I hesitate to generalize American TV as 'simple' or 'dumbed down' compared to British offerings, especially as both cultures have generated items that can be classified as 'simple' and 'clever'. For every game show masquerading as a reality programme, there's a witty comedy that survives the test of time. With that said, there's a subtle sequence in the British version that plays out on a more basic level in the American version. Due to the timing of the appearance of the American version, being only the second episode in the series, it has to play out on a more basic level because the characters have yet to be defined in the audience's mind. As this has been accomplished in 'Steptoe', they can proceed in a different manner. Both mean to achieve the same goal at the end.
In the American version, Fred announces he's going to bed. Lamont stops him in order to give him his present; the teasing that the birthday has been forgotten is over. In a good-natured way Fred chides him for messing with him and together they relish the gag. Lamont watches as Fred opens the present, a stylish gray hat. Fred is happy to get it and Lamont is clearly pleased he's chosen correctly, enthusiastically dragging his father to a nearby mirror to try it on. It's a boy seeking to please his father and succeeding. Any conflict here is due to Fred's smart mouth but he's clearly joking and Lamont can take it as such.
In the British version, Albert announces he's going to bed. Harold stops him, holds out the present, and says 'Happy Birthday.' Albert snatches it, snapping verbally with frustration. Harold laughs, enjoying every moment, noting how he couldn't wait to see his face. Albert does not join in with the merriment. This is big change number one: since Lamont didn't give his father a hard time for a long time, Fred could bounce back quickly to appreciate the humor in the situation. Harold wound his father up too far and it's not funny to Albert. Since the British audience expects this sort of thing from the pair, it's still funny to them.
Harold is keen for his father to open the present, encouraging him to do so, but then turns away. He was keen to see his father's expression after his joke was revealed but then doesn't watch his expression upon opening the present. This would appear to be a 'guy thing' moment. It's one thing to watch your buddy as a joke is played on him, but a moment of real emotion is awkward and not for sharing. The opening of the card that occurs after the present is dealt with also supports this theory.
Harold's turning away allows for a subtle moment. Upon opening the present and finding a pair of nice gloves inside, Albert is clearly pleased, for all of a second. He quickly puts the mask on and expresses indifference to the gloves. Why? This is his chance to get Harold back. Had Harold been watching him, this wouldn't have been possible as he would have seen the glee. Harold becomes defensive of his present, pointing out the quality and helping his father try them on. Albert doesn't give his son the hard time he received. He soon agrees that the gloves are nice and need to be kept for best, just as Fred and Lamont agree that the hat should be treated.
Both sons have also gotten their father a card with a 'mushy' poem inside. Both fathers are keen to receive the card, happier about the card than the present, not that they don't like the present but the card would have been enough. Both decide to read the card aloud.
This is where Albert does the 'glasses' gag that Fred does during the phone call to Social Security. Interestingly enough, the glasses seem to help Fred whereas Albert reads the card more clearly once he's taken the glasses back off. As Albert reads the card, Harold turns away embarrassed. Albert is touched by the sentiment expressed, and Harold tries to play it off as a bit corny but true. Albert goes to put it with all the other cards Harold's given him over the years, and the cards he and his late wife exchanged, and Harold's school reports as well as his letters to Father Christmas. While this goes to support Albert's character as a pack rat, he often wants to keep the junk they bring in rather than sell it, it's also a moment that supports the relationship he has with his son. They may argue, they may give each other a difficult time, but, at the centre of it is love. By the end of his sequence, seeing Harold wanting his father to enjoy his gift and Albert near tears at the card, the audience is reassured that they care for each other.
On the other hand, Fred doesn't repeat the 'glasses' gag, but calls back to it by retrieving a pair from his sweater in order to read the card aloud. Lamont is uncomfortable and continues to interrupt his father's attempts to read it. While the emotion is still manifest, it occurs like shtick, like a Abbott and Costello or Hope and Crosby routine. Lamont also doesn't watch his father read the card, only looking at him when Fred turns halfway through to smile at him. Lamont also tries to play off Fred's positive reaction to the card by noting it was 'corny' but this offends Fred. This is where they do most of their arguing, not over the pretend forgetting, not over the pretending to not like the present, but over the emotion in the card. To Fred, Lamont calling it 'corny' and 'mushy' means he doesn't agree with all those nice words. Once Lamont has become defensive enough about it, Fred defuses the situation by noting his new hat is the best he's ever owned. Lamont can then relax and move on. As in the British version, it's clear they care about each other. Lamont wants his father to enjoy the present, Fred enjoys the present. Even though they argue, there are signs that they want each other to be happy.
In both versions, the son now announces to the father that this is only part of the present, that there is also a night on the town planned. It is important that both versions have established that Father and Son can get along and do love one another because it's all down hill from here.
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