The Office
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- JerseyRaindog0
I prefer the US version myself. The first season was the same as the two series that ran in the UK and was ok, but since then I think they've really developed it. I find both utterly cringeworthy though.
- mikotondria30
fuck this cultural relativism, the english one is far and away the best thing to be written in years.
- i figured this would be a subjective thing but obviously i'm wrong.airey
- Point50
Like I said, I've never seen either version before, but these UK clips you guys posted on here are hilarious.
- megE0
I watched the first season of the British version first and hated it. I found it really awkward, didn't like the format, and didn't connect with any of the characters. It turned me off so much I didn't watch the American version on TV until season 3.
Now I adore it. It's one of my favorite shows and I've gone back and watched every American season. I like the clips posted above. I laugh... I connect much more with the American characters though
- pascii0
you just can't compare. they're like a petting zoo and a dark room
- Stugoo0
Maybe I need to go back to this.
could not get the UK version at all, but liked the US version... I think I was expecting too much before... its been a couple of years so lets see if it works./me goes and digs out the office
who mentioned extras? Season 1 was good, season 2 failed so hard that I didnt want to see season 3. Recommends?
- BaskerviIle0
The Office (UK version) came onto tv on BBC2 in and didn't get very high ratings at first. It appear on tv at a time when there were a lot of 'docu-soaps' on (programs where they follow real people around documentary style).
The Office looked exactly like one of those programs and at first people genuinely thought it was a real documentary, everything about the shooting style, cutaways to boring office quietness etc was perfect.The reason it worked so well was because it was all made up of everyday things that really would happen in an office. The characters really are like people you might now and work with, unlike most other characters on tv who are caricatures of people.
For me David Brent develops amazingly over the two series and the christmas specials, he's annoying and an idiot but by the end you realise that he's actually an alright kind of guy, and you feel sympathy for him, for his loneliness. The show goes a bit deeper than most comedies.
The american version by comparison to me is started off as a like-for-like conversion but has now turned into just another sitcom, it lacks the believability, steve carrell is too 'wacky' and annoying but not in a realistic way. It just lacks the realistic grit.
- chossy0
There's been a rape up stairs.
- calcium0
I saw the UK version before the US version, and although I will watch the US version when it is on, it does not even hold a candle to the original.
For one the original Office was a story. It has a beginning, a middle, and an end. This US version is going to go on seemingly forever.
David Brent is way better than Michael Scott, and it's simple why. David Brent was likable and believable. He was over the top at times but still remained human and believable. Michael Scott is a character that is hard to believe. I watch and wonder "What will that over the top whacky boss do next!"
Also, count the number of times in an episode or season that the whole office is summoned (usually to the conference room) so he could give his knee slapping take on the episodes theme. And then cue Stanley not giving a shit, Jim making a reference that goes over Michael's head, and Dwight chiming in with his support of Michael.
Good for the US version though, making Ricky Gervais that money.
- Gordy220
The UK Office is quite simply one of the best comedies ever.
- it really is.showpony
- totally. Its a perfect comedy/tragedy blend.mikotondria3
- kgvs720
I like both but I lean towards the American version as funnier because of Steve Carell.
- ********0
I first watched the UK version a few years ago, before the US one existed. The awkwardness was great, but what really got me was how awful everyone's lives were. Utterly depressing. I had been thinking of quitting my shitty job, but was afraid to go out on my own with freelance. I think the timing was just right, and this show pushed me over the edge. I couldn't handle that office environment any longer. Before I had even finished the series, I left my job. I haven't had a 9 to 5 since. And for that, the UK will always be better to me.I don't think the US one could inspire in that way, but I still watch it. Although season 4 contained almost no humor at all, except for the episode at Michael & Jan's place. Skip that season.
Also, Jim and Pam need to break up. They producers have destroyed most of the tension of the show. Oh, and the writers need to stop stealing all their jokes from the internet.
- ********0
I first watched the UK version a few years ago, before the US one existed. The awkwardness was great, but what really got me was how awful everyone's lives were. Utterly depressing. I had been thinking of quitting my shitty job, but was afraid to go out on my own with freelance. I think the timing was just right, and this show pushed me over the edge. I couldn't handle that office environment any longer. Before I had even finished the series, I left my job. I haven't had a 9 to 5 since. And for that, the UK will always be better to me.I don't think the US one could inspire in that way, but I still watch it. Although season 4 contained almost no humor at all, except for the episode at Michael & Jan's place. Skip that season.
Also, Jim and Pam need to break up. They producers have destroyed most of the tension of the show. Oh, and the writers need to stop stealing all their jokes from the internet.
- Meeklo0
I have the same problem with Steve Carell, I like him in other stuff, but I can't stand him in the office, so I don't really watch that show.Adult Swim is playing the original show on friday nights, so I set it to tivo, I only watched one episode and I thought it was pretty funny.
- watch it over and over and over, and it will reveal all its glorius details and you'll love it forever.mikotondria3
- 7point340
i've never seen the UK office.
i like the us version. some of it is really funny, and some of it is glaringly uncomfortable. some of the stuff that is meant to be funny is so awkward it makes me cringe. i don't find that amusing really.
one thing i do notice about the us version is as crazy as michael scott is they try very hard to make him a sympathetic character. a lot of the episodes end with him learning some actually lesson or showing some glimmer of humanity. i assume that is the main difference between the shows. the us version attempts to inject sympathy and likability into most of the main characters (hence jim and pam) whereas the impression i get of the uk version is that you are just supposed to be disgusted by everyone.
i guess that would make the us version appear more soft or unbalanced in comparison.
- If you think the US version is awkward, watch the UK version!********
- If you think the US version is awkward, watch the UK version!