The Office

[Shanmac]

I was such a fan of the UK series, I flat-out refused to watch first season of the US version. This year, I caught an episode while killing time before going out ... and I luuurve it. At first it seemed like a carbon copy of the British version, but I think it's come into its own. And I love Dwight -- he's like Gareth, only you want to punch him in the face slightly more. But at the same time, I find him more likeable, which is just weird.

I like the Jim character a lot, too -- you get to see more of his life than you got to see of Tim in the UK version, which I love. He's more multidimensional.

That said, I will always, always adore the UK version, as well as Martin Freeman, my pretend boyfriend.

[Hamatron]

Yeah-- at first I preferred the UK to the US version. It seemed like the US version was a sterilized (better looking actors, almost identical scripts...). But I think the US version has really come into it's own. Steve Carrell does an amazing job-- I hate, like, and feel sorry for him often in the same episode. Dwight it awesome too with his demonic glee and authority issues. I also love all the side-characters... It's just a fun show to watch.

[sleepy]

Steve Carrell does an amazing job-- I hate, like, and feel sorry for him often in the same episode

I'm going to have to disagree on this. I feel exactly as you describe about Ricky Gervais' character. That was part of the genius of that character, I thought. I simply hate Steve Carrell's, though. No sympathy at all.

[Shanmac]

I don't know, I thought David Brent had a mean streak (see: his nasty comments to that girl in the bar when he realized she wasn't going to sleep with him), whereas I think Michael is more annoying, but more stupid and socially inept than flat-out mean. (Which is not to say I didn't feel sorry for David -- esp. after he got fired)

[mrpancake]

Can I just say how hard I laughed when Ryan was in the breakroom with Dwight and Angela during their not-covert-at-all sex talk? I forget the whole thing, but Angela says, "...no cookies!" And Dwight says, in a slow and deliberate voice, "But what if I'm hungry?" Ryan's face after was priceless. I love this show, but I can't get into the British version. I'll try this summer.

[marywebgirl]

Shanmac, I'll try to find the interview, but Ricky Gervais said the same thing about David vs. Michael. He said when they saw how it turned out when they made the boss a boob rather than an ass that he wished they had gone more in that direction. Michael certainly has his assy moments (feeling "upstaged" by Kevin's cancer on his birthday), but I think it stems from being socially inept because he never had any friends.

[tamaradixon]

I've only seen two eps. The one about bringing daughters to work was comedy gold. The one tonight about Dwight and Michael fighting, not so much (except for Jim's "Jets" reference).

I just can't forget the U.K. version. Tim and Dawn 4eva!

[susyhomewrecker]

My brother told me I needed to watch this show. Despite my residual Daily Show-love for Steve Carell, I thought it would be depressing to watch something that would obviously be cancelled after four episodes, so I never did. Imagine my surprise when it got renewed for a new season! Anyway, I finally gave in and watched last week and was pleasantly surprised. I didn't see all of tonight's episode, so I didn't understand why they were doing karate, but I must admit I laughed a lot at the line, "I'm changing my contact information...just put 'The Hospital.' And for the phone number, 911." Last week's episode was far funnier, but in the 15 minutes of tonight's episode I laughed more than I would at, say, a full episode of Will and Grace.

I don't understand why people think the cast is too attractive. That's one of the things that struck me immediately--the characters don't look or dress like TV characters. They look like real people who live within their means (white Keds? c'mon.)

[marywebgirl]

They were at the dojo because Dwight (Gareth) made a big deal about taking karate lessons and being a sempai (sp?). He even brought his belt into work. So Jim (Tim) started egging him and Michael (David) on about who would win a fight, and they decided to settle it at the dojo. It's actually one of my favorite episodes, but I think that's because there's a lot of Jim/Pam goodness and I'm pretty invested in that relationship. The opening joke also kicks ass.

[thesurlymermaid]

This is my favorite show and I can't wait till next week when we finally have a new episode! Last night rerun of The Fight was one of my least favorite episodes, although for me that's like picking my least favorite chocolate bar.

I own and adore both the US and the UK versions. I'm just happy to have more good TV to watch, after the reality shows totally polluted the airwaves.