The British version of ‘The Office’ aired in the UK from 2001 until 2003. A US version was created in 2005, and become very popular (as well as popular to bash). I never watched the British version, but have watched the US version since it’s inception. I don’t generally like British humor, including Monty Python, Mr. Bean, Extras, etc. Every time I’ve attempted to watch a humorous film or television show created in the UK, I haven’t been entertained. I believe this is somewhat caused by British humor’s “style” being different than what I’m used to, but also simply due to the fact that I have trouble understanding the accents. Because of my dislike for British humor, I’d put off watching the British version of ‘The Office’, but over the course of 3 days I watched the entire first season.
Normally, as I write about shows, I’d like to watch one episode at a time, write about it, and then move onto the next. For some reason the last episode of the last series I watched (Moonlighting) put me in such a bad mood, I never wanted to write about it, despite starting on a new series. The episodes of ‘The Office’ were so short they were easy to knock two at a time, and thus after a mere three days I’d watched all six episodes from season one.
I have multiple friends who prefer the British version of ‘The Office’ to the US version. I’ve read many articles by people who also prefer the British version. Recently, in an article in the Onion, Aziz Ansari (who I admire as a comedian) called the British version “…like my favorite thing in comedy, maybe ever.” But after watching the entire first season, I have to say it’s not high on my list of favorite programs, and definitely not ahead of the US version.
Episode 1 – Downsize, Episode 2 – Work Experience
The first two episodes were disappointing to me BECAUSE I’d seen the US version. Obviously they aired well before the US came about, but the fact that the US version took so many jokes from these first two episodes hurt my enjoyment (a stapler in Jell-O!). So, while I should knock the US version down a few notches for straight up stealing from the British version I feel the opposite way. (I’m very tormented by this…)
Episode 3 – The Quiz
Starting with episode 3, the series finally deviates from the US version. Sadly, that’s not a good thing for the series. Am I wrong in thinking that David Brent is simply evil? At least Michael Scott has redeeming qualities (i.e. he likes the people he works with). In ep3, we watch as Brent belittles his new temp, trying to prove his intellectual superiority. He attaches himself to an equally crappy fellow, Chris Finch, to win some pointless quiz show year after year, and then upon losing they take Tim’s shoes and throw them over a building for some reason. I could make the argument that David Brent is a complicated individual torn between low self-esteem and high self-interest, but it’s my opinion that he’s simply a shitty person.
Episode 5 – The New Girl
Again Brent is in poor form, as he A) Hires a secretary despite needing to cut back, and B) Hires the female applicant solely because she is female. After work, he then goes to a bar where he hits on a handful of various women, including the new secretary.
Episode 6 – Judgment
Brent takes a higher job, which basically forces the closure of his old office and firing of many of his old employees. At no point is he shown to have a conscience, and while his dim-witted-naivety is humorous at times, it doesn’t change the fact that he is basically a bad person.
I don’t dislike bad people as characters in TV shows, but there’s something about him that irks me. There have been characters on Television that don’t bother me despite them being poor ‘human-beings’. Tony Soprano is a good example. Like David Brent, Tony was always looking out for his own interests. Even his family was only there to service his own needs as a part of his perfect image. But somehow when watching The Sopranos, I came to enjoy delving into Tony’s life. Could it have been because we saw his weak moments? We saw weakness in David Brent as well. Could it be that Brent was stupid? There have been lots of stupid characters in TV history that I don’t dislike. Woody from ‘Cheers’, Rose from ‘Golden Girls’, Joey from ‘ Friends’, even Michael Scott’s stupid, but I generally like him… BUT, now that I think about it… do I? The past few seasons of the US Office have been unbearable at times. Also, those others I mentioned never carried the show. Could it be that I don’t like stupid people as lead characters in my Television shows? I’m not the most intellectual person and tend to lean towards the popular opinion, hence my love for television over movies, comedies over drama, and me having no problem with laugh-tracks. So why would I dislike stupid characters?
Or, Could it be that I’m simply biased against all British humor regardless of quality? I don’t know, but sadly, I feel as though I must apologize for not liking the British version of ‘The Office’. I’ve let Aziz down.
BTW, Why was Donna always wearing purple?
