUGE mistake was Family Guy. And, only after Adult Swim aired the episodes, did Fox face their mistakes.
Hopefully, they'll face more! Unlikely though. This has really become a habit - a bad one! Sigh.
Another recent show Fox cancelled was The Inside. What were they thinking? The only show they brought back onto air after cancellation (that I know of)after realizing they made a huge HUGE mistake was Family Guy. And, only after Adult Swim aired the episodes, did Fox face their mistakes.
Hopefully, they'll face more! Unlikely though. This has really become a habit - a bad one! Sigh.
An American Dingbat in England.
scrutiny2 April 2002
Emma Brody, ah the lovely, naive, sweet, inexperienced Emma Brody.
A new vice counsel assigned to the American embassy in England must deal with the culture shock of a new country while turning a corner in her life after she catches her fiance cheating on her. Why do we care about such minutia, I don't know. If someone can clue me in, please write.
Coming from Jersey Films I expected this TV offering to have a brain in its head but apparently someone thought that 'Felicity goes to London' would make a helluva show.
What could've been relevant and topical in this day and age, comes off as being hollow, effervescent (and I don't mean that in a good Schwepp's kind of way), and ultimately frustrating for not delivering on its interesting premise.
If not for, cute as a button, Arija Bareikis I wouldn't bother tuning i but then again I thought the human toothpick, Calista Flockhart, was cute too but I never got around to watching a single episode of Ally McBeal.
Lord help my weak ways.
A new vice counsel assigned to the American embassy in England must deal with the culture shock of a new country while turning a corner in her life after she catches her fiance cheating on her. Why do we care about such minutia, I don't know. If someone can clue me in, please write.
Coming from Jersey Films I expected this TV offering to have a brain in its head but apparently someone thought that 'Felicity goes to London' would make a helluva show.
What could've been relevant and topical in this day and age, comes off as being hollow, effervescent (and I don't mean that in a good Schwepp's kind of way), and ultimately frustrating for not delivering on its interesting premise.
If not for, cute as a button, Arija Bareikis I wouldn't bother tuning i but then again I thought the human toothpick, Calista Flockhart, was cute too but I never got around to watching a single episode of Ally McBeal.
Lord help my weak ways.
This show is FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!
fatty_muhammed13 February 2003
I am very disappointed that the show was, or in our (Australia) case, has been cancelled, as it only started airing two weeks ago. I normally check out the first episode of every new series to see if I like it or not, and I am kicking myself that I didn't do the same for American Embassy. I missed out on the first weeks' episodes, yes, episodes. Because this series was not aired once or twice a week, but for three nights in a row! How fantastic! So I missed the first three episodes, and the fourth one that was aired the following week. When I saw the fifth episode, I thought it was great! I wasn't that worried that I missed the first four, because there was the rest of the season ahead! The show was (cliche) "Ally McBeal Moves to London" but without the fantasy/imaginations and the dancing baby, which was, quite frankly, very annoying and ugly. So I watched the sixth episode as well, and when I got the T.V. Guide for the next week, I was disappointed that it was not on at all. So I ring up the station and was told that only 6 episodes were ever made and that all had been aired. I was very disappointed, and not just because the show was a refreshing change from the usual lawyers: Doug Roach (David Cubitt) for the ladies and Emma Brody (Arija Bareikis) for the men are also great incentives to watch the show! I am also lobbying that the show be brought back, and that the first episodes be re-aired so that I can catch up! I only hope that the producers and writes will read this and see how many devoted fans there are out there from all over the world!
an embarrassment
saimahuq5 September 2002
I watched the premiere with a bunch of friends who work for the State Department -- we had been so excited to see this, and were all cringing by the end.
Emma Brody is such an idiot that it is an embarrassment for America that she is portrayed working in our embassy. In the first episode, she takes home a minor, who is in the midst of an international custody battle, for the weekend like she is a puppy. WHY would the embassy do that? THEN the kid is kidnapped while Emma goes to flirt with a cute guy.
She is supposed to be 28 but she acts 18 (and is played by an unbelievable 36 years old.) Frankly, what is with the youth obsession --- why couldn't they write just about a 36-year-old single woman in London if that's who they cast? (Oh wait -- maybe that would make her Bridget Jones.)
This show had potential but they gummed it up with the lack of attention to detail and credibility. ugh.
Emma Brody is such an idiot that it is an embarrassment for America that she is portrayed working in our embassy. In the first episode, she takes home a minor, who is in the midst of an international custody battle, for the weekend like she is a puppy. WHY would the embassy do that? THEN the kid is kidnapped while Emma goes to flirt with a cute guy.
She is supposed to be 28 but she acts 18 (and is played by an unbelievable 36 years old.) Frankly, what is with the youth obsession --- why couldn't they write just about a 36-year-old single woman in London if that's who they cast? (Oh wait -- maybe that would make her Bridget Jones.)
This show had potential but they gummed it up with the lack of attention to detail and credibility. ugh.
This show rocks!!!
Laura Beth26 April 2002
I absolutely love this show and was so disappointed to hear that FOX was cancelling it. I don't have too much time on my hands to watch TV, but I always made time for American Embassy. Whether I was glued to the television set on Monday night or taping an episode....I never missed one showing. We finally got a well-rounded program, and then they pull the plug. It is funny, surprising, serious, and lovable. Please bring back American Embassy.
Lighten up folks, it's Network TV
Brian_KY26 April 2002
I found this site while looking for information as to the status of this particular show, not knowing if it was meant to be a pre-season filler or an attempt at a regular time-slotted show. I found "The American Embassy" to be quite entertaining. It mixes just the right amount of drama and comedic relief, in my opinion. And no, Emma is no Ally. I tired of Ally MacBeal after the first season. Ms. Bareikas' character (Emma) appealed to me as a "regular", identifiable person, not to mention being very easy on the eyes.
It's a shame, though not surprising, that Fox has decided to cancel this show. Given what they currently choose to broadcast, I guess it just wasn't ignorant or vulgar enough - in the minds of the Fox Exec's - to remain in their lineup. I've yet to speak to anyone who watched it that didn't enjoy it.
Admittedly, after reading the previously posted comments I can't decide if I want to chuckle or shake my head. Comments such as (I'm paraphrasing) "they are not using the actual embassy building" or "the tossing of the football made a mockery of the staff meetings" is petty criticism at best. This was network television people. If you want a historically accurate docudrama tune into Discovery or the History Channel.
It's a shame, though not surprising, that Fox has decided to cancel this show. Given what they currently choose to broadcast, I guess it just wasn't ignorant or vulgar enough - in the minds of the Fox Exec's - to remain in their lineup. I've yet to speak to anyone who watched it that didn't enjoy it.
Admittedly, after reading the previously posted comments I can't decide if I want to chuckle or shake my head. Comments such as (I'm paraphrasing) "they are not using the actual embassy building" or "the tossing of the football made a mockery of the staff meetings" is petty criticism at best. This was network television people. If you want a historically accurate docudrama tune into Discovery or the History Channel.
Not given a chance
Sam-804 April 2002
So much better than many of th shows that are on the air. Wasn't given much press and what it was given was backhanded. The show did better than what it was running against on ABC, WB and UPN. I think Fox could have found a spot for it to find viewers.
Huge, huge mistake!
mamagoos30 April 2002
Enjoyed the program immensely! I actually was looking forward to future episodes. Imagine my disappointment to learn it was cancelled. I might suggest looking into how ratings are determined. I suspect "mainstream viewers", often similar to "attitudes" are the last to be considered. Too bad. Lost credibility all around.
New TV series, set in London, shows promise based on its first episode.
TxMike11 March 2002
TV shows seem to be getting better and more relevant in recent years. Boston Public, and now "The American Embassy", are two examples. A 28-year-old leaves the USA to find herself, takes a job as Vice Counsel at the American Embassy in London. Having been to London on business and pleasure a number of times the past 10 years or so, and loving the city, it is a pleasure seeing it as a locale in a good TV series. Emma has a few embarrassing "rookie" experiences, but the big one is losing track of the 12-year-old who had been abducted by her father and whose mother was now on the way to London to bring her home. She is found in the nick of time, and, as the first episode is ending, a bomb blast shatters the embassy windows, everyone hits the floor, and the episode closes with a tribute to two who died in the 9/11/01 event in NYC. If the good writing continues, this new show promises to be a winner.
I like the football tossing...
jlthiessen15 April 2002
After my last comment was posted, I read some of the other comments again. Everyone seems to just hate the football tossing staff meetings. The first time I saw that, I thought "what a great idea!" As a member of corporate America, I have been involved in enough staff meetings to know that they can be a drag. I myself have had to fight to stay awake or focused in many of them. If there was a threat of someone chucking a football at me when I least expect it, then I'd probably be more apt to pay attention. Just because a football is used as a way of keeping everyone's focus doesn't mean that the meetings are any less important. I would love to see it implemented in my company.
Why is it being cancelled?
jlthiessen11 April 2002
I watched "The American Embassy" from the show's premiere. I fell in love with it right away. The writing was clever, funny, and much better than most new shows I've seen lately (and significantly better than "Ally McBeal"). Arija Bareikis is great as Emma Brody. The audience can believe that she is mature and intelligent enough to be a vice consul.
I am deeply disappointed that FOX has decided to cancel the series. I was looking forward to the show every week. I sincerely wish they would have given the show more of a chance. I guess I have to go back to watching movies on Mondays for lack of anything better on TV.
I am deeply disappointed that FOX has decided to cancel the series. I was looking forward to the show every week. I sincerely wish they would have given the show more of a chance. I guess I have to go back to watching movies on Mondays for lack of anything better on TV.
Great Show!!! Fox network must be insane to cancel it....
rnbjt8 April 2002
American embassy is an entertaining show, and for a network that has very few shows that are worth watch. I feel they made a big mistake canceling it. "24" and Dark Angel are hits but Ally McBeal is a little sluggish this season and X File's I'm afraid is on its way out. That is about it for Fox. They should keep American Embassy its new, refreshing, and most of all Different from any of the other Prime Time Shows on the other networks.
Top-notch prime-time drama
jacheia13 March 2002
It really bothers me that people constantly refer to this show as "Ally McBeal Moves to London". First of all . . . this is definitely a drama; there is none of the idiotic comedic nonsense that goes on in Ally McBeal. More so, I would say there are reflections of "West Wing" in this series. I was completely impressed with the acting and the plotting in this pilot episode. It was a breath of fresh air after the previous night's hellacious "Sex In the City"... no thank you. For the more intelligent, more reflective crop of television viewers that seems to have popped its respective head out of the proverbial ground since 9/11, this will be a fantastic show to watch. And it's very well written (from a writer's standpoint) with some very interesting characters and plot twists. I'm glad to see David Cubitt is finally getting his day in the lime-light. Excellent actor. As is Nicholas Irons. And, last but certainly not least, the cross-dressing neighbor. This proves to lend itself well to the tension we will see building in the next few episodes. Tremendous show, definitely! I can only hope this series stays on for the long haul and I will definitely be tuning in on Mondays at 8:00 on Fox to catch this latest stroke of genius in intelligent television.
My personal favourite of the 2001/2002 season
TVCritic30 March 2002
"The American Embassy" - what a wonderful relief for the Monday-night, 9pm timeslot!
I have only this much to say:
Dear Fox Executives:
Please keep "The American Embassy" and its refreshing new star, Arija Bareikis, on the air. Forget about "Ally McBeal" - that show is a goner.
I have only this much to say:
Dear Fox Executives:
Please keep "The American Embassy" and its refreshing new star, Arija Bareikis, on the air. Forget about "Ally McBeal" - that show is a goner.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
