― Miss Misery (thatgirl), Saturday, 12 March 2005 06:39 (nineteen years ago) link
― sunburned and snowblind (kenan), Saturday, 12 March 2005 06:41 (nineteen years ago) link
http://www.nbc.com/nbc/The_Office/
― sunburned and snowblind (kenan), Saturday, 12 March 2005 06:42 (nineteen years ago) link
Why do they think British comedy series' need to be "re-made" for American audiences?
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, 12 March 2005 06:44 (nineteen years ago) link
― sunburned and snowblind (kenan), Saturday, 12 March 2005 06:46 (nineteen years ago) link
― j blount (papa la bas), Saturday, 12 March 2005 06:46 (nineteen years ago) link
― j blount (papa la bas), Saturday, 12 March 2005 06:47 (nineteen years ago) link
― sunburned and snowblind (kenan), Saturday, 12 March 2005 06:50 (nineteen years ago) link
but then didn't they do an american version of the British Coupling which Friends had been a version of to begin with?
ow.
― Miss Misery (thatgirl), Saturday, 12 March 2005 06:50 (nineteen years ago) link
― j blount (papa la bas), Saturday, 12 March 2005 06:52 (nineteen years ago) link
― Miss Misery (thatgirl), Saturday, 12 March 2005 06:58 (nineteen years ago) link
― j blount (papa la bas), Saturday, 12 March 2005 07:00 (nineteen years ago) link
― sunburned and snowblind (kenan), Saturday, 12 March 2005 07:06 (nineteen years ago) link
― M.ryann (m.ryann), Saturday, 12 March 2005 07:12 (nineteen years ago) link
― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Saturday, 12 March 2005 07:21 (nineteen years ago) link
― walter kranz (walterkranz), Saturday, 12 March 2005 07:28 (nineteen years ago) link
― Don't Ever Antagonize The Horny (AaronHz), Saturday, 12 March 2005 08:22 (nineteen years ago) link
― Remy (null) (x Jeremy), Saturday, 12 March 2005 08:59 (nineteen years ago) link
― Remy (null) (x Jeremy), Saturday, 12 March 2005 09:01 (nineteen years ago) link
― Don't Ever Antagonize The Horny (AaronHz), Saturday, 12 March 2005 09:03 (nineteen years ago) link
the last good british comedy show was Whatever Happened to The Likely Lads? nearly 30 years ago, no, more than 30 now i guess
― charltonlido (gareth), Saturday, 12 March 2005 12:04 (nineteen years ago) link
― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Saturday, 12 March 2005 12:27 (nineteen years ago) link
― ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 12 March 2005 12:33 (nineteen years ago) link
― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Saturday, 12 March 2005 12:38 (nineteen years ago) link
― James Mitchell (James Mitchell), Saturday, 12 March 2005 12:40 (nineteen years ago) link
― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Saturday, 12 March 2005 12:44 (nineteen years ago) link
Only true if you forget the existence of The Young Ones, Blackadder, A Bit Of Fry & Laurie, The Day Today, Yes Minister, Brass Eye, Not The Nine 'O Clock News, The Armando Iannucci Shows, and Father Ted.
(BTW - the latter was technically British as it was mostly filmed at the London Studios (formerly LWT's South Bank Studios) for the UK-based Channel 4. I think I read somewhere once that RTE, the Irish state broadcaster, refused to broadcast it when C4 was attempting to sell it overseas.)
― Chriddof (Chriddof), Saturday, 12 March 2005 12:59 (nineteen years ago) link
― Chriddof (Chriddof), Saturday, 12 March 2005 13:01 (nineteen years ago) link
― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Saturday, 12 March 2005 14:17 (nineteen years ago) link
― charltonlido (gareth), Saturday, 12 March 2005 14:34 (nineteen years ago) link
― scott seward (scott seward), Saturday, 12 March 2005 14:40 (nineteen years ago) link
― Sven Bastard (blueski), Saturday, 12 March 2005 14:44 (nineteen years ago) link
― scott seward (scott seward), Saturday, 12 March 2005 15:05 (nineteen years ago) link
jeremy's right - the focus group response to the original pilot was so terrible that nbc had to have a long hard think about whether it was worth saving. in the end they retooled both the cast and the writing team pretty dramatically and (i think?) gave gervais and merchant even more input than they already had.
― mark p (Mark P), Saturday, 12 March 2005 15:15 (nineteen years ago) link
― Jimmy Mod Has Returned With Spices And Silks (ModJ), Saturday, 12 March 2005 17:18 (nineteen years ago) link
Big Brother, surely? Or am I missing something in TV history?
― Jimmy Mod Has Returned With Spices And Silks (ModJ), Saturday, 12 March 2005 17:19 (nineteen years ago) link
― scott seward (scott seward), Saturday, 12 March 2005 17:25 (nineteen years ago) link
― s1ocki (slutsky), Saturday, 12 March 2005 17:27 (nineteen years ago) link
WTF!!?? Is that really him?
It's really disheartening when someone rattles off a list of 20 British shows that are supposed to be good and only 2 or 3 of them have ever been shown in the US. I can't understand why with a billion satellite stations they can't just beam the British channels over here instead of giving us BBC America.
― walter kranz (walterkranz), Saturday, 12 March 2005 17:57 (nineteen years ago) link
What I don't get is, if they're following the original exactly and it gets pick up for more than one season, what happens when they get past the Christmas Specials in the story line? They better have some damn good writers lined up or they're screwed...not to mention the fact that the BBC series ends at exactly the right time for those characters.
― Don't Ever Antagonize The Horny (AaronHz), Saturday, 12 March 2005 18:09 (nineteen years ago) link
― ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 12 March 2005 18:14 (nineteen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 12 March 2005 18:18 (nineteen years ago) link
― walter kranz (walterkranz), Saturday, 12 March 2005 18:22 (nineteen years ago) link
It just bothers me that the media/entertainment complex assume Americans won't be interested in a show full of British accents. Could this type of coddling be why so many Americans have such an insulated view of the world?
― Miss Misery (thatgirl), Saturday, 12 March 2005 18:24 (nineteen years ago) link
None of this forgives the idea of making an Americanized Father Ted, though. ;-)
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 12 March 2005 18:30 (nineteen years ago) link
― j blount (papa la bas), Saturday, 12 March 2005 18:52 (nineteen years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 12 March 2005 19:02 (nineteen years ago) link
― j blount (papa la bas), Saturday, 12 March 2005 19:03 (nineteen years ago) link
So why isn't Larry David giving me money?
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 12 March 2005 19:05 (nineteen years ago) link
Whether it be here or on a different show, Spader needs to be back on television.
― Johnny Fever, Saturday, 21 May 2011 07:24 (twelve years ago) link
Having thought a bit about this last episode, I don't think I like the increasing focus on omgfamous actors. The show used to feel like a proper office with actual people, now it feels like a TV show (if you know what I mean). I really really liked yesterday's episode but there were waaaay too many celebrity cameos (and Kathy Bates) for it to feel real anymore. Maybe that's a deliberate decision by Lieberstein, I don't know.
― 百万个叉烧包 (Autumn Almanac), Friday, May 20, 2011 5:15 PM (Yesterday)
The show hasn't felt real like what you describe since everyone became cartoon exaggerations of their unique quirks.
― Wacky Way Lounge (Evan), Sunday, 22 May 2011 00:06 (twelve years ago) link
The cameos are also more of a way to keep people hooked, because I'm sure they're worried about holding viewers now that Michael is gone.
― Wacky Way Lounge (Evan), Sunday, 22 May 2011 00:09 (twelve years ago) link
No doubt. Also I see your point about caricatures. Shame it's gone that way, but I still like it despite that.
― 百万个叉烧包 (Autumn Almanac), Sunday, 22 May 2011 00:28 (twelve years ago) link
half the cast were completely cartoony from the start (eg Creed, Kevin, Dwight, MICHAEL. Kelly was rebooted from S2 into a new character, so basically started as a cartoon there.), but played against the flatness of the tone and the comparative realism of some of the others, it didn't affect the overall feel. and I'll take the ongoing exagerration of some of the others if it brings moments like Meredith's cheerful pride at being caught on her "walk of shame."
― the man who forsook his wife for fap fap fap (sic), Sunday, 22 May 2011 01:50 (twelve years ago) link
Yeah that's true, they were cardboard cut-outs and became real from there (by "they" I mean basically every character whose first name is the same as the actor's — Creed, Phyllis, Oscar, Angela &c.)
― 百万个叉烧包 (Autumn Almanac), Sunday, 22 May 2011 01:57 (twelve years ago) link
In the beginning Michael's cartoony-ness was the basis of the show, Dwight's was secondary, and the moments involving the background employees in the office were all there to present a relatable experience. Maybe it's something like yours, or one you heard from a friend, but they all take place in a atmosphere that is believably mundane, and involve actual PEOPLE. Since Michael's cartoony-ness was the epicenter, his character was balanced out by the realness/relate-ability or dry/mundaneness of the other characters. Even Dwight had sensitivity and his shenanigans were in-check and believable. As the balance faded and the anonymity (and mysterious strangeness by some) of the characters went away, they literally became their quirks after initial bits involving them were piled on and shaped them into something singular. Meanwhile the more complex, spotlighted characters were boiled down due to too much reaching for new bits involving their most popular quirks. The show only worked when we still had something to learn about everybody.
― Wacky Way Lounge (Evan), Sunday, 22 May 2011 05:57 (twelve years ago) link
an atmosphere*
― Wacky Way Lounge (Evan), Sunday, 22 May 2011 05:58 (twelve years ago) link
There was a seriousness that I don't think The Office will ever be able to get back.
― house is house is house (CaptainLorax), Monday, 23 May 2011 01:55 (twelve years ago) link
Same goes to The Simpsons
― house is house is house (CaptainLorax), Monday, 23 May 2011 01:57 (twelve years ago) link
So damn true. New Simpsons just makes me sad.
― Wacky Way Lounge (Evan), Monday, 23 May 2011 02:18 (twelve years ago) link
my motto is, when your credibility is shot, start shovelling in the hawtness
(hi cody <3)
― excitebikable boy (Drugs A. Money), Monday, 23 May 2011 02:20 (twelve years ago) link
spader killed in that ep
still like this show enough to watch
― ban drake (the author in the military science fiction subgenre) (history mayne), Thursday, 26 May 2011 23:27 (twelve years ago) link
why is there no British version of Prince
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s68P-GS4lyw
― Latham Green, Friday, 27 May 2011 19:51 (twelve years ago) link
what! stupid Ted Turner embedding failure! go eat you dam buffalos! thats why there is no British Prince!!
― Latham Green, Friday, 27 May 2011 19:52 (twelve years ago) link
otm. It's changed quite a lot but I still love watching it.
― 百万个叉烧包 (Autumn Almanac), Friday, 27 May 2011 21:27 (twelve years ago) link
my god that was a pointless comment, sorry
― 百万个叉烧包 (Autumn Almanac), Friday, 27 May 2011 21:28 (twelve years ago) link
I won't say the most recent season was a return to form because a) I hate that phrase and b) it wasn't, but it was an improvement over the slump the show had fallen into the last couple years. I actually DID enjoy watching it again this year...well, from where I picked it up anyway (I didn't see the first half of the season).
― Johnny Fever, Friday, 27 May 2011 21:35 (twelve years ago) link
nah it's worth noting amidst all the dissatifaction. idgas that it isn't the same show that it was four years ago, it's still funny pretty much every week.
― the man who forsook his wife for fap fap fap (sic), Saturday, 28 May 2011 05:09 (twelve years ago) link
certainly funnier than other nbc mockumentary-style sitcoms i could name
― ban drake (the author in the military science fiction subgenre) (history mayne), Saturday, 28 May 2011 08:23 (twelve years ago) link
if you are referring to parks & rec you fail as a human being
― 百万个叉烧包 (Autumn Almanac), Saturday, 28 May 2011 08:40 (twelve years ago) link
hm, while I find that within the realm of believability (the fact someone might prefer The Office to P&R—ratings don't lie), the fact that you'll insert your challop into any situation is annoying. Or endearing. I haven't decided.
― Johnny Fever, Saturday, 28 May 2011 08:49 (twelve years ago) link
Park & Rec's ratings are not as good because (a) it's newer and (b) it takes more effort to get into. sales != quality
― 百万个叉烧包 (Autumn Almanac), Saturday, 28 May 2011 10:19 (twelve years ago) link
JAMES SPADER.
awesome.
― Mordy, Thursday, 7 July 2011 02:18 (twelve years ago) link
he's not the new boss though, just the CEO. They really punted on replacing Michael Scott.
― Matt Armstrong, Thursday, 7 July 2011 02:53 (twelve years ago) link
u can't ask me to not be excited about james spader
― Mordy, Thursday, 7 July 2011 02:54 (twelve years ago) link
how many threads do we need on this?
Spader as CEO >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Spader as Michael tho
― undeɹrated ærosm?th b∞tlegs I have pwned (sic), Thursday, 7 July 2011 03:17 (twelve years ago) link
what other thread is it on?
― Mordy, Thursday, 7 July 2011 03:20 (twelve years ago) link
The Office (US) — Season 6 thread last updated two hours before this one
― undeɹrated ærosm?th b∞tlegs I have pwned (sic), Thursday, 7 July 2011 03:23 (twelve years ago) link
oh -- i think this one gets more use. i unsubscribed from that one awhile ago for the reason you mention -- how many office threads do we need?
― Mordy, Thursday, 7 July 2011 03:27 (twelve years ago) link
so awkward
― Mordy, Friday, 24 February 2012 02:11 (twelve years ago) link
what's awkward is that every week, another thread gets revived.
The Office Season 8: It Kinda Seems Like the Left Side is the Side to Be On
― Three Word Username, Friday, 24 February 2012 08:54 (twelve years ago) link
Rewatching the complete series of this, loving James Spader so much.
― ©Oz Quiz© (Adam Bruneau), Sunday, 6 July 2014 18:56 (nine years ago) link
"I had a one man saturnalia last night to celebrate the finalization of my divorce."
― Treeship, Sunday, 6 July 2014 19:12 (nine years ago) link
http://38.media.tumblr.com/981d3964c092b684cfc20c7270b049f5/tumblr_mvw2uuSwXh1s6xigeo1_500.jpg
― ©Oz Quiz© (Adam Bruneau), Sunday, 6 July 2014 19:38 (nine years ago) link
So yeah this show started out ok then got really good til Michael Scott left. I love the episodes immediately following it, the guest star managers and weird Lynchian James Spader stuff. But it's pretty clear that they decided to end the show when Michael left. Maybe they were thinking Ed Helms could save the show but his character is really detestable for that final season. Erin is easily the best part of post-Michael Office. New Jim and New Dwight were cool. Jim's sports thing in Philadelphia is a lame subplot, and the Boom Mic Guy subplot is some Twin Peaks season 2 James Biker-level blah blah blah.
― ©Oz Quiz© (Adam Bruneau), Friday, 11 July 2014 03:52 (nine years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AtFy1kGaHc
Craig Robinson rules
― ©Oz Quiz© (Adam Bruneau), Friday, 11 July 2014 03:53 (nine years ago) link
Creed Bratton: Hey, coz. Heard you're having money problems.Michael Scott: No, you didn't.Creed Bratton: Listen, I got the answer. You declare bankruptcy, all your problems go away.Creed Bratton: [in confessional] Creed Bratton has never declared bankruptcy. When Creed Bratton gets in trouble, he transfers his debt to[holds up a fake passport]Creed Bratton: William Charles Schneider.Michael Scott: How would that help, Creed? In Monopoly, you go bankrupt, you lose.Creed Bratton: You don't go by Monopoly, man. That game is *nuts*. Nobody just pick up Get Out of Jail Free cards. Those things cost thousands.Michael Scott: That is a good point.
― ©Oz Quiz© (Adam Bruneau), Friday, 11 July 2014 03:55 (nine years ago) link
Slowly watching the post-Michael seasons now, Erin is the best thing about them by far.
― a biscuit/donut hybrid called “bisnuts” (stevie), Friday, 11 July 2014 12:47 (nine years ago) link
i've gone back to rewatch this series from the start. right now i'm halfway through season 5. imo season 2 is the best. the Michael-Jan stuff is very interesting, the weird power struggles they deal with, and it's funny to watch him fail at both being a competent manager and a lover often at the same time. Jan was a really good character it is a shame what happened, they basically turned her into a crazy ex. the show works best when it just sits back and lets Michael fail and Jan was the best foil for him, the Margaret Dumont to his Groucho.
― AdamVania (Adam Bruneau), Friday, 7 July 2017 21:00 (six years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiI4lvRbLkU
― AdamVania (Adam Bruneau), Saturday, 22 July 2017 06:17 (six years ago) link
when it starts the "Jim's sports company" subplot this show becomes a struggle to get through
― AdamVania (Adam Bruneau), Monday, 24 July 2017 23:16 (six years ago) link
James Spader is cool. Catherine Tate is cool but they quickly ran out of things for her character to do. Ed Helms is funny but a mostly absent boss. Ellie Kemper is the funniest part of the last couple of seasons.
― AdamVania (Adam Bruneau), Monday, 24 July 2017 23:18 (six years ago) link
Finished up a few days ago, all nine seasons. I should have posted a few times as I went along--hard to sum up after you've finished. (I might do a character rundown in a couple of days.) Briefly: erratic, as you'd expect, but at its best I loved it. Especially Pam and Jim the first two or three seasons--as crazy as this sounds, I think that was about as romantic as any film I've ever seen. And so out of the blue when you don't know anything in advance, and you've decided you have a pretty good idea of what you're about to see.
― clemenza, Sunday, 28 January 2024 21:41 (two months ago) link
I never made it past episode one of the British show. It made my skin crawl.
― immodesty blaise (jimbeaux), Monday, 29 January 2024 15:28 (two months ago) link
I'm amazed at how much negativity there is towards Pam early in this thread. Thought she was pretty great right from the start.
― clemenza, Monday, 29 January 2024 15:53 (two months ago) link
Apparently this show has become a touchstone for Gen Z, which is really odd, given how little actual office experience any of them have had. It'd be like them really getting into a show about people using rotary phones. (And yeah, obviously the office setting of The Office is all but incidental, but still.)
― Josh in Chicago, Monday, 29 January 2024 16:26 (two months ago) link
I think at least once a day for the rest of my life I will randomly blurt out "WUPHF.com!" at some point.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfokPqeSNcw
― clemenza, Monday, 12 February 2024 20:55 (one month ago) link
lol
― Marten Broadcloak, mild-mannered GOP congressman (Raymond Cummings), Monday, 12 February 2024 21:00 (one month ago) link
"This is how you make it in this country..."
I bet I've watched that clip 25 times the past month.
― clemenza, Monday, 12 February 2024 21:02 (one month ago) link