British Office vs. American Office

January 7, 2007 9:23am CST
I saw the entire British series before I saw a single episode of the American Office. I honestly love them both, but for very different reasons. Has anyone else seen them, any opinions?
3 people like this
7 responses
@copeland (72)
• United States
8 Jan 07
I saw the first season of the American Office before I saw any of the British stuff. The casting was done perfectly as you can see how accurately each character matches their overseas character. I enjoy the American Office just a little more just because I can understand what they're saying and sometimes the Brit comedy is a little quick for me (especially if I didn't catch what they said).
2 people like this
10 Jan 07
I love love love LOVE the British version of "The Office". I say British version but lets face it, its the real original, a bit like Coca-cola and Pepsi-cola. Anyway, I prefer the British - Brent is far more pathetic and the humour generally more subtle, but the US version certainly has its merits. I think the US version does better when they don't carbon-copy episodes or storylines from the original because Carell is no Gervais, and cannot deliver the lines in the same way.
10 Jan 07
I agree that Brent is more pathetic, but Michael Scott is more believable in a way, in the sense that you can imagine how he actually rose to the position he is in. I could never understand how David Brent was made manager in the first place. I also agree that the American Office got much better once they started following their own story lines, though the comparisons between characters are fun, especially between Dawn and Pam and Tim and Jim.
1 person likes this
@katprice (806)
• United States
12 Jan 07
I love the BBC's version of The Office too. I think it it slightly better than the US version. BBC's is so funny. I think the accents make it even funnier. Thank goodness for BBC. A lot of great shows start there and then we get an American version. Another one I like is Changing Rooms, which is called Trading Spaces here in the States.
@signum (545)
• Australia
16 Feb 07
I didn't think much of the US version to be honest. UK version ROCKS!!
@Catkin (480)
• United States
24 Jan 07
I started off watching the American version, then found the British version at the library. Since I started off with the American, I would have to say it's my favorite, but I enjoyed the British once quite a bit. I was amused at how similar Tim and Jim are, heh. David was a bit too crude for me, though. I've gotten very attached to the American characters, and so far the show has carried on past what its British counterpart managed (half way into season 3 thus far!).
• United States
13 Jan 07
One difference I noticed: with the boss in the British version, I just didn't like him, I was appalled at what he was doing. With Steve Carell, there's something about the way he acts--maybe in some movies--that makes him more likable.
14 Jan 07
Yeah he has some redeaming qualities where as Brent is cring-worthy and the moments where you feel for him are few and between.
• United States
21 Jan 07
i completely agree. I love both versions for very different reasons. i love the British version for its writing and humor alone. but i love the american version because i have fallen in love with the characters. they have taken on a whole new world of their own, with their own kind of humor.
• United States
20 Jan 07
I found some youtube videos up about the Pam and Jim saga , then went searching for full episodes, I finally found them ALL... at dailymotion.com. I watched all the US ones first (up to this weeks) and am now going through and watching the UK ones, and I do have to say that I also think Michael Scott is a bit more believable as a character , but the UK series is just as good IMO. I really like seeing the culture differences in the two.