The Office (UK vs. US): David vs. Michael
 

Ok, we have done a bunch of polls with the secondary characters from the hilarious show The Office (UK) matched up against the equally hilarious The Office (US).

Now it is time for the main event:

David Brent (played by Ricky Gervais) versus Michael Scott (played by Steve Carell).

Which boss reigns supreme? Only your votes can determine the winner.

I've only seen clips of the UK version, so my opinion i biased. I will act the American I am and choose not to vote in this poll.

;)

I've seen every episode of each and like them for what they are.

Michael Scott does not hold a candle to David Brent.

David

For a long time Micheal just seemed incompetent while David was just arrogant. It was hard to believe that Micheal could've kept that job longer than a month. He's better now. But David was done perfectly. I could pick out traits in him that just about every one of my bosses have had.

D

I too voted for David. The dancing was great, and "Freelove Freeway" is actually a great song, and when he plays it on the show, it is hysterical.

Sorry, no contest. Steve Carell is a funny guy, and I do enjoy the US Office, but the BBC version beats it hands down.

When I watch the BBC version, I just see David. When I watch the US version, I see Steve Carell playing a part.

David.

Michael tries too hard.

She's not dead.

David is my favorite tv character of all time. Brilliantly played, and he created so many great moments in only 12 + 2 episodes.

No comments yet from the Michael camp?

Wow, this current 60/40 split is blowing my mind. I would have expected this to be a complete landslide victory for the Brent-miester General.

David, no contest.

I'm assuming a good percentage of Michael voters haven't seen the UK version.

Sergio Georgini

David, although Gervais needs to branch out from playing that same character on other shows.

BTW, my post starting this thread was my 1000th, thus boosting my status to "DVD Talk Special Edition." Yay, go me!

Anyway, this vote (34-14 in favor of David) is about what I expected. Started out a little closer though. Anyone out there wishing to opine on behalf of Mr. Scott?

I enjoy the American version quite a bit, but the original The Office is my favorite television show of all time. While Michael's a well done, funny character, he is in no way even close to Gervais' David Brent.

"Spaceman came down to answer some things ..."

das

While I love Michael Scott and also think that, overall, the cast of the U.S. version is the (slightly) better cast of either series, this one is a complete slamdunk for the U.K. series because David Brent is such an absolutely unforgettable character.

It's not a contest in this case because it's Ricky Gervais, the creator of The Office in the role he created for himself, and he does this stuff better than anyone else out there.

While I voted David, your NUTS....there is NO WAY David could EVER have held a job, while we have seen that Michael is a kick ass salesman who shines in a really tough spot

Wow, I can't believe David is kickin this much ass. I thought it would have been a lot closer....

The David Brent character cannot be replicated. I reckon even if Gervais was to reshoot his scenes they wouldn't be as good. I don't even know why a US version was made.

"Get the guitar..."

David Brent, without a doubt.

David Brent...one of my favorite TV characters of all time.

I think that feeling is more a result of the much longer story arc of US television. There has already been twice as many episodes of the US version as there were for the entire BBC version's run. Naturally as a result there has been a lot more exposition and character development time available.

Gervais was excellent as Brent, but I don't think it's a fair comparison. Due to the longer arc of the American show, it has to lean more heavily toward an ensemble, which means that it's not designed to set Carrell up for the heights of excruciating madness that were Gervais's hallmark.

The British version was initially conceived as centering on the development of the relationship between Tim and Dawn, but that was absolutely overwhelmed by Brent devouring the scenery. The show ultimately developed as a recreation of a mundane, depressed workplace environment with this maniac turned loose in it. The American version has evolved, by contrast, into an idiosyncratic amplification of that space, which means that, even if Carrell interprets Scott with the same manic intensity that Gervais gave Brent (and this isn't really Carrell's style), it would seem less wild because everyone in the office is radiating a slightly heightened state of crazy.

Also, I will say that I think Dwight is funnier than Gareth.

I'm a Carrell fan. So it may not be the popular choice, but it's my choice.

Poll close tomorrow. Michael Scott has to get many votes to make a comeback.

(That's what she said)

I dunno...because the show is awesome?

I voted Michael and I've been regretting it ever since. Even made me go back and rewatch the British series. Brilliance. Pure brilliance.

Although I will argue that all of the other American characters are better than or equal to the British versions.