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The Office UK or US

So a real topic for debate...

Which do you prefer the Office (original) UK version or the made for US version? Are you a Ricky Gervais or Steve Carell fan?

Personally I think the original version was some of the best TV ever made - the Faulty Towers of it's time. I find the US version irritating but not as irritating of the folks that watch it and don't even know it's a british show created by Gervais and Merchant!
 
Mar 18, 2009
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180mmCrank said:
Personally I think the original version was some of the best TV ever made - the Faulty Towers of it's time. I find the US version irritating but not as irritating of the folks that watch it and don't even know it's a british show created by Gervais and Merchant!

+1. UK version. In general, there is a difference in comedic tastes between England and America. English comedy tends to be more deprecating and subtle whereas American comedy tends to be more in-your-face and brash. I think it depends where you grow up. Being Australian and exposed to more English than American comedy, I usually enjoy the English-type comedies. When you have watched the original, remakes usually are disappointing (The Office, Kath & Kim, etc). In saying that, my favourite comedies at the moment are Two and a Half Men and How I Met Your Mother. Go figure.
 
elapid said:
+1. UK version. In general, there is a difference in comedic tastes between England and America. English comedy tends to be more deprecating and subtle whereas American comedy tends to be more in-your-face and brash. I think it depends where you grow up. Being Australian and exposed to more English than American comedy, I usually enjoy the English-type comedies. When you have watched the original, remakes usually are disappointing (The Office, Kath & Kim, etc). In saying that, my favourite comedies at the moment are Two and a Half Men and How I Met Your Mother. Go figure.

I'm gonna have to diagree with you there Elapid. I find the US version hilarious. But i like all kinds of comedy from Two and a half men, The Big Bang Theory and Family Guy all the way back to MASH. I have so much praise for Alan Alda. I have to admit i enjoyed both eras of Mash (maybe an idea for another thread). The more light-hearted comedy of Gene Renyolds era but i also loved the more intense dramatic/character driven comedy of the Alan Alda era.

I guess what i'm saying is maybe you are right about Aussies being more exposed to english comedy but i find most kinds of comedy enjoyable but of the shows that come to mind most are American.

But back on topic, I vote for the US version. You do also realise there were many other versions of the office as well. French and German i believe. Also maybe a poll might be a good idea.
 
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180mmCrank said:
So a real topic for debate...

Which do you prefer the Office (original) UK version or the made for US version? Are you a Ricky Gervais or Steve Carell fan?

Personally I think the original version was some of the best TV ever made - the Faulty Towers of it's time. I find the US version irritating but not as irritating of the folks that watch it and don't even know it's a british show created by Gervais and Merchant!

Finally a voice of sanity!
the original office and especially Gervais some of the best television of the last two decades.
Steve Carrell and the us version, just annoying and definitely not funny.
I watched Coupling(uk)a fun show, good actors, funny material, good directing. the us buys it. does the exact same scripts, word perfect. even the same camera angles and the show stinks like yesterdays diapers.
Why? they cast people who basically did not understand the material and comedic timing.
same with Carrell, we have been told he is funny but he is not.
Gervais is talented, creative & funny
 
runninboy said:
Finally a voice of sanity!
the original office and especially Gervais some of the best television of the last two decades.
Steve Carrell and the us version, just annoying and definitely not funny.
I watched Coupling(uk)a fun show, good actors, funny material, good directing. the us buys it. does the exact same scripts, word perfect. even the same camera angles and the show stinks like yesterdays diapers.
Why? they cast people who basically did not understand the material and comedic timing.
same with Carrell, we have been told he is funny but he is not.
Gervais is talented, creative & funny

The UK office. Gervais is one of the most talented comedians ever.
 
Mar 11, 2009
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UK version, but I like the US version also.
(Imma let you finish but) David Brent was one of the best TV-characters ever. Michael Scott is too over-the-top.
The UK version also made me feel really bad for Tim some times. Jim doesn't pull that off.

I do like Dwight better than Garreth.
 
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I love both. To say that the US version isn't funny it to not have really watched it. You all do know that Gervais is one of the creators of the US version, right? Also, to say it is "In your face" kind of humor is to miss the best parts of the show. There is very subtle humor in there that makes it well worth watching. Unfortunately, this appears to be one of those times where national prejudice is creeping in.
 
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While I know that the UK version is the original I prefer the US version. The UK version is good too, I just prefer the US version over it.
 
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i never liked the UK version, i can only assume the US version is much much much worse...

american comedy never recovered from cheers and northern exposure ending..
(ok.. with the exception of seinfeld..)
 
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I loved the original of The Office but couldn't find the humour in the remake. I gave up after about three episodes. Maybe if I'd persevered further I would have found it but I had had enough.

I don't really get this need to remake stuff for the other side of the pond. Are we really two great nations dived by the same language? I don't remember the titles but there was a largely obscure (in the UK at least) American sit-com in the 80s about a pro base-baller turned housekeeper for a rich family, that was really quite funny. It got remade in the UK and despite a pretty good cast (including Honor Blackman) it was truly awful so the trans-Atlantic remake thing cut's both ways.
 
Kingsley A said:
I loved the original of The Office but couldn't find the humour in the remake. I gave up after about three episodes. Maybe if I'd persevered further I would have found it but I had had enough.

I don't really get this need to remake stuff for the other side of the pond. Are we really two great nations dived by the same language? I don't remember the titles but there was a largely obscure (in the UK at least) American sit-com in the 80s about a pro base-baller turned housekeeper for a rich family, that was really quite funny. It got remade in the UK and despite a pretty good cast (including Honor Blackman) it was truly awful so the trans-Atlantic remake thing cut's both ways.

I remember that show - the English version - it had one of Mcgann brothers - Joe McGann - in it - The Upper Hand - the house used was in Henley on Thames - I thought it was quite amusing - he was an ex soccer palyer. I didn't realise it was based on a US show. The things you learn eh!
 
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Thoughtforfood said:
I love both. To say that the US version isn't funny it to not have really watched it. You all do know that Gervais is one of the creators of the US version, right? Also, to say it is "In your face" kind of humor is to miss the best parts of the show. There is very subtle humor in there that makes it well worth watching. Unfortunately, this appears to be one of those times where national prejudice is creeping in.

As Gervais was the creator of the UK version that would normally translate into a credit when he sold the US rights. How much of his input is actually used in the US version is debateable and if nothing else he has no control over the lack of talent of Mr Carrell and others.
sad really
 
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runninboy said:
As Gervais was the creator of the UK version that would normally translate into a credit when he sold the US rights. How much of his input is actually used in the US version is debateable and if nothing else he has no control over the lack of talent of Mr Carrell and others.
sad really

Wow, you slag a guy who's name you cannot even spell? Dang, maybe go back to bed and get up again. I will have to ignore the remainder of your post considering the ineptness of your critique on that particular point.

And he has actually written for the show, so you are one swing away from a COMPLETE failure. Dang.
 
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Thoughtforfood said:
Wow, you slag a guy who's name you cannot even spell? Dang, maybe go back to bed and get up again. I will have to ignore the remainder of your post considering the ineptness of your critique on that particular point.

And he has actually written for the show, so you are one swing away from a COMPLETE failure. Dang.

I guess i could probably spell it correctly but why should I? Not really big on my list right now.
And from over 30 years in the business i know things are not always as they appear or as credited. A Chorus Line ( the Pulitizer Prize winning Play not the God awful movie version) was a four hour snooze fest until Neil Simon got involved.
However who gets all the credit. James Kirkwood & Nicholas Dante.
Typically if you star in a show, part of your contract will include either directing or writing credits. Although you actually do neither on a Professional level. Usually it is 3 episodes as that is the requirement to join those guilds.
Now besides being a faaaaaaaaabulous actor you are also a director/writer.
By the way as long as you are paid for the writing you get credit, doesnt matter if it was actually used in the show.
Of course i am sure i dont need to tell you because with your spell check you must be an expert on show business.
 
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runninboy said:
I guess i could probably spell it correctly but why should I? Not really big on my list right now.
And from over 30 years in the business i know things are not always as they appear or as credited. A Chorus Line ( the Pulitizer Prize winning Play not the God awful movie version) was a four hour snooze fest until Neil Simon got involved.
However who gets all the credit. James Kirkwood & Nicholas Dante.
Typically if you star in a show, part of your contract will include either directing or writing credits. Although you actually do neither on a Professional level. Usually it is 3 episodes as that is the requirement to join those guilds.
Now besides being a faaaaaaaaabulous actor you are also a director/writer.
By the way as long as you are paid for the writing you get credit, doesnt matter if it was actually used in the show.
Of course i am sure i dont need to tell you because with your spell check you must be an expert on show business.

I am sure the mop guy in The Peepshow Palace thinks he is in the porn industry...

Anyway: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4687784.stm

Since then, I have heard him say in an interview that he has written for the show. Maybe he is like you and inflating his sense of self importance by suggesting things that go well beyond reality, or maybe he was just telling the truth.

Strike 3...and the mighty Casey strikes out!
 
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i'm going off US comedy shows. Why does it have to be so moralistic all the time, why not just tell a joke and if it is funny I will laugh. There doesn't have to be a guilt trip or moral lesson around it all the time.

In Friends you always get one of the characters will do something stupid and the episode will turn into a moral lesson. Family Guy and American Dad do this all the time and the Simpsons does too.
 
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I like both, pretty much equal but different:p

What I can't stand is the US version of life on Mars, even with Harvey Kartel it sucks, they really missed the boat on that one. I have to say My American friends are really good at f'n up a movie or TV show. I can't think of a remake that was better then the original... ever.

I'm not British or Australian but I do like the Brits sens of humor.
 
I expected not to like the US version - I generally cringe when they remake great films (the Italian job, rollerball, alfie, the list goes on) but I really like it. I still prefer the UK version but Dwight is a great answer to Gareth and Carrel does a good job at imitating Gervais' awkward social ineptitude.
 
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Thoughtforfood said:
I am sure the mop guy in The Peepshow Palace thinks he is in the porn industry...

Anyway: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4687784.stm

Since then, I have heard him say in an interview that he has written for the show. Maybe he is like you and inflating his sense of self importance by suggesting things that go well beyond reality, or maybe he was just telling the truth.

Strike 3...and the mighty Casey strikes out!

Sorry you are wrong
I have plenty of experience in the industry, I have been a proud union member(of 3 unions) for close to 30 years and my work in the industry precedes that.
I have earned my pension as well,
But i guess you need to have your own reality and believe that i could not possibly have told the truth.
fine. But why would that be? I was only stating a fact. apparently you feel your opinion must somehow pale in comparison to mine so you must question my experience. Obviously that holds some validity to you or you would not question the fact.
What people find funny is debateable.
You find the US office funny, as many others do, fine. I do not, maybe more people agree with you than me and maybe those people find the actors involved funny as well. I dont really care.
What i was questioning was that things in the business are not as they are billed, credited or publicised.
You dont seem to dispute those points but yet equate my career experience to a janitor in a peep show...
 
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runninboy said:
Sorry you are wrong
I have plenty of experience in the industry, I have been a proud union member(of 3 unions) for close to 30 years and my work in the industry precedes that.
I have earned my pension as well,
But i guess you need to have your own reality and believe that i could not possibly have told the truth.
fine.

Don't the guys who clean toilets get union cards? Nice avoidance of being wrong too. Dang. I didn't know there were 4 strikes...hey, I'll bet the mop guy has lots of experience too.
 
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Thoughtforfood said:
Don't the guys who clean toilets get union cards? Nice avoidance of being wrong too. Dang. I didn't know there were 4 strikes...hey, I'll bet the mop guy has lots of experience too.

Maybe he does but you seem to be the expert in that category so i will defer to your toilet fixation

Its pretty easy to see how you end up with so many posts, So much drivel so little time no wonder you are fond of the office
 
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runninboy said:
Maybe he does but you seem to be the expert in that category so i will defer to your toilet fixation

Its pretty easy to see how you end up with so many posts, So much drivel so little time no wonder you are fond of the office

They don't have toilets at the peep shows I am familiar with, but I am sure someone with your tastes goes to a place that is a bit more cutting edge.

Its pretty easy to see how you end up dying on the vine when you keep posting after you clearly didn't know what you were talking about. I know it is hard, but you will look like more of a man if you just say "I didn't know what I was talking about. I was wrong." next time.

Hey, say hello to the key grips for me when you are cleaning the toilets Globus.