Who saw the Office?

[2099net]

I'm wondering what people thought of it, especially if they are already familiar with the UK version.

There's a good article about the office here:
NBC's 'Office' is workplace lite

The closing paragraph caught my eye:

One cherished the moments of human connection and humor in the original because they seemed a triumph in the face of such darkness. But network television can't - or won't - handle that kind of reality, especially when it involves the corporate workplace.

I'm just wondering what people think about this? Is the original Office to "dark" for American TV?

[Luke]

I wanted to see it and the original, especially after reading the New York Times' take on the American version. They essentially called it the greatest show on TV, even if it paled in comparison to the UK.

But then some usually-reliable critics like the poster above me claim UK's "The Office" isn't all that good.

[orestes.]

Well I've heard some people think the original British version is bleak and depressing. In fact I see a lot of comments made about British shows like that but I don't really see it.

I've seen the original version of 'The Office' but I haven't seen more than three episodes... two actual full ones and I really enjoy the show and I would love to see more.

I saw the Americanised version of 'The Office' last night and while I did enjoy it I didn't think it was good as the original judging from the first episode. However I still enjoy it more than most American sitcoms today. I'm tired of the laugh tracks they use and I'm sort of tired about sitcoms based on families.

For sitcoms these days my favourites that are currently running are 'Corner Gas', 'Trailer Park Boys', 'Arrested Development', 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' and 'That 70's Show'. Only one of those shows has a laugh track. The last two shows of that list I don't see that often anymore either.

Anyways I'll try and watch more episodes but it's moving to Tuesdays and Tuesdays are suddenly packed with both 'Smallville' and 'Doctor Who' on at 8 and 'Amazing Race' and 'The Office' on at 9.... well The Office is on at 9:30.

[2099net]

Well, I don't like the Office, but I can agree that the UK version is a well made series, with good scripts and acting.

I'm curious about how the US version will work out. In all honestly, while I don't dislike "black" comedy (I adore Nighty Night, with a main character who is having an affair while her husband in hospital recovering from cancer - and she still lets him think he's dying), but I find the Office to be a little to close to reality. Nighty Night is funny, because the woman is so nasty and unlikeable, that it's clearly all over the top. The Office is hard to watch, as its all so real.

So I don't really like it.

However, if they have "softened" it a bit for America, I may actually find it better.

I've always be curious about what happened to the US version of Coupling. Was it really that bad? Did anyone who saw the UK version see the US version, and what did they think?

[Disney Guru]

I saw the origional, it was ok.

[Mr. Toad]

I am not sure it is too dark for american TV but US networks always dumb down good British product - see Cracker and Men Behaving Badly. Then they wonder why no ones watches.

[littlefuzzy]

I saw The Office today, and I was flipping channels before it finished...

I haven't seen the original, and now I'm not sure if I want to...

[JiminyCrick91]

this very very funny show is (the USA version with Steve Carrell) is coming to dvd August 16th 2005.The cover is here...
http://www.dvdanswers.com/index.php?r=0 ... &n=1&burl=

[TM2-Megatron]

I own the BBC version of the Office on DVD, and find it hilarious. The American version is allright, but it doesn't compare to the original.

[snowhite8]

I also own the UK version, and I have to admit, I really like it. Of course, I have always enjoyed the offbeat comedies from Britain. I used to watch shows like Drop the Dead Donkey, Are You Being Served, The Young Ones, Absolutely Fabulous...etc... So I am kinda what you would call a BBC dork. But if you go into The Office open minded, you're sure to laugh.

I always thought of the Drew Carey show as a sort of British comedy that just happened to be made in America

[JiminyCrick91]

Well it has been nearily a year since this wonderfull show started and I wondered what you all think now that 19 shows have aried and not just 1-6.

[RJKD23]

I think it's funny! Even though it's stupid funny. Plus, I like how it shows right after Earl!

Now it makes me wonder how much funnier the BBC version is...

[lord-of-sith]

I think it really is funny! The jokes aren't tried to hard, which I like, and I feel like I'm the only one laughing. Like last night, when Michael told Pam "You should wear your hair down like that all the time, it's more sexy" or something like that, I thought that was hilarious! I know, I have a strange sense of humor.

[Luke]

I've only seen two episodes, but I must admit I like it a lot. With the Golden Globe award and a $100 million-grossing film's leading man in the cast, let's hope it doesn't get cancelled quickly the way most good things seem to.

[yankees]

i have the dvds of BBCs the Office...

The one from England is alot funnier...but The american version is very funny also.

I think Steve Caraell is alot funnier then David Brent (is tat his name?).

But the english one just had better chracters,humor, and a story.
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M3