On behalf of the United States...

[Gormal]

I'd like to apologize to the British for the kidnapping and subsequent maiming of 'The Office'. I understood that Ricky Gervais was going to consult on the US version... what I was not aware of was that in addition to the characters and settings, NBC was going to copy the scripts, and even the performances of the original show. I couldn't believe how closely they tried to copy the original, just without "english" words. The failed attempts of Steve Carell to impersonate Ricky Gervais were pathetic.

Again, I'm sorry. I hope that someday the NBC wankers who did this will pay.

[Vigis]

I watched the first 10 minutes and had to then kill the television. It was just too excruciatingly painful.


--edited for 3rd grade spelling mistakes.

[Shiallia]

I missed it, was it as bad as when they tried to do Coupling?

[Sarvis]

I watched some of this, then decided taking out the garbage would be more entertaining.

[Burmadapig]

You simply can't duplicate the perfect imperfection of the original show...without the British, it's crap!

[Gormal]

The Office wasn't a show that cracked jokes to be funny, it was a train wreck that you had to laugh at because it was so painful. The first time I watched it, I sat there mouth agape for most of the time saying "oh my God, no way did he just say that" then bursting into laughter because David and Gareth were such morons. Watching third-rate actors try to impersonate not just the original characters but even the performances.. pausing at certain times, saying things with certain inflections... *shudder* I'm so pissed off still.

[Silverast Rubicyn]

#5

[Lalan]

I did not see the show myself but I did hear David Bianculli (TV critic for the NY Daily News) pan it on Fresh Air last night.

If it makes you feel any better (and any Brits that are offendened), only the first show is supposed to follow the pilot script of the original and NBC is supposed to be on their own for scripts after the first one.

I also thought it was interesting when he listed the British TV shows that became hits in the US after being "translated for the american audience" and only came up with these five: All in the Family, Sanford and Son, Three's Company, Who Wants to be a Millionaire and American Idol. I had no idea the first three were originally british shows, guess I've been under a rock.

Anyway, back to the apologies.

[Sarvis]

I didn't know either... heh.

[Kifle]

This show is for audiences that never got the chance to watch the original. Of course those that watch the original first will always be partial to it...always. I love Steve Carell. He loves lamp, and I love him!

[Mitharx]

Coupling was copying friends with more sex. They both suck majorly. Of course the third copy is gonna suck even more.

[Mplor]

Shrug, never saw the British version, but I thought the US premier was decent enough to TiVO it.