The Office

[bossfan2000]

So, what is everyone's opinion on The Office now that is has been on a few weeks? I know there were mixed opinions based on the preview thread a few weeks back..

I thought last night's show was the best so far...several laugh out loud moments for me.

Anyone know how it is doing in the ratings?

[mrsimperless]

I've watched every week and enjoyed them all. Whoever cast that show did an absolutely perfect job.

[sachmo71]

The ratings are steady, but not great from what I hear. NBC feels like it will grow on people, but I did find it unsettling that the season finale is coming up so soon.

[mrsimperless]

The finale is coming up because they have only produced a limited number of episodes to date. It doesn't have anything to do with ratings. I imagine they will make a decision to produce more episodes (if it has not been made already) after reviewing the results from this run.

The critics supposedly love the show, so hopefully we will see some more of it.

[Sharpieman]

It's OK most of the time, but there are some moments when its hella funny. Hope to see more of the show, Steve Corell is a god.

[Ksyrup]

I accidentally saw 5 minutes of the basketball game last night and thought it was funny. Still, I had no inclination to keep watching or to tune in next time.

[Sharpieman]

That basketball episode was good times. Oh man.

[bossfan2000]

I am guessing the season finale is coming up because, like someone mentioned above, it was a mid/late season replacement and they only filmed a limited number of shows. Plus most shows are wrapping up fairly soon, getting ready for the summer season..

I do hope it comes around next season

[Draft Dodger]

I'm really enjoying it, and I had every inclination that I was going to hate it going in.
the Diversity episode had me in tears. "No, it's colored greens, because collard people doesn't make any sense".

I don't really like how Carrell's character is so over the top compared to all the other characters, but it's still funny.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

I don't really like how Carrell's character is so over the top compared to all the other characters, but it's still funny.

In the 5 minutes I watched, I had the same reaction.

[Fidatelo]

If The Office wraps up, will Committed come back? I really liked that show, but it's been gone for weeks now because of The Office.

[ISiddiqui]

No, it's colored greens, because collard people doesn't make any sense

Best. Line. Ever!

Been watching it and enjoying it. I taped last night's episode, so I haven't seen it yet. The birthday episode last week was great! Especially Carrell's trying to be funny in the card.

Though I didn't get how the boyfriend got so offended that his girlfriend was laughing hard with a co-worker. Trying to cop a feel? Over-react much? Women can have male friends too...

--

Btw, what's "Committed"?

[moriarty]

Having watched the original, I'm struggling to really enjoy this version ... but I have to admit the episodes I've seen so far were much better than I expected once this was first announced.

[bossfan2000]

Actually, I really liked "Committed" a lot. I hope that comes back next year too.

Myabe NBC could rebuild must see thursday with Scrubs, the office, and Committed...not sure what the 4th show would be, though..

[gottimd]

Originally Posted by bossfan2000

Actually, I really liked "Committed" a lot. I hope that comes back next year too.

Myabe NBC could rebuild must see thursday with Scrubs, the office, and Committed...not sure what the 4th show would be, though..

Last time I saw, Committed was on the verge on being cancelled, the office was questionable mainly because it was so new. That show "Joey" is on the way out the door I believe.

See here

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

Btw, what's "Committed"?

It's a sitcom that was on, I believe, in the timeslot that The Office currently resides. It was the only TV show that I actually watched this year, aside from Desperate Housewives... cuz the fiance likes it (ya, that's the ticket).

Anyways, it was (is?) a pretty good little show, basically it follows a guy and a gal that meet and fall in love, and both are extremely odd (think Dharma and Greg, except Greg would be as crazy as Dharma).

[gottimd]

Cancelling real sitcoms just gives new hope for more reality shows...yipeeee! I wonder odd reality shows they will come out with next. Haven't they exhausted every avenue of reality TV show, unless......they make reality porn.

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by gottimd

Cancelling real sitcoms just gives new hope for more reality shows...yipeeee! I wonder odd reality shows they will come out with next. Haven't they exhausted every avenue of reality TV show, unless......they make reality porn.

In Canada we have a channel called Showcase (TV Without Borders is the tagline, it's where Trailer Park Boys comes from), and I saw a commercial for a reality porn show that follows some guy named Seymour Butts around.

I wish was kidding.

[Fritz]

I find the show to be painful to watch. A little too much like work, without a funny way of looking at it.

[chinaski]

Originally Posted by mrsimperless

I've watched every week and enjoyed them all. Whoever cast that show did an absolutely perfect job.

I liked it a little better than i thought I would, but I totally disagree on the casting.

I think everyone was miscast horribly. Dawn is nowhere near what Dawn should be like, Tim is too "Handsome", the Gareth character is LAME - overly stiff, I do like Steve Carell - and he does pull off a good David Brent'ish character, but Gervais brings so much more to the table.

I think its funny, but only 1/3 as funny as the REAL office.

[sachmo71]

Originally Posted by Sharpieman

It's OK most of the time, but there are some moments when its hella funny.

YOU DIE!

[ISiddiqui]

I think people have to stop looking at it like its EXACTLY going to be like the British version. It's a different show people. Similar in premise, but the shows will not follow the same line (though a few things may be similar). Therefore, the casting can be good and not exactly resemble their British counterparts.

FWIW, I think the casting is brilliant. Especially the wierd guy (Assistant TO the Regional Manager ) who was on Six Feet Under as Arthur.

[chinaski]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

I think people have to stop looking at it like its EXACTLY going to be like the British version. It's a different show people. Similar in premise, but the shows will not follow the same line (though a few things may be similar). Therefore, the casting can be good and not exactly resemble their British counterparts.

FWIW, I think the casting is brilliant. Especially the wierd guy (Assistant TO the Regional Manager ) who was on Six Feet Under as Arthur.

What made the original become a stand out, just doesnt seem to exist in this show. Garth's false confidence, Brents ego, Dawn and Tims awkwardness.. it all seemed to take on the feel of something a little more real. NBC's is too sitcommy for me.

BBC America & season 3 for me!!

[cody8200]

I have watched every episode, the last one was legitamitely funny. I'll probably finsih watching the rest of the season. The first few were sub-par I thought.

[KevinNU7]

John Krasinski carries the show IMO. If the writers realed in Steve Carell and had him play a more realsitic character I think it would be better. I think they give him to much influence on his character and because of this he is too over the top.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

The birthday episode last week was great! Especially Carrell's trying to be funny in the card.

it became even funnier to me last night - a guy at work is getting married soon, so someone started a card around for him. The guy has already been divorced twice, so someone who thought he was being really funny wrote "Three strikes and you're out, hope this one works" or something. painful, painful stuff.

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by cody8200

I have watched every episode, the last one was legitamitely funny. I'll probably finsih watching the rest of the season. The first few were sub-par I thought.

Ok, is it only the fact that English isn't my first language, or did that word just get butchered badly???




FM

[varacel]

Originally Posted by chinaski

BBC America & season 3 for me!!

Could be a long wait

[chinaski]

Originally Posted by varacel

Could be a long wait

i know, have they started showing them yet on the BBC?

[Celeval]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

If The Office wraps up, will Committed come back? I really liked that show, but it's been gone for weeks now because of The Office.

Committed has the same thing we're seeing with the Office - they ran all the episodes they made, now they're waiting for renewal. No new Committed episodes until the fall, if they renew.

I was a fan - I was laughing about the Catholic one for weeks. Still am, in fact.

[ISiddiqui]

Just saw the "Basketball" episode. That was GOLD. Especially when the Boss goes no one is coming in on Saturday... like that'll stop us from getting downsized! I was dying!

It was also great where he picked basketball players based on race/looks, when the hispanic guy and the bald guy were definetly better than most on the team. I'll look to you for baseball season, or when we box... LOL!

Though the best was Carroll's taking long shot and hitting the roof and stuff!

BBC America & season 3 for me!!

Um... season 3? Gervais has gone on the record saying he's run out of ideas for the show, so you probably won't get another season.

[RPI-Fan]

What?!?! You've got to be kidding me!!!

(upon seeing Stanely dribble the ball)

[Easy Mac]

Overnight ratings:

8 pm
1. American Idol 13.9/23
2. Navy NCIS 7.6/12
3. Most Outrageous TV Moments 3.4/6
4. My Wife and Kids/George Lopez
6. Gilmore Girls 3.2/5
7. All of Us/Eve

9 P.M
1. House 11.0/17
2. The Amazing Race
3. According to Jim/Rodney 5.3/8
4. Scrubs/The Office 3.7/6
5. One Tree Hill
6. Veronica Mars 1.8/3

Something tells me Scrubs and The Office moving to Thursday won't win NBC any ratings wars. TOo bad they don't take Tivo's and PVR's into account. I watch AI and House, but record the Office and Scrubs for Wednesday (when nothing is currently on).

[Suicane75]

I like The Office, but Carrol being so far over the top kills it for me. Every other role is damn near perfect IMO.

House however= Best Show On T.V.

[gottimd]

Originally Posted by Suicane75

House however= Best Show On T.V.

Never seen the show but it seems like the promo's each week are of House being threatened or about to be fired by the principal from Boston Public.

[Easy Mac]

the principal is now off the show... but bring back Cameron.

[Philliesfan980]

I think I'm the only one who likes Caroll being over the top. I think the whole crazy boss thing really adds to the show.

[BrianD]

Originally Posted by Easy Mac

the principal is now off the show... but bring back Cameron.

I was ready to quit watching House because of the damn principal. I'm glad that story arc is finally complete.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Suicane75

I like The Office, but Carrol being so far over the top kills it for me. Every other role is damn near perfect IMO.

House however= Best Show On T.V.

HOUSE!!! Great show.

[TazFTW]

Been watching the show and I just watched the basketball ep. I think the episodes have gotten better. Carrell is over the top but he does get in some pretty good one liners (the aforementioned collard line)

[timmynausea]

I think it's one of those things where you're supposed to dislike Carell, and people criticize the show not realizing that it is effectively doing what it's set out to. The concept is basically that he is a horribly out of touch boss, slightly racist and consistently insensitive who is obsessed with trying to be funny despite the fact that he's not funny. Nobody would want that guy as a boss.
I personally actually found Jim more annoying the first few episodes, just cause he's supposed to be the cool guy that you like or whatever, and I didn't. I think it is one of the better sit-coms on right now, which is not necessarily a great accomplishment, but it shouldn't get cancelled. It has potential to be a good show.

[Suicane75]

Originally Posted by timmynausea

I think it's one of those things where you're supposed to dislike Carell, and people criticize the show not realizing that it is effectively doing what it's set out to. The concept is basically that he is a horribly out of touch boss, slightly racist and consistently insensitive who is obsessed with trying to be funny despite the fact that he's not funny. Nobody would want that guy as a boss.
I personally actually found Jim more annoying the first few episodes, just cause he's supposed to be the cool guy that you like or whatever, and I didn't. I think it is one of the better sit-coms on right now, which is not necessarily a great accomplishment, but it shouldn't get cancelled. It has potential to be a good show.

Heres my problem with that analysis. He does something dumb, realizes it, slinks away. He does something dumb He does something dumb, realizes it, slinks away. He does something dumb, realizes it, slinks away. He does something dumb, realizes it, slinks away. He does something dumb, realizes it, slinks away. It's that I find him unlikeable, It's that i find him to be a caricature.

[ThunderingHERD]

The UK version of The Office is one of my all-time favorites. From what I've seen of the American version it is quite funny, but fundamentally different. The UK version relied heavily on pathos--the American version on wackiness. Indeed, the 2nd season of the UK version was more sad than funny.

This difference is especially evident in the boss character. Ricky Gervais played David Brent absolutely straight and believable--Steve Carrell brings a sense of ironic detachment to everything he says. Carrell's character comes off as comic invention while Brent was a thoroughly real, and all the more pathetic for being so. An example of the difference: in the 2nd(?) episode of the American version, Carrell gets chewed out by the diversity guy in private. In the UK version, the camera would have stayed on Brent for an uncomfortably long time while we absorb the depth of his humbling--then Brent would have gone off and done something petty and or/vindictive. In the American version, we stay on Carrell's character for a few seconds, but then our discomfort is relieved by the revelation that he has done something wacky!! (signing his name Donald Duck, as I recall)

[HomerJSimpson]

Originally Posted by ThunderingHERD

The UK version of The Office is one of my all-time favorites. From what I've seen of the American version it is quite funny, but fundamentally different. The UK version relied heavily on pathos--the American version on wackiness. Indeed, the 2nd season of the UK version was more sad than funny.

This difference is especially evident in the boss character. Ricky Gervais played David Brent absolutely straight and believable--Steve Carrell brings a sense of ironic detachment to everything he says. Carrell's character comes off as comic invention while Brent was a thoroughly real, and all the more pathetic for being so. An example of the difference: in the 2nd(?) episode of the American version, Carrell gets chewed out by the diversity guy in private. In the UK version, the camera would have stayed on Brent for an uncomfortably long time while we absorb the depth of his humbling--then Brent would have gone off and done something petty and or/vindictive. In the American version, we stay on Carrell's character for a few seconds, but then our discomfort is relieved by the revelation that he has done something wacky!! (signing his name Donald Duck, as I recall)

Great analysis. Spot on.

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by HomerJSimpson

Great analysis. Spot on.

It really is the perfect analysis. The show just lacks the depth of the original. I thought this most recent episode was by far the worst.

[cthomer5000]

this show is painfully inferior to the UK version. It really hurts me.

[ISiddiqui]

You mean the show with the purse woman? Oh come on, that was great! Getting the Assistant TO the Regional Manager to buy a black purse? Utterly hilarious!

[HomerJSimpson]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

You mean the show with the purse woman? Oh come on, that was great! Getting the Assistant TO the Regional Manager to buy a black purse? Utterly hilarious!

It really is funny. Forget the original and judge this on its own merit, and it is a pretty decent show.

[cody8200]

Well after watching the whole Office UK series last week and having watched all of the American episodes this year I can say without a doubt that they are quite different. I really enjoyed the British version...the feeling of uncomfortableness, especially whenever David Brent had said or done something stupid was unlike anything I had ever felt before while watching a sitcom. The American version has some of the same feeling. However, the boss seems much more unlikeable than the already unlikeable David Brent.
I hope the American version is renewed because it would be a shame to lose a show that is funny and quite different from the UK version. I loved the basketball episode when Carell's character asks around the office for people to play basketballl...the fat woman in the office said she could play if the game was just for fun...he just acts as if she never said a word. Later she volunteers to be the cheerleader and he said, "God no, thats worse than you playing!" He's such an asshole...I kind of like that.