The Office (USA)

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BiscLimpkit
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The Office (USA)

Post by BiscLimpkit »

Just watched the pilot, which is more or less a remake of the first British episode, with some 'Americanism' thrown in.

The good thing about the original is that the performances were so genuine - at first people weren't sure if it was a documentary or comedy. The problem with the US one is that everything looks horrendously staged, almost like a sitcom and it loses authenticity that was present in the UK version.

It's always going to be difficult to remake the original show. Gervais' portrayal of the manager works perfect for UK audiences but the American equivalent (Steve Carell who plays Michael Scott) is just far too OTT and it's difficult to find him funny.

Aye bottom line is that it sucks, I won't be bothering with the rest of the series...

Office at imdb
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Post by grim_tales »

Bisc where can you see the pilot? :)
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Post by BiscLimpkit »

It's currently being shown in the States just now (NBC).
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Post by grim_tales »

Probably won't be shown here then :(
Thanks BTW. :)
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Post by bradavon »

Are you on holiday?
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Post by BiscLimpkit »

Yup Easter break.

Grim, this will be on BBC3 this summer I've heard.
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Post by bradavon »

Is that like spring break but more messy? Where are you in the States?
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Post by grim_tales »

Bisc,
Thanks :)
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Post by the68monkey »

I only watched the bit that was available through the NBC website, about 10 minutes long, and found it dreadful. :( I've heard that it's been well-received here, but it's hard for me to imagine that anybody who's seen and loved the original will enjoy this one at all. I'm especially annoyed by the character of Jim, who is an inferior copy of Tim from the original. He looks sort of like the original actor, but with none of the charm. And Gareth simply cannot be replaced! (nor can Keith, for that matter).

When will TV-land learn that simply copying a successful show from another country doesn't make it good? It's not just the idea that makes it work, it's the actors and their chemistry between each other, plus timing. Oh, well. Rant over (for now).
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Post by grim_tales »

I heard the problem with The Office USA is that its too obvious you are watching a "show" and the guy playing the boss/David Brent in the US version is obviously an actor. When I saw the UK version at first I couldn't tell if it was a sitcom, documentary or real, which was very clever. (Much the same way as people were fooled into thinking the brilliant The Day Today was a real news bulletin).
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Post by Yi-Long »

Wow.. old topic... and it seems the US show wasnt well received here on BNB.

It's been showing daily on dutch TV for a while now, and I LOVE the show. It's just excellent, I think the cast is terrific, 'Jim' is outstanding, and it's just hilarious at times.

Would love to get the season-boxes once it gets a decent release.

Anyone else likes it? or am I the only one here?
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Post by EvaUnit02 »

Jenna Fischer is tasty.
Yi-Long
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Post by Yi-Long »

EvaUnit02 wrote:Jenna Fischer is tasty.
Most certainly, yeah. Although she looks kinda goofy and nery on The Office. She's very likeable though.

Rashida Jones (Karen) is pretty damn hot as well.
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