"Downton Abbey" With American Accents Is Bizarre

[@puppyjessicabunny]

Our boy had two lines written for him on that card and he made the most of it and stole the entire scene!!

[@angeleinagrant4380]

YAAASSSSS!!! lol.

[@kerstinola6141]

Absolutely!

[@02ujtb00626]

Yaaaaaas!

[@LMD2915]

Exactly what I came here to say! ROTFL

[@smn4481]

Absolutely

[@daniellebelisle4747]

Nearly spit out my beverage when Allen spoke. The wait is worth it.

[@annabfaizi3069]

+Danielle Belisle hahaha me too!!! this was brilliant

[@kingkingjustin]

+Danielle Belisle haha me too I was like why doesn't he have any line and then it hit me :))

[@joe-bro_11]

+Daisy Quake Or Kip from Napoleon Dynamite.

[@gaca520]

+Daisy Quake I think he was trying to imitate Tim Gunn.

[@jdstep97]

gaca520 I wonder if he was attempting to sound like that, though, or if that was the only accent he can do that is American (USA).

[@squamish4244]

Hugh Bonneville still sounds like he's an aristocrat from a period drama, except now he's a captain of industry in New York.

[@blakes5827]

And not bad acting actually.

[@Tubie1111]

He sounded like a 1950s movie actor

[@theberrby6836]

👍

[@duckwhistle]

I love that they all went with completely different accents.

[@Jolamprex]

valar He sounds straight out of Hell On Wheels.

[@jemetjean785]

Hugh immediately went full Rockefeller-capitalist for this scene 😂

[@ageofechochambers9469]

More like jp Morgan, Rockefeller would have had some eugenic references .

[@benjaminguilatcoiv]

missed a step though on the word: "lovely".. i give him a pass, it's a very British expression and he couldn't help it on short notice 😊

[@josephzepeda7608]

He's just using Alec Baldwin as his template

[@Jorindeify]

​@@ageofechochambers9469 Was he into egenics as well? I read an article about Lindbergh who, they say, did experiments on his own kid, with a doctor-friend.

[@rainlori]

Thurston Howell III 😆

[@superficialdramafan7005]

It wasn't just the accent. It was also the exaggerated facial expressions and the hand gestures. These are good actors.

[@conlasganas]

British actors are always FANTASTIC performers, that's why

[@eggizgud]

And the American slang.

[@511dydy]

Almost all british actors come from drama school and or theatre background.

[@karianne1970]

Superficialdrama fan: The minute Michelle started speaking I laughed myself into a coughing fit. Her facial expressions are *priceless.* Allen had me in tears, and Hugh’s so emphatic I was just guffawing. 😂🤣

[@downtoncatbey8596]

Yes they are so talented in every way! Too much! 😹😹😹😻

[@shaungordon9737]

Hugh did a classic upper class American accent from the 50s which was pretty accurate. Michelle did valley girl and the other guy did Protect Runway lol

[@fromthehaven94]

Leech: the gay flight attendant Dockery: valley girl Bonneville: juror #3 in 12 Angry Men

[@janedoe5829]

Christopher C this!

[@tuckercrowe5188]

LOL!

[@incisivecommenter5974]

Lol

[@rebekahasay6610]

Spot on

[@arlenerodrigues5816]

😂😂😂

[@komalahayes1535]

THAT'S TALENT. No small parts, just small actors. Took two lines and made that scene. And threw in "Who are you wearing?" 😄 Wouldn't be surprised if he got hired after that👍💛

[@deecal4104]

That had me dying!!!! 🤣😅👏🏼

[@calebanderson6205]

whoa an accent change just turned it into cheap American daytime television

[@HelloGudbye93]

+Caleb Anderson Yeah, nothing to do with their over-dramatized voices and mannerisms. Just the accent change -______-

[@robertoliver8289]

+HelloGudbye93 The entire joke was lost on you.

[@charlie-jt1pc]

+Robert Oliver AHAHAHA so true XDDD

[@JudgeJulieLit]

+Caleb Anderson An accent change to Cockney would turn it into a cheap Coronation Street bar and tenement scene.

[@JuanKuzov]

+JudgeJulieLit coronation street isnt cockney its lancashire accent lol nothing like fucking cockney

[@MsGrapeNehi]

"Yeah, hey, guyssss?" xD I lost it. He sounded like Tim Gunn.

[@comic-concon5602]

just googled Tim Gunn lol

[@CamilaVanilla]

I think that's why he said at the end, "Hey, Mary, what/who are you wearing?"

[@mmorris7419]

What-If Machine :Yep. That's what I heard.

[@jspence8863]

it's the only american accent he can do XD

[@maaariiia]

I was expecting him to say “Good heavens!” Hahaha

[@darkness2121]

Hugh Bonneville still sounded classy with the American accent.....

[@ayatollahrocknrolla]

+darkness2121 I kept expecting him to say "Hello Seattle, I'm Dr. Frasier Crane. I'm listening..." he sounded just like Kelsey

[@Kelaiah01]

+ayatollahrocknrolla Really? I thought he sounded more like Ed Asner. ^^

[@jennible]

+Kelaiah01 See I was hearing Liam Neeson...

[@shuboy05]

+Jennifer Diemer I was thinking the same thing. I was rather disappointed Hugh didn't start talking about his particular set of skills..

[@mwduck]

+Daisy Quake Or Fred Flintstone!

[@pinkosmondfan]

I love how Hugh bellowed "Do you think that's wrong?!" right in Michelle's face, and she didn't even bat an eye. LOL

[@DR-eq6qe]

Downton damaged her 😆

[@OhEmJeessica]

did Allen learn to do an American accent from watching project runway exclusively or something?

[@um22w22]

OhEmJeessica hilarious!!!

[@junedreamer]

bahahshsha!

[@MikeRoberts1964]

He made it work

[@lamb4life327]

Dead 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣

[@kayehenry3737]

Yes! Good news for Tim Gunn. If he ever needs to retape a voiceover and can't make it, Allen would do a great job!

[@-C.S.R]

A New York tycoon a valley girl and a gay guy all walk into a bar......

[@weltschmertzz]

... and forgot some commas

[@Ionabrodie69]

He’s not gay... and a girl from the valleys... what’s your point..?

[@MarianaAguirre]

@@Ionabrodie69 the accent she did is what people call valley girl accent. And he is not saying he is gay, but the accent he did can be recognised as the way some gay people talk. A stereotyped version off course. Just for the fun sakes

[@Ionabrodie69]

Mariana Aguirre Ah right...because a valley girl over here is Welsh, and I’m sure she’s not. as to the gay bit,I’ll have to take your word for it, cos my two closest (not closet, that door opened long ago 😂) friends sound nothing like him 😂

[@ejones8360]

Ballroomdiva you mean a valley girl ‘here’ is a girl from the valleys (in wales) , it’s not the only place in wales...

[@pabriny]

It turned into Housewives real quick with the american accents lol .

[@downtoncatbey8596]

Hahaha such an accurate description!!

[@freslieslieson9877]

Omg!!

[@CamilaSaurus]

Lol!

[@danielalford4835]

Or the Donald, Ivanka and Jared Kushner

[@Ozarka636]

Omg! American accent just killed it🤢😖😖

[@hg82met]

I like how Allen Leech's way of acting American is acting camp.

[@SessmaruKusanagiGaming]

The campier, the better! That's what I always say lol.

[@LesserMoffHootkins]

He had to make a choice. He chose wisely.

[@terellison]

“Mary, who are you wearing?” 🤣🤣🤣

[@LaKellita]

That moment when Downton Abbey turned into Dynasty.

[@downtoncatbey8596]

😹😹😹😹😹

[@Alfredo91997]

Girl you deserve more likes

[@strivingformindfulness2356]

OMG! Hugh Bonneville as Blake Carrington! YES!!!!

[@Sosoph098]

Or schitts creek lol

[@fromthehaven94]

@@Sosoph098 You were supposed to be at lunch! Why were you not at lunch?

[@23tessil]

The American version: Downtown Cali

[@JClover2]

STOP! hahahaha

[@roseblossom2023]

LOL

[@OnceUponAKid1]

😂😂😂😂

[@michaelli9697]

LMAO

[@abbeyroad430]

It made me think of SNL’s the “Californians” actually lol

[@spookyloop5174]

My parents watched the whole show, they now insist on being called MaMA and PaPA, or my dad prefers His Lordship

[@evelina2363]

😂

[@arcticwolf9332]

Thats so funny! In my house my dad is now Lord Grandtham and my mom is Lady Grantham and I even have them like that in my cell phone

[@willrichardson519]

Go further, mater et pater

[@willrichardson519]

@@arcticwolf9332 grand-thumb? Stamford is much nicer, poor old Grantham is a bit tired...

[@MrRoztoc]

Mama and Papa is so German!

[@LDi141]

The "Yeah hey guys" came out of nowhere and now is tattooed on my brain forever 😂😂

[@songbirds3712]

Absolutely forever!

[@masrahman8231]

I can't stop laughing... 😅🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@deadoux]

THE ‘HEY GUYS’ GOT ME

[@knightingale5660]

ME TOO I WAS SCREAMING

[@downtoncatbey8596]

I was ⚰️⚰️⚰️

[@fc4660]

Me too, he didn’t have much of a chance to make an impression and it was perfect.

[@m.l3483]

I liked Allen Leech before, now I LOVE him

[@letgoofwill]

This is exactly the comment I was looking for so that I don’t have to make one 😂

[@annehebert510]

British, Irish, Australian and New Zealand actors are exposed to far more American film and television than the other way round, and so can more easily imitate North Americans. As Irish comedian Tommy Tiernan said when he first met an American "It was like talking to the television"

[@kismetau]

So true!!

[@Doiucbklse]

they're exposed to more American than actual Americans? are you kidding? have you seen American television??

[@ddha0000]

+Anne Hebert Ironically, most American TV and film seems to be dominated by British actors.

[@danchube9016]

+Anne Hebert lots of british shows on u.s tv, major u.s shows dominated by english actors, I would say the other way around.

[@raspberries6992]

+Anne Hebert - Having lived in both the US and the UK, I have to say there seems to be a fairly even swap of programming between the two, but that still creates a bit of tunnel vision. I'm going to ramble for a moment... Neither country seems aware of how hard it is to imitate the opposing nation's regional dialects. Defaulting to a stereotypical variation is a common trick used by British actors to mask inconsistencies. Usually it's a (generic) Southern drawl, as the speech patterns are easier to adopt, but in this video it's "Mr. Fabulous" and the "Valley Girl." - Likewise, American actors often resort to what I call "Stage British." This is s direct result of what the US is most often exposed to. Classically, British actors were encouraged to mask their own regional accents with a generic, easy to understand manner of speaking. America had a similar policy of their own. Thankfully, this trend is slowly dying, but that bleached British is usually what American actors attempt to (or are coached to) mimic. Likewise, the bleached American is often attempted across the pond. The truth is, the two countries are very similar. To the untrained ear, most regional accents are lost. It only takes a tiny amount of exposure to sort New York from California, or Ireland from Scotland. But, the ear learns faster than the tongue. At the end of the day, we should all just hang out more.

[@GGMoonish]

And in one instant.... Downton Abbey becomes a comedy

[@downtoncatbey8596]

😹😹😹😹😹 That’s what we turned our cats into.

[@ian_edits_]

I don't know if it's because I'm very comfortable listening to a British accent, so it no longer phases me, but to me, Downton already was partly a comedy. It's definitely the funniest show I've ever watched. Witty jokes and pointed stares get me laughing much more than any classic American comedies I've ever watched tbh.

[@ixlnxs]

Dynasty.

[@vivebien145]

@@ian_edits_ oh actually I do have amazon, i didnt think it'd be there since its a british show but I see it is, thank you 🤲

[@chantalcaraig88]

@@ian_edits_ I was about to say the same thing! I'm bingewatching the series now and I didn't expect the sarcasm, the witty dialogues, the characters and their comedic timing... There are certain scenes that I repeat on loop, because they're hilarious to me

[@NiVi192]

Damn, those three actually nailed their American accents!

[@hellomimibanana]

It has to be the easiest accent tho lmao

[@NiVi192]

@E Ní D Tat depends... I mean, in comparison to what? Because, for some Brits, an Irish accent or an Aussie accent might come a lot more natural. 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@curtiswhiteheadjr1322]

💯 Like Friends 20 years later.

[@lilspring1057]

from different states and eras lol :), but it's still hilarious

[@daniellebelisle4747]

"Mary, who are you wearing?"

[@MrTuskam]

+Danielle Belisle whats means who are you wearing?

[@daniellebelisle4747]

It's a phrase a lot of American interviewers will say at red carpet events when they ask celebrities the designer of their dress. I believe Joan Rivers was the person who coined the phrase. Mostly now asked by Ryan Seacrest at something like the Oscars. Allen was being cheeky here. So great.

[@IReallyMissCybertron]

+max kaz It means that he wanted to know what brand of clothing she is wearing, which is usually the name of a designer (Versace for Donatella Versace, Gucci for Guccio Gucci, Prada for Mario Prada, Dolce & Gabbana for Domenico Dolce & Stefano Gabbana, and so on...) "Who are you wearing?" is a very "Hollywood" way to ask someone rich, famous, or one wearing something that looks really expensive "Who was the designer or what brand is that dress?"

[@MrTuskam]

Noah Bain thx

[@MrTuskam]

I really miss Cybertron... thx nice answer!

[@insertname1857]

"mary, what are you wearing?" 10/10 best line, 101% on rotten tomatoes

[@asperhes]

Except that wasn't the line.

[@erikbarrett85]

It was who are you wearing

[@downtoncatbey8596]

Hahaha 😂

[@SamarKhan-yl3yg]

But what does it really mean though? 'Mary, who you wearing?!'

[@fc4660]

“Mary WHO are you wearing” is a reference to every red carpet interview...they want to know the gown designer’s name ....for our viewers at home who are eagerly awaiting such important information

[@campin_sasquatch7740]

omg Allen! lol he only had 2 lines but he made the whole skit for me XD

[@Diamondelle84]

He did so much with so little. lol

[@willrichardson519]

@@Diamondelle84 skill...

[@MatthewCYN15]

Justice for Tom.

[@anneneville6255]

Does someone knows if that was really in the series

[@ashcross]

Lol at those saying those are not good American accents. They were deliberately using cliched American accents! That was part of the joke. Trust me, if they wanted to fool you with an American accent, without being tongue in cheek, they could do it. There are a number of American actors who can do English/British accents, but I think British actors find it easier to do American accents because (a) they grew up with American movies, in a way many Americans don't grow up with British movies, (b) someone with a RP accent (BBC English / the Queen's English) find it easier to "add" an American accent, whereas Americans find it more difficult to "remove" their accent to sound British RP, (c) British actors tend to be terrifically well-trained and there is an excellent tradition of acting schools and repertory performances that make them very rounded performers, (d) American producers love hiring Brits because they tend to be cheaper and more conforming than some bigger American actors, so British actors get a lot of real-world exposure to American culture and film-making, and (e) Brit actors want to make it in America in ways most American don't want or need to make it big in the UK, so they don't bother to develop a British accent. I would also add that Brits are renowned for their natural acting ability, sense of humour and irony, for playing a role, and for using linguistic skills to say one thing and mean another. As John le Carré said, the English, above all nationalities, make excellent spies. Thus ends my essay.

[@anenglishmanplusamerican7107]

As an English, I approve this message. Good job friend.

[@elizabethnelson10]

Plus, it's way funnier with stereotypical accents :P

[@socalgirl_nyc5423]

Dork

[@ashcross]

@@socalgirl_nyc5423 How eloquent!

[@kaoutermouslimhaliba7145]

" Yeah ,hey guys ,that may be hard to achieve" I went nuts ! 😂😂😂😂

[@downtoncatbey8596]

😹😹😹😹😹⚰️⚰️⚰️

[@MaggieTheCat01]

Me too. I had to pause the video to wait for my laughter to subside. 😁

[@SessmaruKusanagiGaming]

I lost my shit 🤣🤣😂😂😂

[@LesserMoffHootkins]

Brad Pitt in Burn After Reading

[@02mjan]

He sounded like a gay guy calling their BS of a plan 😅 He was like, "Oh no you didn't, girl!" 😅

[@thesenceofmorality]

This scene would have been complete if Hugh had a cigar in his mouth, Michelle had bubblegum and Allen... the latest fashions from Milan.

[@AC_RDR2_Q]

You wouldn’t have bubblegum in the 1920s mate

[@Unownshipper]

Tonight on the Late Show, Colbert interviews Tim Gunn, Hilary Banks, and Fred Flintstone.

[@comic-concon5602]

lol I had to google Tim Gunn but that is spot on

[@jo_verabradleyfan4743]

😂😂😂😂

[@MikeRoberts1964]

More Mr Slate than Fred but otherwise true

[@DazzlingGreenEyes]

I was thinking more Donald Trump but okay...

[@lordlickorice]

🤣😂🤣

[@Earle29]

Michelle Dockery’s laugh when Allen Leech spoke was Golden!!!

[@LavenousForever]

She sounds like Reece Witherspoon!! 😂😂

[@jessicawalton4690]

and hugh sounds like frasier

[@choirkitty]

Hahahaha now that's all I can think of when I hear this! :)

[@getreal1991]

I was going to say Drew Barrymore!

[@NellieKAdaba]

LavenousForever Interesting

[@cheepes3d]

I was thinking the same thing! And Allen sounds Mitchell in Modern Family

[@brookemartin6101]

I also love Michelle's reaction when Allen talks.

[@downtoncatbey8596]

Me too! I’m sure they genuinely love and respect one another.

[@MaggieTheCat01]

She collapsed onto Hugh, both laughing like drains. 😁

[@dmell9456]

Their versions of american accents are hilarious

[@Irisrune]

That is so true! It's cool that they each covered different demographics. XD

[@aberamagold7509]

Not as hilarious (or just plain very bad) as Americans doing/butchering British accents

[@MiceAl487]

wdym "versions" that's what y'all sound like fr lmao

[@spongebobby6027]

Version my ass you mfs sound like that

[@MiceAl487]

@@spongebobby6027 right lmao

[@lisadavis4162]

The last time I took students to Europe, I was walking down a street in London with some of the kids when we passed a British mom walking in the other direction (rather quickly) with her eight year old son. Just as we passed them, he was saying, "But Mummy, I promise I won't do it again!" (Say that with your very best high BBC accent!) I could see that my students were trying hard not to laugh out loud while we were still close. Once we got a bit further down the block, one of the girls said laughingly, "Somehow I didn't think people who sounded like that when they talked COULD misbehave!"

[@Prokomeni]

This should have been a lot a lot longer

[@anirbandutta1091]

Nasa That's what she said

[@20shourya]

that's what she said.

[@fionagregory7936]

yes. It is easier for British people to do a yank accent than the other way round.

[@redsquirrel1086]

@@fionagregory7936 They certainly make it sound easy. From my time living in the UK the Brits are great mimics. They are also self deprecating. They laugh at themselves which is admirable.

[@ryancunningham9291]

Title of your sex tape

[@Nati82]

It's so funny to me how British actors can switch to an American accent and sound perfect yet when American actors try to speak on a British accent they sound like a cartoon! 😜

[@lazyriver53]

They sound perfect???

[@IRISHATLANTIC]

Allen Leech is Irish.

[@buppie2000]

@@IRISHATLANTIC Ummmmm, Irish are British, but not English, am I right? Like the Welsh and the Scots? Northern Ireland, anyway?

[@SadPeterPan1977]

@@buppie2000 You might want to back away slowly from that minefield you've stumbled into...

[@thedrunkenelf]

Because there’s a lot of American media in British lives but out doesn’t really go the other way around. Most Brits have seen friends, seinfeld, Brooklyn 99 etc, not many Americans have seen Miranda or IT crowd or Black Books.

[@sithlordsoup]

Allen sounded like one of the gay dudes from American Dad

[@wife97]

Could he be trying to tell us something?

[@cookiemonstaaaaaa234]

he's mimicking tom ford 😂

[@wife97]

Who is Tom Ford?

[@idkatthispoint4657]

Ma Bee a top designer

[@wife97]

Thanks, my age is showing. I'm also a grandma.

[@joliecide]

The wife and I started binge watching the show last month, and it vastly improved our grammar and diction. True story.

[@kensellar]

I say, that's jolly well marvelous!

[@FelicianoCookie]

I just finished it myself and almost every time I was done with an episode I found myself talking much more properly and phonetically xD

[@oggyreidmore]

Apparently: 1 in 3 Americans is a loud mouth, 1 in 3 Americans is a valley girl, and 1 in 3 Americans is a gay fashionista.

[@danielreckman]

+oggyreidmore when americans do a british accent they make everyone a cockney. Of course they'll go for the most exaggerated accents, they're being funny.

[@fautismus5993]

+oggyreidmore They're exaggerating it and being funny fam. Bet you ten quid your average american won't be able to tell apart a 'Cockney' (Kinda dead tbh. All there is the whole 'neutral' TV ting and whatnot) from a Posh from a Scottie from even an Aussie (And even the fucking Irish, I've seen it myself man). Then you mix in all them Northern accents and all the chavs and even the minuscule regional differences and it's a whole new game.

[@TheZackBriggs]

+Faust Imus I'm American and watch plenty of British television. I can distinguish between Manchester, Scouse, Bristol and Birmingham accents. Not that difficult for me.

[@fautismus5993]

Zack Briggs Keyword here is "average" man. Plus, it really ain't all that impressive in here/for anyone that regularly watches/whatev British media and whatnot. If you can tell the postcode and apartment block/neighbourhood of someone from their accent, then I would be truly amazed. Anyway, I don't like this whole penis measuring contest thing so I'll just shut up man.

[@ryanbinrichard]

+oggyreidmore "1 in 3 Americans is a loud mouth, 1 in 3 Americans is a valley girl, and 1 in 3 Americans is a gay fashionista." The rest of the world congratulates you on finally realising what the global impression is of the American people. Seriously, this comment nails it to a tea.

[@ssprngroll]

he looks like Niall Horan

[@OP-1000]

kiara sandoval . Yes. Yes, he does.

[@AmberDoubleU]

Yes, he’s very hot!!!

[@missisfreddiemercury]

both Irish

[@OP-1000]

I bet they share genes.

[@Emily-vv6sk]

kiara sandoval. OMG I THOUGHT IT WAS NIALL. IY IY IY

[@mymulticolouredyouniverse]

"Mary, who are you wearing?" I can't even XD I'm cry laughing right now XD

[@VideoSaySo]

I didn't see Allan Leech coming with that one! It's amusing until his line, then it just gets hysterical!

[@HaroldDavidsonUS]

All they need to do is talk about freeways and we got ourselves an episode of "The Californians" right here. :)

[@Jluyoungzone]

I think you should go home now Devin

[@jalenlee8912]

+Harold Davidson "Mary, uhh, WUTERRYOUDOIN'HERE!?!?"

[@-Th7-]

+Harold Davidson Hahaha...you're absolutely right man. Good catch :)

[@Yimello]

+Jalen Lee "Get back on San Vicente, take it over to the 10, then switch over to the 405 north and let it dump you out onto Mulholland where you belong!"

[@catsadilla324]

+Harold Davidson Oh, you American! Little do you know that to the rest of the world, you all sound like The Californians.

[@maple1255]

They were all great, really funny. It's great too to see how well they are get along.

[@gabriella280659]

+maple1255 Oh, thank you my friend ! ^_^

[@maple1255]

***** You're welcome, my friend! * - *

[@garbage63]

+maple1255 They are get along many goodlys indeed.

[@maple1255]

☺ ☺

[@carmendagcioglu2751]

maple1255 ii

[@CaraPicone]

I like that they imitate the dumbest American accents they can.

[@CaraPicone]

Ugh, I am ashamed....

[@christophercrowley7574]

Cara Picone well if you watch US TV that's pretty much what the accents sound like , like say yes to the dress for instance we get here in Ireland and they all have OTT accents

[@gandaruvu]

It's the same when most americans will use cockney accent when they were told to do a british accent. The dumbest ones are the most noticeable one, so they're easier to be picked up by people.

[@CaraPicone]

Mitch 99 Gee...thanx...

[@lana1661]

Cara Picone una

[@insertaliashere1379]

Hugh Bonneville has an American accent, but an American accent from the time of Downton Abbey.

[@Thegungus]

It's amazing how a change in the accent of a language such as English can make you sound so much less intelligent at a moments notice.

[@janedoe5836]

+JimJamX Well it's also that she used a "valley girl" accent (not really the standard normal one) and that accent is usually associated with those of less intelligence (usually one would picture a sorority girl sounding like that).

[@ddha0000]

+JimJamX so, is they why they all appear dumb in the republican debates.

[@sergeantbigmac]

+JimJamX IDK if they sound less intelligent, or if its just that everyone with an English accent immediately sounds more intelligent.

[@greeg7ify]

+sergeantbigmac you realise by what your saying, either way they would sound less intelligent speaking with American accents?

[@sergeantbigmac]

greeg7ify Yes, that was sort of the joke. Sorry I wasnt more obvious.

[@donaldoconner]

It's funny how some British celebrities do a generic American accent, and some of them do a specific dialect. (Valley girl, southern, etc.)

[@Divaliciousbeauty123]

Crafty Ship I think that’s exactly it

[@elsalemony8445]

@Rachel P I'm from Cornwall (well actually Devon but close enough) and I've never heard of this before, it sounds interesting! I'd love to hear the slightly Americanised version of our accents! What island is this?

[@neildennis7294]

Southern accents are super easy for Brits...hell, look at Gone with the Wind where most of the cast were British.

[@EllieC130]

Michelle Dockery goes full valley girl I love it

[@sssophie9292]

That's the one we hear the most, I guess. Over here in England 😜 So funny though, she vamped it up

[@EllieC130]

Sssophie lol I'm English too. Represent.

[@sssophie9292]

I feel like only a virtual fist bump is what is required of us now. *extends out fist*

[@sssophie9292]

Yeah, that's probably true. Of course, we know accents are more diverse, but say, I could probably only pick out 5 or 6 different American accents and there's bound to be, what 100? Just too subtle for us 😛

[@sssophie9292]

Anglophile? yeah it *is* a little annoying hearing the Cockney accent, but what you gonna do 😛

[@Raydog07]

That's what makes Downton so appealing. I love the accents, the countryside, the afternoon tea, the outfits, amazing ❤

[@ttanizawa901]

Interesting to note the choice their accents and what that means as far as their impressions of Americans. Hers sounds like a whiney valley girl, Hugh's sounds like a gruff dad and Allen Leech's sounds oddly whiney and feminine.

[@MrProgrampro]

+Cucha Racha More likely they're just trying to be funny.

[@lukedodd2993]

+Cucha Racha +MrProgrampro Or they are just using an American accent that goes with the lines.

[@sergeantbigmac]

+Cucha Racha True, its always interesting to see which accent a foreigner picks when they do an American accent. Says a bit about the person IMO.

[@EddieFivespeed]

+Cucha Racha Yeah, the dumb dad, gay son, and the spoiled daughter...'merica.

[@petermaag9622]

+sergeantbigmac mh no

[@nattcattt]

Apparently Allen can only do an American accent if he's also doing a Tim Gunn impression! lol

[@thenightporter]

Oh yes, he absolutely sounds like Tim Gunn. 😂😂😂😂

[@barbarabaldwin7120]

IT WORKS !!!!TIM G.. IS A KIND SOUL

[@adad-ec6ht]

oh please all American accents sound same

[@DeepSeas..]

@@adad-ec6ht don’t be ignorant. There are at least Midwestern, Wisconsinite, Southern, Massachusetts, Brooklyn, Valley Girl, and generic (non-regional) American accents. I’m sure there are more but those are the most easily distinguishable ones

[@adad-ec6ht]

@@DeepSeas.. everyone knows that...It was not meant to be taken literally.

[@stella-bp8od]

maybe it's just the expressions they're making, but has anyone noticed that when british people do american accents, they make slightly harsher/scrunched up faces, and when american people do british accents, they sort of raise their eyebrows and make their face kind of smoother? idk, just me?

[@superbucko8640]

American vowels are more narrow than British ones. You have to arch the roof of your mouth for British vowels

[@downtoncatbey8596]

Haha interesting observation! 😹

[@mbs811]

@@superbucko8640 whoooooaaaas so true

[@rainbowruler6453]

Love this comment.

[@heidibower2538]

You ah quite right dahling!

[@ohnonialler5867]

PBS presents a all new show: the real housewives of Downesty

[@deliriumdarko]

I watch this video a lot and it never gets old. Downton was such a serious show so it's great to see the cast being so silly.

[@amylydiad]

Teehee... It never gets old. I mean... Hugh Bonnievale's "American" is still awfully posh, but this is still gold. It was an absolutely splendid idea.

[@jenniferggreer457]

and now finally, A MOVIE!

[@AndreggvilJammer]

"mary, who are you wearing?" tim gunn is that you

[@downtoncatbey8596]

I love Tim Gunn!!!

[@BeccaLovesSRK]

I cannot believe that voice is coming out of Allen's face. It just sounds so wrong.

[@shevetlevi2821]

Love it, and very timely. We just finished binge watching Downton Abbey, including the movie. Hugh sounds a bit like Judge Smeels on Caddyshack.

[@supernovakovaa]

1:49 Allen looks so proud of himself that he did such a good accent it's so cute

[@511dydy]

That thing is hilarious. These are very good actors

[@anonymoususer5936]

lol american-accent Downton Abbey sounds like Schitt's Creek 😂

[@jamesrobiscoe1174]

This was so enjoyable. You guys are fantastic to transform so quickly not just accents but values. Brava-o!

[@mmitch27]

Possibly the best thing I've ever seen

[@MrDcseltzer]

Hugh would make a great starship captain on Star Trek

[@downtoncatbey8596]

Haha yes! I didn’t think about that.

[@bra-balllegend3940]

Or engineer? He could stand in for Colm Meaney (STNG) without anyone noticing.

[@Tmanaz480]

Omg...I want to see that.

[@merindymorgenson3184]

I’m really impressed how well they ditch the British accent and adopt an American accent.

[@lucyluca6602]

There is something I have a hard time wrapping my head around... And coming from a part of the world that is recognized in part for its accent (Quebec), it boggles my mind that I can't understand this : I hear the specific sounds the Brits use in the way they speak. I can easily imitate that. But I have no idea what is so distinctive in the American accent 🤔. I can't seem to be able to hear it. Maybe because I'm used to it... but then again I am used to hearing my own accent and I still know what makes it distinctive... I don't get it. And Brit actors are really good at speaking American. I had no idea, for example, that Hugh Laurie was a Brit.

[@downtoncatbey8596]

They are so talented!

[@lotsavideoful5982]

Yeah no, not even close, these are terrible stereotypical accents which I think is the point. It is comedy after all.

[@TorontoJediMaster]

| think Michelle Dockery seemed to be the best at it of the three.

[@katherinetepper-marsden38]

Only Hugh had a decent accent. The other two were terrible.

[@brookemartin6101]

I love the knowing look Michelle gives Allen at 1:40, and then she bursts into laughter.

[@bennettwaisbren]

As an American, there's something endlessly enjoyable about listening to non-American people attempting to speak with our accent. It's actually pretty fascinating watching for all the nuanced little differences between how each person attempts it: Australian, British, Chinese, Indian... When any of them are good enough at their craft, it's a joy listening to their interpretation of us :)

[@Graanvlok]

Thoughts on Hugh Laurie as House?

[@saysHotdogs]

I find it nearly impossible to tell when it’s done right. The one who can’t do an American accent to save her life is Natalie Dormer. I love her but that yank accent is tough to swallow

[@lindentree6685]

I'm an Australian, and there are very, very few actors who can pull off an Aussie accent. But Kate Winslet in The Dressmaker, and Tom Hiddleston's impression of Chris Hemsworth, are an absolute treat to hear.

[@JRobbySh]

The play I ever saw perfomed by professional actors was Shaw’s “Pigmalion.” Brits grow up in a country acutely aware of differences in. not what we call “accent”but dialect. People living within a few miles of one another would speak very differently.People living in the same area but belonging to different classes would talk differently. Here in the USA the differences are found only regionally. Hence their actors do this sort of thing well, and our actors find it hard to do regional accents well. Most of ours just do not have have trained ears. I think of Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor and Burl Ives in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”. Good actors but the voices are wrong.

[@jenniferggreer457]

i have been watching "Midsomer Murders" for the past few weeks, and every once in a blue moon, there is an "American " character. and usually it is a British actor faking an American accent. Its funny because they do a decent job but you can tell they are REALLY trying hard to fake it. they almost have the stiff jaw that we have when we fake a snobby British accent. they are really almost over enunciating practically every word. lol Thats what i think British and Australian people must say about us when we try to fake their accents. To us we are like "oh yeah, totally, he nailed that Australian accent" to them they probably laugh . lol

[@commodore665]

sounds like scene from Dynasty or Dallas

[@Uioit]

Yes! It's like JR on Dallas talking one of his oil deals. 🤣

[@willrichardson519]

Isn't it die nasty?! Genius suggestion, remake them in posh English?!

[@teerich2011]

I was really thinking they sound more old soap opera-ish.😂

[@papsphaks4408]

Better than 7de laan😉

[@excrono]

Starring Bobby J Crawley.

[@kayafae]

Why is Hugh channeling 1920s transatlantic vibes

[@artdecotimes2942]

Kurt russel as a captain perhaps, 1920 Transatlantic was far more refined and statureous

[@HERGist]

OMG! I was smuckling at Michelle and Hugh's exchange...then Allen chimed in and I completely lost it 😂😂😂 Bravo👏🏽👏🏽 you guys

[@myvalley109]

Oh god, Allen is GREAT. I laughed so hard every time he said something. Love him

[@korneliamckenziemusic1126]

Hugh just turned into a deeper, warmer-voiced Tom Hanks 😂

[@Padfoot8701]

OMW - I love that Michelle went Valley Girl and Robert went Gruff & Angry, and WHATEVER ALLEN IS DOING. This is the BEST.

[@EL-gu8fv]

Love Downton! Just shows how good the actors are, they didn't just adopt the American accent, but the gestures and personalities. Never fails to impress how American actors can adopt upper class British accents too, really impressive. ( this is coming from someone who sounds like Billy Connolly, so.....I guess I have to adopt the famous words of Oscar Wilde. Be yourself- everyone else is taken).

[@anshulmelville1]

please do the exact same with cast members of Game of thrones!!

[@klina7645]

Anshul Melville Good idea!

[@lefinlay]

The Brits should do a better job at an American accent than Dinklage does for an English accent

[@redsquirrel1086]

@@lefinlay I like Peter Dinklage but in common with 99% of Americans he struggles with a British accent. He sounds like he is about to serve tea in the drawing room.

[@Crowleas]

Or, please, NO!!!

[@funkyfranx]

I’m English and I actually thought Peter’s accent was pretty good!

[@loboestepario2424]

At least Hugh Bonneville got right how incredibly LOUD United Statians are.

[@ArmednotTriggered]

Not all of us. Plenty of shy, introverted Americans too.

[@bramleydragon]

Not all of them are loud, I've met many over here visiting Britain who were very pleasant and respectful. And if course, I always make them feel most welcome.

[@nunyabiznez6381]

Most foreigners only hear actors and politicians speak and both of those are loud. Most of the rest of us are not but if you only hear the loud Americans then you will think we are all loud. Just like only Smart Asians move to America so we think all Asians are smart.

[@downtoncatbey8596]

It’s so embarrassing! 😹😹😹😹😅😅😅😅

[@crispinjulius5032]

I’m a “United Statian” and I’M NOT THAT LOUD, PAL!

[@q851230]

I wondered what will John Oliver sounds like in American accents

[@visigothic67]

+q851230 In real life he sounds almost exactly like Snoop Doggy Lion Dude.

[@q851230]

+visigothic67 What is Snoop Doggy Lion Dude????

[@MrYouarethecancer]

+q851230 "It's 2015! I mean come on, dudes!"

[@q851230]

+visigothic67 I'm not from US so I don't understand ,sorry@@

[@ZipplyZane]

+q851230 He's an American rapper and marijuana aficionado Snoop Dog. Originally his stage name was Snoop Doggy Dog (named after the dog in the Peanuts cartoon), and, for a while, he went by Snoop Lion. His real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr., but no one knows him as that. To learn more, here's his Wikipedia article: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snoop_Dogg. To hear what he sounds like, type "Snoop Dog" in the KZbin search box.

[@DowntonAbbeyLife]

Times we needed Elizabeth!!😂😂

[@hellobethel7464]

I don't know how I missed this 4 years ago, but it's hilarious!

[@f.c.laukhard3623]

Yes. But why is it recommended now?

[@downtoncatbey8596]

Right?! I just saw it today and thought the same thing!

[@chasenip2]

OMG! I lost it when Branson came in😂😂😂. If you love Michelle Dockery as much as me, hopefully you have seen Good Behavior. It was only 2 seasons, but it was incredible because of her.

[@downtoncatbey8596]

That was too much!!!! I need to check that out too! Thank you!

[@TheCulturalBomb]

Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy, Daniel-Day Lewis, Damien Lewis, some of the best actors alive, all of them do fantastic American accents. I mean Daniel-Day Lewis in Lincoln and There will be Blood, you cannot criticise his accents a single bit.

[@TrangPakbaby]

Idris Elba does a great American accent as well

[@JudgeJulieLit]

+SWalkerTTU And DDL too in film "Last of the Mohicans."

[@JudgeJulieLit]

+TheCulturalBomb And some of the best British actors dead, epitome Vivien Leigh's perfect American Southern woman accents in Gone With the Wind (where Leslie Howard, perhaps decorously to his university educated Southern aristocrat role, didn't even try) and A Streetcar Named Desire; Maggie Smith's in Night of the Iguana; and Jean Simmons' Midwest US in Elmer Gantry. And Peter Sellers' brilliantly bland Middle American accent as the US president in the film Dr. Strangelove. And the actor who plays the genius American chief surgeon title character of the US tv drama series House. The only flawed assays by British actors at an American accent that I recall are Sean Connery's in The Untouchables (whereas he'd sang persuasively as an Irish buck an Irish ditty in Darby O'Gill), and Emma Samms' attempt to play a Denver Colorado heiress on Dynasty; she had done better on General Hospital playing an English girl. Did Renee Zellweger's accent as Bridget Jones sound British to you British on this thread? Elizabeth McGovern's as the "buccaneer" expatriate American, Lady Cora Crawley on Downton, sounds transitional.

[@RedcoatT]

+JudgeJulieLit Zellweger's British accent was widely praised over here, a lot of people were worried that she would sound wrong in the role but she was spot on. ps: Elizabeth McGovern has lived in the UK for nearly 20 years so its not surprising her accent has a transitional feel.

[@TomRipley7350]

+JudgeJulieLit Renee Zellwegwer was flawless as Jones. I saw it never having heard of her and thought she lived in my town.

[@jillschaefer1360]

"Mary, who you wearing?" I can't 😂Best.Line.Ever.

[@gtg007w]

Haha Lord Grantham sounds like Alec Baldwin

[@DippinSauc]

I lost my shit at 'Hey Guys' 😂

[@jamesmartin9401]

Watch at 0:49 when Allen's face changes as he figures out how he's going to play the scene.

[@eden19966]

Plain boring.

[@piperj4978]

that's a brilliant catch - I see what you are saying - his face totally transforms as it hits his brain what he's going to do, instantaneously. So interesting!

[@keara.ls3]

“Mary, who are you wearing?” 🤣🤣🤣

[@mariabarker2036]

"And... Scene."

[@keara.ls3]

@@mariabarker2036 gets me every time 😂

[@emiperkins]

Was his American Tim Gunn? Because I wholeheartedly approve.

[@mgparis]

+emiperkins You're right!! I knew he reminded me of someone :)

[@VickysStuff]

Oh my gosh, I love Michelle Dockery, she's hilarious! She and Allen have appeared in several comedic skits, and they're both so down to earth and ready to poke fun at their roles :)

[@mariannel753]

this video never fails to make me happy

[@juanitajones6900]

"Downton Abbey" with American accents is called "The Gilded Age".

[@meximoan]

lmfao nice Tim Gunn impression

[@meximoan]

anonymice11 awww i just saw someone poointed it out months before me, i thought i was original

[@wickandde]

This needs to come with death by laughter warning, I nearly choked on my water when Allen spoke

[@downtoncatbey8596]

Right?! Same. They are hilarious.

[@KiwiJane1]

As someone who started out her life with a British accent and now has an American one, I find this hilarious!

[@downtoncatbey8596]

It is sooo good! They are incredible talented! How did you completely switch? That’s so interesting! 😻

[@marianovico4933]

As a Cuban English teacher l would like to highlight that it was a treat to my ears having watched the entire series,my hearing skills were substantially honed,as were my manners and my political debates,the American characters in the series (being also first rate American actors) also displayed a highly educated, appealing American accent hard to come by these days.

[@mxgirl918]

I kept thinking Californians and mafia boss when I heard Hugh Bonneville's read through xD He and Michelle Dockery are from drama school so I think they would know how to do a good range of accents.

[@DerpMuse]

she has a really good cadence with valley girl accents.

[@lexithecab-forwardengine5758]

Especially when Hugh channels his inner Merlin.

[@elizaheathen]

not always, but a lot times when brits do american accents they are total parodies like these. all of my friends in the UK tried to do American accents and sounded like cowboys or valley girls.

[@abi7183]

+moiraine_damodred Lol! and vice versa: when Americans do British accents it's either "alright guv'nor" (cockney), or "tea and crumpets" (posh / upper class)

[@elizaheathen]

abi7183 lmao exactly!

[@Mr0011011]

+moiraine_damodred Yeah, Americans do either try to be the Queen or from Oliver Twist. The only difference is, the American accents Brits try to do are real accents, people speak like valley girls and that strong southern accent. No one says "alright' guv'ner'

[@ddha0000]

+moiraine_damodred what y'all tooting 'bout

[@louisec645]

I am British and I see in American videos people talking about "valley" girls..can someone please tell what the fuck a valley girl is??!!

[@thaylamay3531]

these three are hilarious! and super good at improvising cool accents so bravo :D

[@milagros.carpio]

allen’s american accent was definitely worth the wait 😂