The Office (aka I HATE NBC)

chinaski · 03-15-2005, 11:33 AM

hxxp://www.nbc.com/The_Office/

blasphemy!

Joe · 03-15-2005, 11:36 AM

rkmsuf · 03-15-2005, 11:36 AM

I kind of want to bang Jenna Fischer.

Sharpieman · 03-15-2005, 11:50 AM

Sweet I love Steve Corell

Klinglerware · 03-15-2005, 12:19 PM

Hopefully it'll be better than that "Coupling" adaptation they did a couple of years back.

CamEdwards · 03-15-2005, 01:02 PM

actually, Ricky Gervais is on the record as being pretty supportive of this project. And from what I've heard, only the first episode is based on (or rips off) the BBC original.

I like Steve Carrell as well, so I'll give it a try.

HomerJSimpson · 03-15-2005, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klinglerware

Hopefully it'll be better than that "Coupling" adaptation they did a couple of years back.

I hope so, too, but I'm not holding my breath.

Honolulu_Blue · 03-15-2005, 01:54 PM

Old, old news....

http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/f...ad.php?t=35468

The clips I saw were a word-for-word rehash of the original, with only US pop references substituted for UK pop references. It was like a community theater troop watched the office, wrote down the dialogue, and started to re-enact scenes. Shameful.

timmynausea · 03-15-2005, 03:12 PM

Steve Carrell is the funniest. I also like Arthur from Six Feet Under who is going to be in this. (Not sure what the actor's real name is and I don't feel like looking it up.) I've been meaning to watch the original series for a long time now, but never got around to it, so I'm looking forward to this version.

moriarty · 03-16-2005, 12:20 PM

The clip I saw had the tired old joke of them picking the black guy to automatically be the star of the office basketball team ... followed by shots of same incredibly uncoordinated dude dribbling a ball.

If this tired racist stereotype humor is their 'highlight' clip, I wouldn't expect too much from this series.

Ricky Gervais probably gets a cut of the profits or something, which would explain why he would be enthusiastic about the new series.

BrianD · 03-16-2005, 12:49 PM

I never got the excitement of the original "The Office". I watched the first season and just hated pretty much everything about the show. I didn't really like the format (shot like a documentary), and I didn't much care for the jokes. Telling someone they were fired, letting them cry for a few minutes and then telling them it was a joke is just not funny to me.

Coupling was worth trying to import to the US (even if they could never improve on the original), but I can't see The Office and being worth the import.

Calis · 03-24-2005, 09:01 PM

Horrible.

It's like they took the original copied it, and sucked all the funny out.

Way too over the top, kinda missed the point of what made the original great.

CamEdwards · 03-24-2005, 09:04 PM

I dunno. I laughed a few times, but Steve Carrell (who I usually really like) isn't Ricky Gervais.

Pyser · 03-24-2005, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianD

I never got the excitement of the original "The Office". I watched the first season and just hated pretty much everything about the show. I didn't really like the format (shot like a documentary), and I didn't much care for the jokes. Telling someone they were fired, letting them cry for a few minutes and then telling them it was a joke is just not funny to me.

well, that wasnt really the joke of the bit. we are supposed to know its horrible. everyone does. the only one who doesnt is david brent. thats where the ha-ha is.

BrianD · 03-24-2005, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calis

Horrible.

It's like they took the original copied it, and sucked all the funny out.

Way too over the top, kinda missed the point of what made the original great.

I watched the original and I missed the point of what made it great. Can anyone fill me in?

BrianD · 03-24-2005, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyser

well, that wasnt really the joke of the bit. we are supposed to know its horrible. everyone does. the only one who doesnt is david brent. thats where the ha-ha is.

I still don't see it. The funny doesn't come from anyone doing anything funny, it comes from Brent being a total bloody idiot?

Calis · 03-24-2005, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianD

I watched the original and I missed the point of what made it great. Can anyone fill me in?

If you don't like it, you don't like it.

I thought about everything in the show was great. The actors, the dialog. The fact that it felt like all the characters were real people. It wasn't slapstick, and they weren't doing the normal sitcom bits. It was just awkward. Don't know how else to explain it, you FELT bad for David Brent watching it, but you couldn't wait to see what he did next.

Definitely not for everyone, and I knew they wouldn't let it stay how it was when they brought it over here, it'd never fly. Of course, this won't either, but mainly because it stunk.

sachmo71 · 03-24-2005, 09:15 PM

I thought the first episode was funny. *shurg*

Calis · 03-24-2005, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sachmo71

I thought the first episode was funny. *shurg*

Curious, have you seen the original?

I think I'm horribly biased in that in can't compare to the original, and seeing all the same bits used, but worse imo was hard to stomach.

I did think this would probably be a show I could enjoy if I hadn't seen it already.

BrianD · 03-24-2005, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calis

If you don't like it, you don't like it.

I thought about everything in the show was great. The actors, the dialog. The fact that it felt like all the characters were real people. It wasn't slapstick, and they weren't doing the normal sitcom bits. It was just awkward. Don't know how else to explain it, you FELT bad for David Brent watching it, but you couldn't wait to see what he did next.

Definitely not for everyone, and I knew they wouldn't let it stay how it was when they brought it over here, it'd never fly. Of course, this won't either, but mainly because it stunk.

I guess that just isn't my style of humor, which is fine. To me, awkward just feels awkward. I don't deal well with awkward social situations, they feel painful to me. It probably has something to do with the fact that my introversion makes me so aware of just how awkward it is that I actually feel it.

Mockumentaries in general aren't my style. "This is Spinal Tap" had me wanting to gouge out my eyes just because that was the only thing I could think of that would suck worse than the movie.

RPI-Fan · 03-24-2005, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sachmo71

I thought the first episode was funny. *shurg*

Me too... I describe it (never having seen the British version -- though I just ordered the whole package of the British version off of Amazon) as "Curb Your Enthusiasm" in an office setting. Not totally the same, obviously, but I think drawing a parallel is fair.

Calis · 03-24-2005, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianD

I guess that just isn't my style of humor, which is fine. To me, awkward just feels awkward. I don't deal well with awkward social situations, they feel painful to me. It probably has something to do with the fact that my introversion makes me so aware of just how awkward it is that I actually feel it.

Mockumentaries in general aren't my style. "This is Spinal Tap" had me wanting to gouge out my eyes just because that was the only thing I could think of that would suck worse than the movie.

Ahh yeah, different strokes.

I loved Spinal Tap, and Guest's later movies even moreso.

Subby · 03-24-2005, 09:32 PM

I saw it for the first time tonight...the guy in the lead role is hilarious and is the same actor that pretty much stole the show as the half-wit weatherguy in Anchorman...

kcchief19 · 03-24-2005, 09:33 PM

I didn't like the original version much the first time I saw it, but I have liked it more with each additional viewing.

The tough thing about successful shows is that 9 times out of 10 the success of a show is a combination of artisty and chemistry. You can take a show like The Office and copy it in every detail but if you don't have a cast that captures the mood and feel of the original, it will never be as good. It's not different than any remake. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. More often than not it won't work. The odds against it working are astronomical.

In the case of The Office, I think you have a show that had tremendous artistry and pitch perfect casting. It would be almost impossible to match it. I think NBC would have had more success trying to hire the original cast and "Americanize" the settings and language -- or better yet, just air the darn original and make it a joint venture with the BBC. The Office has been a huge hit on BBC America and DVD. Why do they think we have to have an American cast to watch the show? British TV didn't remake episodes of Seinfeld and air them over there -- they aired Seinfeld itself.

That said, I think the point NBC missed was that part of the success of The Office was the "uncomfortable" feeling you got watching the show. The original was a lot like Curb Your Enthusiasm -- two shows that feel like you're watching real life. The NBC version feels like you're watching actor. But if NBC and the other nets understood that distinction, Curb Your Enthusiasm would be on NBC and not HBO.

BrianD · 03-24-2005, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calis

Ahh yeah, different strokes.

I loved Spinal Tap, and Guest's later movies even moreso.

I've been told that even though I hated Spinal Tap, I would probably like Guest's other movies. Is this possible, or is it the same kind of thing?

Calis · 03-24-2005, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianD

I've been told that even though I hated Spinal Tap, I would probably like Guest's other movies. Is this possible, or is it the same kind of thing?

Same type of thing, just more refined...he's definitely got better at it, but the humor is still the same general style.

So I'd say no.

BrianD · 03-24-2005, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calis

Same type of thing, just more refined...he's definitely got better at it, but the humor is still the same general style.

So I'd say no.

Good to know, thanks.

Solecismic · 03-24-2005, 09:47 PM

I thought it was a good start. I don't hold out much hope that it will catch on with an American audience though. The Gareth (Dwight) casting was brilliant - solved one of the few problems with the British version. I don't know if the David Brent character was cast properly, though. The success might hinge on that. Too many funny noises, not enough sad little clown.

Cringer · 03-24-2005, 09:55 PM

i liked it

lungs · 03-24-2005, 10:14 PM

My favorite mockumentary has to be Trailer Park Boys. For those unfamiliar with it, it is a hilarious Canadian comedy set in a trailer park It airs on BBC America here in the States and Showcase in Canada. After discovering it last fall I've become addicted. For those that like trashy comedy, this show is great.

ISiddiqui · 03-24-2005, 10:42 PM

Hey, it wasn't bad! Of course the TRUE test is when they have to write their own shows and not rely on copying the British ones.

Pyser · 03-24-2005, 10:43 PM

hxxp://www.myspace.com/theoffice - long preview there for anyone who hasnt seen clips

man, they really hit you over the head with the american dawn/tim thing. in the original, everything was so subtle and discreet. this is like "HE LIKES HER! GET IT?! NO?!?!!?"

that said, once i managed to get the original out of my head, i did actually find this funny. if i never knew the original existed, i think id like it.

ISiddiqui · 03-24-2005, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcchief19

That said, I think the point NBC missed was that part of the success of The Office was the "uncomfortable" feeling you got watching the show.

There was part of that in the show... like when he 'fired' the secretary... though in the British version it was better.

Tekneek · 03-25-2005, 05:45 AM

I saw a few minutes of it and thought it was good. I probably won't watch it, or even feed it to the TiVo, because there are too many other things already competing for the limited amount of time I spend with the TV.

lighthousekeeper · 03-25-2005, 07:11 AM

So am I the only one who hasn't seen the British version? What was I doing when all you guys got together for "BBC Marathon Night Part 3, Featuring Mr. Bean and The Office"? Was it like during the Super Bowl or something?

tanglewood · 03-25-2005, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lighthousekeeper

So am I the only one who hasn't seen the British version? What was I doing when all you guys got together for "BBC Marathon Night Part 3, Featuring Mr. Bean and The Office"? Was it like during the Super Bowl or something?

Mr. Bean wasn't a BBC show, silly.

In the UK we get to see the US version sometime in autumn on BBC 3 (i.e. not very big billing). I suppose I'll watch it out of curiosity more than anything else.

moriarty · 03-25-2005, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

Me too... I describe it (never having seen the British version -- though I just ordered the whole package of the British version off of Amazon) as "Curb Your Enthusiasm" in an office setting.

Hopefully you ordered the one that comes in the black package (black cover box). They had another one on Amazon (in the white box) that was missing the final reunion episode.

I think it should say: The Office - The Complete Collection (First And Second Series Plus Special) - price $41.

Bubba Wheels · 03-25-2005, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyser

hxxp://www.myspace.com/theoffice - long preview there for anyone who hasnt seen clips

man, they really hit you over the head with the american dawn/tim thing. in the original, everything was so subtle and discreet. this is like "HE LIKES HER! GET IT?! NO?!?!!?"

that said, once i managed to get the original out of my head, i did actually find this funny. if i never knew the original existed, i think id like it.

This is the way I saw it. Everything played for maximum effect, subtley not at all. The Six Million Dollar Man thing was funny at first, then you could bake a cake waiting for it to end. The part at the end with the boss and the secretary spoiled it all for me. Up to that you weren't really sure if the boss was a doofus with talent at his job or just a sadistic jerk. Showing him as the later takes any sympathy away from the character.

mrsimperless · 03-25-2005, 08:54 AM

I thought that it just about met my expectations as to what NBC would do with it. At first I was excited about Steve Corell being in it, but then I realized that I've never heard a non-sarcastic word come out of tha dude's mouth. So the parts where David was supposed to come off as sincere I had a little bit of trouble buying from Corell. OTher than that I enjoyed it. I definitely got that "uncomfortable" feeling a few different times. Hopefully the show can fare well as there is nothing else on TV like it. Plus, it comes on after Scrubs!!

RPI-Fan · 03-25-2005, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriarty

Hopefully you ordered the one that comes in the black package (black cover box). They had another one on Amazon (in the white box) that was missing the final reunion episode.

I think it should say: The Office - The Complete Collection (First And Second Series Plus Special) - price $41.

Thanks!

Shipping estimate for these items: March 30, 2005 - March 30, 2005
Delivery estimate: April 1, 2005 - April 5, 2005 1 "The Office - The Complete Collection (First And Second Series Plus Special)"
Ricky Gervais; DVD; $41.94

Looks like I'm all set - thanks for the advice though!!! So just how many episodes are there? 12 half-hours? 12 hour-longs? Plus the specials?

Thanks!
~rpi-fan

Kodos · 03-25-2005, 03:23 PM

I thought it was funny, but not outstanding in any way.

HomerJSimpson · 03-25-2005, 03:36 PM

I thought it was funny. I liked the original (though I haven't seen every episode). I think not seeing all of the orginal, and espicially not seeing it over and over again, helped keep me from hating this version. As someone said, the real test will be when it has to create its own writing and storyline which will not take long (how many original episodes are there, 12?). I think it could be a winner, but it'll probably die because it is not another "Everybody Loves Raymond" clone.

Pyser · 03-25-2005, 03:41 PM

i read they only "copied" the pilot episode from the original version. starting with episode 2, it will be all original writing from there on out.

the link i included (the myspace one) was all original, and fairly funny, so maybe there is some hope.

Calis · 03-25-2005, 03:50 PM

I haven't seen the specials in the original, how are they?

Thought they closed it up pretty nicely in the original. As a matter of fact it was one of the more poignant moments I've seen in a sitcom. Great stuff.

moriarty · 03-25-2005, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPI-Fan

Looks like I'm all set - thanks for the advice though!!! So just how many episodes are there? 12 half-hours? 12 hour-longs? Plus the specials?

Thanks!
~rpi-fan

There's 12 original episodes of an hour (or 45 minutes or whatever the running time is). There's only 1 special which is a 2 hour special they filmed a couple years I believe after the last episode of seaon 2. Still it's worth it to get that one as it sorta ties up some things and has some classic David Brent moments.

Of course there's alot of DVD extras as well including the 'Free Love Highway' video (see the consultant episode in season 1) and some pretty good interviews with Gervais and the other dude who wrote it.

Calis · 03-25-2005, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriarty

Of course there's alot of DVD extras as well including the 'Free Love Highway' video (see the consultant episode in season 1) and some pretty good interviews with Gervais and the other dude who wrote it.

My personal favorite episode. The whole guitar thing killed me, and still does every time I watch it.

Classic.

moriarty · 03-25-2005, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calis

My personal favorite episode. The whole guitar thing killed me, and still does every time I watch it.

Classic.

Mine too - I had to download the one song b/c it just cracked me up.

Solecismic · 03-25-2005, 06:06 PM

The Christmas Party special is some of the best television I've seen in a long, long time. These are real, three-dimensional characters. I hope the American version can capture some of that.

sachmo71 · 03-26-2005, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calis

Curious, have you seen the original?

I think I'm horribly biased in that in can't compare to the original, and seeing all the same bits used, but worse imo was hard to stomach.

I did think this would probably be a show I could enjoy if I hadn't seen it already.

I did not see the original. I guess the fact that I could see people I work with in every character made it that much funnier for me.

RPI-Fan · 03-26-2005, 10:44 AM

On that myspace website, I thought it was hilarious when they call the diversity guy in... He asks them to recreate what happened (the boss did a Chris Rock routine), and the diversity guy won't let the boss do it. The boring guy does it, and the boss gets truly upset because it is not authentic. I think I'll enjoy future episodes of this show.

03-15-2005, 11:36 AM	#2
Joe Pro Starter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Minneapolis	why?

03-15-2005, 11:36 AM	#3
rkmsuf Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2001	I kind of want to bang Jenna Fischer. __________________ "Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales

03-15-2005, 11:50 AM	#4
Sharpieman Greatly Missed. (7/11/84-06/12/05) Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Palo Alto, CA	Sweet I love Steve Corell __________________ Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.

03-15-2005, 01:02 PM	#6
CamEdwards Stadium Announcer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Burke, VA	actually, Ricky Gervais is on the record as being pretty supportive of this project. And from what I've heard, only the first episode is based on (or rips off) the BBC original. I like Steve Carrell as well, so I'll give it a try. __________________ I don't want the world. I just want your half.

03-15-2005, 01:54 PM	#8
Honolulu_Blue Hockey Boy Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Royal Oak, MI	Old, old news.... http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/%7Efof/f...ad.php?t=35468 The clips I saw were a word-for-word rehash of the original, with only US pop references substituted for UK pop references. It was like a community theater troop watched the office, wrote down the dialogue, and started to re-enact scenes. Shameful. __________________ *Steve Yzerman*: 1,755 points in 1,514 regular season games. 185 points in 196 postseason games. A First-Team All-Star, Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Selke Trophy winner, Masterton Trophy winner, member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Olympic gold medallist, and a three-time Stanley Cup Champion. Longest serving captain of one team in the history of the NHL (19 seasons).

03-15-2005, 12:19 PM	#5
Klinglerware College Starter Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: The DMV	Hopefully it'll be better than that "Coupling" adaptation they did a couple of years back.

03-15-2005, 03:12 PM	#9
timmynausea College Starter Join Date: Dec 2002	Steve Carrell is the funniest. I also like Arthur from Six Feet Under who is going to be in this. (Not sure what the actor's real name is and I don't feel like looking it up.) I've been meaning to watch the original series for a long time now, but never got around to it, so I'm looking forward to this version.

03-16-2005, 12:20 PM	#10
moriarty College Starter Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: A negative place	The clip I saw had the tired old joke of them picking the black guy to automatically be the star of the office basketball team ... followed by shots of same incredibly uncoordinated dude dribbling a ball. If this tired racist stereotype humor is their 'highlight' clip, I wouldn't expect too much from this series. Ricky Gervais probably gets a cut of the profits or something, which would explain why he would be enthusiastic about the new series.

03-16-2005, 12:49 PM	#11
BrianD Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Appleton, WI	I never got the excitement of the original "The Office". I watched the first season and just hated pretty much everything about the show. I didn't really like the format (shot like a documentary), and I didn't much care for the jokes. Telling someone they were fired, letting them cry for a few minutes and then telling them it was a joke is just not funny to me. Coupling was worth trying to import to the US (even if they could never improve on the original), but I can't see The Office and being worth the import.

03-24-2005, 09:01 PM	#12
Calis College Starter Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Kansas	Horrible. It's like they took the original copied it, and sucked all the funny out. Way too over the top, kinda missed the point of what made the original great.

03-24-2005, 09:04 PM	#13
CamEdwards Stadium Announcer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Burke, VA	I dunno. I laughed a few times, but Steve Carrell (who I usually really like) isn't Ricky Gervais. __________________ I don't want the world. I just want your half.

03-24-2005, 09:15 PM	#18
sachmo71 The boy who cried Trout Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: TX	I thought the first episode was funny. shurg

03-24-2005, 09:32 PM	#23
Subby lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: sans pants	I saw it for the first time tonight...the guy in the lead role is hilarious and is the same actor that pretty much stole the show as the half-wit weatherguy in Anchorman... __________________ Superman was flying around and saw Wonder Woman getting a tan in the nude on her balcony. Superman said I going to hit that real fast. So he flys down toward Wonder Woman to hit it and their is a loud scream. The Invincible Man scream what just hit me in the ass!!!!! I do shit, I take pictures, I write about it: chrisshue.com

03-24-2005, 09:33 PM	#24
kcchief19 Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Kansas City, MO	I didn't like the original version much the first time I saw it, but I have liked it more with each additional viewing. The tough thing about successful shows is that 9 times out of 10 the success of a show is a combination of artisty and chemistry. You can take a show like The Office and copy it in every detail but if you don't have a cast that captures the mood and feel of the original, it will never be as good. It's not different than any remake. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. More often than not it won't work. The odds against it working are astronomical. In the case of The Office, I think you have a show that had tremendous artistry and pitch perfect casting. It would be almost impossible to match it. I think NBC would have had more success trying to hire the original cast and "Americanize" the settings and language -- or better yet, just air the darn original and make it a joint venture with the BBC. The Office has been a huge hit on BBC America and DVD. Why do they think we have to have an American cast to watch the show? British TV didn't remake episodes of Seinfeld and air them over there -- they aired Seinfeld itself. That said, I think the point NBC missed was that part of the success of The Office was the "uncomfortable" feeling you got watching the show. The original was a lot like Curb Your Enthusiasm -- two shows that feel like you're watching real life. The NBC version feels like you're watching actor. But if NBC and the other nets understood that distinction, Curb Your Enthusiasm would be on NBC and not HBO.

03-24-2005, 09:47 PM	#28
Solecismic Solecismic Software Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Canton, OH	I thought it was a good start. I don't hold out much hope that it will catch on with an American audience though. The Gareth (Dwight) casting was brilliant - solved one of the few problems with the British version. I don't know if the David Brent character was cast properly, though. The success might hinge on that. Too many funny noises, not enough sad little clown.

03-24-2005, 09:55 PM	#29
Cringer Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Edinburg,TX	i liked it __________________ You Stole Fizzy Lifting drinks! You bumped into the ceiling which now has to be washed and steralized, so you get NOTHING! You lose!

03-24-2005, 10:14 PM	#30
lungs Pro Rookie Join Date: May 2002 Location: Prairie du Sac, WI	My favorite mockumentary has to be Trailer Park Boys. For those unfamiliar with it, it is a hilarious Canadian comedy set in a trailer park It airs on BBC America here in the States and Showcase in Canada. After discovering it last fall I've become addicted. For those that like trashy comedy, this show is great.

03-24-2005, 10:42 PM	#31
ISiddiqui Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Decatur, GA	Hey, it wasn't bad! Of course the TRUE test is when they have to write their own shows and not rely on copying the British ones. __________________ "A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages" -Tennessee Williams

03-24-2005, 10:43 PM	#32
Pyser Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Los Angeles	hxxp://www.myspace.com/theoffice - long preview there for anyone who hasnt seen clips man, they really hit you over the head with the american dawn/tim thing. in the original, everything was so subtle and discreet. this is like "HE LIKES HER! GET IT?! NO?!?!!?" that said, once i managed to get the original out of my head, i did actually find this funny. if i never knew the original existed, i think id like it.

03-25-2005, 05:45 AM	#34
Tekneek Pro Rookie Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: USA	I saw a few minutes of it and thought it was good. I probably won't watch it, or even feed it to the TiVo, because there are too many other things already competing for the limited amount of time I spend with the TV.

03-25-2005, 07:11 AM	#35
lighthousekeeper College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000	So am I the only one who hasn't seen the British version? What was I doing when all you guys got together for "BBC Marathon Night Part 3, Featuring Mr. Bean and The Office"? Was it like during the Super Bowl or something?

03-25-2005, 08:54 AM	#39
mrsimperless College Prospect Join Date: Apr 2003	I thought that it just about met my expectations as to what NBC would do with it. At first I was excited about Steve Corell being in it, but then I realized that I've never heard a non-sarcastic word come out of tha dude's mouth. So the parts where David was supposed to come off as sincere I had a little bit of trouble buying from Corell. OTher than that I enjoyed it. I definitely got that "uncomfortable" feeling a few different times. Hopefully the show can fare well as there is nothing else on TV like it. Plus, it comes on after Scrubs!! __________________ "All I know is that smart women are hot. Susan Polgar beat me in 24 moves in a simultaneous exhbition. I slept with the scoresheet under my pillow." Off some dude's web site.

03-25-2005, 03:23 PM	#41
Kodos Resident Alien Join Date: Jun 2001	I thought it was funny, but not outstanding in any way.

03-25-2005, 03:36 PM	#42
HomerJSimpson College Benchwarmer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Springfield, USA	I thought it was funny. I liked the original (though I haven't seen every episode). I think not seeing all of the orginal, and espicially not seeing it over and over again, helped keep me from hating this version. As someone said, the real test will be when it has to create its own writing and storyline which will not take long (how many original episodes are there, 12?). I think it could be a winner, but it'll probably die because it is not another "Everybody Loves Raymond" clone.

03-25-2005, 03:41 PM	#43
Pyser Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Los Angeles	i read they only "copied" the pilot episode from the original version. starting with episode 2, it will be all original writing from there on out. the link i included (the myspace one) was all original, and fairly funny, so maybe there is some hope.

03-25-2005, 03:50 PM	#44
Calis College Starter Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Kansas	I haven't seen the specials in the original, how are they? Thought they closed it up pretty nicely in the original. As a matter of fact it was one of the more poignant moments I've seen in a sitcom. Great stuff.

03-25-2005, 06:06 PM	#48
Solecismic Solecismic Software Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Canton, OH	The Christmas Party special is some of the best television I've seen in a long, long time. These are real, three-dimensional characters. I hope the American version can capture some of that.

03-26-2005, 10:44 AM	#50
RPI-Fan Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Troy, NY	On that myspace website, I thought it was hilarious when they call the diversity guy in... He asks them to recreate what happened (the boss did a Chris Rock routine), and the diversity guy won't let the boss do it. The boring guy does it, and the boss gets truly upset because it is not authentic. I think I'll enjoy future episodes of this show. __________________ Quis custodiets ipsos custodes?

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