The Office - Copycat From the UK, But in A Good Way!

The Office is based on an original brit comedy by the same name... that was imported to America.

I have become addicted to The Office! I had the chance to see the brilliant brit original and although the U.S. version is different on many levels, it's very, very good!

Ricky Gervais is soooo funny, as the boss (David Brent) in the brit version but wow, Steve Carell holds his own as boss Michael Scott in the American version.

His comedic timing is brilliant and although some people might disagree, I find Carell's boss man less annoying and a bit more lovable than Gervais', especially when it comes to his pathetic attempts to get people to like him. Gervais' version just goes too far... like coming back to the office day after day, YEARS after he was let go, even showing up at the Xmas party. I know, I know, it was a deliberate set up for a special Christmas episode, but still, come on!

Dwight is awesome as the office weirdo in the US version. Gareth is weird as heck in the UK version, but Dwight gets my vote for the best office creep, because he's more intense and scary. Gareth comes off as more weasly and not as scary. Working with Dwight would creep me out, seriously. :) His loyalty to Michael Scott is so disturbing, I'd be afraid to do anything to upset the boss, for fear of Dwight's possible retaliation. He has this borderline serial killer thing going on... like it's possible there are human body parts in his freezer or something!

I also find the American office romance to be more appealing. Jim is just plain cuter and more funny than Tim. Same with Pam vs. Dawn. And they have more chemistry, too. It's just the way it is. But then again, American TV is more about looks, and the whole 'will they/won't they' dynamic, so I'm sure that could have something to do with it.

Also, as far as looks are concerned... the actress who plays Dawn is built more like America Ferrara, not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's quite obvious why people like Pam in the American version... she's pretty/thin and funny. In the UK version, its more just Tim who is interested in Dawn... so it's a different dynamic entirely.

Then there's Michael Scott's feelings for his boss Jan Levinson, and vice versa. Jan doesn't even seem to like him as a person, and yet they have chemistry. It cracks me up, I can't help it.. Hilarious!

Jan throws in an added oomph that the UK version just didn't have... upper management in the UK show clearly hated the boss and had no good will whatsoever. Gervais' character is repeatedly torn up by management, there's not much humor in those scenes, to me.

The American version of the Office is really solid tv comedy... The first season has just 6 short episodes, but if you get the DVD, check out the extras. They are really funny, too. Season one:

* There's the Pilot, which introduces you to everyone at Dunder Mifflin's Scranton PA branch... it's a paper company in an increasingly paperless, Internet world. The characters are funny, with good timing, even the lesser roles.

* Episode 2? Diversity Day. The office is forced to get training on racial sensitivity why? Because their boss was telling racist jokes. Michael Scott, clueless as always, makes remarks about being attracted to certain races and also does a Chris Rock impression. Non-PC but funny!

* Healthcare is #3. Jan tells Michael to pick a more cost-effective health plan, but not wanting to upset anyone, Michael passes the job off to Dwight and blames him for everything... Michael will do anything to prevent anyone thinking badly of him. Ridiculous concept, but hilariously done episode!

* The Alliance is episode 4. When there's rumblings of possible layoffs, normal rivals Jim and Dwight decide to work together to prove they are important to the company... but how long can they stand each other? Is the company in trouble? Heck no, and Michael decides to throw a party to distract everyone and keep them happy with him.

* Basketball is episode 5 and it once again involves Michael's non-pc racist stereotyping. Who is important to the team? Why, the company's black employee, that's who. Never mind that he isn't into b-ball and isn't any good at it. Another disasterous attempt to boost morale by the clueless boss.

* Finally, there's #6, The Hot Girl. Normally, someone selling items in an office building are immediately sent packing, but not hot girl, Amy Adams, who guest stars as a girl selling purses. Michael Scott is instantly attracted to her, trying to impress her, and Jim sees it as a chance to play yet another prank on Dwight... getting him to buy a purse. Classic! The Office really grows on you, especially by episode 6, you can see it will go places and be a big hit!

On one hand, I think the Brit version is better because it was the original and thus, was unique and started the whole phemonenon... but I also think the American show really takes what's good about the Brit show and turns up the volume. The cast is perfect, their timing is right on, and the writers really rock. The whole thing is just plain good... one of those rare times when a show borrowed from another country works well, perhaps even better, in the U.S.

If the Brit show was still running, my opinion might be different, but there's no way for me to speculate on that, is there? I just hope The Office lasts in America lots longer than it did in the UK. Please?! And, if you're into office-based humor, the true original might just be the movie Office Space... see that, too!

A NOTE ON BONUS DVD STUFF: Some of the scenes that weren't aired in the original broadcasts are in the DVD extras. Several are hilarious, even strange and ridiculous, such as an "incest" bit. Some of the extras, if allowed to air, would've added to the show, for sure! It would've been some even more funny in the original episodes, making season 1 even more memorable. The DVD is worth getting just to see these pieces! Even the commentary is funny...worthwhile just to see the extras, in this case!

If you're into irreverent, funny shows, and you like The Office, I'd recommend Arrested Development, also on DVD... and there's the under-watched yet very funny, Scrubs. If you give it half a chance, you'll be hooked on it, too. :)