'Asfur' cast
Photo: Eldad Refaeli
Fox to air American remake of 'Asfur'
Hit TV series about four friends living in abandoned plot in Jerusalem to be named 'Hard Up.' Fox VP: Show relevant to the times
American TV network Fox has acquired the broadcasting rights for the hit Israeli drama series "Asfur," which was created by Hanan Savyon and Guy Amir.
Among those involved in the production of the show's American adaptation, which will be titled "Hard Up," are the writer and director of "Shameless."
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Some 10 months ago the rights to Asfur were sold to John Wells Productions, which began producing the show's American remake. The negotiations on the sale of the broadcasting rights to Fox were led by Hadas Mozes Lichtenstein, head of international business development at the ADD Content Agency, and Adam Berkowitz, co-head of Television at CAA.
The two executives, together with Savyon and Amir, negotiated with a number of American networks, including ABC, before sealing the deal with Fox.
Series of meetings. Guy Amir and Hanan Savyon (Photo: Anat Musberg)
As stated, the show will be produced by John Wells Productions, which produced "E.R." and "The West Wing."
Asfur centers on four friends who live in an abandoned plot in Jerusalem's industrial zone. They are forced to pay a huge debt in order to remain the sole owners of the land, which is worth millions.
Suzanna Makkos, senior vice president of comedy development at FOX, said Asfur was relevant to the times, while Yoram Mukady, vice president of content at HOT cable company said he believes Asfur can "draw a wide audience all over the world, just as it did in Israel."
About two years ago Fox purchased the rights to the Israeli sitcom "Ramzor" ("Traffic Light"), but the American version was taken off the air after only eight episodes due to mediocre ratings.
