Korean Job Discussion Forums

[venus]

I'm not inviting nationalistic rantings here or the stock drivel about Americans not getting irony.

I'm torn on this issue.

I think the original UK version was funny as hell, far, far funnier than the US version. The characters are more (sadly) realistic and believeable and far more tragic. Sometimes though, watching the show can be the spiritual equivalent of being pummeled by Tyson. Seeing the poor, deluded, tragic characters live out their lonely, inept lives is on the same level as reading 'Notes from the Underground' for the very first time.

The US version is definatley more lighthearted and easy watching material. It does raise the odd laugh and the characters are actually likeable and it's not as spiritually painful to sit through. On the down side, the majority of the characters are not realistic in the slightest and are one dimensional, making watching it seem a shallow experience.

What do you fans out there think..?

[swetepete]

Without hijacking overly, I'd like to recommend 'Peep Show' as the funniest British comedy I've seen. Funnier, even, than the 'Office' or 'Extras.'

[pdx]

I'm an American.

I saw the U.S. version first, so of course that has a big part in which i like more. I definitely prefer the American version. I get the jokes, i understand the subtleties, I appreciate all of the tension in the office.

I watched the U.K. version and while I enjoyed it, I thought it was kind of boring, and I didn't get all the humor. Which is understandable because I don't know some of the people the boss refers to, or British slang. I'm an American and I understand irony... it was the contextual stuff I didn't get. I also thought it was a little over the top (the blow up *beep*). I think the American version does things a little quieter, but you have to catch the underlying joke or the mutterings of someone. I don't need a blow up *beep* bouncing around the set. Although, the blow up doll will definitely do.

[dogbert]

Jenna Fischer and Quincy Jones' daughter are pretty hot.

The English actors just look, well, English.

[venus]

[cj1976]

British comedy doesn't always have a happy ending, whilst USA comedy seems to usually opt for the 'feel good' factor. In Britain, we are so used to disappointment and failure that we are often suspicious of overly happy people!

[pdx]

really venus?

I have a Hong Kong friend who studied in the States- his English is really good, no problems, but he said he didn't like the Office. I really think it's because he doesn't get some of the humor. Not that it's complicated or anything, but the contextual side of things.

It's cool if Brits get the American version, I'm just saying I don't get all of the British version. I DO however, recognize and appreciate the fact that it was British first, and I kneel and thank you to what's-his-name for creating it. Because we got a great show out of it.

(i'm kind of obsessed with the Office)

[RACETRAITOR]

[khyber]

I'd go with the US.
I think that the UK one has a lot of really REALLY funny moments but some of those are even just mean or uncomfortable.

Also, I thing the humour surrounding Brent is not because he's "so lame/awkward, it's funny" but because he's so clueless and cocky and I don't find "cockiness" endearing at all. AND I'd agree with venus in so much as Brent is tragic (not really the whole show though); it took until the last 20 minutes of the final series for something "good" to happen to him and that sorta made the ending a big disingenuous for me. Heartening though.


I prefer Scott because he is lame, awkward and clueless but not so much cocky and certainly not tragic. The playfulness and slightly toned down "spite" makes the US version a bit easier to watch.

FULL props to the English one though; I don't consider it to be the best one but it sure should be (12 episodes is never really enough for me).


"Shun off"...."Shun on"...good episode.

[korea252]

Being from the UK, and having worked in an office, I'd have to say the U.S. one is better. Because it's funnier. The UK version when it's funny is hilarious but mostly it portrays life in an office too well - boring and painful with occasional bright spots.
Have to agree with Sweetpete though - Peep Show is amazing. (loved it when he taped the drugs to the frisbee for the guy going cold turkey ).

[oneofthesarahs]

I like the UK version better. I'm not saying it is necessarily funnier, but better. The UK version had a lot of really uncomfortable moments that were almost hard to watch because they were terribly real.

Whereas Steve Carell's character seems more unlikeable because he's sort of a jerk, you can feel sorry for David Brent. He isn't intentionally hurting anybody, he's just sort of inept yet well-intentioned. And we all know people like that. I feel like the UK version has a lot more "moments." David Brent dancing, "Free Love on the Free Love Highway", etc. There's just something really endearing about the UK version characters.

"I think it was John Lennon who said: "Life is what happens when you're making other plans.", and that's how I feel. Although he also said: "I am the Walrus I am the eggman" so I don't know what to believe. "

[samd]

I've grown up assuming that British comedies are the best, and that British humour is witty, drier, and far more sophisticated than American humour.

I love the U.K. version, and when I heard they were making a U.S. one, I wrote it off as a ridiculous idea - how could the Americans even come close to the brilliance of The Office?

About a month ago, after a friends recommendation, I decided to give the American version a go, and after a bad pilot, the first series ended up being fantastic, and in my opinion, better than the U.K. version!

Maybe it's just because they went in a new direction, and I've gotten bored of the U.K. series after watching it so many times, but I am now a massive fan of the The Office (U.S.) and Steve Carell is my new hero.

My vote goes to the U.S. version.

[kurva anjad]

As a South African, I find the US version funnier. Steve Carrell's character plays the camera brilliantly. And Dwight may be my favorite TV character of all time.

[happeningthang]

I started out with Ricky Gervais, and it took a while to enjoy the show, but eventually fell in love with it.

I was initially disappointed with the US version, which was a direct copy of the original, but since they've moved off on their own I'm loving it. All the characters are great and the battles between Dwight and Jim are hilarious.

[Tarmangani]

I enjoy both versions, but I think this season the American Office has been outstanding and has become one the best shows on all of television.