Any (American Version) "Office" fans here?

[Chip TRG]

One instruction--this is NOT a thread to say "The American Version sucks compared to the British Version" or vice versa. This is merely to converse about the U.S. version.

Anyone love this show as much as I do?

[JohnG]

I never thought they'd be able to top the British version, but I've become a big fan of the American Office.

We never miss an episode.

[Lownotes]

When I first started watching, (to me) it was like driving by an accident. I didn't want to look, but couldn't help it. I really couldn't decide if I liked it or not. But I kept watching. One reason: it's right after my favorite show (see avatar). I really find myself enjoying it. Great cast!

[mark renard]

I am addicted to it. I think it took them a few episodes to really get things going. Weren't the first few episodes the same as the British series(same storylines)?

[Dillydipper]

Oh, c'mon! GREAT adaptation of the uncomfortable Brit original! Face it, US tastes aren't the same as UK humour. This does a good job of translating that same sort of whallop into our sensibilities.

My first look at the original was at a friend's house, where he was entertaining out-of-towners, and I was the only one laughing...the only thing I couldn't get was, how can these folks not be chuckling at this.

When I see (US) Jim staring innocently into the camera after poking Dwight unknowingly, I just have to cackle.

[Squealy]

I am addicted to it. I think it took them a few episodes to really get things going. Weren't the first few episodes the same as the British series(same storylines)?

No, only the first episode. Although they have occasionally had scenes or subplots that felt like homages to the original show.

[Jeff Wong]

It's growing on me and I've been enjoying it more and more, especially as some of the underlying story arcs develop.

[Ed Hughes]

I enjoy it. I've never seen the Brit version.:hide:

[AndrewS]

I enjoy it. I've never seen the Brit version.:hide:

Watch it! I still think it's better, however, as this thread is not about that, I'll leave it at that.

Regarding the American version, I was ready to hate it (like the awful U.S. Coupling). I was unimpressed after the first episode, but since then it has grown on me, and I can't get enough of it. It's killing me that there won't be another episode until April 12th. Especially with the way they finished the last episode.

Oh, and Pam...:love:

[ubsman]

I like it quite a bit, but it is on too early in the mountain time zone so usually miss it. I do have both DVD sets that they've done.

Pam is hot? I'd think that other girl is way hotter.

[RDK]

Best comedy currently on TV! And while some disagree, I find it much funnier and accessible than the Brit version, which i never really cared for.

[PsychFan]

I never thought they'd be able to top the British version, but I've become a big fan of the American Office.

We never miss an episode.

My experience exactly. My expectations were very low, but now it's virtually the only show I make sure I watch each week.

[vinyl anachronist]

I prefer the American version to the English version, too. It's just funnier to me. But the British version was superior in the sense that it reminded you constantly of people you already knew, while the American version sometimes exaggerates these caricatures to the point where they become absurd and monstrous (such as Michael at Phyllis' wedding, or Dwight attending that house party where he started acting like a building inspector).

[Squealy]

The advantage the American show has is the larger supporting cast, IMO. And I think it's more fun than the British show. But I feel sometimes they push the Michael and Dwight characters too far into the realm of sketch comedy. The British show manages to be funny and realistic. In particular David Brent seems like someone you might actually have to deal with in real life, unlike Michael Scott, who is obviously a TV comedy character however well Steve Carell plays him. The comedy involving the other characters, though, is as good as or better than what they did in the UK.

[Squealy]

I prefer the American version to the English version, too. It's just funnier to me. But the British version was superior in the sense that it reminded you constantly of people you already knew, while the American version sometimes exaggerates these caricatures to the point where they become absurd and monstrous (such as Michael at Phyllis' wedding, or Dwight attending that house party where he started acting like a building inspector).
Wow, we just posted almost the same thing!

[vinyl anachronist]

Wow, we just posted almost the same thing!

And I dig your avatar! Did you buy it today? I'm going out later to pick it up. :righton: :righton: :righton:

[Squealy]

I dig your avatar! Did you buy it today?
It's sitting right beside me. :)

[vinyl anachronist]

I like it quite a bit, but it is on too early in the mountain time zone so usually miss it. I do have both DVD sets that they've done.

Pam is hot? I'd think that other girl is way hotter.

No, Pam is hot. She's the Girl Next Door. She's like the librarian fantasy, you know, letting her hair down, getting out of those modest clothes...

I've seen Jenna Fischer all dolled up at red carpet events...wow!

Pam is hot.

[Squealy]

Pam is a more interesting character than her British counterpart too.

[El Bacho]

I discovered The Office (UK) through a friend of mine who is a big fan.

A year later, he discovered The Office (US) through me, as I'm a big fan.

Now, we wouldn't miss an episode for anything in the world.

[El Bacho]

I prefer the American version to the English version, too. It's just funnier to me. But the British version was superior in the sense that it reminded you constantly of people you already knew, while the American version sometimes exaggerates these caricatures to the point where they become absurd and monstrous (such as Michael at Phyllis' wedding, or Dwight attending that house party where he started acting like a building inspector).

The current season is a little strange because there's often somebody who's missing or rendered useless.

First, we had no Jim in Scranton, due to the plot necessities.

Then, the Dwight-Andy confrontation put Michael Scott into a back seat.

Now, it's Dwight who lacks development and who's been used for a couple of episodes as a mono-dimensional comic relief (he nearly choked Meredith with the plastic bag in the previous episode with the bat).

I think that the main problem the writers face is that Jim and Pam can only hook up when the show ends. When they end up together the dynamic of the show would radically change (cf. "Moonlighting") and many occasional viewers are watching the show waiting for the moment and woudn't be as focused if JAM were already an item. Their unspoken romance makes a contrast to the boring daily life in the office. If they were themselves a more or less boring couple, it wouldn't be the same show.

Gervais and Merchant could delay this with opportunities declined by Dawn and bad timing from Tim during 12 episodes. The US writers have now to deliver a fourth season and apparently (according to Ricky Gervais' website) a fifth one. So, they can't run at full speed all the time and have to introduce a series of situations or it means 15 failed attempts by Jim over the years.

[Adam9]

It's my favourite show on TV. I have yet to miss an episode. I've never seen the British series.

[Pickle]

I still can't bring myself to watch this :( even though Gervais is an Exec. Prod. on the show ... I just can't *sniff*

[semidetached]

I still can't bring myself to watch this :( even though Gervais is an Exec. Prod. on the show ... I just can't *sniff*

I plan on it... eventually. The reviews here have started to break me down. :thumbsup:

[Chip TRG]

I like it quite a bit, but it is on too early in the mountain time zone so usually miss it. I do have both DVD sets that they've done.

Pam is hot? I'd think that other girl is way hotter.

Don't get me wrong, I think Karen (a.k.a. Quincy Jones's daughter Rashida) is VERY good looking, but at this point in time I think Jenna Fischer (Pam) just might be one of THE best looking women on earth, and she's got a great personality to boot!

They frump her up on the show to fit the character.

I submit a pic of her from last week at the LA branch of The Museum of TV & Radio (See Below).....

I will admit that the first couple of times that I watched T.O., I just didn't get it, but it just happened one night where it clicked with me, and I've been addicted ever since.

And I will agree with the above statements about having to wait until APRIL for the remaining shows this season. This midseason cliffhanger is WAAAAAY too much.

Roy is scum! :realmad: