The Office Vs The Office UK, which do you prefer and why ? - Blu-ray Forum

Jellybeans · 01-21-2009, 04:50 PM

The Office Vs The Office UK, which do you prefer and why ? On one hand, in the UK Version you have Ricky version and the other you have Steve Carell.

KingLeonidas300 · 01-21-2009, 04:55 PM

Hands down I am all for the UK version, I just wished they would have continued beyond the two series and the special. I like the UK verison because it doesn't seem to be as censored as the US one. I just started watching the US version and it is pretty good but if I had to pick one, I would go with the UK.

Jellybeans · 01-21-2009, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingLeonidas300

Hands down I am all for the UK version, I just wished they would have continued beyond the two series and the special. I like the UK verison because it doesn't seem to be as censored as the US one. I just started watching the US version and it is pretty good but if I had to pick one, I would go with the UK.

The jokes are funnier as well ?

cnowels · 01-21-2009, 05:17 PM

I too prefer the UK version, but for the opposite reason of the "jokes" being funnier. It's because the majority of it is not setup as jokes or gags. They come across as actual (if completely clueless) people that we all work with day to day. It truly seemed like a documentary and only rarely dipped into pushing the "reality" envelope.

The US version, which I do still enjoy, is a sitcom.

david2189 · 01-21-2009, 05:28 PM

the uk version hands down, its actually funny! the american versions just a poor attempt to copy a great comedy

Skyline · 01-21-2009, 05:31 PM

I like them both quite a bit. Their differences have been pointed out already...two different versions of the same basic idea, and they're both great!

Pondosinatra · 01-21-2009, 05:52 PM

The British original shows are almost always better than their American counterparts which typically never transcend fart joke type humour.

Ator the Invincible · 01-21-2009, 05:56 PM

Both versions are great in different ways, and people really shouldn't let the greatness of the UK version spoil the consistently funny US version for them. Yes, it started out as a remake, recycling much of the original. It has since grown into its own entity with a large cast of quirky regulars.

That said, I'd say the original UK version is superior. It actually came off as a legit documentary for the most part. And the Dawn/Tim story was handled expertly. In comparison, the US version can be incredibly funny and enjoyable, but has a more "sitcomy" feel. Its ongoing nature contributes to that. Still, I love them both.

And Dwight Schrute rules all.

Variable · 01-21-2009, 06:11 PM

I like the UK one a lot and the US one not at all. Just doesn't have the same feel.

manic lars · 01-21-2009, 08:44 PM

I actually prefer the US one, even though it moves away from the realistic humor of the UK one. For some reason the more gag-filled comedy feels like Simpsons to me (probably the involvement of Greg Daniels), which appeals to me more.

Also Creed.

Sussudio · 01-21-2009, 08:46 PM

ive only seen the US one and love it, but friends tell me the UK one is 10x better.

Hedchekr · 01-21-2009, 08:56 PM

I love the US one, I haven't seen the UK one, but I love Steve Carrell, Jenna Fischer, and Rainn Wilson.

TenEightyP · 01-21-2009, 09:01 PM

I have to say that for me the UK version is much better than the U.S. version. To coin a phrase, I think it lost something in translation. I'm not saying that the U.S. version is dire, just that the UK version is so good.

Ricky Gervais did the right thing in not going further than two series and a special. Leave them wanting more and don't devalue the product by milking it into oblivion.

In fact it follows a tradition of good comedy stopping at series two; Fawlty Towers and The Young Ones to name two.

garlad · 01-21-2009, 09:10 PM

That's a difficult question to answer. They are both very different. Episode 1 of the US version was almost identical to the UK's first episode, only they 'Americanized' the jokes. I didnt like it.

Then they seemed to go their own directions (while still keeping the redundency/branch closing theme and the love story between Jim and Pam.)

I now think the US version is absolutely HILARIOUS!!!! I love it and love Steve Carell. Every character is perfectly cast. As per an earlier post, it is more of a sitcom than the UK version. Joke after joke after joke, whereas in the UK version you really did feel like you were watching a documentary - you were comparing that office environment with your similar experiences and this is what Ricky Gervais and Steve Merchant wanted to portray.

I feel the documentary feel of the US version is long gone, I don't see is as that any more, although there are many references to the cameras. But I will not miss an episode and is one of the greatest comedies ever shown on TV.

Its hard to compare the two due to these differences. As a massive Office fan, the original is in a league of it's own; genius.

Secretagentnumber6 · 01-21-2009, 09:27 PM

No need to pick between them. They are both excellent in their own way. After the first season the american series has become a show of its own and is not even comparable to the uk series anymore. They are both fantastic and I see no need to pick. It is like picking your favorite child.

Teabaggins · 01-21-2009, 09:42 PM

I enjoy both of them.

The english version is very subtle with the jokes and the US version is...not.

well, sometimes it is but still not as subdued as the english Office. everything in the US version is relatively in your face

HKMOVIESAREBEST · 01-21-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skyline

I like them both quite a bit. Their differences have been pointed out already...two different versions of the same basic idea, and they're both great!

+1

rubberghost · 01-21-2009, 11:11 PM

still haven't seen the UK version, but i intend to soon.

kefrank · 01-21-2009, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Secretagentnumber6

No need to pick between them. They are both excellent in their own way. After the first season the american series has become a show of its own and is not even comparable to the uk series anymore. They are both fantastic and I see no need to pick. It is like picking your favorite child.

This is pretty much how I feel.

The British version has what I would call a higher concentration of humor, but the U.S. versions has an overall greater quantity of laughs (even if only due to more episodes) and more character depth.

I personally see no reason to prefer one over the other and appreciate both for what they are.

Clark Kent · 01-21-2009, 11:36 PM

I watch a lot of British shows but their comedy shows do nothing for me. British humor has always been mystifying to me.

01-21-2009, 04:50 PM	#1
Jellybeans Banned Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Montreal, Canada Blu-ray collection:140 Trading Score:1	The Office Vs The Office UK, which do you prefer and why ? The Office Vs The Office UK, which do you prefer and why ? On one hand, in the UK Version you have Ricky version and the other you have Steve Carell.

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01-21-2009, 04:55 PM	#2
KingLeonidas300 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Arizona Home Theater Gallery:7 Blu-ray collection:654 Blu-ray reviews: 64 Trading Score:40	Hands down I am all for the UK version, I just wished they would have continued beyond the two series and the special. I like the UK verison because it doesn't seem to be as censored as the US one. I just started watching the US version and it is pretty good but if I had to pick one, I would go with the UK.

01-21-2009, 05:17 PM	#4
cnowels Active Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Chesapeake, VA Blu-ray collection:154	I too prefer the UK version, but for the opposite reason of the "jokes" being funnier. It's because the majority of it is not setup as jokes or gags. They come across as actual (if completely clueless) people that we all work with day to day. It truly seemed like a documentary and only rarely dipped into pushing the "reality" envelope. The US version, which I do still enjoy, is a sitcom.

01-21-2009, 05:28 PM	#5
david2189 Expert Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:London, UK Blu-ray collection:183	the uk version hands down, its actually funny! the american versions just a poor attempt to copy a great comedy

01-21-2009, 05:31 PM	#6
Skyline Active Member Member since:Jan 2009 Blu-ray collection:98 Blu-ray reviews:1	I like them both quite a bit. Their differences have been pointed out already...two different versions of the same basic idea, and they're both great!

01-21-2009, 05:52 PM	#7
Pondosinatra Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Calgary, Alberta Home Theater Gallery:45 Trading Score:2	The British original shows are almost always better than their American counterparts which typically never transcend fart joke type humour.

01-21-2009, 05:56 PM	#8
Ator the Invincible Power Member Top contributor Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Scranton, PA, USA 4K collection:502 Blu-ray collection:6292 DVD collection:2715	Both versions are great in different ways, and people really shouldn't let the greatness of the UK version spoil the consistently funny US version for them. Yes, it started out as a remake, recycling much of the original. It has since grown into its own entity with a large cast of quirky regulars. That said, I'd say the original UK version is superior. It actually came off as a legit documentary for the most part. And the Dawn/Tim story was handled expertly. In comparison, the US version can be incredibly funny and enjoyable, but has a more "sitcomy" feel. Its ongoing nature contributes to that. Still, I love them both. And Dwight Schrute rules all.

01-21-2009, 06:11 PM	#9
Variable Special Member Member since:Mar 2008 Location:Northern New Jersey Blu-ray collection:12	I like the UK one a lot and the US one not at all. Just doesn't have the same feel.

01-21-2009, 08:44 PM	#10
manic lars Junior Member Member since:Jan 2009	I actually prefer the US one, even though it moves away from the realistic humor of the UK one. For some reason the more gag-filled comedy feels like Simpsons to me (probably the involvement of Greg Daniels), which appeals to me more. Also Creed.

01-21-2009, 08:46 PM	#11
Sussudio Blu-ray Champion Member since:Sep 2008 Blu-ray collection:1 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:11	ive only seen the US one and love it, but friends tell me the UK one is 10x better.

01-21-2009, 08:56 PM	#12
Hedchekr Special Member Member since:Apr 2008 Location:Orcutt, Cali Blu-ray collection:120 Trading Score:5	I love the US one, I haven't seen the UK one, but I love Steve Carrell, Jenna Fischer, and Rainn Wilson.

01-21-2009, 09:01 PM	#13
TenEightyP Active Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:United Kingdom 4K collection:1073 Blu-ray collection:5910 DVD collection:140	I have to say that for me the UK version is much better than the U.S. version. To coin a phrase, I think it lost something in translation. I'm not saying that the U.S. version is dire, just that the UK version is so good. Ricky Gervais did the right thing in not going further than two series and a special. Leave them wanting more and don't devalue the product by milking it into oblivion. In fact it follows a tradition of good comedy stopping at series two; Fawlty Towers and The Young Ones to name two.

01-21-2009, 09:10 PM	#14
garlad AVFC Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Ireland Blu-ray collection:226 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:3	That's a difficult question to answer. They are both very different. Episode 1 of the US version was almost identical to the UK's first episode, only they 'Americanized' the jokes. I didnt like it. Then they seemed to go their own directions (while still keeping the redundency/branch closing theme and the love story between Jim and Pam.) I now think the US version is absolutely HILARIOUS!!!! I love it and love Steve Carell. Every character is perfectly cast. As per an earlier post, it is more of a sitcom than the UK version. Joke after joke after joke, whereas in the UK version you really did feel like you were watching a documentary - you were comparing that office environment with your similar experiences and this is what Ricky Gervais and Steve Merchant wanted to portray. I feel the documentary feel of the US version is long gone, I don't see is as that any more, although there are many references to the cameras. But I will not miss an episode and is one of the greatest comedies ever shown on TV. Its hard to compare the two due to these differences. As a massive Office fan, the original is in a league of it's own; genius.

01-21-2009, 09:27 PM	#15
Secretagentnumber6 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Mar 2008 Location:St Louis Area Home Theater Gallery:15 Blu-ray collection:212 Trading Score:4	No need to pick between them. They are both excellent in their own way. After the first season the american series has become a show of its own and is not even comparable to the uk series anymore. They are both fantastic and I see no need to pick. It is like picking your favorite child.

01-21-2009, 09:42 PM	#16
Teabaggins Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Aug 2008	I enjoy both of them. The english version is very subtle with the jokes and the US version is...not. well, sometimes it is but still not as subdued as the english Office. everything in the US version is relatively in your face

01-21-2009, 11:11 PM	#18
rubberghost Expert Member Member since:May 2008 Location:the sub-matrix Blu-ray reviews:4	still haven't seen the UK version, but i intend to soon.

01-21-2009, 11:36 PM	#20
Clark Kent Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Metropolis Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:184	I watch a lot of British shows but their comedy shows do nothing for me. British humor has always been mystifying to me.

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