I have been given an opportunity that would literally be a sin to waste. So, build on it, yeah? They took a normal guy, and they said lets see what the nation thinks of him, and the nation seems to be saying yeah, what else you got?. — David Brent
I admit to only having seen the U.S. version. I have wanted to check out the Britcom, but haven’t had the opportunity. I don’t get BBC. Perhaps I’ll see if I can acquire some episodes in a perhaps not completely above the table manner.
But I will say that this week’s episode of the U.S.’s Office was great. Are they recycling the same/similar story lines?
I have to say I haven’t been able to bring myself to see the US version – although people tell me it’s good. I love Steve Carrell so much – but … I have such an affection for the British one, I’ve hesitated to see the US one. But I have heard that it’s good.
The thing about the British version is: (and it’s very subtle) – even though David Brent is a tiresome bore, he is not a BAD guy. He’s not a dick. He can be petty, and selfish, and childish – but he’s not openly malicious. (There’s another character on the show – Chris Finch – who is one of those bully guys who just lives to make other men squirm. He’s a real asshole – David Brent is just kind of pathetic.)
It’s such a fascinating character.
I’m not sure how the US version has changed him – if at all. He’s not a bully – he’s the exact opposite. NO ONE does ANY work in the office – because he is more interested in being liked (I mean, look at him – playing his guitar for his employees) than being a boss.
I’ve skipped the US version for the same reason, even though people say it’s good. This being almost NEVER the case, I wasn’t even willing to give it the chance.
Also – I have to say – even though there are obviously universal truths in working in offices the world round – the TV show seemed to just belong in Britain. It had a real English-ness to it … and of course, I can understand it, and it’s not TOTALLY foreign to my understanding of life, and social interactions – but part of the beauty of it was its British-ness.
I can’t bring myself to watch the US version either. The main reason is because Steve Carrell is so much more handsome than Ricky Gervais — more “movie star” looking — that I think his portrayal of David Brent would suffer because of it.
But also because I don’t think British humor (humoUr) translates well to US audiences. See: “Coupling.” They filmed that pilot word for word from the BBC script, and it BOMBED. “The Office” is SO British I can’t see how it could work over here without losing 99% of the comedy.
Yeah. I think the U.S. version is good. They made a great choice of air time by putting it after My Name is Earl. The people who like that show are going to be the ones who’ll like The Office.
Admittedly, the only reasons I started watching it at all is because Steve Carrell’s in it and I had some passing familiarity with the British show (in that I new it existed and vaguely what it’s about). This week’s episode has Carrell’s wife as a real estate agent. Cool stuff.
He’s married? Okay, nope, can’t watch the US version.
David Brent is not married in the British one. That’s part of the tragedy of that character.
Member when there was some talk of bringing Absolutely Fabulous to the states? Did it ever happen? That was another case where I thought: Nope. I can’t watch the US version. The British are (in my opinion) much more fearless with what they do, comedically. We’re much more prudish – and you could NEVER do what they did on Absolutely Fabulous – at least not on network television. That show was also so politically incorrect – in terms of boozing and smoking and whoring – (which was why it was so funny and so AWFUL) that I knew we would water it down somehow, and completely ruin it.
We’re more prudish, yes, but also more LITERAL and that kind of dry character-based humor is rarely done on TV.
I mean – I look at All in the Family as an absolute high point in television history because it was all about CHARACTER and it was FEARLESS in its portrayal of those people. And yet it was ALSO funny. I love that show.
I completely understand your point about British humor. I’m a huge AbFab fan. And Python, of course. Also love Benny Hill.
The Office, for some reason, fell under my radar and I’ve just never taken the time to check it out. To be quite honest, it’s not all that important to me. Not in a snarky way, I just don’t feel compelled to check it out like I would some other programs. Probably the subject matter.
Perhaps since I was in the military for so long and still work for the military. Our office life is so different. There are similarities, but the differences are profound.
I love British humor. I’m not sure why. Maybe because it’s sillier than ours? Or … there’s more of an awareness of the hierarchy of class behind the humor – so that when someone does something silly it is 5 times as funny? I don’t know. There’s just something about it that is SO pleasing to me!
Oh, and The Office totally fell under my radar, too – the entire time it was on, originally. I don’t watch much television, believe it or not. I just watch movies that I rent.
But my friend basically MADE me watch the entire thing – the 2 seasons and the 2 hour special (she works for TV Guide – so she had the whole thing on DVD from start to finish, long before it hit the stores) – I watched the entire thing one Saturday and it just blew me away.
How would they have *possibly* made AbFab here? No way. Television producers in the US do not like to travel outside of the “safety zones.” How ironic is it that most of television in the States is this way, when our most celebrated and unforgettable shows were the ones that pushed the envelope and went beyond the boundries?
The funny thing about “Coupling” failing in the States is that it was originally started in Britain as a rip-off of “Friends.”
Wasn’t that show with Cybil Sheppard and Christine Baransky that was on (quite) a few years ago supposed to be an American version of AbFab, though it was called something different? I also do remember hearing rumors that there was going to be an actual US AbFab starring Roseanne Barr. Ugh. Scary. UnFab.
On the subject of hilarious and essentially, untranslatably British shows, have you ever seen “Black Books”? I think I’ve mentioned it here before (sorry!) InSANEly funny. Like, leaves you with a visceral longing for more, it’s so funny.
AnotherSheila, I think that show was called Cybil. I enjoyed it for what it was. If it was meant to be an American AbFab is was amazingly sanitized, but I can see the influence.
I have been given an opportunity that would literally be a sin to waste. So, build on it, yeah? They took a normal guy, and they said lets see what the nation thinks of him, and the nation seems to be saying yeah, what else you got?. — David Brent
“So build on it, yeah?”
Genius.
What is even more incredible – is that almost none of it is improvised. that show looks so improvised – but almost none of it is. Amazing writer.
Look at Gareth’s face peeking around. hahahaha
So, if you’re so smart, what am I thinking now?
I was thinking if there would ever be a boy born who could swim faster than a shark.
marti – Oh i LOVE that line. hahaha
HAHAHAHA! Thanks, now I have to clean the iced tea off my tie. I so needed a chuckle this morning :)
Just look at the completely earnest expression on David’s face. He’s absolutely serious; the kind of guy that sings with his eyes closed and means it.
He truly believes that not only is he a great guitar player – but that he has the power to HEAL through his music. So sanctimonious!!!
Not to mention the fact that he is in the OFFICE – so playing the guitar is completely inappropriate anyway!
the kind of guy that sings with his eyes closed and means it
And what is wrong with that?
Don’t make me bust out a list of folks we both greatly admire who do this.
/snarky, but sarcastic also
There’s a certain way it’s done that’s just cheesy.
OK. Given. Like frat boy at camp fire cheesy.
cullen – have you seen The Office?
If you did, perhaps you wouldn’t snark. The way he sings makes you want to vomit. Zomit and the Vombies. And yet you can’t look away.
cullen – the camp fire analogy is a good one, except take away the frat boy aspect. This guy doesn’t have that much social cache. It’s so sad!!!
I admit to only having seen the U.S. version. I have wanted to check out the Britcom, but haven’t had the opportunity. I don’t get BBC. Perhaps I’ll see if I can acquire some episodes in a perhaps not completely above the table manner.
But I will say that this week’s episode of the U.S.’s Office was great. Are they recycling the same/similar story lines?
I have to say I haven’t been able to bring myself to see the US version – although people tell me it’s good. I love Steve Carrell so much – but … I have such an affection for the British one, I’ve hesitated to see the US one. But I have heard that it’s good.
The thing about the British version is: (and it’s very subtle) – even though David Brent is a tiresome bore, he is not a BAD guy. He’s not a dick. He can be petty, and selfish, and childish – but he’s not openly malicious. (There’s another character on the show – Chris Finch – who is one of those bully guys who just lives to make other men squirm. He’s a real asshole – David Brent is just kind of pathetic.)
It’s such a fascinating character.
I’m not sure how the US version has changed him – if at all. He’s not a bully – he’s the exact opposite. NO ONE does ANY work in the office – because he is more interested in being liked (I mean, look at him – playing his guitar for his employees) than being a boss.
Anyway. So you like the US version?
I’ve skipped the US version for the same reason, even though people say it’s good. This being almost NEVER the case, I wasn’t even willing to give it the chance.
Also – I have to say – even though there are obviously universal truths in working in offices the world round – the TV show seemed to just belong in Britain. It had a real English-ness to it … and of course, I can understand it, and it’s not TOTALLY foreign to my understanding of life, and social interactions – but part of the beauty of it was its British-ness.
Just my 2 cents.
I can’t bring myself to watch the US version either. The main reason is because Steve Carrell is so much more handsome than Ricky Gervais — more “movie star” looking — that I think his portrayal of David Brent would suffer because of it.
But also because I don’t think British humor (humoUr) translates well to US audiences. See: “Coupling.” They filmed that pilot word for word from the BBC script, and it BOMBED. “The Office” is SO British I can’t see how it could work over here without losing 99% of the comedy.
But that’s just me.
Jinx! Great minds think alike.
Yeah. I think the U.S. version is good. They made a great choice of air time by putting it after My Name is Earl. The people who like that show are going to be the ones who’ll like The Office.
Admittedly, the only reasons I started watching it at all is because Steve Carrell’s in it and I had some passing familiarity with the British show (in that I new it existed and vaguely what it’s about). This week’s episode has Carrell’s wife as a real estate agent. Cool stuff.
He’s married? Okay, nope, can’t watch the US version.
David Brent is not married in the British one. That’s part of the tragedy of that character.
Member when there was some talk of bringing Absolutely Fabulous to the states? Did it ever happen? That was another case where I thought: Nope. I can’t watch the US version. The British are (in my opinion) much more fearless with what they do, comedically. We’re much more prudish – and you could NEVER do what they did on Absolutely Fabulous – at least not on network television. That show was also so politically incorrect – in terms of boozing and smoking and whoring – (which was why it was so funny and so AWFUL) that I knew we would water it down somehow, and completely ruin it.
Well, let me add to my former comment:
We’re more prudish, yes, but also more LITERAL and that kind of dry character-based humor is rarely done on TV.
I mean – I look at All in the Family as an absolute high point in television history because it was all about CHARACTER and it was FEARLESS in its portrayal of those people. And yet it was ALSO funny. I love that show.
Oh no. His r/l wife played a real estate agent bit part on the show. Sorry for the confusion.
cullen – oh!! Okay, got it. Whoops!!
I completely understand your point about British humor. I’m a huge AbFab fan. And Python, of course. Also love Benny Hill.
The Office, for some reason, fell under my radar and I’ve just never taken the time to check it out. To be quite honest, it’s not all that important to me. Not in a snarky way, I just don’t feel compelled to check it out like I would some other programs. Probably the subject matter.
Perhaps since I was in the military for so long and still work for the military. Our office life is so different. There are similarities, but the differences are profound.
I love British humor. I’m not sure why. Maybe because it’s sillier than ours? Or … there’s more of an awareness of the hierarchy of class behind the humor – so that when someone does something silly it is 5 times as funny? I don’t know. There’s just something about it that is SO pleasing to me!
Oh, and The Office totally fell under my radar, too – the entire time it was on, originally. I don’t watch much television, believe it or not. I just watch movies that I rent.
But my friend basically MADE me watch the entire thing – the 2 seasons and the 2 hour special (she works for TV Guide – so she had the whole thing on DVD from start to finish, long before it hit the stores) – I watched the entire thing one Saturday and it just blew me away.
How would they have *possibly* made AbFab here? No way. Television producers in the US do not like to travel outside of the “safety zones.” How ironic is it that most of television in the States is this way, when our most celebrated and unforgettable shows were the ones that pushed the envelope and went beyond the boundries?
The funny thing about “Coupling” failing in the States is that it was originally started in Britain as a rip-off of “Friends.”
Oh, and I had a British blogger describe “The Office” to me as “Spinal Tap in an office setting.” That’s all I needed to go out and buy the DVDs.
Hmm. I get the comparison … part of Guest’s movies, to me, is that it’s Guest and crew doing them.
The style transcends him, but I guess I’m picky.
Wasn’t that show with Cybil Sheppard and Christine Baransky that was on (quite) a few years ago supposed to be an American version of AbFab, though it was called something different? I also do remember hearing rumors that there was going to be an actual US AbFab starring Roseanne Barr. Ugh. Scary. UnFab.
On the subject of hilarious and essentially, untranslatably British shows, have you ever seen “Black Books”? I think I’ve mentioned it here before (sorry!) InSANEly funny. Like, leaves you with a visceral longing for more, it’s so funny.
Prolly not so obscure, but what about ‘Allo ‘Allo? Totally cracks me up ;) I love the mispronunciations
AnotherSheila, I think that show was called Cybil. I enjoyed it for what it was. If it was meant to be an American AbFab is was amazingly sanitized, but I can see the influence.
it was Damn me and typos.