Watched The Office for the first time; didn't like it

[blurayuser09]

I watched The Office last week for the first time, along with Parks and Recreation, and to answer your impending question, yes, I have somewhat been living in a cave.

I couldn't watch either of them for more than 5 minutes. I hate the camera work. Why do you need to have the camera moving all around? Why are the actors looking right at the camera? In some scenes, it's like the actors are in a documentary, and in other scenes they're not. I just want a nice Cheers-esque sitcom, not some college student's film class project.

[assydingo]

What episode of The Office did you watch?

The first season takes a while to find it's pace.

[drobswim13]

Originally Posted by blurayuser09

I watched The Office last week for the first time, along with Parks and Recreation, and to answer your impending question, yes, I have somewhat been living in a cave.

I couldn't watch either of them for more than 5 minutes. I hate the camera work. Why do you need to have the camera moving all around? Why are the actors looking right at the camera? In some scenes, it's like the actors are in a documentary, and in other scenes they're not. I just want a nice Cheers-esque sitcom, not some college student's film class project.

You will not get a Cheers-esque sitcom with pretty much any show nowadays. There are some that are still like that (simple camera angles for set designs) and most of them are pretty good. It took me awhile to get used to The Office but after a few episodes I really started to enjoy it. I still like the UK version better, though.

[jadedeath]

What's with all these threads about people not liking something?

Are folks thinking that we're going to go out of our way to try and change your mind?

Logan

[swordfishblue]

Yes it's supposed to be like a documentary crew following their lives or their jobs. That's why they look at the camera sometimes and why reason for the slightly shaky camera work.

From what i've seen on BBC America British Version has the same style. I 'm not a big fan of both Versions ( I couldn't understand the humor in the British version) But the Camera work is what pulls me in. Yeah... i'm a big Bourne fan.

[krazeyeyez]

Originally Posted by jadedeath

What's with all these threads about people not liking something?

Are folks thinking that we're going to go out of our way to try and change your mind?

Logan

i say someone starts a thread about not liking threads about not liking things!

[leem6453]

The Office is one of my favorite shows. It is in a documentary style, but what makes it great are the characters and stories. Dwight is probably one of the best characters on the show, but they all have something to offer.

I recommend starting with the 1st season and you will eventually get hooked...and I mean hooked. You're making the same mistake a lot make which is jumping on in the middle of a season. A lot of the jokes reference previous episodes, so you can't get the full enjoyment.

[masoud90]

At least it isn't like every other show out there...you can't judge the show by one episode.

[Stoudman]

Originally Posted by leem6453

The Office is one of my favorite shows. It is in a documentary style, but what makes it great are the characters and stories. Dwight is probably one of the best characters on the show, but they all have something to offer.

I recommend starting with the 1st season and you will eventually get hooked...and I mean hooked. You're making the same mistake a lot make which is jumping on in the middle of a season. A lot of the jokes reference previous episodes, so you can't get the full enjoyment.

Season 1 for newcomers? I would think Season 2 hooked me much more than Season 1. That's really when they started perfecting the formula.

But yeah, the thing about The Office is that I honestly don't know anyone who "got" the concept for it right off the bat. It takes more than one episode to understand it, as there are a lot of inside jokes and stuff that drive the show. It works well on its own if you've seen at least a few episodes and understand the concept and what they're trying to do with it, but it's really a lot more serialized than one would think, and requires back-to-back-viewing-ness. This is why I'm glad Netflix has the first 4 seasons on their "instant watch" service, some in HD.

[assydingo]

The thing is people hear all the hype and somehow they think if they watch the show and don't love it IMMEDIATELY that it's all BS.

Honestly, people just want to tell everyone else their wrong.

[drobswim13]

Originally Posted by swordfishblue

Yes it's supposed to be like a documentary crew following their lives or their jobs. That's why they look at the camera sometimes and why reason for the slightly shaky camera work.

From what i've seen on BBC America British Version has the same style. I 'm not a big fan of both Versions ( I couldn't understand the humor in the British version) But the Camera work is what pulls me in. Yeah... i'm a big Bourne fan.

The British version references a ton of older British media...the only reason I know this is because I have a roommate who is from London, but I have also seen some of the stuff they reference

[assydingo]

Originally Posted by drobswim13

The British version references a ton of older British media...the only reason I know this is because I have a roommate who is from London, but I have also seen some of the stuff they reference

The British version requires you to like the absolute most hard-to-get-into British humor there is. Ultra dead-pan zombie-like expression and delivery.

[drobswim13]

Originally Posted by assydingo

The British version requires you to like the absolute most hard-to-get-into British humor there is. Ultra dead-pan zombie-like expression and delivery.

It is extremely dry humor, but that is what I think makes it even funnier. Definitely personal preference though

[Pondosinatra]

Like all TV shows you Yanks rip off, the best ones are always the British originals...

[Marquoz]

I watched the Office a few times, and I honestly don't think anybody cares what my opinion about it is.

[Blu_Beast]

The Office is AMAZING!!! until reading this everyone ive met who has watched this likes it if not LOVES it, i cant get enough, and other than The Office I only watch Entourage and Watched The Sopranos, this is the only show on TV that I can watch!!!!

[assydingo]

Originally Posted by drobswim13

It is extremely dry humor, but that is what I think makes it even funnier. Definitely personal preference though

Oh I'm sure it's good if you can get into it.

[JAC6]

I think The Office is fabulous, and one of the rare remakes where the US version is better than the original UK version. But it is not for everyone. If you want to give it a fair shot, you gotta watch S1 (there's just a few episodes) and then S2. If you don't like S2, you won't like the show, as S2 was by far the best season, in my view.

To each his (or her) own.

[Mannyfresh84]

Watching the Dundies episode in season 2 right now. The Office is hilarious! If you didn't find it funny then change the channel because like other's have already said, we're not going to try to change your mind.

[Mannyfresh84]

Originally Posted by Pondosinatra

Like all TV shows you Yanks rip off, the best ones are always the British originals...

That's why it only lasted two seasons huh.