I'm going to come right out and disagree with my colleague (and editor) David Lidsky on the American version of the workplace sitcom, "The Office." Simply put, I think BBC's was better - and there are some analogues to be found in other business ventures.
First off, I watched the second episode last night - and make no mistake, the show is funny... Better than any other half-hour comedy out there, in my opinion. But the original was, well, original. (It beat out "Arrested Development" and "Sex and the City" for two Golden Globes, remember?)
No doubt NBC was aiming for something like the HP/Apple iPod partnership; Let us in on the deal and we'll all make some money. But what we've got here is more like NBC's Dell to BBC's Apple - or perhaps just Lexus's Toyota: a more-accessible, less startling reproduction intended for a broader audience with different tastes. Which is why, like Dell, NBC is going to make a lot of money. (And, knowing NBC - which just sold a lump of its soul to Volkswagen - my spidey sense says some of "The Office's" revenues will come from product placement. Just a guess.)
One question for NBC is this: Was anything learned from the "Coupling" implosion (another BBC facsimile)? There, too, network execs hired on the original British creators to help adapt storylines to US audiences, but it fell flat on its face. Was it the withering shadow of "Friends" that doomed "Coupling," or just sub par production? And what has NBC done to avoid the same fate with "The Office"? It would be interesting to hear if the peacock's execs wind up sharing any lessons from the two projects.
Related Stories: | Topics:Work/Life, culture, NBC Universal Inc., British Broadcasting Corporation, Dell Inc., David Lidsky, Apple iPod |
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Recent Comments | 22 Total
March 30, 2005 at 2:58pm by Just a Thought
There are two divisive issues facing America today and that seem to permeate all media.
1) Should a brain-dead woman's feeding tube be removed?
2) Is NBC's version of The Office as good as the BBC version?
In a week, no one will care about either one and that says more about America than anything.
March 30, 2005 at 3:01pm by Justin Gardner
I completely agree that it's not better, but I actually don't think this version is that good. I hate to say that, but I've really been left cold so far. And what's weird is I really like Steve Carrell, but I think he's been miscast.
For my money, Ricky Gervais was pathetic, but loveable. Carrell is just creepy, and I think it's hard for a character like that to be loveable. But then again, this is only from watching the first two episodes so maybe I should just quit my complaining and hope it gets better.
March 30, 2005 at 3:18pm by Reed Wiedower
NBC:BBC != Dell:Apple
I'm not sure how you can say NBC is the Dell to BBC's Apple. As far as I know, Dell isn't rebranding Apple equipment with slight twists. And it has a much larger market share gap between it and Apple than the difference between NBC and the BBC.
March 30, 2005 at 6:06pm by Jason Johnson
NBC's "The Office" doesn't come close in comparison to the BBC's "The Office". Unfortunately, North Americans will never understand nor replace the wit of Britcoms. BBC won't lose sleep over this adaptation. I wonder why no American network has adapted a show based on "Coronation Street"?
April 1, 2005 at 10:23am by Brendan Avery
I think the only way something like this works, is when you don't copy every story scene for scene. That always fails. It's okay to copy the premise or something, but for gods sakes write some new material. This copycatting just NEVER works. Remember the American pilot for Red Dwarf? OMFG. It's just sad. American "The Office" just falls flat. It really doesn't have the charm of the Brit version and frankly its just almost offensive because its just such a bad translation. I think it would have been better to create all new characters. It just feels like America's "tribute to the Office." Why is originality so hard to come by?
April 2, 2005 at 5:40am by Blake Wood
I am really amazed at how much wrath just the very existence of a show has generated. NBC's The Office is the funniest show I have ever seen on TV. My wife and I laughed both long and hard watching the second episode. After the first episode, we told all our friends how funny the show was, and the phone didn't stop ringing after the airing of the second episode with calls from everybody thanking us for telling them about the show!
A show this good is not going to stay under the radar for long. When it emerges, I'm afraid it is going to drown out all of you BBC worshipers.
April 5, 2005 at 11:07pm by mike blake
This show is absolute rubbish - that said, NBC is providing a product that only American's can understand. In that respect, its a success. I am only waiting for the comment "hey, that Brit show has copied NBC's The Office". When this happens the cycle will be complete.
April 6, 2005 at 7:11pm by Adelia Romeo
While I have seen every episode of NBC's The Office, I have never seen the BBC version. I fully understand that not many things compare to the original, but I LOVE this show! Last night, I cried I was laughing so hard. Dwight's misunderstanding that a hysterectomy was the removal of a vagina rather than a uterus left me roaring. I, too, am telling everyone I know about it. Maybe the show doesn't appeal to devout BBC [Office] fans, but it sure appeals to me. Keep it coming!
April 7, 2005 at 12:29pm by eric
I'm in Television Marketing and I would like to say the hard truth is that America doesn't care how good the BBC's version is or was. This is America's "translated" version and this is enough for American's to call it their own. I guarantee around 75% of Americans don't even know what the BBC is. American viewers don't want to listen to british accents or try to undertsand british humor. American's are taking in this show because they relate to the character's and are laughing outloud again at their television sets. They are not going to stop watching because it was done first somewhere else... "American Idol...cough...cough" I love the show, I think it is brilliant and I personally would like to be one of the few who says thank you to the original creators. Once NBC puts it on Thursday nights I predict it gains "Friends" and "Seinfeld" status. American's have been waiting for a show like this.Thank you.
April 11, 2005 at 11:52pm by Monkey Alan
As a devout fan of the BBC original, I was nevertheless excited to learn about the translation, especially when I learned that Carell was going to helm the Brent office.
NBC's The Office is no comparison of course, but the show is undeniably funny. Most of the casting (excluding the Ricky character) is spot on and the jokes rarely fall flat. I think its a wonderful effort and i'll buy the dvd sets if and when they are released just as fast as I purchased the originals.
But for those who's stomachs are turned simply by the show's existence, get over it. Feeling superior simply because you enjoy a foreign show is just elitist garbage. NBC's The Office is not a cash in or an evil corporate facsimile, it's a genuinely good effort to broaden some television horizons, and it succeeds. I love the original, but i've found that I love this new version as well, and the only things that bother me are snobs who refuse to give it a fair chance simply because it was produced by an American network.
Underestimating American audiences is the problem with American television, so don't add to it.
April 13, 2005 at 1:28am by Blake W.
Just got thru watching tonight's episode about the "morale-boosting" birthday party! Loved it! The strongest episode since the "Diversity Day" episode. Dwight Shrute was absolutely hilarious! I was rolling around on the floor laughing so hard! This show is my absolute favorite thing on TV right now. Can't wait for next week's episode where they join a basketball league.
April 13, 2005 at 9:10pm by Tim Stacey
I have just watched some of the US episodes of the Office. I did laugh a little but at the same time it's sad to see one of the wittiest, funniest, perhaps unintentionally accurate BBC comedy series being manipulated to satisfy the US market.
There's no doubt, the British sense of humour and the US sense of humour are vastly different. I'm an Aussie and our sense of humour is different to! but the US series can not compare to the BBC series. Even the jokes are the same, it hurts to watch!
Still when I first watched series one of the BBC's the Office, I laughed so hard I wasn't making a sound. So without the original, the US series would not exist, and there would be nothing for people to laugh at. In that sense it's not a bad thing! Still I hope each episode gets funnier...or I'll have to pop the DVD of the British series into my player just to feel normal again.
No body makes comedy like the British!
April 18, 2005 at 9:35pm by Andrew
The US version of "The Office" is hilarious! One of the best network television shows I have seen in recent years. I hope that NBC will renew it.
The US version has what the UK version does not: Likable characters, great plot development, strong writing, and comedic timing. The UK version, in my opinion, lacks all of those traits. I could not find a single person on the UK show I liked. Maybe it's because Americans can relate to the people they show on the US version?
I think people are starting to warm up to it. Everyone can enjoy this show.
April 20, 2005 at 2:32am by Jill
I have worked for non-innovative, bureaucratic monster organizations my entire career. Every single exaggeration in NBC's The Office seems to be based on a horrible tiny nugget of real life in these type of organizations. Yes, the comedy approach is in your face, but the delivery and atmosphere in the show is frighteningly realistic to me.
I hope this show runs for a long time, or at least long enough that I can record all of the episodes as an inexpensive yet effective form of therapy. This the perfect antidote, akin to the less effective "If you think your office is bad..." philosophy of commiseration. It'll keep me from going postal.
The Office is like Dilbert on crack. I cannot stop laughing long enough to hear the next joke in this show. I've tried to stop laughing so hard, which seems to caused acute physical pain in my chest (I kid you not).
This is the hardest I've laughed and longest I've laughed in my entire life. It's got to be good for me.
I haven't seen seen the BBC version but at least I'll give it a chance. Maybe because I'm too fricking busy working 40 hours/week and going to grad school 30 hours/week. And I'm supposedly a professional. I need a 4 o'clock high tea break I guess.
It seems like people who like British humor always put down American humor for being lowbrow... whatever; they need to take the stick out of their ass. There's a reason American comedy as well as most American entertainment is much more popular world-wide (other than our big evil hollywood machine, etc., etc., yada yada yada): Americans get it and we're REAL. Real life is cruel and crude, and doesn't mix well with crumpets, tea and royal highnesses.
But, if I'm lucky enough to run across the BBC version of The Office and like it, I'll be the first to admit it (happily)!
April 27, 2005 at 2:31am by Nick
"The US version has what the UK version does not: Likable characters, great plot development, strong writing, and comedic timing. The UK version, in my opinion, lacks all of those traits."
When are you yanks going to realize you don't need to like someone to find them funny? I don't like George Bush - but I still piss myself laughing every time he opens his mouth.
Ricky Gervais' comic timing must to subtle for you - but that's probably a cultural thing...
"Americans get it and we're REAL. Real life is cruel and crude, and doesn't mix well with crumpets, tea and royal highnesses"
If this is true why did NBC have to edit out all the "real", cruel and crude elements of the BBC original that made it so excruciatingly funny? If there's one thing I've never heard American's accused of it's gritty realism. LOL.
You guys never heard the expresion,
"If it Ain't broke don't fix it"
;-)
April 28, 2005 at 7:41pm by Lisa in Houston
I'm a huge fan of the original, and miss it like crazy. But the American version is bloody damned hilarious, and I consider myself a bit of a telly snob. This is good stuff, I laughed myself silly watching the basketball episode last week (haven't seen the last episode yet but it's waiting for me on Tivo). The Health Care and Diversity Day episodes were brilliant 'n all. Please NBC bring it back, and don't pit it against (stupid show) American Idol where it will suffer...!
April 29, 2005 at 10:10am by Lisa in Houston
I'm a huge fan of the original, and miss it like crazy. But the American version is bloody damned hilarious, and I consider myself a bit of a telly snob. This is good stuff, I laughed myself silly watching the basketball episode last week (haven't seen the last episode yet but it's waiting for me on Tivo). The Health Care and Diversity Day episodes were brilliant 'n all. Please NBC bring it back, and don't pit it against (stupid show) American Idol where it will suffer...!
May 2, 2005 at 11:48am by eric
christ... are u people for real? i'm a huge fan of the original and nothing'll ever top this as a comedic effort!! first off i wanna praise the nbc show where it's due so here it is: Shrute is brilliant and so is everybody else but altough i'm a big carrel fan he's poorly casted as the office's boss. i guess anybody'd be 'cos ricky gervais is sublime, u hate him but he's lovable whereas carrell is merely a creepy sob. and for the american cast to be more lovable? sure but sayin' they're more realistic as opposed to the uk cast at the same time is just moronic. perhaps it's 'cos i'm european (belgium) that i'm more into britcomedy but hey, my 2nd fave show ever is seinfeld. i think that's as us-comedy as it gets. grtz and keep 'em comin' ('cos they're gettin' better)..
May 2, 2005 at 4:18pm by Kelley
I've only seen the US version of The Office and that's fine with me. This show is freakin' hilarious. I am praying that NBC brings this show back for another season!!
September 28, 2005 at 4:19pm by Marc Mercer
Well, I have no knowledge of the "original" program or idea, but I stumbled onto this show by accident last night (sexual harrassment), and tears were rolling down my cheeks by the time it ended. This is by far the funniest television program I have ever seen; I'm hooked, big time!
October 11, 2005 at 12:45pm by Dan the English Gent
realise this is months old now so who'll read it
But:
"Americans get it and we're REAL. Real life is cruel and crude, and doesn't mix well with crumpets, tea and royal highnesses"
GOD, what an amazing amount you really do know about modern Britain. Yes the entire population exists in a forever-1855 country garden bubble where the only dilemma is which fork is the correct one to use at 3.12 pm, in light of the slight south easterly breeze, and the fact that the Queen's uncle twice removed has just celebrated the birthday of his butler's cat.
Just as you are still populated entirely by gun toting, tobacco chewing cowboys, and witch-hunting, self-flogging puritans, patiently awaiting the return of Prohibition and the second coming of Christ
The richest country on the earth is indeed the only place that knows about what is 'real'. In fact, you invented the word, along with the language, breathing, the wheel and the means to create fire.
Well done!
(BTW it may have helped to have seen the BBC version before making this 'anaysis'. Its pretty rude and crude, already along with every piece of British comedy not featuring Hugh Grant)
Good luck to the American show anyway
January 21, 2006 at 11:01pm by jj
Steve Carrell is genius but to me will always be 'I love lamp'.......Seeing him embarrasingly mis-cast and even winning a golden globe for his role as 'brent' confused me......The Office is ricky gervais......Watching the american version really makes me cringe, just as if Seinfeld was translated to british audiences with Lee Evans cast as the lead....