The Office - BBC Vs. NBC

zenon · March 31st, 2005, 5:42 AM

I've seen the last two episodes of the American version of The Office and would love to hear people's opinions.

I've seen every episode of the BBC show, and hae seen the only two episodes of the NBC version thus far. I was not very impressed with the first episode, but I found the second to be significantly better.

The first one followed the BBC script way too closley. Even the actors facial expressions and timing in line delivery was ripped right out of the BBC version (especially with the Jim\Tim character). Steve Carell's rendition of Michael Scott was not even remotely as funny as Ricky Gervais' David Brent on the BBC version (and this is coming from a big fan of Carell - especially his work on the Daily Show). However, the second episode seemed to move away from the BBC script enough to make it enjoyable to watch. The actors didn't seem to be simply re-inacting the British actors like they did in the first episode, and the script was different than any of the BBC episodes and was still actually funny.

I've got high hopes for this series, but it may not last on American television. Shows without laugh tracks or live audiences do notoriously poorly in American markets, and it may be too much of a "thinking" comedy to appeal to a wide audience. It will probably find itself in the same position as Arrested Development, which is one of my favourite shows, but is constantly on the verge of being cancelled.

Anyways, there is your topic, discuss. images/smilies/smile.gif

Ultra_Kool_Dude · March 31st, 2005, 7:15 AM

Is it worth watching? I usually stay away from primetime sitcoms, because 99% of them make me want to kill myself.

Viper007Bond · March 31st, 2005, 7:52 AM

I haven't seen the BBC version and didn't even know there was one until pretty much right now. I just look at it as a rip off of Office Space.

Anyway, I can comment on the US version and yeah, the 2nd episode was WAY better. images/smilies/thumbup.gif

And for those that haven't seen them: http://www.btefnet.net/index.php?show=133

swek · March 31st, 2005, 8:45 AM

I've seen the original, I've seen a couple of episodes from the german franchise and I don't feel like watching the american one. That's the problem with the TV programme right there. When they accidently show something that is actually funny it gets beaten to death.

ESPNSTI · March 31st, 2005, 2:35 PM

I haven't seen the BBC version, but I went back to playing GT4 after watching about 5 minutes of the NBC version.

SPG900 · March 31st, 2005, 2:38 PM

What's the point of remaking a wonderful tv series? images/smilies/zzz.gif

Kip_6666 · March 31st, 2005, 2:59 PM

I watched the english one, all of the episodes. I loved it.

And since yesterday I've seen ep 1 and 2 of the nbc one. The first episode was pretty much a copy. Not as good as the orriginal, but ok. I could still apperciate everything.

Second episode was way better. Still kinda based on one of the english ones. But they did it a bit different. I liked it.

Skett · April 1st, 2005, 4:16 PM

Well I'm not one of the biggest fans of the Office, its just too cringeworthy for me, however I watched the first american episode and thought that it was just plain awful, haven't watched the second episode so I can't really comment though.

zenon · April 1st, 2005, 7:39 PM

I've talked to two people recently who have never seen the BBC show, but absolutely loved the NBC 'The Office'. I can completely understand that though, because on American television its practically a breath of fresh air next to such utter drivel as Joey.

I'm going to show a friend of mine (one of the people who hadn't seen the BBC show but loved the NBC show) a couple episodes of the BBC show this weekend and see what he thinks of it.

Ultra_Kool_Dude · April 1st, 2005, 8:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenon

I can completely understand that though, because on American television its practically a breath of fresh air next to such utter drivel as Joey.

Joey is terrible. images/smilies/thumbsup.gif

Remember when NBC tried to do Red Dwarf? They replaced Rimmer with a pretty boy surfer. They totally just missed the point - Not all actors have to be good looking in a god damn comedy! images/smilies/lol.gif

zenon · April 1st, 2005, 8:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultra_Kool_Dude

Remember when NBC tried to do Red Dwarf? They replaced Rimmer with a pretty boy surfer. They totally just missed the point - Not all actors have to be good looking in a god damn comedy! images/smilies/lol.gif

I never knew they tried Red Dwarf! Actually, I'm glad I didn't see that - it probably would have scarred me for life!

kenezzite · April 2nd, 2005, 10:36 AM

The BBC is way better than the US. Original is always best.

Viper007Bond · April 2nd, 2005, 11:32 AM

There's a reason that NBC's primetime is now ranked #4...

jasonchiu · April 2nd, 2005, 2:28 PM

english one i like better. though i neve seen the american one

Skett · April 3rd, 2005, 7:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultra_Kool_Dude

Remember when NBC tried to do Red Dwarf? They replaced Rimmer with a pretty boy surfer. They totally just missed the point - Not all actors have to be good looking in a god damn comedy! images/smilies/lol.gif

Ouch man that thing was painful, they managed to compress about 4 series worth of red dwarf jokes into a single episode and yet none of it was funny.

kenezzite · April 4th, 2005, 1:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

There's a reason that NBC's primetime is now ranked #4...

Where did you hear that? on Late Night with Conan O'Brian images/smilies/lol.gif

Ultra_Kool_Dude · April 4th, 2005, 1:10 PM

^ I saw that.

Malaysian Apprentice - "but I can't afford glasses". images/smilies/lol.gif

Greatgraddage · April 4th, 2005, 3:01 PM

The red dwarf thing was quite a cock up. They asked Robert Llewellen (Kryten) to star in the US version, but none of the other cast, and the script writers had huge arguments with their american counterparts, all got canned pretty quickly. There' a bit about it on one of the DVDs (series 4 or 5 I think).

Skett · April 4th, 2005, 5:42 PM

series 5, and they asked Chris Barry (rimmer) too, but only because they couldn't find a decent american counterpart (though apparently they couldn't find a decent american counterpart for Lister either cause he sucked) but he turned it down because if the show got a series and then failed he would have lost everything that he had gained in the UK or something (wasn't really paying that much attention)

Greatgraddage · April 4th, 2005, 6:50 PM

I havn't watched it properly yet either. I will later now though, things like this really interest me, dunno why!

March 31st, 2005, 5:42 AM	#1
zenon VIP Joined: Mar 8th, 2004 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 2,546 Rep Power: 26	The Office - BBC Vs. NBC I've seen the last two episodes of the American version of The Office and would love to hear people's opinions. I've seen every episode of the BBC show, and hae seen the only two episodes of the NBC version thus far. I was not very impressed with the first episode, but I found the second to be significantly better. The first one followed the BBC script way too closley. Even the actors facial expressions and timing in line delivery was ripped right out of the BBC version (especially with the Jim\Tim character). Steve Carell's rendition of Michael Scott was not even remotely as funny as Ricky Gervais' David Brent on the BBC version (and this is coming from a big fan of Carell - especially his work on the Daily Show). However, the second episode seemed to move away from the BBC script enough to make it enjoyable to watch. The actors didn't seem to be simply re-inacting the British actors like they did in the first episode, and the script was different than any of the BBC episodes and was still actually funny. I've got high hopes for this series, but it may not last on American television. Shows without laugh tracks or live audiences do notoriously poorly in American markets, and it may be too much of a "thinking" comedy to appeal to a wide audience. It will probably find itself in the same position as Arrested Development, which is one of my favourite shows, but is constantly on the verge of being cancelled. Anyways, there is your topic, discuss. __________________ *Disclaimer: 'Official "What's that Song?" Guy' unless said song is European house music or sung in German.

March 31st, 2005, 7:15 AM	#2
Ultra_Kool_Dude AWESOME!!!111ONE Joined: Oct 4th, 2004 Location: Clarkson's House Posts: 3,681 Car: POWERR!!! Rep Power: 0	Is it worth watching? I usually stay away from primetime sitcoms, because 99% of them make me want to kill myself. __________________ What's the difference between charity and socialism? What's the difference between sex and rape?

March 31st, 2005, 7:52 AM	#3
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 25 Posts: 22,290 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 298	I haven't seen the BBC version and didn't even know there was one until pretty much right now. I just look at it as a rip off of Office Space. Anyway, I can comment on the US version and yeah, the 2nd episode was WAY better. And for those that haven't seen them: http://www.btefnet.net/index.php?show=133 __________________ There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

March 31st, 2005, 2:35 PM	#5
ESPNSTI Can't Find Waldo Joined: Dec 9th, 2003 Location: Decorah, IA Age: 37 Posts: 4,333 Car: 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STI (USDM) LFS Status: Rep Power: 42	I haven't seen the BBC version, but I went back to playing GT4 after watching about 5 minutes of the NBC version. __________________ Top Gear Episode Guide (Excel) \| Top Gear Episode Guide (HTML) \| Top Gear Classic Episode Guide (HTML) Other Top Gear Guides \| Fifth Gear Guides \| Clarkson's TV/Video List \| Tiff Needell's TV/Video List

March 31st, 2005, 2:59 PM	#7
Kip_6666 I Bought This Title :o Joined: May 17th, 2004 Location: The Netherlands Age: 23 Posts: 3,041 Car: Saab 9-3 2.0t @ stage 3 now & Saab Viggen Rep Power: 53	I watched the english one, all of the episodes. I loved it. And since yesterday I've seen ep 1 and 2 of the nbc one. The first episode was pretty much a copy. Not as good as the orriginal, but ok. I could still apperciate everything. Second episode was way better. Still kinda based on one of the english ones. But they did it a bit different. I liked it. __________________ http://www.internet-memes.com Now with 50% less database error My Flickr

March 31st, 2005, 8:45 AM	#4
swek Ex-Moderator Joined: May 19th, 2004 Location: Hamburg, Germany Age: 27 Posts: 4,525 Car: Does a bicycle count? Rep Power: 69	I've seen the original, I've seen a couple of episodes from the german franchise and I don't feel like watching the american one. That's the problem with the TV programme right there. When they accidently show something that is actually funny it gets beaten to death.

March 31st, 2005, 2:38 PM	#6
SPG900 Joined: Jan 14th, 2004 Location: België Posts: 567 Rep Power: 0	What's the point of remaking a wonderful tv series?

April 1st, 2005, 4:16 PM	#8
Skett Joined: Mar 14th, 2005 Location: UK Posts: 223 Rep Power: 0	Well I'm not one of the biggest fans of the Office, its just too cringeworthy for me, however I watched the first american episode and thought that it was just plain awful, haven't watched the second episode so I can't really comment though. __________________ Throwing acid is wrong, in some peoples eyes...

April 1st, 2005, 7:39 PM	#9
zenon VIP Joined: Mar 8th, 2004 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 2,546 Rep Power: 26	I've talked to two people recently who have never seen the BBC show, but absolutely loved the NBC 'The Office'. I can completely understand that though, because on American television its practically a breath of fresh air next to such utter drivel as Joey. I'm going to show a friend of mine (one of the people who hadn't seen the BBC show but loved the NBC show) a couple episodes of the BBC show this weekend and see what he thinks of it. __________________ *Disclaimer: 'Official "What's that Song?" Guy' unless said song is European house music or sung in German.

April 2nd, 2005, 10:36 AM	#12
kenezzite Joined: Jan 24th, 2004 Location: USA Posts: 479 Rep Power: 0	The BBC is way better than the US. Original is always best. __________________

April 2nd, 2005, 11:32 AM	#13
Viper007Bond Lazy Head Dude Joined: Sep 21st, 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 25 Posts: 22,290 Car: Dodge Viper (I wish!) Rep Power: 298	There's a reason that NBC's primetime is now ranked #4... __________________ There is no replacement for displacement. - Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer, Chrysler Group talking about the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ... I ask Herb Helbig, vehicle synthesis manager for SRT and a member of the original Team Viper development group since day one, if they'd ever thought of adding traction control. "It comes with two," he says, pointing at my feet. "Learn to use them." Got it. - Motor Trend on the 2006 Dodge Viper Coupe, November 2005

April 2nd, 2005, 2:28 PM	#14
jasonchiu Banned Joined: May 26th, 2004 Location: hong kong Posts: 5,216 Rep Power: 0	english one i like better. though i neve seen the american one

April 4th, 2005, 1:10 PM	#17
Ultra_Kool_Dude AWESOME!!!111ONE Joined: Oct 4th, 2004 Location: Clarkson's House Posts: 3,681 Car: POWERR!!! Rep Power: 0	^ I saw that. Malaysian Apprentice - "but I can't afford glasses". __________________ What's the difference between charity and socialism? What's the difference between sex and rape?

April 4th, 2005, 3:01 PM	#18
Greatgraddage Joined: Jun 7th, 2004 Location: Wales, UK Age: 23 Posts: 1,090 Car: 205 1.9 GTI Rep Power: 30	The red dwarf thing was quite a cock up. They asked Robert Llewellen (Kryten) to star in the US version, but none of the other cast, and the script writers had huge arguments with their american counterparts, all got canned pretty quickly. There' a bit about it on one of the DVDs (series 4 or 5 I think). __________________ Currently Drive - 205 GTI Currently Want - 1967 Mustang GT500 (Eleanor!)

April 4th, 2005, 5:42 PM	#19
Skett Joined: Mar 14th, 2005 Location: UK Posts: 223 Rep Power: 0	series 5, and they asked Chris Barry (rimmer) too, but only because they couldn't find a decent american counterpart (though apparently they couldn't find a decent american counterpart for Lister either cause he sucked) but he turned it down because if the show got a series and then failed he would have lost everything that he had gained in the UK or something (wasn't really paying that much attention) __________________ Throwing acid is wrong, in some peoples eyes...

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April 4th, 2005, 6:50 PM	#20
Greatgraddage Joined: Jun 7th, 2004 Location: Wales, UK Age: 23 Posts: 1,090 Car: 205 1.9 GTI Rep Power: 30	I havn't watched it properly yet either. I will later now though, things like this really interest me, dunno why! __________________ Currently Drive - 205 GTI Currently Want - 1967 Mustang GT500 (Eleanor!)

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