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American The Office is Captain Kirk from Tijuana
I just got done watching the American version of the BBC Comedy The Office. I sort of liked it but it was painful to watch at the same time. The thing is that I love the original British comedy and it is impossible to watch this version with out comparing it every second to the original UK show. I know that it has the same style, similar characters and story lines but it just is not quite right. I mean the US actors did a great job it is not right to see rolls that you love re-created by people that you do not associate with them. To me there is only one James Bond and that is Sean Connery. I am sure that it it can be very well done but if you love the original it is impossible to enjoy without viewing it threw the filter of the original show. I think the casting and acting was fine but I worry that the risky comedy bits will be gutted to appease the puritans that flood the FCC in droves in this post Nipplegate america. I think it would have been better on HBO rather than broadcast network TV.
Trying to take a TV or movie concept and remaking it in another country can be a risky venture. The US version of Red Dwarf was supposedly totally unwatchable. The US version of Coupling bombed. The Weakest Link did not catch on for long. But it is not impossible. I do love Iron Chef America and the US version of Queer as Folk has totally surpassed the original UK mini-series.
The US version of The Office is like watching a cast of Mexican actors play the Original Star Trek with a guy from Tijuana as Captain Kirk in Spanish. It is fascinating to watch but it can never out shine the original. My girlfriend Kymberly has a special contempt for attempts to remake classic movies from her youth. I just love all of the original cast, dialog and settings of The Office. however if you have never seen the original UK show then I guess you will have a better chance with the US version that i can but my mind is tainted with high expectations.
Jake at March 25, 2005 
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most "remade" shows in the US suck compared to the UK originals.
best example: Coupling.
sorry guys you just don't have British irony.
Posted by: Jim at March 25, 2005 2:22 AM
Damn.. is it even remotely possible to discuss something like this without someone from one side of the fence starting things off with a random comment like that? Skillz to you Jim, your British irony has me gasping for breath.. Yes.. I can hardly type from laughing so much.
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Just so you know, I happen to be American. I've watched the first season of the BBC version of the Office last year on DVD.. It took me an episode or two to warm up to the characters but once I did, I could stop laughing. Every half muttered comment, every long ackward silence, every eye dart across the room. It was absolutely brilliant. I ordered the second season later on and then downloaded the christmas special once I heard it existed. I have to say I think it was one of the most brilliant pieces of comedy I've seen this decade. Though, I don't know exactly what it was that amused me so much since the irony was obviously lost on me. But then again, maybe not.. Living in Tokyo, I know a lot of British. Strangely, a lot of them seem to think the show was a big disappointment and they are confounded as to why it garners so much popularity. Of course those same people thought the 4th season of Black Adder was better than the 1st so something ain't quite right there.
Well before I lost my point completely.. let me make it clear. There are people on BOTH F---ing sides of the "pond" the love the BBC version and there are also people that hate it regardless of nationality (sorry it isn't so black and white). I haven't seen the American version yet either but if I had to guess, I would tend to agree with Jake's Star Trek metaphor. I'm sure I'll be entertained but not as much as the original. I'd also feel strange watching a British version of Three's Company!
Posted by: Rob at March 27, 2005 10:13 PM
Just to be sure.. I'm wasn't anywhere NEAR as angry as I appeared to be when making above post..
Posted by: Rob at March 27, 2005 10:15 PM
Well it is not the fact that is is not British but it is not the same actors that I love in the roles.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at March 28, 2005 12:31 AM
