The Office on NBC - Page 2

mrdobolina · 03-04-2005, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnowflakeGirl

I actually like MrDobolina's idea of not doing a remake so much as a sort of spin-off--though I doubt any Hollywood execs would be as clever as MrDob. Why couldn't they do something like that, something inspired by the original series, but not so much a direct copy.

I can't take credit for that idea....it was my friend's idea. Really, that is the big problem with the Americanized version of The Office. They are re-hashing the exact same plots, and even dialogue if I understand correctly. And I have to imagine that an office environment in Britain is NOT the same as an office environment in America. Not that they are all that different, but come on, we speak the same language, but in noticably different ways.

Google · Sponsored Links

kcfemmefatale · 03-04-2005, 02:48 PM

The thing that bothers me the most about poorly-executed American rip-offs of great international shows is that there is a large population of American viewers who think the show idea was a bad original idea, not a bad "borrowed" idea - they don't realize the show could be done well.

Belfastgirl · 03-06-2005, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrdobolina

I can't take credit for that idea....it was my friend's idea. Really, that is the big problem with the Americanized version of The Office. They are re-hashing the exact same plots, and even dialogue if I understand correctly. And I have to imagine that an office environment in Britain is NOT the same as an office environment in America. Not that they are all that different, but come on, we speak the same language, but in noticably different ways.

I'm amazed that the US have made this series. Yes, it was a big hit in Britain, but lots of people, me included, just didn't get it. I suppose it's because I don't work in a commercial office environment, I don't know.

Interestingly BBC shows are publically funded so don't necessarily have to "chase" ratings, so there is a lot of scope for more innovative TV, especially in comedy, some works and some doesn't.

Current faves are sketch show Little Britain and Phoenix nights, which are so specifically British that they couldn't be remade in the US. Mind you if anyone out there is a Little Britain fan, wouldn't some of the US equivalents of Daffyd, Vicki Pollard and Sebastian be very funny and very cruel!

kcfemmefatale · 03-06-2005, 02:41 PM

Belfastgirl - Little Britain is funny, but I have to say that I miss being able to watch Father Ted.

I

that show!

Bof_Cof · 03-07-2005, 06:57 AM

The first two times I watched the original office I hated it.

Then I saw an interview with the creators, and realized its supposed to have akward and tedious moments. That its not a 'sit-com' with jokes and punchline.

Once I got over that I really enjoyed it.

With that said, there is no way it will work here in the US. Look at the sit-com crap wasteland we have now. They have to turn it into a 'tradional' (ie american ie crap) show to get it on the air. Heck the orginal show didn't have a live audience or a laugh track.

Why bother.....

**fluff** · 03-07-2005, 07:11 AM

I saw slightly longer trailer for this last night and I have to say I fear the worst.
They showed the scene where Tim had set Gareth's stapler into the yellow jelly and it was pretty much word for word as I remember the scene... except it wasn't funny.

mrdobolina · 03-07-2005, 12:43 PM

I haven't seen any previews for this "Americanized" version.....is there going to be a LAUGH TRACK??????

phat32 · 03-07-2005, 12:45 PM

I agree that the American version of Coupling was nothing less than a crime against humanity.

I just don't think that an American version of The Office will translate well, for lack of a better term, if all the American "creators" are going to do is transplant the damn thing from Britain to the US and give it an American cast. The office cultures are different, for one thing, which is why I like MrDob's idea of an entirely original American office.

As for other Britain-to-US shows that have been disastrous, anyone remember Men Behaving Badly? God have mercy on my soul...!

Downsey · 03-07-2005, 12:59 PM

I"m a huge Office fan. I can't see an American success here though.

American humour (coming from a Cdn perspective) is completely different than British humour. I don't think American censors would allow many of the same jokes as the British version.

And the characters in the original office actually exist in England...my uncle is exactly like Ricky Gervais. Sad but true and extremely funny now we can call him David.

The clip I saw tried to stay true but I can not see the American version taking the piss out a National Guard person (some of the best scenes were Garth and his Territorial Army responses) or waving a birthday dildo around in front of the staff. No chance.

But I'll watch the first episode.

SnowflakeGirl · 03-07-2005, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrdobolina

I haven't seen any previews for this "Americanized" version.....is there going to be a LAUGH TRACK??????

Noooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I pray to God not. Although American audiences apparently need help to know when things are funny--witness the untimely demise of brilliant, laugh-track-free Arrested Development.

03-04-2005, 02:48 PM	#12
kcfemmefatale My Reality Rocks Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Age: 36 Posts: 224	The thing that bothers me the most about poorly-executed American rip-offs of great international shows is that there is a large population of American viewers who think the show idea was a bad original idea, not a bad "borrowed" idea - they don't realize the show could be done well. __________________ "Nothing intoxicates some people like a sip of authority."

03-06-2005, 02:41 PM	#14
kcfemmefatale My Reality Rocks Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Age: 36 Posts: 224	Belfastgirl - Little Britain is funny, but I have to say that I miss being able to watch Father Ted. I that show! __________________ "Nothing intoxicates some people like a sip of authority."

03-07-2005, 12:43 PM	#17
mrdobolina Can They Do It?? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: The Miami of Canada Age: 36 Posts: 3,254	I haven't seen any previews for this "Americanized" version.....is there going to be a LAUGH TRACK?????? __________________ "You don't own a TV?!? What's all your furniture pointed at?" Joey Tribianni It's not who you are underneath, but what you do that defines you.

03-07-2005, 12:45 PM	#18
phat32 ...of the Shattered Sun Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Breaking into Dalaran Posts: 2,285	I agree that the American version of Coupling was nothing less than a crime against humanity. I just don't think that an American version of The Office will translate well, for lack of a better term, if all the American "creators" are going to do is transplant the damn thing from Britain to the US and give it an American cast. The office cultures are different, for one thing, which is why I like MrDob's idea of an entirely original American office. As for other Britain-to-US shows that have been disastrous, anyone remember Men Behaving Badly? God have mercy on my soul...! __________________ Paladin, Knight of the Silver Hand, Ombudsperson of the King's Knights Guild "A paladin never compromises." Last edited by phat32; 03-07-2005 at 12:59 PM.

03-07-2005, 06:57 AM	#15
Bof_Cof Who? Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 240	The first two times I watched the original office I hated it. Then I saw an interview with the creators, and realized its supposed to have akward and tedious moments. That its not a 'sit-com' with jokes and punchline. Once I got over that I really enjoyed it. With that said, there is no way it will work here in the US. Look at the sit-com crap wasteland we have now. They have to turn it into a 'tradional' (ie american ie crap) show to get it on the air. Heck the orginal show didn't have a live audience or a laugh track. Why bother.....

03-07-2005, 07:11 AM	#16
fluff Why can't we just rewind? Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 40,183	I saw slightly longer trailer for this last night and I have to say I fear the worst. They showed the scene where Tim had set Gareth's stapler into the yellow jelly and it was pretty much word for word as I remember the scene... except it wasn't funny.

03-07-2005, 12:59 PM	#19
Downsey FORT Fan Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 392	I"m a huge Office fan. I can't see an American success here though. American humour (coming from a Cdn perspective) is completely different than British humour. I don't think American censors would allow many of the same jokes as the British version. And the characters in the original office actually exist in England...my uncle is exactly like Ricky Gervais. Sad but true and extremely funny now we can call him David. The clip I saw tried to stay true but I can not see the American version taking the piss out a National Guard person (some of the best scenes were Garth and his Territorial Army responses) or waving a birthday dildo around in front of the staff. No chance. But I'll watch the first episode.