 |  | The American version is a TOTAL rip-off! |  |
I've been a huge fan of the American version of the office for years now, so I figured I should give the original a go. I was SHOCKED to learn that the American office is identical to it's British predecessor... down to the exact same jokes and exact same plot lines! It was upsetting because I felt like I had already seen all of these episodes already, just without the accents! As I kept watching though, the two diverged a bit, and it became more enjoyable. I was disappointed with this show, but it was only because it felt like Deja Vu. But I'm giving it 5 stars because it really is hilarious and original, and if I wasn't such a fan of the American version already, I wouldn't have been so bothered.
February 23, 2008| | | Uncomfortable, but hilarious | |
This brilliant comedy about the relationships and office politics of a paper company is one of the funniest shows I've ever seen. It's laughs don't come from gags, but rather from its darkly honest take on human nature. Co-creator Ricky Gervais shines in the role of office manager David Brent, who fancies himself a comedian and a cool boss beloved by his workers, when he is actually a socially maladjusted annoyance who commits a long string of cringe-inducing faux pas in every episode. You may wince as often as you laugh, but Gervais and the rest of the able cast make this show a real winner.
December 15, 2007| | | Never squirmed so much in my life; also, multiple orgasmic laughs... | |
There's no use comparing the American and British versions--it's best to look at them as separate entities. While Carrell plays the regional manager as bafoonish and innocent, Gervais is bafoonish and despicable in his innocence. This version holds the awkward pauses longer, and has many moments where I truly wanted to pause just for relief from the discomfort it's realism brings forth; and yet, I laughed. Episode Four is probably the best in this series (season). The main characters are given much more attention and the secondary characters much less than in the American version, but the actors make you realize why--they are incredibly brillant. A reviewer commented that this is very raunchy; it definitely has its moments. Scenes that would never have flown in the American version stand proudly in the original, scenes that no one would have believed in America because of our more stringent sexual harassment clauses. But, then, it's British humor, and I get and can appreciate it. Anyway, give it a shot, whether you like the American version (which I do) or not. It's a bit more depressing, but that's only because it's a bit more real.
September 12, 2007 | | The hilarious apotheosis of "cringe" humor | |
It's a curious thing, "The Office". After watching the entire first series, I had to ask myself why I had laughed so much. There are no traditional punchlines, catch phrases, "wacky" situations or unrealistically outrageous characters and, if the viewer would willingly suspend his disbelief, it could very well be the thing it purports to be: a documentary of an actual, ordinary office environment, with all its ugly-to-mediocre looking people and their ludicrous banalities, foibles and petty dramas. Any person who has ever worked in an office, or has been in any human grouping for that matter, will recognize the characters and situations of "The Office" as entirely true to life and not comedic exaggerations, and I guess that's what makes this show so funny: real life can be pretty bloody hilarious. Ordinary people saying and doing stupid and awkward things...you can't beat it. (btw, episode 4 has got to be one of the classic episodes in the history of TV- absolutely perfect).
June 22, 2007this dvd 'the office' series one is notablee some fine work . personally recommended and archivable for many general aspects in the movements of respectable modern entertainment . very mad . it is . also marking the generation sufficiently .
May 19, 2007More reviews at Amazon.com ...
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