eFilmCritic

y2mckay · Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 11:10 am Post subject: The Office

I realize knowledge of this show is probably old hat to many of you, but maybe not

Anyway, my boss told me about it, so I netflixed the first season. OMG, that is some funny shit. The manager is the biggest douchebag wanker, but hysterical. Yet another sterling example of British comedy that makes 80% of our sitcoms look like complete crap - speaking of which, rumor is there's an American remake in the works. Big surprise there Rolling Eyes

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JaySeaver · Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 11:50 am Post subject:

The American remake does have Steve Carrel in the lead, though.

Of course, it's currently set to be paired with Scrubs in the Tuesday-night scrum, and it's hardly likely to turn me away from Veronica Mars, The Amazing Race, or House.
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MP Bartley · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 10:48 am Post subject:

The Office is a masterpiece of the highest kind, and Ricky Gervais a genius.

"Remember - sometimes the complaints will be false"

"He's thrown a kettle over a pub, what have you done?"

"I think there's been a rape up there!" (trust me, it's funny in context)

Just wait for season two Bri, and 'the dance' "Flashdance fused with MC Hammer shit".

Any particular favourite bits/episodes?

Some more from me cos I love The Office that much

Oz · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 3:04 pm Post subject:

The US version of The Office isn't happening. Apparently it tested really badly, so they only made the pilot and then ditched the concept.

Which begs the question, why not just show THE ORIGINAL?

JaySeaver · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 3:13 pm Post subject:

David Cornelius · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2005 2:03 am Post subject:

But surely they remember their failures in reworking Coupling. Right? Right? No?

Dave

WalterPill · Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 91

Not just one of the greatest comedies ever made but painfully accurate in its depiction of office life/politics. The final double episode was both hilarious and poignant and was about a perfect a resolution to a series as there has been since the final episode of Blackadder Goes Forth.

It would be fascinating to see the american reworking as Gervais and Merchant were supposedly heavily involved and thusly I'm sure the end product was better than the lion share of the crap that's getting aired in the states right now. I really can't see the average (stupid) american getting this though, it's a long haul from Everybody Loves Raymond to the subtlety of the office.

Oz · Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 8:10 pm Post subject:

Nice spot, Jay. Last I heard, the pilot had tested through the floor and the whole thing was being ditched. Then again, that was before Steve Carrel appeared in half a dozen movies that made money.

y2mckay · Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2005 3:07 pm Post subject:

well, the last ep of season 2 was a real downer. I'm impatiently waiting for the 2-part finale to arrive in my mailbox.

What ever happened to Brent's hot niece from season 1? ooof, she was a hottie.

You know, I can actually see Carell in the David Brent role. This could be funny. I just hope Gervais and Merchant are getting their fair share or royalties on the deal.
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MP Bartley · Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 12:54 pm Post subject:

y2mckay · Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 4:23 pm Post subject:

Oh yeah, I totally felt sorry for Brent in the last ep of season 2 - even though he'd been a completely insensitive idiot up to that point. It was very solid, dramatically. I was just bummed because I was expecting big laughs and it suddenly got all serious. There were some very funny deleted scenes and gag reels in the special features though

I should be getting the special tomorrow. Then I won't have any new Office to watch. Sad

Shame about the niece not coming back in season 2. Let me reiterate - HOT!
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I shouldn't get high to come up with ideas. I should come up with ideas, and THEN get high, to reward myself!

Dust For Eyes · HBS Monkey Joined: 12 Jul 2002 Posts: 500 Location: Sydney

If an American version was green-lighted, wouldn't everyone just say, not as good as The Larry Sanders Show?

Both were coming from similar territory.
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natasha_theobald · Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 10:59 pm Post subject:

The show made me fall in love with Martin Freeman. I was so grateful for the wrap-up shows, too, because I was afraid they would just leave it after season two.

Kristen at E! says the American version is really good, so I am looking forward to seeing it for myself. Steve Carell can make anything funny, and I can imagine him walking the same fine line of funny/uncomfortable to watch as Gervais did.

y2mckay · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 2:21 am Post subject:

No Offense Tash, but they're E! They'll tell you shit is shinola Smile

But I agree, I am interested in seeing it, and if anyone can pull that kind of character off over here, it's Carrel. I'd like to see Colbert pop in as Finch, too. That would fucking rule.
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I shouldn't get high to come up with ideas. I should come up with ideas, and THEN get high, to reward myself!

natasha_theobald · Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 4:23 am Post subject:

Yeah, but I trust Kristen. She loves shows I love, so I'll check it out on her say - at least once. All of the other columns are unreadable, but she's good.

natasha_theobald · Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2005 8:23 pm Post subject:

A look--

http://www.nbc.com/nbc/The_Office/

Maegs · Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 5:01 pm Post subject:

I think they're going in the right direction. The good news is that it will premiere on a Thursday at 9:30/8:30.

Now all they need to do to kill the show is to put it between 9/8c on Tuesdays.

-M
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JaySeaver · Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 10:16 pm Post subject:

y2mckay · Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2005 10:27 pm Post subject:

Finally saw the Office special, and was pleased all around. Consistently hilarious, and ultimately very moving.

I really hope they don't fuck this new one up.
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MP Bartley · Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 9:10 am Post subject:

I cried. Twice.

"Chris...why don't you just fuck off?"
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y2mckay · Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 2:09 pm Post subject:

haha. My favorite was:

Tim: "Beans?"

Dawn: "Biscuit!" Very Happy

Not to mention Brent telling the large girl "It's just that I was waiting for a blind date, and for a moment I was afraid you might be her" Shocked

by the way, the actress who played Dawn was looking incredibly hot in this special. I'd like to see more of her in another project. Anyone know anything else she's been in?
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I shouldn't get high to come up with ideas. I should come up with ideas, and THEN get high, to reward myself!

Oz · Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 2:53 pm Post subject:

Shaun of the Dead, for starters.
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y2mckay · Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 5:25 pm Post subject:

Hmm. Trying to place her in that movie
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I shouldn't get high to come up with ideas. I should come up with ideas, and THEN get high, to reward myself!

y2mckay · Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 5:25 pm Post subject:

wait, was she the female roommate of Shaun's g/f?
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I shouldn't get high to come up with ideas. I should come up with ideas, and THEN get high, to reward myself!

Oz · Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2005 5:39 pm Post subject:

Dianne, yes.
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