it had potential
-
Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — The Office
dj3980 — 10 years ago(January 23, 2016 07:37 AM)
The UK version was okay, but no where close to the US version. It was a bit creepy though the way things were copied; looking back they should have tried to be a bit more original.
I like to think I have a pretty good grip on the English language, but goodness, I really wish I had subtitles sometimes while trying to watch it. I could hardly keep up with what Gervais was attempting to say through all the cackling and expressions. Most of the others were pretty understandable thoughIt was odd to hear his "american" accent while singing/playing. For that short time he sounded like a sane person.
Overall it seemed like it should have been called The Ricky Gervais Show. By the 2nd season of the US Office there was a lot more diverse character development. Yes there were more than twice the number of total episodes, but it wasn't being written and directed by Steve Carell, therefore, it wasn't completely centered around him. If it was it would have died off just as quick as the UK version.
I don't like the way they ended it. I think Gervais wrote himself out too early. They didn't leave room if it to be longer; there were just too few episodes for it to seem like a "successful" series to me. Not that it necessarily would have lasted with him as the lead for that much longer anyway.
Hopefully people who keep criticizing the US version have actually bothered to see the entire series. It drops off a bit after Carell leaves, but it's still worth it. And comparing it to shows like Sunny in Philadelphia is nuts.those are two completely different sub-genres. Albeit, it is very similar to Parks and Recreation, which is another fantastic show worth watching (all the way though people).
Of all the characters, I'd have to say Keith is the only one that gives their US equivalent a run for their money (Keith could probably use a jog). His whole demeanor was hilarious. -
-
alloneword950-948-598356 — 9 years ago(April 25, 2016 10:45 AM)
Indeed. In terms of success it won critical praise and awards from the first series. Was it good? I think it still stands up now, 15 years on and after many repeated viewings, I've no doubt when it is 30 or 40 years old it will still be enjoyable, much like Fawlty Towers, another comedy that only ran for 2 series.
The idea that a comedy can be neither good nor successful because of the length of its run is ridiculous. -
Mr_K_Pratt — 10 years ago(January 28, 2016 09:29 AM)
"It's so intense, particularly when you do everything yourself, it's not like there was a team of twenty writers and producers. You put everything into it, and that was the first thing I did, and it's sort of like a lifetime's work really. I didn't want to repeat myself, or water it down, so I just left it as it was, and I've never regretted that really. I miss it, but I've never regretted." - Ricky Gervais
YOU SHOULDN'T BE EATING SAUSAGES!! -
roobens — 10 years ago(February 26, 2016 07:13 PM)
You're recommending that people watch the entire series of the American Office? Christ almighty even most fans of the show acknowledge that it was utter wank for the last few seasons. Obvious fanboy is obvious. The American version watered down the characters, produced cheap carbon copies of the skits from the UK version, and predictably the resultant bilge was lapped up by mediocre people with mediocre taste.
-
mamertomamerto — 9 years ago(May 28, 2016 10:48 AM)
I find hard to understand why people complain about the British English being difficult to understand. I am not a native speaker even and I had no problems at all. Anyway, I haven't seen the remake, but the original The Office is one of the best sitcoms ever.
-
HelveticaFont — 9 years ago(August 03, 2016 01:39 PM)
Every so often I had to rewind and put on the subtitles. It usually turned out to be a cultural reference which I was not familiar with.
A lot of people now are using comedy to learn English because if they get the joke they understand the language more and pick up more about the culture. -
HelveticaFont — 9 years ago(August 03, 2016 01:38 PM)
I don't like the way they ended it. I think Gervais wrote himself out too early. They didn't leave room if it to be longer; there were just too few episodes for it to seem like a "successful" series to me. Not that it necessarily would have lasted with him as the lead for that much longer anyway.
Wow you really don't get it!