The Office - Yuk Yuk Yuk

Monte Smith · October-4th-2003, 11:03 PM

This week the DVD of the first season of the BBC mockumentary series The Office appears in stores everywhere. Those of you who don't have access to BBC America or the BBC proper--check this sh*t out! It is an incredibly funny show, scripted and created by the *great* Ricky Gervais, favorite son of Reading, England.

The Office tells the story of a paper company in Slough dealing with hard times under the less-than-stellar management of David Brent--boss from hell!

moneyp · October-5th-2003, 03:16 AM

I'll check it out. I've been surprised to find out I really enjoy the BBC version of COUPLING. Very funny show.

BFrank · October-5th-2003, 03:29 AM

I've only seen a few of the shows, but they're all pretty good. I just keep forgetting to watch.

Good concept. good cast.

mjb · October-5th-2003, 09:31 AM

It is brilliant. Both series have been on BBC Canada and they were compulsive viewing. The depth to the humour and characterizations is astonishing ... in a good way. I have seen the second series twice and the repeated viewing only enhances the enjoyment.

Getting this DVD will make you very happy. So long as you have a DVD player.

And play the DVD.

And watch and listen to it.

tippy · October-5th-2003, 09:53 AM

I have been dying to see this based solely on earlier recommendations. So happy and lucky that I am recently with DVD. Yay!

TheloniousFunk · October-5th-2003, 07:22 PM

Oh man this is one of the funniest shows--
I haven't stayed up late enough to see if they still show it (on PBS) but now that I've been reminded of it I'll have to do that...

Nathaniel Catchpole · October-5th-2003, 08:20 PM

Geezer was on a TV interview the other day saying he's flying over to supervise the US remake, so you'll all have a chance to see the same jokes with different people in addition to the BBC version (wondering if the remake will then be sold back to here, it's happened before).

BFrank · October-5th-2003, 09:52 PM

I'm sure that any US remake of this show would be awful.

Nathaniel Catchpole · October-6th-2003, 06:24 AM

My feeling too, but you never know - having said that, the most recent office-based drama out of America I've seen is the Drew Carey show, not quite the same.

Monte Smith · October-13th-2003, 01:25 PM

My wife bought me THE OFFICE first season DVD. Hilarious. The behind the scenes stuff is as good as the show.

Also, last night saw the premiere of the second season on BBC America. Cor, it was brutal. I actually felt uncomfortable as boss-from-hell David Brent managed the folding of Swindon branch into Slough. It was one poorly pulled off, ill-received and insensitive joke after another. Now that's comedy. And/or office life.

lynn · October-13th-2003, 03:51 PM

US remakes of British shows are awful. Take "Cracker" for instance .... British version with Robbie Coltrane - brilliant. US version with I can't remember who - crap.

Alastair · October-17th-2003, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mone peterson
I'll check it out. I've been surprised to find out I really enjoy the BBC version of COUPLING. Very funny show.

I hear that the US version has been taken off after three episodes.

las.vegas.lynn · October-17th-2003, 11:54 AM

Figures - way too intellegent for the general US population. Not enough violence.

tippy · October-17th-2003, 05:09 PM

I saw the debut of the US version of Coupling and it was possibly the worst sitcom I've ever seen. It was unbearable. I'm surprised they aired three episodes because after the first 5 minutes, it was obviously a huge mistake. The actors did not seem terribly competent--not one held any sort of appeal--but I have to admit that I thought it was due mostly to terrible writing. If fine British actors could have made sense of such junior high school tripe, I would be surprised indeed. Actually, that would be an interesting experiment.

I was disappointed and surprised to discover that my local family-owned video store did not know anything about The Office--even after Letterman touted it as the best thing ever. I see the series can be had for a mere $20.99 on Amazon (damn my American expectation of instant gratification).

Tom Storer · November-12th-2003, 02:55 AM

Imagine my delight when an Irish friend arrived for the weekend bearing the DVD of the first season of "The Office" as a gift. I who can't bear to sit in front of the tube spent all last night watching the six episodes. Brilliant! Hilarious! You alternate between cringing for the characters and guffawing helplessly. Can't wait for the DVD of season 2.

Monte Smith · November-12th-2003, 10:29 AM

It is brilliant, isn't it, Tom? Season 2 is just painful! Let me say that Slough's incorporation of Swindon branch does not go smoothly.

Tom Storer · November-12th-2003, 11:01 AM

My friend has promised to send us the DVD of season 2 as soon as it's out.

According to him they've decided to do the two seasons and an office-party special, then quit.

Tippy - spring for the $20.99. You won't regret it.

Monte Smith · November-12th-2003, 11:19 AM

Keith. He's the quiet type.

Monte Smith · November-24th-2003, 12:37 PM

Brad Pitt to play David Brent in The Office remake?
Ananova.com

Brad Pitt has emerged as the unlikely favourite to take on Ricky Gervais's role as David Brent in a US remake of The Office.

Ironically, Gervais joked that either Pitt or George Clooney should play him in the US version.

However, TV bosses seem to have taken him seriously, and have approached Pitt to take on the role.

Channel 4 quoted a TV insider as saying: "Brad's really into British comedy. He loves Monty Python and things like that.

"He's seen The Office and thinks it's brilliant, and he's been approached by the team to take the lead role.

"As a fan he could insist on keeping the basic premise of the programme and make himself less attractive.

Jon Abbey · November-24th-2003, 01:27 PM

even Hollywood can't be that stupid.

RBS · November-25th-2003, 10:34 AM

Oh, yes. Hollywood could be that stupid.

BFrank · November-25th-2003, 02:21 PM

I think Jeffrey Tambor would be PERFECT in that role - but I guess he's got another show now.

Jon Abbey · December-18th-2003, 08:40 PM

anyone who's missed it, the whole second season is being shown on BBC America tonight from 9-1, repeated at 4 AM, I believe.

Dibble · December-18th-2003, 09:01 PM

Guffaw..and cringe...

btw Martin Freeman who plays Tim has just appeared on British tv as Lord Shaftesbury in a drama about Charles 2nd..he was very good..playing it straight...!!

Monte Smith · December-18th-2003, 09:08 PM

Result!

You are a godsend, Abbey! I just read your post and had about thirty seconds to slip a tape in the VHS and press record. Awesome.

The 2nd season is much, much more painful than the 1st season. Though both are awesome. The 2nd season actually feels like being at work, it's so degrading. Although the split second end credit scene of Chris Finch doing a chick from Swindon branch doggy style is refreshing.

I gave my sister, sometime resident of Britain, current resident of Miami THE OFFICE for Xmas. Hope she likes it.

BFrank · December-18th-2003, 09:36 PM

Also, easily recognizable (despite heavy makeup) in "Pirates of the Caribbean"

Alastair · December-22nd-2003, 09:28 AM

For all of us who can pick up BBC1...A two-part final episode is being shown on the 26th and 27th of December.

Preview clips

here .

Alastair · January-12th-2004, 09:16 AM

The Christmas specials were fantastic. It's three years on, and they're doing a follow up to the original fly-on-the-wall documentary. David Brent is a travelling salesman (when he's not doing personal appearances with other reality TV stars - there's a very post-modern bit where real reality TV stars share a stage with him). Dawn is in Florida with her awful boyfriend. Tim is still with the firm, and Gareth is in charge. But David can't keep away...It's funny, embarassing and genuinely touching. I won't spoil it for you.

BFrank · January-12th-2004, 12:00 PM

Sounds great! I hope it shows up on BBC America soon!

Monte Smith · January-27th-2004, 12:55 PM

The Office beat off tough competition to become the surprise winner of two Golden Globe awards.

The spoof documentary about a Slough paper mill won best comedy TV series. Creator Ricky Gervais beat Friends star Matt LeBlanc to take the best comedy actor gong.