The Office: US vs. UK
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I :love: the US version of The Office, and have read the praise that the original UK version gets. I got the UK version today (12 eps, 2 seasons I guess?), and after watching the first 6, I just don't get it. There are maybe 3 or 4 laughs in each show; the rest of the time it's David being dumb, not funny. At least when Michael Scott cooks his foot, they build the entire show's humour around it. Not to mention that Tim/Dawn have nowhere near the on-screen chemistry that Jim/Pam do. --Mike-- Visual C++ MVP :cool: LINKS~! Ericahist | NEW!! PimpFish | CP SearchBar v3.0 | C++ Forum FAQ Come quietly or there will be... trouble.
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I :love: the US version of The Office, and have read the praise that the original UK version gets. I got the UK version today (12 eps, 2 seasons I guess?), and after watching the first 6, I just don't get it. There are maybe 3 or 4 laughs in each show; the rest of the time it's David being dumb, not funny. At least when Michael Scott cooks his foot, they build the entire show's humour around it. Not to mention that Tim/Dawn have nowhere near the on-screen chemistry that Jim/Pam do. --Mike-- Visual C++ MVP :cool: LINKS~! Ericahist | NEW!! PimpFish | CP SearchBar v3.0 | C++ Forum FAQ Come quietly or there will be... trouble.
I watched the first episode of this drivel and found it to be cringingly poor humor: there is just nothing funny in an idiot making a fool of himself surrounded by unsympathetic characters for whom life appears to be a dreadful imposition. I didn't care whether they lived or died and at least the latter would have stopped them wasting any further air time. Ricky Gervais is a hamster of a man with all the talent of talentless one-trick pony. I just don't get why people find this funny. Still, no accounting for taste. Sadly, British humor has sunk without a trace over the last 10 years: if Gervais is the best we can come up with...
turning the other cheek just gets you slapped twice
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I watched the first episode of this drivel and found it to be cringingly poor humor: there is just nothing funny in an idiot making a fool of himself surrounded by unsympathetic characters for whom life appears to be a dreadful imposition. I didn't care whether they lived or died and at least the latter would have stopped them wasting any further air time. Ricky Gervais is a hamster of a man with all the talent of talentless one-trick pony. I just don't get why people find this funny. Still, no accounting for taste. Sadly, British humor has sunk without a trace over the last 10 years: if Gervais is the best we can come up with...
turning the other cheek just gets you slapped twice
legalAlien wrote:
Sadly, British humor has sunk without a trace over the last 10 years:
What about Green Wing? Spaced? Black Books? Coupling? Cold Feet? The good series might be few and far between, but British Comedy still has it. I get annoyed with a lot of US comedies shown here where the punchline is never more than a minute from the feed. UK comedy still has the edge in building up situations over a whole episode.
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I :love: the US version of The Office, and have read the praise that the original UK version gets. I got the UK version today (12 eps, 2 seasons I guess?), and after watching the first 6, I just don't get it. There are maybe 3 or 4 laughs in each show; the rest of the time it's David being dumb, not funny. At least when Michael Scott cooks his foot, they build the entire show's humour around it. Not to mention that Tim/Dawn have nowhere near the on-screen chemistry that Jim/Pam do. --Mike-- Visual C++ MVP :cool: LINKS~! Ericahist | NEW!! PimpFish | CP SearchBar v3.0 | C++ Forum FAQ Come quietly or there will be... trouble.
I almost completed reading your post wondering "What the hell is he talking about? There's nothing about MS Office here". *Then* I got it. :doh: Cheers, Vikram.
"When I read in books about a "base class", I figured this was the class that was at the bottom of the inheritence tree. It's the "base", right? Like the base of a pyramid." - Marc Clifton. i dont mind to be a stupid,better than being a moron - Adnan Siddiqi.
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I :love: the US version of The Office, and have read the praise that the original UK version gets. I got the UK version today (12 eps, 2 seasons I guess?), and after watching the first 6, I just don't get it. There are maybe 3 or 4 laughs in each show; the rest of the time it's David being dumb, not funny. At least when Michael Scott cooks his foot, they build the entire show's humour around it. Not to mention that Tim/Dawn have nowhere near the on-screen chemistry that Jim/Pam do. --Mike-- Visual C++ MVP :cool: LINKS~! Ericahist | NEW!! PimpFish | CP SearchBar v3.0 | C++ Forum FAQ Come quietly or there will be... trouble.
It is a matter of difference in taste. The U.S. version made me laugh a few times but the U.K. version has me rolling in the aisles. Which is exactly why they made a U.S. version and didn't simply re-broadcast the U.K. version. Just out of curiosity do you find Frasier funny? regards, Paul Watson Ireland Colib and ilikecameras. K(arl) wrote: oh, and BTW, CHRISTIAN ISN'T A PARADOX, HE IS A TASMANIAN!
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I almost completed reading your post wondering "What the hell is he talking about? There's nothing about MS Office here". *Then* I got it. :doh: Cheers, Vikram.
"When I read in books about a "base class", I figured this was the class that was at the bottom of the inheritence tree. It's the "base", right? Like the base of a pyramid." - Marc Clifton. i dont mind to be a stupid,better than being a moron - Adnan Siddiqi.
Now that is funny! Indian humour wins :)
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I :love: the US version of The Office, and have read the praise that the original UK version gets. I got the UK version today (12 eps, 2 seasons I guess?), and after watching the first 6, I just don't get it. There are maybe 3 or 4 laughs in each show; the rest of the time it's David being dumb, not funny. At least when Michael Scott cooks his foot, they build the entire show's humour around it. Not to mention that Tim/Dawn have nowhere near the on-screen chemistry that Jim/Pam do. --Mike-- Visual C++ MVP :cool: LINKS~! Ericahist | NEW!! PimpFish | CP SearchBar v3.0 | C++ Forum FAQ Come quietly or there will be... trouble.
I'm guessing it's all down to the differences between UK and US culture. Brits find the UK original funny because, if they've ever worked in an office themselves, there's so much in that show that is just like how things really are. Ok, lots is exaggerated, but not that much really. I'd imagine the US version was heavily tweaked to make it appeal to the American office worker, by making sure that all the things happen are the things that an American would think (god, yeah, I know a guy just like that.) - The fact that you don't show the British version funny just goes to show that you're not British. -- Help me! I'm turning into a grapefruit! Buzzwords!
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It is a matter of difference in taste. The U.S. version made me laugh a few times but the U.K. version has me rolling in the aisles. Which is exactly why they made a U.S. version and didn't simply re-broadcast the U.K. version. Just out of curiosity do you find Frasier funny? regards, Paul Watson Ireland Colib and ilikecameras. K(arl) wrote: oh, and BTW, CHRISTIAN ISN'T A PARADOX, HE IS A TASMANIAN!
Paul Watson wrote:
Just out of curiosity do you find Frasier funny?
I didn't follow Frasier (or any sitcoms, really) but when I happen to catch a rerun, I find it enjoyable. I only started watching sitcoms regularly this season with My Name Is Earl and The Office. --Mike-- Visual C++ MVP :cool: LINKS~! Ericahist | NEW!! PimpFish | CP SearchBar v3.0 | C++ Forum FAQ "Just because the box has 2 gigabytes of memory doesn't mean you get to use it all!" -- Rico Mariani, CLR perf guy -- modified at 4:37 Monday 23rd January, 2006
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I :love: the US version of The Office, and have read the praise that the original UK version gets. I got the UK version today (12 eps, 2 seasons I guess?), and after watching the first 6, I just don't get it. There are maybe 3 or 4 laughs in each show; the rest of the time it's David being dumb, not funny. At least when Michael Scott cooks his foot, they build the entire show's humour around it. Not to mention that Tim/Dawn have nowhere near the on-screen chemistry that Jim/Pam do. --Mike-- Visual C++ MVP :cool: LINKS~! Ericahist | NEW!! PimpFish | CP SearchBar v3.0 | C++ Forum FAQ Come quietly or there will be... trouble.
I don't get it at all. A while back I grab an episode with my Tivo along with "Desperate housewives" and only made it through the first ten minutes of either before they were removed from the Tivo and a triple thumbs down marked on both. On "The Office", I found no humor at all in those ten minutes and it seemed it was going to continue. The UK version may be funny, but the US version stinks! After a few minutes of "Desperate housewives", it reminded of the old soft porn movies and I just figured it was something for the lonely housewives to watch. I do like a few shows such as CSI, Surface, Invasion (somewhat), According to Jim (sometimes), Close To Home, Criminal Minds and Three Wishes (until they pulled it along with Night Stalker). Other than those I am pretty much a movie buff, but the movie picking lately are getting pretty poor (movies such as "Anchor Man" come to mind). Rocky <>< Latest Post: SQL2005 Server Managemnet Studio timeouts! Blog: www.RockyMoore.com/TheCoder/[^]
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I don't get it at all. A while back I grab an episode with my Tivo along with "Desperate housewives" and only made it through the first ten minutes of either before they were removed from the Tivo and a triple thumbs down marked on both. On "The Office", I found no humor at all in those ten minutes and it seemed it was going to continue. The UK version may be funny, but the US version stinks! After a few minutes of "Desperate housewives", it reminded of the old soft porn movies and I just figured it was something for the lonely housewives to watch. I do like a few shows such as CSI, Surface, Invasion (somewhat), According to Jim (sometimes), Close To Home, Criminal Minds and Three Wishes (until they pulled it along with Night Stalker). Other than those I am pretty much a movie buff, but the movie picking lately are getting pretty poor (movies such as "Anchor Man" come to mind). Rocky <>< Latest Post: SQL2005 Server Managemnet Studio timeouts! Blog: www.RockyMoore.com/TheCoder/[^]
What an awful show. regards, Paul Watson Ireland Colib and ilikecameras. K(arl) wrote: oh, and BTW, CHRISTIAN ISN'T A PARADOX, HE IS A TASMANIAN! -- modified at 5:09 Monday 23rd January, 2006
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legalAlien wrote:
Sadly, British humor has sunk without a trace over the last 10 years:
What about Green Wing? Spaced? Black Books? Coupling? Cold Feet? The good series might be few and far between, but British Comedy still has it. I get annoyed with a lot of US comedies shown here where the punchline is never more than a minute from the feed. UK comedy still has the edge in building up situations over a whole episode.
These are not the gentle Britsih comedies of years gone by: they are much more farcical, perhaps a little like Benny Hill whom, for some bizarre reason, Yanks adore or peurile like Bottom. Cold Feet was probably the best but was not a comedy as much as a drama series with amusing bits. American comedy, especially situational comedy, is far superior to British comedy now: look at Frasier, 2 and a half men, Becker, Raymond. These are funny shows (all on Paramount in the UK). Anyway, neither of us are right or wrong: it's just a comedic opinion.
turning the other cheek just gets you slapped twice
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I watched the first episode of this drivel and found it to be cringingly poor humor: there is just nothing funny in an idiot making a fool of himself surrounded by unsympathetic characters for whom life appears to be a dreadful imposition. I didn't care whether they lived or died and at least the latter would have stopped them wasting any further air time. Ricky Gervais is a hamster of a man with all the talent of talentless one-trick pony. I just don't get why people find this funny. Still, no accounting for taste. Sadly, British humor has sunk without a trace over the last 10 years: if Gervais is the best we can come up with...
turning the other cheek just gets you slapped twice
The Office is one of those shows that has to be watched through your fingers - Brent is so embarassing he literally makes yours toes curl. I think that shows a very clever writer at work. Also, how can anyone not find Gareth funny? :) :) I guess that sort of humour isn't for everyone. But, having seen Gervais' stand-up show live, I can attest to the fact that he is a very funny man.
legalAlien wrote:
Sadly, British humor has sunk without a trace over the last 10 years
Nah. Catharine Tate is a genius (and was doing the stroppy teenager long before Little Britain), "Peep Show" is also one of the funniest shows I've seen in years and years, and "The Worst Week of my Life" has me in stitches. However, I do not like Little Britain. It is the most overrated show ever produced. A single episode would of been amusing, but the same few sketches repeated again and again... well, it isn't funny anymore IMHO.
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legalAlien wrote:
Sadly, British humor has sunk without a trace over the last 10 years:
What about Green Wing? Spaced? Black Books? Coupling? Cold Feet? The good series might be few and far between, but British Comedy still has it. I get annoyed with a lot of US comedies shown here where the punchline is never more than a minute from the feed. UK comedy still has the edge in building up situations over a whole episode.
viaduct wrote:
What about Green Wing? Spaced? Black Books? Coupling? Cold Feet?
I couldn't agree more (apart from Coupling - it was almost as bad as friends). Green Wing is the funniest show from any country for years and years in my opinion (new series starts on C4 soon!). Also, don't forget Spoons, Monkey Dust and Man Stroke Woman! P
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What an awful show. regards, Paul Watson Ireland Colib and ilikecameras. K(arl) wrote: oh, and BTW, CHRISTIAN ISN'T A PARADOX, HE IS A TASMANIAN! -- modified at 5:09 Monday 23rd January, 2006
Yeah, it amazes me that it gets such high ratings. Kind of scary :omg: BTW Paul, I enjoy your photography (and sites)! You do great work! Rocky <>< Latest Post: SQL2005 Server Managemnet Studio timeouts! Blog: www.RockyMoore.com/TheCoder/[^]
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These are not the gentle Britsih comedies of years gone by: they are much more farcical, perhaps a little like Benny Hill whom, for some bizarre reason, Yanks adore or peurile like Bottom. Cold Feet was probably the best but was not a comedy as much as a drama series with amusing bits. American comedy, especially situational comedy, is far superior to British comedy now: look at Frasier, 2 and a half men, Becker, Raymond. These are funny shows (all on Paramount in the UK). Anyway, neither of us are right or wrong: it's just a comedic opinion.
turning the other cheek just gets you slapped twice
I think British situational comedy simply doesn't get the airing, and therefore chance, that U.S. sitcom does. regards, Paul Watson Ireland Colib and ilikecameras. K(arl) wrote: oh, and BTW, CHRISTIAN ISN'T A PARADOX, HE IS A TASMANIAN!
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Yeah, it amazes me that it gets such high ratings. Kind of scary :omg: BTW Paul, I enjoy your photography (and sites)! You do great work! Rocky <>< Latest Post: SQL2005 Server Managemnet Studio timeouts! Blog: www.RockyMoore.com/TheCoder/[^]
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I :love: the US version of The Office, and have read the praise that the original UK version gets. I got the UK version today (12 eps, 2 seasons I guess?), and after watching the first 6, I just don't get it. There are maybe 3 or 4 laughs in each show; the rest of the time it's David being dumb, not funny. At least when Michael Scott cooks his foot, they build the entire show's humour around it. Not to mention that Tim/Dawn have nowhere near the on-screen chemistry that Jim/Pam do. --Mike-- Visual C++ MVP :cool: LINKS~! Ericahist | NEW!! PimpFish | CP SearchBar v3.0 | C++ Forum FAQ Come quietly or there will be... trouble.
Just a difference in cultures. We do have them you know! I found the US verison a bit cringeworthy, but can imagine US offices are like that. Also things are more politically correct in the US I find, having worked for a US company for 5 years up until a couple of years ago. I get the US jokes but they are more direct I think. The UK version is what the UK is like, though overplayed, which makes it just painfully funny for me. I don't want to watch, and I know I have too. The British quite like sarcastic humour, such as Blackadder which I don't think the US understands at all, which is a shame as its probably the funniest TV series in the past 20 years. I have heard Red Dwarf has a small cult following in the US.
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What an awful show. regards, Paul Watson Ireland Colib and ilikecameras. K(arl) wrote: oh, and BTW, CHRISTIAN ISN'T A PARADOX, HE IS A TASMANIAN! -- modified at 5:09 Monday 23rd January, 2006
Paul Watson wrote:
What an awful show.
It is really sad to see how thin Teri Hatcher has become. I used to really like her as 'Lois Lane' in Superman, but now she is a mess. I kind of enjoyed the first season of the show. You've got to love a show which deals with suicide, murder and child-kidnapping in such a light and frothy context. Michael CP Blog [^] Development Blog [^]
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I :love: the US version of The Office, and have read the praise that the original UK version gets. I got the UK version today (12 eps, 2 seasons I guess?), and after watching the first 6, I just don't get it. There are maybe 3 or 4 laughs in each show; the rest of the time it's David being dumb, not funny. At least when Michael Scott cooks his foot, they build the entire show's humour around it. Not to mention that Tim/Dawn have nowhere near the on-screen chemistry that Jim/Pam do. --Mike-- Visual C++ MVP :cool: LINKS~! Ericahist | NEW!! PimpFish | CP SearchBar v3.0 | C++ Forum FAQ Come quietly or there will be... trouble.
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These are not the gentle Britsih comedies of years gone by: they are much more farcical, perhaps a little like Benny Hill whom, for some bizarre reason, Yanks adore or peurile like Bottom. Cold Feet was probably the best but was not a comedy as much as a drama series with amusing bits. American comedy, especially situational comedy, is far superior to British comedy now: look at Frasier, 2 and a half men, Becker, Raymond. These are funny shows (all on Paramount in the UK). Anyway, neither of us are right or wrong: it's just a comedic opinion.
turning the other cheek just gets you slapped twice
What, American comedy superior? Frasier better than the Office? Your calcified brain just doesnt get it. The Office is superb situation comedy, if you dont see it then you dont see the subteltey of it. It makes Frasier look like sad old crap (which it is). The ONLY good US comedy at the moment is the 'gross out' kind. 'Theres something about mary', 'American Pie' etc. Re UK vs US comedy. Alf Garnet got sold to the US networks and became Crosby. How pathetic, n the transition it totally lost all its edge. Nunc est bibendum