The Office USA - any good?

[raptor600]

Hey everyone - was just doing a bit of shopping and noticed The Office USA 1-5 is only £30 in the sale (was £60 last time I saw it).

I love the UK version and am not sure if the USA one will be anywhere near as good in comparison...what does everyone think? Is it worth getting?

I never started watching it when it first came out and purposely avoided it so I could watch it from the start so just need some convincing before buying it!

[TheHeretic]

it is different. Good in its own right. Best not to compare it to the UK version. It isn't as awkward, but Carell is very good.

[Chris77]

TheHeretic said:

it is different. Good in its own right. Best not to compare it to the UK version. It isn't as awkward, but Carell is very good.

This, I love it, we have all the series. Its something I can re watch a few times and still enjoy it. Carell plays the Lead in a much more like-able way than Gervais.

One thing is stick with it as season one is basically a re shoot of the UK season one and not great, Season 2 is where the characters find their own personalities, and it gets much, much, better

[sjg]

Closer to a traditional sitcom than the UK one. I love it, some episodes have been better than others but always worth a watch. It's unusual in that the writer and director changes episode to episode, and quite a few of the cast come from a writing or casting background (rather than acting) - plenty of whom also write and direct episodes.

The first episode is pretty much a reshoot of the UK one, and there are heavy influences through the first season (but it's only 6 episodes). It really finds its feet from S2 onwards.

[ajprice]

Added to the ever growing list of things to watch on my Netflix

[raptor600]

Perfect. I try not to look for reviews on line as you always end up finding spoliers or what not.

Think I will bite the bullet and get it ordered!

[BigBen]

Very good series IMO, could have gone wrong if they tried to simply re-make the UK version but having a lot more series has enabled them to develop characters further and feature more characters.

The new ones are on Comedy Central at the moment

[Countdown]

Would agree with others in that it's very good. It's not as cringe inducing as the UK version which makes it much better IMO.

[craigb84]

Also agree. I think it's funnier than the UK version.

Some of the other characters are also excellent. The first few seasons follow the UK kind of plot but after a few seasons it really comes into its own (that's what she said??)

[Bill Carr]

I prefer it to the UK version. It's less reliant on one character for the laughs, and therefore the comedy feels less forced.

Dwight K. Schrute is awesome

[DanDC5]

Only started watching this recently and even now it's just if I see it's on. But what I've seen is very funny, might have to give it a proper chance.

[Halb]

I think it is just as cringeworthy, if not more so. Am watching the news ones on CC (the only worthwhile thing on the channel save for 30 Rock), and Carrell's character can just be so awful sometimes.

[Chris Type R]

One of the scenes that I found amusing - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgQDtQdHGZw

Probably more amusing within the context of the episode.

[anonymous-user]

I found it good light hearted viewing a bit like everybody loves Raymond..Been watching since day 1

[JungleJim]

It's far and away better than the uk one

[Stu R]

JungleJim said:

It's far and away better than the uk one

Have to agree. Was initially skeptical as I quite liked the UK one, but the US one is miles better. Well worth a watch.

[carmonk]

Hated the US version. Such forced comedy, everything's overacted and spelled out. I'm going to pull a funny face and shout my lines, therefore you're meant to laugh. Urgh, not my thing at all.

[muppetdave]

TheHeretic said:

it is different. Good in its own right. Best not to compare it to the UK version. It isn't as awkward, but Carell is very good.

My sentiments exactly

[JD]

Another here who thinks it's far better than the UK version

Some of the Pre Title opening scenes, are so perfect and funny, that they have had me crying with laughter

Parkour, PARKOUR!

[edit] just youtubed it, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ozu3U0LfzE

Edited by JD on Friday 6th April 21:37

[CurvaParabolica]

Chris Type R said:

One of the scenes that I found amusing - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgQDtQdHGZw

Probably more amusing within the context of the episode.

I could not stop laughing at this scene, or the one later on where Dwight goes all Hannibal Lecter on the resus dummy