BBC - The Office

[fluffernutter]

Just wondering who out there in RF Land has seen this brilliant British Comedy. I had first tried watching an episode last year and it kind of fell flat but over the Christmas holiday my Dad showed me the Season 1 DVD and I loved it! One of the best and most funniest original comedies I have seen in some time.

For those who have not entered the workplace of Wernamm Hogg, the premise is this. An office building setting for a paper company in the trading town of Slough in England. The office is the subject of a documentary by the BBC and it is essentially shot as that. The main Boss, David Brent is one of the most inept bosses I have ever seen. He relies on comedy instead of actual "managing". It is all about comedy for him which is really ironic because as much as he tries to be funny, he fails miserably and THAT is the funnist thing about the show. There are a few office "romances" brewing (or not) and a general sense of humour floating around during the day.

Good stuff. I highly recommend.

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David Brent is a fucking asshole.

Due to my quitting drawing, I request all of my sigs I made discontinued. Thank you.

[curtoid]

:|

This message was edited by curtoid on 3-6-05 @ 8:15 AM

[Snoogans]

i never turn on BBC on purpose, but flipping one day i did come across this, and the 10 minutes i saw werent bad. of course, then a commercial came on, i changed the channel, and forgot about it.

in fact i couldnt even tell you what channel BBC is

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Thanks monsterone Go SAUX!!!!!
Rollin down the Street, Smokin Endo, sippin on Gin & Juice Snoogans 1, Monitor 0

[Snoogans]

I just signed up for cable after 3 years of living blissfully without it - now, 4 hours with it back, I'm like a rat on crack again.

i give you credit for being able to leave the first time.
if i didnt have the ESPN's, fox sports, and all them, id probably rip my eyes out id be so fuckin bored

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Thanks monsterone Go SAUX!!!!!
Rollin down the Street, Smokin Endo, sippin on Gin & Juice Snoogans 1, Monitor 0

[keithy_19]

No cable? NO CABLES!? WHY!!??? I couldn't live without fox news channel and espn, and comedy central.

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Thanks to katylina...

[fluffernutter]

There's your problem, FOX News Channel.

Now I feel dirty.

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David Brent is a fucking asshole.

Due to my quitting drawing, I request all of my sigs I made discontinued. Thank you.

[TheMojoPin]

Thumbs way, WAY the fuck up. I've watched the DVD three times trying to show it to as many people as possible. It's basically a British "Office Space." Good stuff.

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2% << December boys got it BAD >> "You might tell some lies about the good times we've had/But I've kissed your mother twice...and now I'm working on your dad..."

[fluffernutter]

I knew at least the resident culture hound would know about this show. Second season set comes out in afew weeks and even after seeing a few of the episodes, I still want them in DVD quality and in my collection.

After searching the BBC Office site, I saw they had 2 Christmas Specials that aired December 27th and 28th of last year. I managed to download them and even thoough I could only get the one to a Video CD I was able to watch them in WMA Media Format and they are equally brilliant. it pretty much catches up 3 years after the end of Season 2. i think it is good that the show is over. Sometimes (and it is rare) that some shows go out on top. I mean they just won 2 US Golden Globes for goodness sakes and the show is done.

Even though Ricky Gervais will be writing it, I am gonna dread the US verion. They just won't be able to "nail" it. I also seriously doubt ANYONE will be eating a Scotch Egg in it either. Just like Coupling, even though Stephen Moffat wrote it, the US version was an abortion.

Oh yah, when I was in studio with Ron and Fez the other week I asked Ron if he watched any British comedy. He said "The Office is the funniest fucking show". That was just so cool. I would love to hear soundbytes on the show but no one would get it.

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David Brent is a fucking asshole.

Due to my quitting drawing, I request all of my sigs I made discontinued. Thank you.

This message was edited by fluffernutter on 3-8-04 @ 1:03 AM

[TheMojoPin]

The US version is going to be a disaster.

I'm already pretending it never existed.

But does Gervais working on THAT mean there won't be any more seasons of the British version, or was it "finished" over there to begin with?

If it's the former, the Brits have a pretty valid reason for hating us now.

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2% << December boys got it BAD >> "You might tell some lies about the good times we've had/But I've kissed your mother twice...and now I'm working on your dad..."

This message was edited by TheMojoPin on 3-8-04 @ 2:13 AM

[fluffernutter]

But does Gervais working on THAT mean there won't be any more seasons of the British version, or was it "finished" over there to begin with?


As far as everything that I read and what was shown in the Christmas episode, it's over in England. I really want to spout off about what happens but don't want to spoil it. I have found a bunch of Ricky Gervais stand-up though and just wonder how that is. If anyone has heard it?

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David Brent is a fucking asshole.

Due to my quitting drawing, I request all of my sigs I made discontinued. Thank you.

[KennethC]

The show is brilliant and really nails the tedium of office life.

Another thing that's interesting is how American-ized Britain has seemingly become, culturally speaking. I remember watching the British sitcoms of the seventies and eighties and thinking that Britain really felt like a foreign country. When they aired the Young Ones on MTV in the mid-eithties, part of its appeal was how exotic it was.

When you watch "the Office," despite a few references here and there to soccer or the English educational system, the show might as well take place in Chicago. Therefore, the thought of an American version is totally redundant.

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[fluffernutter]

Therefore, the thought of an American version is totally redundant.


Just like David Brent's job.

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David Brent is a fucking asshole.

Due to my quitting drawing, I request all of my sigs I made discontinued. Thank you.

[TheMojoPin]

ZING!

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2% << December boys got it BAD >> "You might tell some lies about the good times we've had/But I've kissed your mother twice...and now I'm working on your dad..."

[JustJon]

I heard about this show about a year or so ago and never got around to seeing it. I'll get to it eventually.

<img src="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com/bans/rfjustjon11.gif"><BR><A href="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com">Chaotic Concepts</a>

[TheMojoPin]

I'll be on the edge of my seat over this latest development. Keep me posted. I'll spread the word when you update us.

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2% << December boys got it BAD >> "You might tell some lies about the good times we've had/But I've kissed your mother twice...and now I'm working on your dad..."

[JustJon]

sorry there aren't enough posts here to entertain you and occupy your time. Maybe you should crack the whip on your employees for a few minutes while you wait.

<img src="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com/bans/rfjustjon11.gif"><BR><A href="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com">Chaotic Concepts</a>

[TheMojoPin]

I want to fire this nutjob working for me because he's whacked out even ON his meds...but he frightens me.

CURSE MY COWARDLY HIDE!

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2% << December boys got it BAD >> "You might tell some lies about the good times we've had/But I've kissed your mother twice...and now I'm working on your dad..."

[JustJon]

wuss. have someone else do it while you're the "second man," just sitting there, cowering in the corner.

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[Wormwood]

The only British show I watch is "Do Shut Up" the re-runs are on PBS

It's about a hard-drinking yet loving family of soccer hooligans. "If they're not having a go with the birds, they're having a row with the wankers."

it was the longest running British T.V. show ever with 7 episodes (the network wanted 8 but the writing was getting stale)

<IMG SRC="http://img1.photobucket.com/albums/0903/dfaz11779/3e855bc7.gif">
goodbye girl

[Dan]

The Second Season DVD comes out in the US on April 20th...it's marked on my calendar.

I LOVE The Office...The Corporate Training episode was probably the funniest 30 minutes I've ever had in my life.

Everyone should rent the Season 1 DVD...I promise it will take a little while to get into but by Episode 3, you won't be able to stop.

I'm starting to swear off American Sitcoms...Coupling and The Office are better than anything on network TV in the US (and I mean the British Version of Coupling, not the crappy American go at it).

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[FunkyDrummer]

"A version of the award-winning television show “The Office” will be made in Russia, BBC News reported. As a result of a licensing deal between Channel One in Russia and BBC Worldwide, 24 half-hour original episodes of the series will be produced. The British show, created by Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais and starring Mr. Gervais as the nightmare boss David Brent, has been seen in more than 70 countries. The American remake, which features Steve Carell in Mr. Gervais’s role, completed its fourth season in May and won Emmy Awards in 2006 and 2007. Versions of the show also appear in Chile, Canada and France, which in 2006 became the first country to produce a foreign-language version."

Link (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/26/arts/26arts-OFFICEVISITF_BRF.html?ref=arts)

[TheMojoPin]

In Soviet Russia, paper sells YOU!!!

Glad I was wrong about the US version.

[DolaMight]

In Soviet Russia, paper sells YOU!!!

Glad I was wrong about the US version.

Are you sure you were wrong?

[TheMojoPin]

Are you sure you were wrong?

Sure I'm sure.

[DolaMight]

Sure I'm sure.

Are you sure you're sure about seasons 1 and 3?

[TheMojoPin]

Are you sure you're sure about seasons 1 and 3?

Outside of the first episode, yes.

[DolaMight]

Outside of the first episode, yes.

Season 1, honest attempt to recycle UK scripts and just replace US names and references. It obviously didn't work cuz they changed their approach 180.

Season 2 genuine original writing and developing original characters. Had me wondering whether it might be funnier than the original.

Season 3 & 4 - Starts strong but devolves where mandatory NBC soap-op formula kicks in and everybody dates each other, cut promos to make it look less like comedy and more like a drama show(ie Friends). But mainly comedy writing becomes completely predictable, tell me you didn't know Micheal was going to drive that car into the lake. I tried to love it but my outlook is mf-grimm for season 5.

Don't rebutt, my option is true counts cuz I said it.

[TheMojoPin]

Season 1, honest attempt to recycle UK scripts and just replace US names and references. It obviously didn't work cuz they changed their approach 180.

They really only did that for the first 2 episodes.

Season 2 genuine original writing and developing original characters. Had me wondering whether it might be funnier than the original.

I feel like I'm missing something with this season. I really like it, bt I don't see it as being so much more amazing than the others like it seems like most people do. It's definitely where they found their sea-legs.

Season 3 & 4 - Starts strong but devolves where mandatory NBC soap-op formula kicks in and everybody dates each other,

Meh...I didn't really have a problem with that because it wasn't done like most other shows. Dwight and Angela was just surreal and disturbing while Michael and Jan was really twisted and unhealthy. Hell, the Kelly and Ryan thing was just to show what happenes when two people date and one absolutely despises the other. Relationships, yes, but I really didn't see them taking the same cliches as most other sitcoms.

cut promos to make it look less like comedy and more like a drama show(ie Friends).

I honestlyy don't remember anything along these lines except for a few trying to plug the Jim and Pam thing. The rest always just seemed like ads for a comedy show.

But mainly comedy writing becomes completely predictable, tell me you didn't know Micheal was going to drive that car into the lake.

I know, and I loved it. It was so stupidly inevitable, just like everything he does.

I like seasons 3 and 4 because I thought they expanded very well beyond just being a comedy show.

I dunno, I just think it's weird how so many people turned on this show. I'm not saying everyone has to like it, but I really don't see how it's changed all that much from season 2, if at all.

I tried to love it but my outlook is mf-grimm for season 5.

I actually agree with this. I was hoping 5 would be the final one and the show would leave still knocking it out. Now I'm worried they are going to do actual sitcom crap and have Pam and Jim break up and shit. If they resist the urge to do that and leave them both together and not bog us down with unecessary relationship drama, I'll be really impressed. I'd rather see the breakup stuff done by absurd people like Dwight and Michael.

[ladyface]

I still find Carell much more watchable than Gervais. Unfortunately, that's what made the original Office so watchable. I still think there are some crazy talented writers on the show, though. And let us not forget, comrades, that a Russian version starts soon. Subtitles, mute!

[DolaMight]

They really only did that for the first 2 episodes.



I feel like I'm missing something with this season. I really like it, bt I don't see it as being so much more amazing than the others like it seems like most people do. It's definitely where they found their sea-legs.



Meh...I didn't really have a problem with that because it wasn't done like most other shows. Dwight and Angela was just surreal and disturbing while Michael and Jan was really twisted and unhealthy. Hell, the Kelly and Ryan thing was just to show what happenes when two people date and one absolutely despises the other. Relationships, yes, but I really didn't see them taking the same cliches as most other sitcoms.



I honestlyy don't remember anything along these lines except for a few trying to plug the Jim and Pam thing. The rest always just seemed like ads for a comedy show.



I know, and I loved it. It was so stupidly inevitable, just like everything he does.

I like seasons 3 and 4 because I thought they expanded very well beyond just being a comedy show.

I dunno, I just think it's weird how so many people turned on this show. I'm not saying everyone has to like it, but I really don't see how it's changed all that much from season 2, if at all.



I actually agree with this. I was hoping 5 would be the final one and the show would leave still knocking it out. Now I'm worried they are going to do actual sitcom crap and have Pam and Jim break up and shit. If they resist the urge to do that and leave them both together and not bog us down with unecessary relationship drama, I'll be really impressed. I'd rather see the breakup stuff done by absurd people like Dwight and Michael.

Don't get me wrong I didn't hate it, it was just .....ha..... vs. the ha...hahaHa.. pace I was used to. I would never say it's a bad show it's just not the same.

PS I wish they kept Patrice. They coulda got some good shit outa him.

[Willmore]

I agree that the writing at times is predictable and trite, but at the same time half the joke is in the delivery and Steve Carell is a genius, and some of the other characters are pretty good as well. I remember one episode that had the greatest word-less exchanges between characters, it was the one where the Indian chick just broke up with Ryan. I think it was late in season 3. The looks, the gestures, it was comedy gold.


Certainly the show isn't laugh out loud at every point, but I doubt that such a show could exist in a 22 episode season, or if such a show would be funny at all. What it is, is a great comedy, with good writing and good performances that is very easy to watch.


PS: For true laugh-out-loud comedy, I would recommend It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. It's Seinfeld on meth. If the show was on Showtime or HBO, it would be as great as Curb.

[TheMojoPin]

PS I wish they kept Patrice. They coulda got some good shit outa him.

I'll bet the network basically said they could have him or Craig Robinson as Darryl on as semi-regulars, but not both.

Seriously.

Too bad, too, since both are ridiculously funny.

I know it's another "couple," but the side storyline of Kelly and Darryl fucking kills me.

[TonyStark]

I'll bet the network basically said they could have him or Craig Robinson as Darryl on as semi-regulars, but not both.

Seriously.

Too bad, too, since both are ridiculously funny.

I know it's another "couple," but the side storyline of Kelly and Darryl fucking kills me.
A lot of thinks with Kelly I think are really well done. I think they write her character really well and she acts it down to a t. her and Ryan dating was really funny and then when Ryan continued to get promoted the wisecracks she'd make on the side were hysterical.

[K.C.]

Don't get me wrong I didn't hate it, it was just .....ha..... vs. the ha...hahaHa.. pace I was used to. I would never say it's a bad show it's just not the same.

PS I wish they kept Patrice. They coulda got some good shit outa him.

I thought Patrice said he wouldnt do The Office anymore because the shoots took a lot of time and they kept cutting his scenes

[TheMojoPin]

I thought Patrice said he wouldnt do The Office anymore because the shoots took a lot of time and they kept cutting his scenes

Exactly.

Between Darryl and Kelly, the show is probably already scarily "too dark" for NBC.

The Big Three networks obviously don't like there being more than one regular or semi-regular "ethnic" character on their white shows...which is basically all of them.

[moochcassidy]

The only British show I watch is "Do Shut Up" the re-runs are on PBS

It's about a hard-drinking yet loving family of soccer hooligans. "If they're not having a go with the birds, they're having a row with the wankers."

it was the longest running British T.V. show ever with 7 episodes (the network wanted 8 but the writing was getting stale)

<IMG SRC="http://img1.photobucket.com/albums/0903/dfaz11779/3e855bc7.gif">
goodbye girl

miss that show

[DolaMight]

Exactly.

Between Darryl and Kelly, the show is probably already scarily "too dark" for NBC.

The Big Three networks obviously don't like there being more than one regular or semi-regular "ethnic" character on their white shows...which is basically all of them.

They should have a banana stand open up across the street from Dunder Mifflin in season 5 then they would have to cast Patrice because of his experience.

[TheMojoPin]

They should have a banana stand open up across the street from Dunder Mifflin in season 5 then they would have to cast Patrice because of his experience.

He does play a good flamer.

Patrice didn't last an AD because they already had Franklin.

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