The Office (US) ongoing thread

MySpace has a 8 min (or something like that) preview of the first episode. Can't stand it. First off I don't understand why this had to be remade - secondly Steve Carrel is WAY to over the top. He over-acts ever scene, were Gervais simply played everything straight.

I love the original too much.

In all the previews I've seen, there is no subtlety at all. They pause for the laugh with an "I just said something funny" look.

I love the original because Brent is so sympathetic. That's what makes it painful and funny. I could describe how specific script changes I've seen in the commercials for the new version have dumbed the series down, but I know I'd be preaching to the choir.

It's very disappointing that reviewers are apparently judging this compared to other American series rather than the original. Why must we settle for this?

i agree it wont compare to te origional, i do think it will be somewhat of a hit because most people who see this havent seen the first show.

carrel is alittle over the top. but still good.

nice framing on the scene with him sitting with the two women.
framed for widescreen on the hd version.

Turned it off after 5 mins.

I don't know if America will get this show as-is, but I'll see how the "new" episodes pan out.

This pilot did feel stiff, though.

Loved the use of jello.

It just seems like an 'American' language version of The Office. It is a remake so I can understand that they want to use some of the same jokes and situations but this show is nearly a direct copy. The only difference seemed to be that there was no English accents in this one. What happens when they are out of Gervais and Merchant's scripts in 13 episodes?

It's sorta like the Psycho remake. They are essentially reshooting The Office only with different people which leads me to wonder, why even bother to do this show when the exact same thing has already been done better before?

Tony, I just checked and NBC is also broadcasting it in widescreen for the SD broadcast too.

While I havent seen the british show yet heard lots about it, I thought this show was hilarious. I absolutely love Steve Carell...funniest man alive.

The later shows look very funny as well...definitely a show I will watch.

The rest of the US version are reported to be new scripts, not re-telling of the British version. The pilot was the only one that borrowed quite a bit from the British pilot episode. NBC didn't want another round of "Coupling" on their hands from 2 seasons ago.

Gave up on the show after 5 minutes? Instant gratification is needed for some I guess.
I will give it a few weeks to get its legs.

I watched the original The Office this weekend so I could get it in before this new version premiered. Didn't want to taint it by watching the new show first. Anyway, after watching tonight, I think they did a pretty good job with the remake. Like Patrick said though it will be interesting to see where they take it with original ideas. I also agree that i don't think most people will get it.


I thought Gervais was a little over the top too sometimes.

I didn't like the British pilot episode either, but the subsequent episode caught a foothold and had me LOL a lot. Once I 'got' the David Brent character in later characters, everything clicked for me. Let's hope the Michael Scott character can make that turn as well.

That's good that they are doing new scripts. Maybe I'll still give it a try next week then. They still got some big shoes to fill though

I really have to wonder why they went with a near copy of the script, several look-a-like characters, and even sound-a-like names. They had better move away from the original script quickly. It will get old quick if they try to stretch out the same plot over say 26 1/2 hour episodes. Not a good start.

I was disappointed that they went with the same script, but I actually liked it a lot more than I thought I would. I even laughed at the same jokes.

For now, from what I've read, 5-6 episodes were shot, and it the ratings are good, the show could come back in the fall.

Well, finish your thought. Did you turn it off because you had some errands to run? Did you have to go to work? What point are you trying to make?

I laughed a lot at this episode. Granted, I have never seen the British version but I have always gotten a kick out of Steve Carrel. Favourite scene/most uncomfortable was the Punk'd firing. I have been that temp before. That horrible feeling of wanting to crawl under the carpet.

I was a big fan of the British version and it was a bit weird watching new actors speak essentially the same lines as in the British pilot. I found myself laughing, but perhaps this was because I was recalling the British version. Sort of like watching a road version of a favorite Broadway show.

However, I'll reserve judgment until I watch the newly written episodes. I like the fact that they have not added a laugh track and I trust that they will continue to use the long awkward pauses that were so popular with the "mockumentary" format.

The British series didn't do too well during it's first season until it got into re-runs and word of mouth helped it immensely. Time will tell if the same thing happens here as well (assuming that the new episodes are well written and acted).

I think it's as good as Coupling.

A few changes I thought were odd:

1) Changing the bit about how much beer he drinks from the original to how much he gets paid in the new one

2) In the original when he lists his heroes, he mentions a couple of names, then realizes they're all white people, and throws in Nelson Mandela. In the new one it's ALL white people. So that half of the joke is gone completely.

I was wondering what kind of parallel to the Territorial Army they were going to come up with, and I think Volunteer Sheriff's Deputy was a good choice.

Ignore: Initially, thought you were referring to answers, not cast.

I'm still scratching my head as to why they had to remake a perfectly good show. NBC has hit the bottom. Second remake in a year?

I think they remade this because 'The Office' is a good concept and they need one, jeezus have you watched 'Committed' or the fact that all they have to show is Will and Grace over and over? It wasn't bad, I will watch it again.

It'll never survive in my opinion....Much much too dry for the finicky "I want a laugh a second" audiences...

Sure it had some funny moments, but without a laugh track to help Joe SixPack figure out when to laugh, and a hip soundtrack, nobody will stick around past the first few minutes.

It'll die off in a couple of episodes I bet.

I enjoyed it but I am having problems with the level of suspension of disbelief required. Comedies don't have to be grounded in reality but a situation like this couldn't exist in anything remotely like a corporate environment in the US. Maybe I've had one too many "hostile work environment" classes but I can't see a manager like that lasting a day in anything other than a small local company (if even that). If it continues with that much over-the-top material it will be hard to get into.

It would seem that there is enough office material that can occur (stupidy, poor planning, etc) and that could be equally funny without relying so heavily on "hostile work environment" type humor. Maybe I'm just getting too hung up on the setting and the type of material. If they set it thirty years ago that would make it more palitible since there were fewer rules back then.

Kenneth

I must say that I have never seen the BBC version so I can not compare it to that show (I dont get BBC) but I liked it alot. It took me a few minutes to find the feel of the show and figure how they were going with it, but once I did I laughed out loud several times. The pilot was stiff and I think they will loosen up in the next few weeks. I just hope people stay around long enough to let it develop into what it could or should be. This show was also much better than Life on a Stick which I watched just before this.
I am very eager to see the BBC version now because I hear from friends it's genius, netflix is shipping the first season now.

Dang it, I forgot this was on and I wanted to see it (love the BBC version).



Isn't the Territorial Army the same sort of thing as the National Gaurd? Why not have the "Gareth" character be in the NG?

I turned it off because I didn't find it funny, and the main character was just plain annoying. I like British material more, so I'd probably enjoy the show in it's original format more.

I'm a Steve Carrel fan so I thought it was good. it was also good to see him again on the Daily Show Wednesday night. I think The Office will make a good pairing with Scrubs on Tuesday nights.

Remake shmemake. The. U.S. networks have been copying UK sitcoms forever. All In the Family, Sanford & Son, Three's Company, all were remakes. (And the West Wing is just a funnier version of Yes, Prime Minister).

BTW, according to my ReplayTV channel guide, the next episode is on this coming Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. EST after Scrubs.