Author Topic: The Office (American version) (Read 75151 times)

myrlas · « **on:** June 10, 2008, 10:46:20 pm »

I thought I might give it a go. I'm pretty concerned it would be impossible to do anything as special and unique as David Brent. If this is a copy - it will surely be worse.

Have anyone seen it?

Is it good?

The G in Gerrard · « **Reply #1 on:** June 10, 2008, 10:50:19 pm »

It is fucking class.... in some ways it highlights a negative of the UK version (in that the story was never developed as much as the American one) and Dwight rules

I want to get them all on box set.....

richmond-red · « **Reply #2 on:** June 10, 2008, 10:54:37 pm »

I was very pleasantly surprised by how well it turned out. Steve Carell (the Ricky Gervais character) and Raine Wilson(Mackenzie Crook character) are very funny.

I think the minor characters in the US version get more screen-time (watch out for one called Creed) and add another level of interest to the show.

Bob Loblaw · « **Reply #3 on:** June 10, 2008, 11:01:54 pm »

Quote from: myrlas on June 10, 2008, 10:46:20 pm

I thought I might give it a go. I'm pretty concerned it would be impossible to do anything as special and unique as David Brent. If this is a copy - it will surely be worse.

Have anyone seen it?

Is it good?

I fucking love it. Watched the first episode and thought it was a disaster, which it is in fairness, but stick with it.

Phil M · « **Reply #4 on:** June 10, 2008, 11:18:48 pm »

I find it hard to get into after the original but am slowly warming to it.

Dowling10 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 10, 2008, 11:23:33 pm »

I have been watching it after Entourage, which is really good and clever wit, if any of you decide to ask! I think The Office (American) is really funny and the kept the same type of comedy as the english one has. Deffinatly worth a watch, not a patch on the English version, that doesn't make it bad though

Degs · « **Reply #6 on:** June 11, 2008, 12:07:11 am »

Totally different to the UK one.

The English one is alot more cringeworthy and "real" than the American one, which is very sitcommy. There is a setup, a delivery, and a payoff.
Not saying that the eAmerican one is bad but it's alot more Del Boy than Basil Fawlty, whichc is good as you can then enjoy both shows.

For me you can't eclipse the horrible reality of David Brent, you KNOW somebody like that EXACTLY like that and he got it spot on. The American version is just an exaggeration of different types of people who you meet taken to it's farthest extent. The Dwight character in the American one for instance is allowed alot more flexibility as he is portrayed as very stupid and gullible whereas Gareth wasn't especially gullible he was just missing out on inside jokes - which is often the way in offices.

Definatley watch the American one, it will make you laugh. But if we're comparing the two there's no competition. The American one has been rounded down at the edges to suit an American audience who can't deal with things being "too real".

CarraIsBoss · « **Reply #7 on:** June 11, 2008, 12:13:41 am »

The Office is my favourite tv show ever and for that reason I have swerved way from the US version. I don't like the idea of the concept of the UK Office being ruined.

However, I caught an episode of the US one last night on sky and it wasn't all that bad. I might invest in the first series box-set one day.

barnseysbarmyarmy · « **Reply #8 on:** June 11, 2008, 05:39:59 am »

Its hilarious and Steve Carell is great. If there ever was a case study on the differences of American and British humour the difference in style between these two would be it.

kavah · « **Reply #9 on:** June 11, 2008, 07:20:49 am »

Steve Carell is very good
- the stories romances etc have developed a lot compared the uk version.

Carell's "non-fling" with his boss is a good example, when he tells all the regional managers she's his girlfriend, just before she is about to decide which branches will close

reniformis · « **Reply #10 on:** June 11, 2008, 07:55:27 am »

Quote from: kavah on June 11, 2008, 07:20:49 am

Steve Carell is very good
- the stories romances etc have developed a lot compared the uk version.

Carell's "non-fling" with his boss is a good example, when he tells all the regional managers she's his girlfriend, just before she is about to decide which branches will close

Only caught a couple of episodes but does look way funnier than most US comedies. Think that was one of them. Conversation with his boss went along the lines of:

"Can we keep the conversation business-related please?"
"Sure. That's a nice perfume you're wearing"
"How is that business-related?"
"Because you're wearing it in my office". Made me laugh anyways.

And that episode where he managed to trap and burn his foot in a George Foreman Grill and had to walk into work with a load of bubblewrap as a sock was class.

Hazell · « **Reply #11 on:** June 11, 2008, 08:07:16 am »

I like it. Not as good as the UK one (my favourite sitcom) but Steve Carell is ilarious and has good support too. The only character I can't get into is Dwight - he seems like a caricature.

ben · « **Reply #12 on:** June 11, 2008, 09:07:24 am »

the first series where it's basically word for word with the english version is shit. you just can't help but compare it and think it's a less funny version.

after that, when the stroy line goes in it's own direction, there's an arguement to say that it's actually better than the gervais version. it's absolutely brilliant. carell is a legend and the 'pam and jim' love story is excellently done.

supoib.

mjgill85 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 11, 2008, 09:35:26 am »

Avoid the first episode and don't judge the first series (6 episodes) too much. Once it gets going in it's own right in the 2nd and 3rd series it's absolutely brilliant.

More of a 'traditional' sitcom than the UK version, which IMO makes it more watchable.

Jimmy Conway · « **Reply #14 on:** June 11, 2008, 11:56:18 am »

As everyone keeps saying, 1st series will disappoint you as you ended up drawing comparisons with UK one. Stick with it though.
Its now is series 4 and more like a sitcom than mockumentary.

PS I love Pam!

Craigeth · « **Reply #15 on:** June 11, 2008, 12:00:24 pm »

This is a million times better than the english one.

Dwight Schrute is one of the funniest characters on tele!

Jim shouldnt have finished with that fit bird for pam though

Jimmy Conway · « **Reply #16 on:** June 11, 2008, 12:11:56 pm »

Quote from: Craigeth on June 11, 2008, 12:00:24 pm

This is a million times better than the english one.

Dwight Schrute is one of the funniest characters on tele!

Jim shouldnt have finished with that fit bird for pam though

What? Pam is amazing!

kavah · « **Reply #17 on:** June 11, 2008, 12:19:27 pm »

the minor characters have really developed, I like Creed:

I'm not offended by homosexuality. In the 60's, I made love to many, many women. Often outdoors... in the mud and the rain. And it's possible a man slipped in. There would be no way of knowing.

(some great quotes on imdb)

TheKid. · « **Reply #18 on:** June 11, 2008, 12:33:56 pm »

absolutely love it, far more than the uk version! Oh and pam is amazing, check her out in Blades of Glory, oh wow

Craigeth · « **Reply #19 on:** June 11, 2008, 12:35:45 pm »

Andy is funny when he goes mental and punches the wall.

One of the best moments dwight pretending to cry sayin he misses jim so much because he moved branches then just "FALSE"

Roblaar · « **Reply #20 on:** June 11, 2008, 12:41:53 pm »

It's absolutely brilliant, hence my avatar.

It's major flaw is that the first season is basically a remake of the uk version, so comparisons are very easy to make and the US version doesn't necessarily compare well.

From the second season onwards it takes on it's on life and is fantastically funny.

To truely enjoy it though you need to watch in order, including season one.

Dan86 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 11, 2008, 01:01:11 pm »

I was really sceptical when I heard they were doing an American Office but think it's brilliant now. Loads more episodes so the characters & relationships are far more developed and Steve Carrel has done a great job not trying to be too Brentesque but still very funny.

Dwight is superb, frighteningly creepy on occasions but still likeable. Still not seen a character as good as Chris Finch though. The pub quiz episode in the original Office is the best by a mile.

Brian Blessed · « **Reply #22 on:** June 11, 2008, 02:06:37 pm »

It's good, but it's major flaw is too soap opera drama. But they have toi fill all those episodes somehow.

Rhaegar21 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 11, 2008, 06:18:06 pm »

Its very good, but not as good as the british one. But then again, I consider the British one perhaps the greatest TV series ever made. Its just so real.

myrlas · « **Reply #24 on:** June 12, 2008, 04:39:58 pm »

It's getting A LOT better.

Loved the sith lord scene with dwight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGNCOn0QS44

constipatinator · « **Reply #25 on:** June 12, 2008, 08:52:46 pm »

Quote from: myrlas on June 12, 2008, 04:39:58 pm

It's getting A LOT better.

Loved the sith lord scene with dwight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGNCOn0QS44

"And i misspelled, in front of the entire school, the word failure."

fudge · « **Reply #26 on:** June 12, 2008, 09:52:37 pm »

The one last week where Dwight was going nuts with the pepper spray was class

Okkervil · « **Reply #27 on:** June 12, 2008, 10:11:46 pm »

Really love the American version. Its a completely different entity to the UK version, and has more of a traditional sitcom style about it. Great script, charactors and relationships. Its just excellent.

Oingy Boingy · « **Reply #28 on:** June 13, 2008, 02:59:52 am »

what channel is it on in the uk

TheKid. · « **Reply #29 on:** June 13, 2008, 08:41:50 am »

one of the bbc channels on freeview, maybe more on sky, not sure tho. Catch it if you can tho, i need to try and find some recent episodes, haven't watched it since the writers strike

Okkervil · « **Reply #30 on:** June 13, 2008, 05:12:10 pm »

Quote from: wearthefoxhat on June 13, 2008, 02:59:52 am

what channel is it on in the uk

ITV2

constipatinator · « **Reply #31 on:** June 13, 2008, 09:58:08 pm »

It's on Paramount 2 as well sometimes. There is an episode on tonight at 11:20 I think.

Degs · « **Reply #32 on:** June 13, 2008, 10:27:47 pm »

That's what she said

kavah · « **Reply #33 on:** June 14, 2008, 12:12:12 am »

Quote from: Degs on June 13, 2008, 10:27:47 pm

That's what she said

"I''m the king of the world"

Uhoh AureliOs · « **Reply #34 on:** June 14, 2008, 09:20:02 am »

Michael Scott is a different character to David Brent.

Michael Scott is almost comparable to a child that never grew up and turns out to be a very lonely man, motivated out of desperation to be liked but is socially inept.

David Brent is a slimey, sleezy character who is simply concerned with himself, how he appears to others and is motivated by greed and self promotion.

There's quite a difference between the two. But I like both in their own way, Series 1 of the US office is poor in comparison to the rest of the season - the writers and to some extent Steve Carrel, had their hands tied with trying to mimic the uk series, but in series 2 they started to make their own way.

Look at Michael Scotts hair in season 1 - it's like David Brents, slicked back. In season 2 (and 3 and 4) it's parted to the side, and kind of signals that change from trying to imitate to trying create something fresh.

Jimmy Conway · « **Reply #35 on:** June 14, 2008, 10:21:41 am »

Quote from: Uhoh AureliOs on June 14, 2008, 09:20:02 am

Look at Michael Scotts hair in season 1 - it's like David Brents, slicked back. In season 2 (and 3 and 4) it's parted to the side, and kind of signals that change from trying to imitate to trying create something fresh.

Anyone else think Carrel's had hair implants? He looks pretty thin on top in series 1. He's also lost a lot of weight since series 1.

myrlas · « **Reply #36 on:** June 15, 2008, 10:00:21 pm »

Another classic scene;

At the end of the christmas party episode when meredith reveals her breasts to Michael. That reaction was priceless!!!

lachesis · « **Reply #37 on:** June 16, 2008, 09:08:53 am »

Only caught two episodes last night. The George Foreman grill one and the Booze Cruise one.

Some of it is genius like when

? went to pick the boss up form his home because of his foot, rapped his car then puked on the back window, then the boss comes in and lies in his office with a quilt round him. Hilarious.

There seems to be a lot more interaction from the other people in the office, each with their own little backstory and able to contribute more rather than just waiting for the entrance of the boss.

Agree it shows the difference between then US/UK comedy market but I'm desparate to see more now - the spray which tasted like chicken was inspired and where he was in the 'brig' for saying the boat was sinking, lol.

"..what was with the guy jumping overboard? If he had waited for 5 minutes and let me finish......"

hooded claw · « **Reply #38 on:** June 16, 2008, 09:16:57 am »

Quote from: Okkervil on June 12, 2008, 10:11:46 pm

Really love the American version. Its a completely different entity to the UK version, and has more of a traditional sitcom style about it. Great script, charactors and relationships. Its just excellent.

I've only seen the first two series but you're right, after the heavy involvement of Gervais and Merchant at the start it has begun to find its own feet and now it's a strong contender in its own right. Excellent script, strong characters, and some great running storylines. The fallout from Michael's encounter with his boss is brilliantly done because it's juts so awkward and funny and sad and believable. I don't rate it higher than the original but by now it's its own creature.

-HH- · « **Reply #39 on:** June 16, 2008, 12:55:34 pm »

I can't bring myself to watch it. I love the UK version too much.