US imports another sitcom format

American TV executives hunting for the next hit sitcom have turned to an unlikely source: Iceland.

Reveille Productions, the company behind the successful US remakes of Ugly Betty and The Office, has snapped up the rights to the Icelandic sitcom Naeturvaktin.

The comedy – whose title means The Night Shift – revolves around three petrol station workers who, like the movie Clerks, become involved in various time-killing antics to tackle their boredom. The overnight garage is also visited by an array of weird and wonderful customers.

Howard Owens, managing director of Reveille, told The Hollywood Reporter: ‘The Nightshift is that rare international format that has American sensibility, and we’re eager to tackle another workplace comedy after the success of The Office.

‘The show has a smart, ironic point of view, which we know will translate well in the US.’

Published: 15 Jun 2009