When does a comedy television show stop being the same show, and become a completely different show altogether?  When the name changes? When all the characters are different?  when it is set in a different country?  If you answered "(d) None of the above" then congratulations, you have won first prize, and may choose between a key-ring or a spoon.

You see, programme makers at American television network 'ABC' have picked up on top British sitcom 'The Royle Family' and want to remake it for U.S. audiences.  The writers of the current pilot scripts want to replace Caroline Aherne's rough-and-ready Manchester family with an American equivalent, in a show that is provisionally being called 'The First Family'. 

The show is to be written and produced by Alan Zweibel, whose previous TV successes include 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'.