Jan
2013
Office Loyalty
Sometimes original is best: the original Milo bar, the first movie before its sequels, the first album from a cool band… When I heard that the US was making a version of Kath and Kim, I knew it couldn’t match the original. The depth of characters, the humor, the innuendo would all prove difficult to replicate. I shared these feelings when I saw that a US version of the UK series, The Office, was being recorded.
For anyone unfamiliar with the TV series, The Office, it’s a funny mockumentary about the daily happenings in a small office of a British paper company that is on the brink of being downsized. The regional manager, David Brent (Ricky Gervais) is an awkward character, whose managerial skills are irreverent and cringe worthy. He believes he is a popular boss who is like a friend to his staff. They think otherwise.
“They’re malleable, and you know that’s what I like really, you know. I don’t like people who come here: ‘Ooh, we did it this way, we did it that way’. I just wanna go do it this way. If you like. If you don’t… Team playing-I call it team individuality, it’s a new, it’s like a management style. Again guilty, unorthodox, sue me.” ~ David Brent
Original image source: unknown.
So, I let watching the US series slide for many years. That is, until this week. Our friend lent us series one and two on DVD.
Series one was only six episodes. To me, it seemed like they were trying too hard to capture Gervais’ magic. The egocentricity, awkwardness and underlying loneliness seemed a bit too forced, too obvious. BUT, season two was where this show really came into its own. The characters showed more depth and the storyline broke away from the UK series. This is when I started to enjoy it. Really enjoy it. Michael Scott’s (Steve Carell) ongoing quest to impress his staff and fuel his ego started to take off to its own heights. The constant intervention by corporate to try to rectify Michael’s inappropriate practice and avoid lawsuits makes for some funny moments. The office relationships develop with a nice romantic sub-plot that never quite eventuated in the original series.
I am a fan. Now I have some catching up to do. I think they’re up to season nine.
It’s worth sitting through the first series to get to the good stuff.
I can’t say that one is better than the other. They are different and that makes good viewing.
Here are a couple of golden moments:
David Brent
Michael Scott
Open Slathering with Alicia
IBOTed, did you?
Eleise @ A Very Blended Family
January 22, 2013 at 4:09 pm (117 days ago)Glad that you are enjoying the show, I have to say I haven’t watched it before, but maybe I should try it. From #IBOT
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Kaz
January 22, 2013 at 6:12 pm (117 days ago)Worth a try Eleise. Start with the UK Series
Azara
January 22, 2013 at 5:50 pm (117 days ago)I’m in Canada and had seen several seasons of the U.S. version of The Office before I saw the U.K. original. I was disappointed – it was funny, but not as much as I had expected. I’m not sure why. Now I want to watch the U.K. version again to figure out why I didn’t like it more! I think the U.S. version of season nine is airing now (we own Seasons 1-8).
Visiting from IBOT.
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Kaz
January 22, 2013 at 6:11 pm (117 days ago)I think they are totally different. I like both for different reasons
Thanks for stopping by.
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen
January 22, 2013 at 6:06 pm (117 days ago)The Office is one of those shows that I can watch over and over again, I love it!
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Kaz
January 22, 2013 at 6:11 pm (117 days ago)Me too Lisa. I have the UK Show on DVD. Love it
Grace
January 22, 2013 at 8:16 pm (117 days ago)I love the British The Office. We have the DVD set and pull it out once in a while for a laugh. I’ve been skeptical about the American version but I might give it a go now.
Grace recently posted..Can we forgive Lance Armstrong?
Kaz
January 22, 2013 at 8:23 pm (117 days ago)It’s worth a try Grace. Hope you enjoy it too.
littlebirdlittlebee
January 22, 2013 at 8:54 pm (117 days ago)I’ve never watched either series! But I will definitely check them out. Always looking for a good new series to watch.
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Carly
January 22, 2013 at 9:56 pm (117 days ago)I tried watching this series years ago and couldn;t get into it, maybe it’s time I tried again!
Thanks for the recommendation.
BTW – the US version of Kath and Kim was never ever going to work!
Kaz
January 22, 2013 at 11:05 pm (117 days ago)Oh, hope you like it. Totally agree about Kath and Kim.
Kylez @ A Study in Contradictions
January 23, 2013 at 10:46 am (116 days ago)I do like the British Office but I have to say my heart lies with the US Office. I just love Michael Scott so much. And Andy Bernard (you’ll have to wait one or two more seasons for him I think). And Jim and Pam. I am an absolute US Office junkie! Can’t get enough of it!
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Kaz
January 23, 2013 at 11:12 am (116 days ago)Oh Kylez, we just met Andy!! We’ve just started series three! He’s from The Hangover, right?
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset
January 23, 2013 at 2:40 pm (116 days ago)I must confess, I’ve only seen bits and pieces of the US one, none of the UK one. The bits and pieces I did see of the uS one I just didn’t get! But to be fair, I’ve not devoted any time at all to watching it or trying to get it. I do think Ricky Gervais and (at times) Steve Carrell are hilarious, so I probably would like them. Maybe will add it to our ever-growing list of TV shows to catch up on! Thanks for sharing! x Aroha #teamIBOT
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Alicia
January 23, 2013 at 4:34 pm (116 days ago)I have watched bits and pieces of both series, but not all. I have enjoyed what I have watched though, very entertaining, I do like the US version, which I have seen more of.
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Kaz
January 23, 2013 at 10:40 pm (116 days ago)It’s a good laugh
Danya Banya
January 23, 2013 at 5:51 pm (116 days ago)I’ve only watched the UK one, assuming that the US one would be a fail. But now you’ve got me intrigued, I might have to give it a go
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Kaz
January 23, 2013 at 10:40 pm (116 days ago)Hope you like it. You have to give it some time
EssentiallyJess
January 24, 2013 at 9:09 pm (115 days ago)I’ve seen a few episodes of the US one, and can seriously not be bothered. Haven’t seen the UK one so I should probably check it out
Kaz
January 27, 2013 at 8:55 pm (112 days ago)Yeah, it took some time for me to get into it.