Quote: Martin Holmes @ March 18, 2008, 2:58 PMYou can totally separate it from the British version and is quite possibly the funnier of the two..?
You're going to draw some serious shit for that, but I for one am with you.
The Office: An American Workplace Page 6
I would agree. I liked the British version and really appreciated its originality but I love the US version and can't say I have enjoyed an American comedy so much since Scrubs.
Quote: Martin Holmes @ March 18, 2008, 2:58 PMI've recently watched both DVD sets of Season 2 and 3, absolutely love it. You can totally separate it from the British version and is quite possibly the funnier of the two..?
I'm surprised to hear that. IMO there is no way that Michael is as funny as David Brent. I do like Jim but Tim was superior too.
I do enjoy the US Office and there is simply more to enjoy as there is more episodes. I like the relationship between Dwight and the uptight blonde, but the whole Pam/jim relationship drags a bit. See how to give that storyline more legs they just set Jim up in the same situation in Stanford?
As I say, I like the US Office, its one of my favourites along with 30 Rock, Arrested D and (lesser) Curb. But the original is the best IMO as it was just so well done and nothing was wasted or repeated.
I have to say the US Office is the best remake ever though?
I do really like the original Office, it's great, has good characters and is genuinely funny. Too much of the cringe-humour though, which at the time didn't seem so bad, but now that Gervais has proven that's all he can do it taints it a bit.
I think the characters are much more likable in The Office US, definitely have more depth to them. For example Michael Scott is much more rounded than David Brent, Michael is not totally incompetent, as is shown he is a great salesman but he just isn't a great boss...also you really do get his fear of loneliness which is explored as the series goes on.
Also the Jim/Pam relationship I think is handled better than Tim/Dawn (which again was great, I'm not knocking that). But I think the Jim/Pam is more fresh, with Jim moving branch and dating Karen and Pam actually dumping her boyfriend, then Pam finally getting the courage to spill all her feelings. But that isn't the best relationship on the show, Dwight/Angela and Michael/Jan are much better, funnier and more complex.
But the good thing is, none of them are giving major prominence, they never totally dominate the show and the fact that so many of the 'background' characters become brilliant characters in themselves from Season 1 to Season 3 is truly great. I mean the original Office just lacked a fantastically funny character like Creed or an Andy.
Also Dwight is one of the greatest sitcom characters around at the minute, he takes the role of the Gareth character but you would never really think to compare the two now. Dwight is much more 'involved' and played amazingly by Raiin Wilson.
I think it could possibly be not only the first US remake of a British sitcom to actually be any good, but also to be better than the original.
I mean how could anyone not love this bit with Andy and Jim. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iLdKHtDBr4
Great post Martin that's exactly how I feel about the show. Couldn't have said it better myself.
Quote: ContainsNuts @ March 18, 2008, 5:06 PMI'm surprised to hear that. IMO there is no way that Michael is as funny as David Brent. I do like Jim but Tim was superior too.
I have to bring this up because it is the biggest problem I find for North Americans and is they just don't get that David Brent is full of shit like they can with Michael. With his smooth voice and British accent they just don't get the guy is actually an idiot. While it's funny for people like me who watch a lot of British comedy it isn't for the person who doesn't hear the accent regularly.
I don't know whether it's a one off occurrence, but The Office is actually on at a decent time this Thursday (well, before midnight).
I simply cannot believe that. why on earth would itv2 schedule pretty much the funniest show on television at a reasonable hour? it just doesn't make sense.
If they can't be arsed showing it, they should hand it over to ITV4 to show.
It's the same with entourage, two great shows that get shunted all over the place. it seriously makes me wonder about the people who are working at the higher management levels of television. although, having said that, it does give me hope for succeeding in the industry.
I've just been watching this (all of season two almost) over the w/e. I've never, ever, *ever* watched ten episodes of a sitcom in a single day like I did on Saturday. It is so *easy* to watch and brilliant with it.
Absolutely agree with the above that the Jim/Pam thing has been better handled that the Tim/Dawn thing. It's less obvious and they seem to have much more fun annoying Dwight; something Tim and Dawn didn't do enough of. This element of it has come into it's own. Awesome -- one of the best sitcoms ever, I reckon.
Dan
Dan,
You can just loose hours cant you! I bought the DVDs of all the episodes and got through 3 whole seasons in a few days!
The UK one is brilliant but its a VERY different show...for pure fun the US Office is unbeatable. Mainly because Micheal Scott is just a lovable fool as opposed to Brent who was just a fool.
It's very funny, so is the UK one.
I think they're similar in the same 'you still feel sorry for them' way but Michael's back story seems completely miserable and all he wants are some friends/people to like him. It's very clever how you still feel sorry for him even though you think he's a bit of a twat.
Awesome show though. Truly brilliant.
Dan
I think this is being repeated on ITV2 at about 7:30 each night.
Quote: chipolata @ July 14 2008, 12:31 PM BSTI think this is being repeated on ITV2 at about 7:30 each night.
That's earlier than when it was originally shown.