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| In 2005 American channel NBC re-made this hit British sitcom with help from Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. The basic premise stayed the same however the characters and situations were changed to be more American. We've added a short guide below, more information can be obtained from the official website... www.nbc.com/the_office |
| Programme: |
The Office - An American Workplace |
| Broadcast: |
2005 - present
(NBC) |
| Starring: |
Steve Carell, Brian Baumgartner, David Denman, Jenna Fischer,
Angela Kinsey, John Krasinski, B.J. Novak, Oscar Nunez, Rainn
Wilson |
| Written by: |
Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant + NBC Staff Writers |
| Production: |
NBC Universal Television, Reveille Productions |
| Synopsis: |
A fly-on-the-wall docu-reality parody about modern American office life, “The Office” delves into the lives of the workers at Dunder Mifflin paper supply company in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Regional manager Michael Scott is a single, middle-aged man who is the boastful tour guide for the documentary. With unshaken enthusiasm, Michael believes he is the office funnyman, a fountain of business wisdom and his employees’ cool friend. He has no clue that his employees tolerate his inappropriate behaviour only because he signs their paychecks.
Pam Beesly is the reasonable and friendly office receptionist who bears the brunt of Michael’s routines. The bright spots in Pam’s day are her conversations with Jim Halpert, a likable sales rep with a good sense of humour who should have found a better job years ago, but is too comfortable with his office mates and routine to leave.
Jim shares his working space with Dwight Schrute, the arrogant assistant to the regional manager. Dwight is intensely irritating to normal people and Jim spends a lot of time finding new, interesting ways to drive Dwight crazy.
Ryan Howard is a young, smart, self-possessed temp, who quickly figures out the real office politics despite Michael’s attempts to instill the official point-of-view. |
| BSG Review: |
This American version is always going to be un-fairly compared to the original. The fact is though it is almost universally accepted that the British version is superior. That doesn't mean the USA copy should be disregarded, because it is based on such a sturdy setup there is still much to be gained from it.
For the majority of the American market that has not watched the BBC version of
"The Office" it is a refreshing and funny change from the normal we're sure. However those who have met David Brent before Michael Scott will probably continue to like the British version better.
NBC showed great faith in their re-make and commissioned a second season despite the 'average' viewing figures. The gamble paid off... since then the series has gone on to become one of their main Thursday night comedies!
'The Office - An American Workplace' is definitely worth a look. It can be seen on ITV2 here in the UK. |
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