[TV] The Office US

Lenny Rider · Sep 11, 2020

Huge fan of all things David Brent and Wernham Hogg so began watching the US equivalent with a fair degree of scepticism but am currently up to Season 7 and have to not only admit that it's better than the original, Steve Carell is a comic genius and the supporting cast are far stronger and with far more content much more developed as characters than their UK counterparts.

Well worth a binge watch IMHO.

Psychobilly freakout · Sep 11, 2020

Lenny Rider said:
Huge fan of all things David Brent and Wernham Hogg so began watching the US equivalent with a fair degree of scepticism but am currently up to Season 7 and have to not only admit that it's better than the original, Steve Carell is a comic genius and the supporting cast are far stronger and with far more content much more developed as characters than their UK counterparts.

Well worth a binge watch IMHO.

Are they the same story lines, ie the love interest with the receptionist etc ?
If that is the case I fail to see the need, but could give it a whirl.
I also guess being American they would switch certain things around slightly, the office was based on a dry sense of humour with self deprecation thrown in, and not all Americans have the capacity to appreciate without getting defensive and sometimes aggressive if you try that face to face in the states.
God knows, I still have trouble with the wife and shes been here 20years now.

Westdene Seagull · Sep 11, 2020

Mrs WS loves it - it reminds her of her time at Pasante Healthcare, Lancing and how it was managed.For some reason they thought not having heating or hot water was normal :facepalm:

Swansman · Sep 11, 2020

Its good. Most things get destroyed in the hands of the yanks but they did well on this one.

Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo · Sep 11, 2020

Psychobilly freakout said:
Are they the same story lines, ie the love interest with the receptionist etc ?
If that is the case I fail to see the need, but could give it a whirl.
I also guess being American they would switch certain things around slightly, the office was based on a dry sense of humour with self deprecation thrown in, and not all Americans have the capacity to appreciate without getting defensive and sometimes aggressive if you try that face to face in the states.
God knows, I still have trouble with the wife and shes been here 20years now.

It's the same story to start with (in fact a lot of the US pilot is a straight copy of the UK version), but as the US version goes on for many more seasons the characters are way more developed. A lot more of the background characters become involved giving it a greater depth and the story lines although taking their inspiration from the UK version go in their own arc. I'd recommend checking it out, it's one of the few times the US have taken a UK sitcom and not totally destroyed it.

Weststander · Sep 11, 2020

I avoided it for years, how could it possibly be as good as the original.

My kids finally got to watch the US version, it’s great, I think Steve Carell is a brilliant comic actor.

elwheelio · Sep 11, 2020

It's superb.

Washie · Sep 11, 2020

Skip the first season, it's absolutely brilliant.

One Love · Sep 11, 2020

Thumbs up from me. It's brilliant

nwgull · Sep 11, 2020

I watched the first couple of seasons during long-haul flights a couple of years ago. Pleasantly surprised at how good it was. Characters all have their UK equivalents, but different story lines.

The Spanish · Sep 11, 2020

incredibly well cast and catapulted more than a few to megastardom.

People say that it lost direction after Steve Carell left but the James Spader episodes are absolutely barking. Very very funny.

SimpKingpin · Sep 11, 2020

Weststander said:
I avoided it for years, how could it possibly be as good as the original.

My kids finally got to watch the US version, it’s great, I think Steve Carell is a brilliant comic actor.

My brother shares the same sentiment. I can't get him to watch it.

He lives in the UK. We have always been huge fans of The Office and Alan Partridge.

I moved to the US and watched the US Office when it was first airing.
I was curious at first and then pleasantly surprised once they found their own style and took some creative chances.

The backbone / premise is still there. The pathetic boss who wants to be popular, the mundane nature of their jobs/lives, etc.
The key characters - equivalents of Tim, Dawn, Jennifer, and even Chris Finch are all present, plus many more!

If I try to persuade people from the UK to watch it I just tell them to "treat it as its own thing."
There's not much point in comparing it. Two different cultures and styles of humour.

If you are prepared to give it a chance I suspect you will really enjoy it, because it really is excellent.

Sheebo · Sep 11, 2020

Nothing beats the original - Ricky Gervais at his finest. The subtle things and the quotes will live with me forever.

SimpKingpin · Sep 11, 2020

The Spanish said:
incredibly well cast and catapulted more than a few to megastardom.

People say that it lost direction after Steve Carell left but the James Spader episodes are absolutely barking. Very very funny.

Agree. It surprised me but it remained excellent after Carrel left. The writing was very strong.

gripper stebson · Sep 11, 2020

One of the best comedy series ever made IMHO.

Over 200 episodes. Incredible.

As mentioned before - skip Season One.

gripper stebson · Sep 11, 2020

Right off the bat during the first ep of season two Michael Scott is giving out awards to his workers.

One woman gets the Award for 'Bushiest Beaver'.

"That was supposed to say 'busiest."

Brilliant joke!

Wrong-Direction · Sep 11, 2020

Its bloody awful compared to UK version!
Do you not know Eric Hitchmough is?

Sent from my SM-A600FN using Tapatalk

Silverhatch · Sep 11, 2020

Lenny Rider said:
Huge fan of all things David Brent and Wernham Hogg so began watching the US equivalent with a fair degree of scepticism but am currently up to Season 7 and have to not only admit that it's better than the original, Steve Carell is a comic genius and the supporting cast are far stronger and with far more content much more developed as characters than their UK counterparts.

Well worth a binge watch IMHO.

My 18 year old daughter is obsessed with the US version. She definitely agrees about it being better/different than the UK version

Giraffe · Sep 11, 2020

I loved the UK original so have deliberately not watched it. BUT I’m tempted, not least because there are so many series of it. What platform is it available on?

Seasider78 · Sep 11, 2020

It is very good but still prefer the British version which is just a masterpiece

Another American one that is very good compared to the British equivalent is Veep which is a fantastic watch and I actually prefer to the also excellent The thick of it.

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