The Office US (NBC, 2005

The Office [US] (NBC, 2005 - 2008)
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To a person that has watched the original UK version of “The Office”, the fist season of the US remake is an annoying and unlikable experience. The characters try to imitate their UK counterparts and it becomes obnoxious to watch. Jim making the exact same faces as Tim and Michael Scott trying to be David Scott? Does not work. With even some of the dialogues exactly like the UK version, one wonders why they even wasted time on a remake.

Then you watch the second season and everything clicks perfectly. In the second season it seems the writers and actors have put aside their UK “The Office” DVD boxset and do it their own way and works perfectly. It moves away from the awkward, silent comedy of the original version which did work well for the British version and moves into the American style of more likable characters and easier to watch situations. And frankly I did not mind because it works very well. You must understand that the original version is only two seasons with twelve episodes and the US version does more episodes, so you get to know the characters more, get involved in more plot lines, have the other characters in the office be more colorful, and to be honest, just fall in love with a character or two (my crush is Pam).

Unfortunately, given that the US version is a remake of a classic show, it might get judged unfairly by some viewers who won’t give it a chance or see the first season and sign off. But to fans of the original version, stick with it and by the second season, I can’t imagine not liking it. The show has humor, extremely likable character, and the whole thing really is just a joy to watch. One of the best TV comedies.

Summary of seasons so far:

Season 1: As mentioned, not that good, if this was the only season, I’d have recommended the UK version all the time and have acted snobby when anyone mention the US version. 2/5

Season 2: Kicks off very well. Instant classic. 5/5

Season 3: Still brilliant and stays fresh by introducing new characters and plot lines. 5/5

Season 4: Bad start. Episodes go from the normal 20 minutes for a sitcom to a full 40 minutes and it suffers. However, after the WGA writer’s strike, it seems the writers had time to think and when the strike ends, the concluding episodes are just as good as previous seasons. 4/5

“I have been Michael’s number two guy for about 5 years. And we make a great team. We’re like one of those classic famous teams. He’s like Mozart and I’m like...Mozart's friend. No. I’m like Butch Cassidy and Michael is like...Mozart. You try and hurt Mozart, you’re gonna get a bullet in the head courtesy of Butch Cassidy.” – Dwight

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“I come from a long line of fighters. My maternal grandfather was the toughest guy I ever knew. World War Two veteran. Killed twenty men then spent the rest of the war in an Allied prison camp. My father...battled blood pressure and obesity all his life. Different kind of fight.” – Dwight

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“Would I rather be feared or loved? Umm...easy, both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.” – Michael

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“Presents are the best way to show someone how much you care. It is like this tangible thing that you can point to and say “Hey man, I love you this many dollars-worth”.” - Michael

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“Now you may look around and see two groups here: white-collar and blue-collar. But I don't see it that way, and you know why not? Because I am collar blind.” – Michael

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“I lost Ed Truck... and it feels like somebody took my heart and dropped it into a bucket of boiling tears... and at the same time, somebody else is hitting my soul in the crotch with a frozen sledgehammer... and then a third guy walks in and starts punching me in the grief bone... and I'm crying, and nobody can hear me, because I'm terribly, terribly... terribly alone.” – Michael

4/5