The Office

[Mr. TM]

UK or US?

3 seasons vs 5+
Overrated perhaps vs Overrated, but underrated in comparison to the UK.

Who will win?

 

[Papa Shango]

Both are great, but I like the US version better. Anyone who says The Office is overrated is a dumbass... fact.

 

[klunderbunker]

Never seen an episode of either.

 

[Papa Shango]

Then be sure to stick around for the episode that will air after this year's Super Bowl. I'm sure NBC are planning on airing a fantastic episode.

Fact: Most shows viewerships rise noticeably after appearing post- Super Bowl. Hell, Grey's Anatomy didn't become the ratings juggernaut that it is now until after it was ABC's choice to air after Super Bowl... um, Somethin' Somethin'. (insert random numerals)

 

[Mr. TM]

Both are great, but I like the US version better. Anyone who says The Office is overrated is a dumbass... fact.

Always called overrated. I want to know why. I also say the US is better, and want to know why everyone else thinks the UK version is so much better.

The last episode was the best in a while.

 

[Papa Shango]

Season Five has been fantastic, the best work they've done since season 2.

 

[Mr. TM]

Really? I liked last season more I think... Well The first and second seasons were the best. They need more Ryan and Toby.

 

[Papa Shango]

I actually think it's time to phase a few characters out. I really don't see how you can use Ryan in as good of a capacity as they did in season 4. There's really nothing left for him on the show. They jumped the gun and made him into a screw up. They should have waited to make him screw up until BJ Novak left the show, at least in an acting capacity. (He needs to stay on the writing staff, he's phenomenal).

And if they're gonna cut out Ryan, then phase Kelly out of the show as well. Ed Helms is fantastic on the show, but if they plan on taking him off the show, it should be soon. The only characters that I feel the show MUST have to stay alive are Michael, Jim, Dwight, Pam, Angela, Kevin and Oscar (who is an under-appreciated gem on the show).

 

[Mr. TM]

Agreed there. Kelly is of little use anymore. Ryan was the guy I loved at the beginning, but I was not a fan of his corporate character. If they get rid of Andy... which I assume they will, then good, I am tired of his character. But cutting too many characters leaves an empty spot. Maybe if they can find the right person, they need a new person in sales for at least a short time.

 

[Papa Shango]

I'm not saying they should cut ALL those characters, I was just saying which ones I thought were absolutely essential to the show. Every character brings something positive to the show, that's what's so great about it.

 

[jmt225]

Not a fan of either.

The movie Office Space rules though.

 

[agentmichaelscarn]

Well this is right up my alley since these are two of my favorite shows, anybody that watches the US Office would know thats where my screen name came from. If you would have asked me this 2 years ago I would have said the U.S. version for sure because I thought the first 3 seasons of the US was way better than the UK but since I think the US has gone down hill drastically its more of a toss up for me but Id still give the slight edge to the US. Both great shows though.

 

[Lee]

the first 3 seasons the UK was better than the US.

But since then the US has come into its own and is actually much better.

 

[Cena's Little Helper]

I was never really a fan of the U.K. version...I personally think that Extras is Ricky Gervais' best work. As far as the U.S. version, it is one of the few shows that I watch on a regular basis. It is the second best American comedy show still in production.

 

[Uncle Sam]

If you didn't vote the UK version, you're wrong.

 

[justinsayne]

The British are all gonna claim their version is better, and that the American version "missed the point", when the fact of the matter is that the American version isn't meant to be exactly like the British version, personally I've always liked the American version better, I just found it to be funnier, and seeing as how the whole point of the show is to make you laugh, I'd say they've done their job very well

 

[agentmichaelscarn]

The British are all gonna claim their version is better, and that the American version "missed the point", when the fact of the matter is that the American version isn't meant to be exactly like the British version

Yeah they are two different shows when you really think about it. The UK definitely has more of a documentary feel to it and has more subtle humor where as the US version seems more like an actual TV show, atleast in my eyes and is becoming less and less subtle and starting to incorporate more broad humor which is why I dont like the new episodes that much. It is also becoming more "sitcomish" with all the love triangles and things like that which is another thing I dont like. But Season 2 of The U.S. Office ranks right up there with Season 2 of Arrested Development as my favorite season of any comedy show of all time.

 

[Uncle Sam]

The British are all gonna claim their version is better, and that the American version "missed the point", when the fact of the matter is that the American version isn't meant to be exactly like the British version, personally I've always liked the American version better, I just found it to be funnier, and seeing as how the whole point of the show is to make you laugh, I'd say they've done their job very well

This post is just evidence of how much they missed the point. Imagine if we took The Simpsons and remade it into a serious, live action drama. That's how much it missed the point. Literally. That's why we British watch it and think "WTF is this?".

 

[Uncle Sam]

I mean, the only way you could miss the point more is if you remade Life On Mars, but set in America, but with a similar script and the same characters. Now that just really wouldn't work.

...

You did what?

 

[The Bearded One]

I'ev seen a few episodes of the British version and it was ok, but the American version is probably my favorite show. Although it is starting to get a little rediculous, it is still really good. Someone mentioned they need to get rid of Andy. With all due respect, that is a terrible idea. Andy is one of my favorite characters. I wish they would incorporate Creed more, because every time he says anything, I laugh hysterically. My favorite episode is either the first Christmas ibw, or the Micheal Scott Fun Run for the Cure.

 

[Uncle Sam]

The British version is based on observational comedy. It's not meant to make you laugh, it's meant to make you feel awkward and yet strangely familiar. I'm guessing observational humour on a British would be completely lost on Americans, hence why you shouldn't like it as much as the American version.

The American version, on the other hand, is based on a much broader range of humour, that commonly referred to as "lowest common denominator". It can be appreciated by all, probably even the Japanese. Therefore, I'm really the only one in a position to judge here.

Bottom line, quit remaking our shit or I'm getting the BBC to buy The Sopranos. And we'll do it Lock Stock style. Say hello to Tony Two Testes, a propah Luuhdahn geeza, good and propah. Oh, he's gonna get into a propah bit o' barney, ee is!

 

[Uncle Sam]

The British version is based on observational comedy. It's not meant to make you laugh, it's meant to make you feel awkward and yet strangely familiar. I'm guessing observational humour on a British workplace would be completely lost on Americans, hence why you shouldn't like it as much as the American version. I'm guessing you all just went, "look at the British people, aren't they silly? Let's remake that shit, motherfucker!"

The American version, on the other hand, is based on a much broader range of humour, that commonly referred to as "lowest common denominator". It can be appreciated by all, probably even the Japanese. Therefore, I'm really the only one in a position to judge here.

Bottom line, quit remaking our shit or I'm getting the BBC to buy The Sopranos. And we'll do it Lock Stock style. Say hello to Tony Two Testes, a propah Luuhdahn geeza, good and propah. Oh, he's gonna get into a propah bit o' barney, ee is!

 

[Murfish]

Jeezz

Rant much?

 

[Slyfox696]

I'm not really much of a fan of the UK version. As shallow as it sounds, it has a lot to do with the accents. Just don't care for them. Why that should matter, I don't know, but it just does.

The first three seasons of the US Office were phenomenal. Season 4 went downhill a little, and I haven't seen Season 5 yet.

 

[Uncle Sam]

I don't understand the question. I suppose my answer should be: yeah much?