UK comedy is different and the humor is more subtle. The US version is like surveilled government workers on drugs. If staplers in jello doesn't make you laugh, you should pass.
The UK office is the original. Also, iirc, s01e01 of the American office is identical to the UK ep. Both shows are great and very different
US Office got better in S2 when they recognized that Steve Carrell is hilarious when you give him a little room and aren't just asking him to do a Ricky Gervais impression, and that the deep cringe that the UK Office created and perfected in two brief, self-contained series would not be sustainable over 200 episodes in a US sitcom.
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04-10-2024 at 07:35 PM.
Dang, I'm getting old. I watched this 20 years ago. And did so by checking it out of the public library!
Had to use the included UK cheat sheet card to keep track of all the language differences and nuanced landmarks that the US watcher might need to know to understand conversations.
If the UK version had more seasons, it would have been a blast. I didn't get into the US version as much because of the nearly identical episodes. After those episodes, I enjoyed it from time to time. They both had good things; the US version got somethings more flushed out by having more seasons.
The US version polished the appeal of the setting by working off of the dingy low budget feel of the UK setting; mainly the dim lighting. US broadcasting standards are different than the UK. The UK version was able to go a little edgier in their dialogue at times. Comedy wise, I liked the dry humor, as that's my style too and lived the cubical life & small business niche to appreciate it as well in my 20's.
There's at least a few actors you would have seen in other movies in the show. I remember seeing one of the pirates from Pirates of the Caribbean; the one with the glass eye plays Jim's character I believe.
It's definitely worth watching if you've not seen it. If you get to know the background of Gervais and the journey to success that has come from this for him and a couple of his good friends; it's kind of remarkable.
Karl Pilkington and the Idiot Abroad series was an eye water good time that I wouldn't have looked for if not for the UK office show and other various things they've done.
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Your minds gonna be blown when you find out there's a Saudi Version of this show as well! Found that out last week lol
A lot of shows are remakes of old ones look into it, you'll be shocked.
There is also an Indian version as well lol
American version is a soft milquetoast version of this original and definitive UK version.
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Great price. Hopefully iTunes matches it
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank consumeralert
Had to use the included UK cheat sheet card to keep track of all the language differences and nuanced landmarks that the US watcher might need to know to understand conversations.
If the UK version had more seasons, it would have been a blast. I didn't get into the US version as much because of the nearly identical episodes. After those episodes, I enjoyed it from time to time. They both had good things; the US version got somethings more flushed out by having more seasons.
The US version polished the appeal of the setting by working off of the dingy low budget feel of the UK setting; mainly the dim lighting. US broadcasting standards are different than the UK. The UK version was able to go a little edgier in their dialogue at times. Comedy wise, I liked the dry humor, as that's my style too and lived the cubical life & small business niche to appreciate it as well in my 20's.
There's at least a few actors you would have seen in other movies in the show. I remember seeing one of the pirates from Pirates of the Caribbean; the one with the glass eye plays Jim's character I believe.
It's definitely worth watching if you've not seen it. If you get to know the background of Gervais and the journey to success that has come from this for him and a couple of his good friends; it's kind of remarkable.
Karl Pilkington and the Idiot Abroad series was an eye water good time that I wouldn't have looked for if not for the UK office show and other various things they've done.