The Office - the new version

[schild]

Has anyone else been watching this?

TV Guide or someone called Steve Carell the funniest man alive. And you know what? They're probably right. I love the british version, but it's a lot meaner. The American remake really hits the comedy in a way the brits couldn't. Carell is directly to blame for that. I didn't think anyone could do a better job than the british guy. Carell did. He's far more offensive, and it's beautiful.

This week's episode was about diversification. I can only hope they keep touching on shit that pushes people's buttons.

"Why don't we go around and say a race that we are sexually attracted too. Michael?"

"White and Indian"

"Why don't we not start this way."

-

"Can we steer away from gay people. First of all, it's not a race it's an orientation plus a lot of other races are also intolerant of gays...so....paradox."

-

"Why don't we just defer to...to..."

"Mr. Brown"

"Whoa ho, alright, OK, first test, I will not call you that."

"Well it's my name. It's not a test."

-

Brilliance.

[stray]

Aw shit, I missed it. That good, eh?

I was kind of looking forward to it, but I'm caught in the habit of completely ignoring my TV these days. I forget to catch even the shows I may be interested in.

How many episodes have aired so far anyways?

[Paelos]

Steve Carell doing the impression of the Chris Rock routine almost had me in tears it so funny. The whole episode walked the line between rofl and cringing at how awful this boss was.

That and Steve walking around with the index card that said "Martin Luther King Jr." on his forehead in the diversity meeting was priceless.

[schild]

That and Steve walking around with the index card that said "Martin Luther King Jr." on his forehead in the diversity meeting was priceless.

The black guy with the black tag had me rolling. I don't deserve fun like that. None of us do. I'll request it be removed from TV before people go into offices shooting.

[HaemishM]

I keep forgetting what day it's on. I'll have to BT it I guess.

[Shockeye]

Tuesdays after Scrubs, the other great comedy on television.

[HaemishM]

THAT'S why I haven't been watching it. I already have standing committments that night to watch House and The Shield.

[El Gallo]

I saw the first episode, and thought that the material was pretty good but the main character's delivery was just painfully un-funny.  Hopefully he grows into the part, because the original was some funny shit.  La Gallina and I were bummed out.  The receptionist's monologue about her engagement was rofltastic, though.

[jpark]

I loved the British version - but had heard poor reviews of the Americanized one.

[schild]

I loved the British version - but had heard poor reviews of the Americanized one.

There's nothing poor about it. If it weren't for Steve Carell bringing the whole thing together, it would probably be crap. He's less squirrely and more funny than the brit.

[voodoolily]

Tuesdays after Scrubs, the other great comedy on television.

Scrubs is the shizzle.

I didn't know they made an American remake of The Office. The British one was brill. So was Spaced. I kinda hope the Americans don't try and fuck with Spaced, though.

With regards to the Shield conflict (which I, too, watch), I cannot stress this enough: get yo' ass a Tivo! It's only $12 a month. Tivo, people!

[schild]

The British one was brill.

No no, Gene Hackman played Brill. Unless you're british. Then you're using a faded out colloquialism. Ya know, "cool" is still "in" I think.

Ok, yea, I'm just picking nits. Something rubs me the wrong way about the word "brill."

What is Spaced?

[SuperPopTart]

This is one show I am willing to watch and I keep forgetting it comes on. Though for some reason I thought it wasn't actually premiering for a while...

[Paelos]

I will say this, if you are expecting Friends type punny humor or timing, this show will not make you laugh. This show is on par with  watching Christopher Guest films.

[voodoolily]

The British one was brill.

No no, Gene Hackman played Brill. Unless you're british. Then you're using a faded out colloquialism. Ya know, "cool" is still "in" I think.

Ok, yea, I'm just picking nits. Something rubs me the wrong way about the word "brill."

What is Spaced?

Whatevs, schild. You totes wanna talk in abbreves like me. Hasn't that caught on back east?



If you like Shaun of the Dead you'll prolly like Spaced (same actors, except Shaun has some from the Office, too). Spaced is Shaun, Ed and that one chick (the "trooper") from Shaun of the Dead in a show about a guy and a chick who meet in a cafe, both needing a flat, and pretend to be married so they can get this one really cool one. I know, lame "Green Card" synopsis, but it's fucking hilarious. Here's the link to the fan site (I couldn't find an official site):

http://www.spaced-out.org.uk/

You can order the DVDs from this site. If you're a fly-by-the-seat-of-yer-pants kinda guy, and trust my judgement, I'd definitely recommend taking the plunge. Or find it on eBay.

[Abagadro]

I dig Carrell, but he is no Ricky Gervais.  Also, they punched up the timing, which I don't like as much.

[Shockeye]

I dig Carrell, but he is no Ricky Gervais.  Also, they punched up the timing, which I don't like as much.

They Americanized it.

At least they didn't go the route of "Coupling" and completely utterly fuck it up for American TV.

[Ironwood]

Didn't want to get involved in this :  But I'm quite sure the 'gay' line was taken entirely from the British version.  If you're going to hail something as 'better' and a 'departure' from the British version, make sure it actually, you know, is.

[schild]

I didn't say it was better. I enjoy them both for different reasons.

The british one is mean funny. In a Curb your Enthusiasm sort of way. Just not as funny as Curb Your Enthusiasm.

The American one is politically incorrect funny in a Daily Show sort of way with more uncomfortable delivery. It's also more focused on making you, the viewer, cringe.

They are simply different animals.

Ricky Gervais should have been nicknamed chuckles. I didn't like that giggle he'd give after all of his deliveries. Carell's overblown laugh just seems more stupid evil genius clever to me.

[Abagadro]

Didn't want to get involved in this :  But I'm quite sure the 'gay' line was taken entirely from the British version.  If you're going to hail something as 'better' and a 'departure' from the British version, make sure it actually, you know, is.

The script for the first show was 100% identical to the British version.  Since then they are writing their own scripts but incorporating some of the same elements.

[Hoax]

Luckily for me, I really am not good at cringe comedy, instead I find myself feeling sick and wanting to not look or change the channel.

Besides The Shield is the only reason all tv's should not be destroyed.