American Version of 'The Office' a Let-down
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American Version of 'The Office' a Let-down
Just another great coming of BBC to America!
From IMDB:
The American version of the Golden Globe-winning British comedy hit The Office has hit a major snag - an early screening of the show proved a painful experience for TV chiefs. Preview audiences greeted the American show with an icy silence after the pilot episode was screened at a 'testing facility' in Hollywood. One reviewer explains, "I don't think many of the test group I sat with was as familiar with the original British series as I was. Still, it was painfully clear that nobody was liking it. The lady next to me said she found it depressing." In the American version, funnyman Steve Carrell steps into Ricky Gervais' shoes as the boss of the office. But the reviewer believes Carrell's take on the role doesn't compare to the original character: "The acting lacks masterful underplaying of Gervais and company. A guy tries to fill Ricky's shoes and can't."
From IMDB:
The American version of the Golden Globe-winning British comedy hit The Office has hit a major snag - an early screening of the show proved a painful experience for TV chiefs. Preview audiences greeted the American show with an icy silence after the pilot episode was screened at a 'testing facility' in Hollywood. One reviewer explains, "I don't think many of the test group I sat with was as familiar with the original British series as I was. Still, it was painfully clear that nobody was liking it. The lady next to me said she found it depressing." In the American version, funnyman Steve Carrell steps into Ricky Gervais' shoes as the boss of the office. But the reviewer believes Carrell's take on the role doesn't compare to the original character: "The acting lacks masterful underplaying of Gervais and company. A guy tries to fill Ricky's shoes and can't."
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I just ordered S1 & S2 of The Office - blind buy based on all the great word of mouth. Did the same with Coupling last year and loved it.
Frankly, considering how bad Coupling-US was, this news is not shocking in the least.
Frankly, considering how bad Coupling-US was, this news is not shocking in the least.
#4
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Why the hell are they remaking a show (spoken in English) that is only a year or two old?
If the networks think that people are too stupid to enjoy the original show, what makes them want to remake it in the first place? Just makes no damn sense...
If the networks think that people are too stupid to enjoy the original show, what makes them want to remake it in the first place? Just makes no damn sense...
#6
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To be fair, most people have the same reaction to the original program when I try to show it to them. The jokes aren't obvious, and it sometimes takes a while to see where the show is going...especially for the novice viewer.
#7
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Originally posted by teddydogg
$$
That is why
$$
That is why
Coupling-U.S. bombed. This one is apparently equally unwatchable. No money is getting made.
Why remake something that you think is 'beyond' your audience to begin with? The fans of the BBC show won't like it; and anyone who isn't a fan doesn't want to see it in the first place.
#9
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Originally posted by Groucho
To be fair, most people have the same reaction to the original program when I try to show it to them. The jokes aren't obvious, and it sometimes takes a while to see where the show is going...especially for the novice viewer.
To be fair, most people have the same reaction to the original program when I try to show it to them. The jokes aren't obvious, and it sometimes takes a while to see where the show is going...especially for the novice viewer.
#10
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Originally posted by Shannon Nutt
But there's no way this show would be a hit with an American audience - it requires too much attention.
But there's no way this show would be a hit with an American audience - it requires too much attention.
#11
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I guess it depends on who you ask. The latest edition of TVGuide has this to say:
It goes on to say Gervais is very flattered with the version and is happy with Carell.
I'll be watching and judging for myself, as with all things.....
When the news broke that NBC was making an American version of BBC's hit faux reality show The Office, industry types predicted the quirky comedy would be ruined by Hollywood. But a sneak peek at the pilot episode proves this isn't the case. Character names have been changed and pop-culture references Americanized, but executive producers stayed true to the bleak atmosphere and uncomfortable moments that make the original series so hilariously unique.
I'll be watching and judging for myself, as with all things.....
#12
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I was so disappointed when I tried showing The Office to some other family members. I showed them the bit with the
but I got pretty much no reaction.
Spoiler:
#13
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I think Arressted Devolpment is a pretty good take of office life American style.
.....
Have you guys seen the BK ad campaign? I swear that thing is straight up ripping off the office.
.....
Have you guys seen the BK ad campaign? I swear that thing is straight up ripping off the office.
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Originally posted by spainlinx0
I was so disappointed when I tried showing The Office to some other family members. I showed them the bit with the
but I got pretty much no reaction.
I was so disappointed when I tried showing The Office to some other family members. I showed them the bit with the
Spoiler:
That part always kills me.
#16
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Originally posted by bboisvert
Coupling-U.S. bombed. This one is apparently equally unwatchable. No money is getting made.
Coupling-U.S. bombed. This one is apparently equally unwatchable. No money is getting made.
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The sad truth is that the original version of the office wouldn't even be able to complete it's small run on a major network. The humor wouldn't be well recived at all by most american viewers. The us remake doesn't stand a chance
#18
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I think it's ridiculous to try and remake classic English comedy for the US market
there is no way that the new actors can ever compete with the original actors
In this day and age of the internet, it's just not possible to 'con' the audience into thinking it's a whole new original show like it was in the 70s and 80s
there is no way that the new actors can ever compete with the original actors
In this day and age of the internet, it's just not possible to 'con' the audience into thinking it's a whole new original show like it was in the 70s and 80s
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I saw the Office on Showcase about a month ago when they were showing a sneek peek. I didn't get it or find it really funny. I liked the show but I didn't find it very funny.
I did however find the clip they showed at the Golden Globes really funny. That is was made me want to watch The Office in the first place.
And Arrested Developmewnt is one of the funniest shows ever.
I did however find the clip they showed at the Golden Globes really funny. That is was made me want to watch The Office in the first place.
And Arrested Developmewnt is one of the funniest shows ever.
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Originally posted by Original Desmond
I think it's ridiculous to try and remake classic English comedy for the US market
there is no way that the new actors can ever compete with the original actors
I think it's ridiculous to try and remake classic English comedy for the US market
there is no way that the new actors can ever compete with the original actors
#21
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I've actually seen a snippet of the American version of The Office. The impov is a little forced. In the snippet I saw Steve Carrell was scolding The Office about those charity candy jars in which you put a quarter in and take a peppermint patty. Apparently people were taking pepperment patties without putting change in and the woman came to collect the money (who was atttractive) he tried to look like a powerful figure to her. But in the next scene he was sitting behing his desk eating a peppermint. Although I like Carrell I don't think he was the best choice to fill Gervais' shoes.
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Steve Carrell may be funny, this role isn't for him.
He's not subtle enough, and that's what made Gervais so great.
Quite silly to try and make an american version of this show IMO.
Reminds me of the epi when Gervais forces the new folk to join him for a few pints, and then gets pissed off and storms off when they won't laugh at him!!
No need to mess with a good thing here, besides, it seems like The Office has a cult, niche following, unlike what NBC or whoever would be looking for.
He's not subtle enough, and that's what made Gervais so great.
Quite silly to try and make an american version of this show IMO.
Reminds me of the epi when Gervais forces the new folk to join him for a few pints, and then gets pissed off and storms off when they won't laugh at him!!
No need to mess with a good thing here, besides, it seems like The Office has a cult, niche following, unlike what NBC or whoever would be looking for.
#24
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Originally posted by shawagg
Have you guys seen the BK ad campaign? I swear that thing is straight up ripping off the office.
Have you guys seen the BK ad campaign? I swear that thing is straight up ripping off the office.
Dumb Americans.
#25
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Originally posted by EvilConradBain
I've actually seen a snippet of the American version of The Office. The impov is a little forced...
I've actually seen a snippet of the American version of The Office. The impov is a little forced...