The Office: versions 1, 2, 3 and 4
Aug. 31st, 2006 06:13 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bennet_7I have started watching the U.S. version of The Office. I adore the original version, which I know doesn't appeal to everybody, and when I heard that they were re-making it for Americans I was very much opposed.
Because seriously, why can't Americans watch the original TV shows? It is a complete mystery to me why instead of thinking "Hey let's show this to people" they think "Hey let's spend millions of dollars remaking this for people." I just do not get it.
But anyway, it turns out that the American version of The Office is actually good (it's not like the American versions of Coupling and Red Dwarf at least) so I downloaded the first season.
It's good. It's funny. But it's a whole lot like the first season of the original ;-)
However, I've heard that it comes into its own in the second season so I will keep watching.
I'm worried about the arc of the American version. The British version is the perfect length: two short seasons and the Christmas special. There is no dip in quality, the story lines don't get tired, the horse is alive and well and unbeaten.
American networks hang onto TV shows well past their use-by date. See: Alias, Buffy The X-files, Friends, Frasier etc. I'm concerned that the American version is just going to drag on and on, that Jim and Pam are going to be kept apart to keep the tension and that all the characters are going to be stuck there. And that's not fun to watch.
The very cool thing about the original is that all the characters move on with their lives. Tim and Dawn finally get together and even David seems to be in a good place in the Christmas special. It would be great if the network allows the American version this sort of natural conclusion.
Like I said, I'll keep watching because if the internets are to be believed, it does eventually stand on its own to feet and I think I can like both versions.
I've just discovered that there is a French version of The Office known as Le Bureau which is apparently very good, and there is soon to be a Quebecois version called La Job. I'm going to try and find a subtitled version of Le Bureau this weekend.
And now, for all my talk of the original version of The Office being over and done, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant wrote, produced and starred in two hilarious training videos for Microsoft UK, with Ricky once again playing David Brent. They are hilarious and can be watched here.
Stephen, for (a) being tall, (b) wearing glasses, and (c) being incredibly funny, is my new boyfriend.
Geeks are hot.
Because seriously, why can't Americans watch the original TV shows? It is a complete mystery to me why instead of thinking "Hey let's show this to people" they think "Hey let's spend millions of dollars remaking this for people." I just do not get it.
But anyway, it turns out that the American version of The Office is actually good (it's not like the American versions of Coupling and Red Dwarf at least) so I downloaded the first season.
It's good. It's funny. But it's a whole lot like the first season of the original ;-)
However, I've heard that it comes into its own in the second season so I will keep watching.
I'm worried about the arc of the American version. The British version is the perfect length: two short seasons and the Christmas special. There is no dip in quality, the story lines don't get tired, the horse is alive and well and unbeaten.
American networks hang onto TV shows well past their use-by date. See: Alias, Buffy The X-files, Friends, Frasier etc. I'm concerned that the American version is just going to drag on and on, that Jim and Pam are going to be kept apart to keep the tension and that all the characters are going to be stuck there. And that's not fun to watch.
The very cool thing about the original is that all the characters move on with their lives. Tim and Dawn finally get together and even David seems to be in a good place in the Christmas special. It would be great if the network allows the American version this sort of natural conclusion.
Like I said, I'll keep watching because if the internets are to be believed, it does eventually stand on its own to feet and I think I can like both versions.
I've just discovered that there is a French version of The Office known as Le Bureau which is apparently very good, and there is soon to be a Quebecois version called La Job. I'm going to try and find a subtitled version of Le Bureau this weekend.
And now, for all my talk of the original version of The Office being over and done, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant wrote, produced and starred in two hilarious training videos for Microsoft UK, with Ricky once again playing David Brent. They are hilarious and can be watched here.
Stephen, for (a) being tall, (b) wearing glasses, and (c) being incredibly funny, is my new boyfriend.
Geeks are hot.
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no subject
Date: 2006-08-31 12:24 pm (UTC)hehe. no really it is, and it gets better and better in season 2. without spoiling much, the jim/pam arc does get dealt with more in season 2. it's been handled well, i think at least. they're treating things the way real people would, which really works.
no subject
Date: 2006-08-31 12:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-31 10:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-31 02:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-31 02:05 pm (UTC)Oh and I'm writing a fairly cracked sound off. I'll post it soon.