The Office
Do you like it? What do you think of it winning two Golden Globes recently? Have both series + the 2 specials aired in America yet (14 epsiodes in all)?
at 4/4/05 6:44:59 PM
I posted this a year ago, but perhaps it was too early.
I see the American version of the Office is only just airing. Have you watched it or the British original?
at 4/5/05 9:22:58 PM
> I posted this a year ago, but perhaps it was too early.
> I see the American version of the Office is only just
> airing. Have you watched it or the British original?
I've never heard of the show.
Eric
at 4/7/05 12:00:39 PM
> I've never heard of the show.
> Eric
Oh, OK. The British Press made out it was a big deal, but perhaps that's because we like the original so much. We (the UK) will get to see the American remake on digital TV soon.
According to this BBC report (linked), the first episode got 11.2m viewers, but the 2nd only 5.9m.
The first episode used Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's original script, yet all subsequent episodes are newly-written.
I can't say the remake is good, but the original is one of the best two UK sitcoms of the past two years. It's been on BBC America.
at 10/2/06 7:31:29 AM
Bumping this thread because I'm watching Season 2 of the American Office at the moment (episode 2 last night). I love it! Fascinating to see how they've adapted it - bits are different, but then you get the occasional moment that is exactly the same. An excellent adaptation.
at 10/2/06 8:12:37 PM
The Office is one of my favorite shows on air! I haven't seen the British version, but the American is great. I hear a lot of Brits whining like they destroyed the show and it doesn't compare with your version. I say it's a great show! TV Guide is full of crap by the way. They bashed the American version because it wasn't as good and now they can't get enough of it. I get so ticked off by that magazine sometimes.
-Ethan-
at 10/3/06 6:55:27 AM
> The Office is one of my favorite shows on air! I haven't
> seen the British version, but the American is great. I hear
> a lot of Brits whining like they destroyed the show and it
> doesn't compare with your version.
Not me! The humour is exactly the same, and hits the target just as well. I always knew it'd be a good remake, because there was a lot of care put into it.
Now there have been some terrible remakes! We had a superb show called One Foot in the Grave. America remade it as "Cosby"! The list goes on, to be honest. The UK doesn't do many remakes, but we did do "Brighton Belles" (Golden Girls). Don't know what the point of that was, as British people had been enjoying the Golden Girls for years!
Personally, I don't usually see the point of remakes. As a Brit, I want to see the pure versions of Seinfeld, Frasier and Friends. I don't want remakes. Similarly, I'd rather watch Open Your Eyes (with subtitles) than Vanilla Skies.
I guess we just don't understand the need for remakes when our language is the same. Why not just air the original? The one reason I can think of is that British comedies are usually wrapped up in 12 episodes (The Office was wrapped up with 6 + 6 + 90-minute special), whereas American comedies often run and run as long as they're still popular, which is understandable.
However, to say The Office: an American Workplace destroyed the British original is nonsense. It's an excellent show, with very many similarities.
at 10/3/06 4:36:58 PM
> Not me! The humour is exactly the same, and hits the target
> just as well. I always knew it'd be a good remake, because
> there was a lot of care put into it.
Thank you! Especially on YouTube, there were all the bashing comments.
> Now there have been some terrible remakes! We had a
> superb show called One Foot in the Grave. America remade it
> as "Cosby"! The list goes on, to be honest. The
> UK doesn't do many remakes, but we did do "Brighton
> Belles" (Golden Girls). Don't know what the point of
> that was, as British people had been enjoying the Golden
> Girls for years!
Personally, as a thriteen year old boy, I don't watch the Golden Girls, but whatever. Oh, and the worst (I've seen) would have to be Coupling. The American remake was terrible! I don't know how the Original British version was funny with the same script. I love Coupling! The American version was canceled halfway through the first episode after a month of hype! And One Foot in the Grave looks nothing like Cosby, so I don't know if your British sarcasm (LOL) went over my head or if you're making things up or what.
> Personally, I don't usually see the point of remakes. As a
> Brit, I want to see the pure versions of Seinfeld, Frasier
> and Friends. I don't want remakes.
The first two I agree with 100%, but the last four seasons of Friends were below average. BTW, have you seen Scrubs a or My Name is Earl or anything like that in your country.
> I guess we just don't understand the need for remakes when
> our language is the same. Why not just air the original?
Yup.
> The one reason I can think of is that British comedies are
> usually wrapped up in 12 episodes (The Office was wrapped
> up with 6 + 6 + 90-minute special), whereas American
> comedies often run and run as long as they're still
> popular, which is understandable.
Most of the time they run on till they are cancelled or are cancelled before they can run on. But shows like Seinfeld could've lasted a lot longer but ended in their prime.
> However, to say The Office: an American Workplace destroyed
> the British original is nonsense. It's an excellent show,
> with very many similarities.
Very much so! The Office is wonderful!!!
-Ethan-
at 10/4/06 8:46:39 AM
> Thank you! Especially on YouTube, there were all the
> bashing comments.
Probably just insecurity. The British original is excellent, but for me, watching a good remake just doubles my enjoyment.
The British show I recommend above all others, even The Office, is "I'm Alan Partridge". There were two seasons made (6+6 episodes).
Another decent one was Phoenix Nights.
> Personally, as a thriteen year old boy, I don't watch the
> Golden Girls, but whatever.
Yeah, I'm a 28 year old man (sort of!) and it's not my thing either. It's just when I was young some girls wanted me to watch it... Really, I'm just using it as an example of a bad remake. Brighton Belles (Golden Girls) and That 70s Show are the only British remakes I can think of. ;)
> And One Foot in the Grave looks
> nothing like Cosby, so I don't know if your British sarcasm
> (LOL) went over my head or if you're making things up or
> what.
No, not at all. I don't mean The Cosby Show. I mean One Foot in the Grave was remade. They got Bill Cosby in it and just called it "Cosby". You know, grumpy old man runs into lots of trouble.
> The first two I agree with 100%, but the last four seasons
> of Friends were below average.
Sure. It's not a favourite of mine, but I'd still rather watch it than a remake.
> BTW, have you seen Scrubs a
> or My Name is Earl or anything like that in your country.
Yes, absolutely. Three of the five main channels regularly air American comedy and drama at 10pm-midnight. We basically see it all. My favourite of recent years was Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Take care,
Graeme
at 10/4/06 2:37:06 PM
> My favourite of recent years was Curb
> Your Enthusiasm.
That's a good show. It's like Seinfeld, only more extreme and the main character is a likable guy. He was based on George. LOL.
Well, as an American thinking about an English guy, I imagined you less of a late-twenty year old and more of an Alfred from Batman sorta guy. Dignified and rich (if not, you would at least dress like yo were). You would have a robe on with your initials and a pipe in your mouth. You also have a monical. You name would have at least one "worth" and one "wether".
But I guess people across the pond aren't all steriotypes. I mean I'm not a video game junkie who listens to hip hop and plays with Yu-Gee-Gi-Goh Cards.
-Ethan-
