TV: The Office

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I love the Office! I just happened to watch it earlier in the summer and got hooked. It’s just so funny!
 
bapcathluth said:
I like The Office, but I think the British version is much funnier. The guy who plays the boss on the British show is so good at being an idiot, jerk who thinks he is a people person and a fun guy. I recommend renting the British version if you like the American office. Trust me, I am not one of those people who usually like British comedy. The only two British comedies that have ever made me laugh are Monty Python and the Office. Most of the other ones are not funny.
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I recommend not renting the British version but watching it on youtube if you absolutely must find out. The bits and pieces I saw were not nearly as clever as the US version and often relied on vulgarity, sex and crudeness for laughs. Hopefully, it’s better than it seemed.

It was vulgar enough for me to warn people about it in my opening post, lest they think the American version plays for laughs that way.

One instance: When the main character parades around the office flopping an electrically moving sexual toy around in the air, I don’t really need to see that much more of the show—I’ve been given a fairly good idea of the talent of writing right there.
 
I tried the British version but I could only catch bits and pieces of what they were saying. The accent was so strong that I couldn’t catch on. And I live in New England so I’m not bothered by fast talking; I’m a fast talker myself.
 
NPS said:
After threads about LOST and Battlestar Galactica it’s time we had a thread about another great show on television: The Office.

The premise of The Office is that a documentary crew has come to a paper-supply company in Pennsylvania to film them and their lives. What we see is them going about their business with occassional interviews. Don’t get too hung up on the structure–I’m just explaining why the characters sometimes look at the camera or are interviewed. The presence of the cameras sometimes make the characters cut off their conversations or be careful in what they are saying.

(The show is based on the British show of the same name. From what I’ve seen on youtube, the British show is much, MUCH more vulgar and crude and not as clever as the American version. If you see the British version on youtube, please do not think it represents the American version well)

The main character is Michael, the boss. He is a strange guy who tries to be funny, especially for the cameras. He is coarse, rude and self-absorbed, yet strangely effective.

The story really revolves around Jim and Pam. Jim is the office practical joker and likable, “normal” guy. Pam is the office secretary who is (was) engaged to a warehouse guy who is completely wrong for her. Jim and Pam get along great and have been friends and flirting for a long time. (There is a huge block of fans who dream of the day Jim and Pam get together)

Another fantastic character is Dwight. Dwight is an uptight…well, it’s better if you see for yourself.

I put together a list of clips from youtube which can give you an idea of the story and some of the characters so far.

[late edit: if a link doesn’t work, it is because since youtube was purchased by google, they have started taking down videos of copyrighted material such as TV shows–watch 'em while you can!]

Michael and “diversity day”
youtube.com/watch?v=-woMUcv5a1E

Michael and Dwight fight:
youtube.com/watch?v=yZJRYDVP444

Michael’s self-made diversity training video:
youtube.com/watch?v=MHmB83DyVrc

Michael considers himself not just a boss, but a comedian. He gets in trouble from the regional manager, and promises to not be funny, including his trademark “That’s what she said” line:
youtube.com/watch?v=hb-2X8l49uQ&NR

For Battlestar Galactica fans:
youtube.com/watch?v=XwGYumHJhf0

Jim and Dwight conflicts:
youtube.com/watch?v=G6JsljkbMwI&mode=related&search=

Jim and Dwight:
youtube.com/watch?v=_8d8JN6x0AY&mode=related&search=

Jim and Pam recap:
youtube.com/watch?v=O6iXhXj85bk

Jim and Pam:
youtube.com/watch?v=Mp6wj7GJDRY

Longer Jim and Pam–watch for Pam bugging Jim about his new cheerleader girlfriend:
youtube.com/watch?v=fsp5umKcGF4

Dwight tries to cut the healthcare plan:
youtube.com/watch?v=Vd4h-4WB90Q&mode=related&search=

Mind control:
youtube.com/watch?v=qMqEZAFGYPI&mode=related&search=

Dwight’s desk has gone AWOL:
youtube.com/watch?v=l7WslUbcTGA&mode=related&search=

Jim has transferred to another office where his jokes don’t go over as well:
youtube.com/watch?v=aHex9NcIwOw&mode=related&search=

The new office has their own way of doing things:
youtube.com/watch?v=PUr2O-LfDMI&mode=related&search=

Is Jim leaving hard on Dwight?
youtube.com/watch?v=L0OQhNrQ0S4

After Oscar is forced to come out as a gay man, Michael and Dwight try to to find out if anyone else is gay:
youtube.com/watch?v=eTgq_GzIoR0

In the end, this show is about Jim and Pam. There are tons of “JAM” (Jim/Pam) videos on youtube. Many fans put together clips of JAM and put them to music. Here’s one without music:
youtube.com/watch?v=wT8enwuSzFo&mode=related&search=
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Oh, this show is filming a real group? I thought it was all nonsense. Well, as far as the documentary style, I guess that explains it all…
 
NPS said:
I recommend not renting the British version but watching it on youtube if you absolutely must find out. The bits and pieces I saw were not nearly as clever as the US version and often relied on vulgarity, sex and crudeness for laughs. Hopefully, it’s better than it seemed.

.
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I don’t think you can judge a show from a few snippets on youtube. I watched it last night on PBS and there was nothing crude about it. It showed David, the boss, giving an inservice to his employees and bombing. He, however, thought he was hilarious and had the audience riveted.
 
bapcathluth said:
I don’t think you can judge a show from a few snippets on youtube. I watched it last night on PBS and there was nothing crude about it. It showed David, the boss, giving an inservice to his employees and bombing. He, however, thought he was hilarious and had the audience riveted.
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That’s good to hear. Maybe it’s better overall than the parts I’ve seen.
 
prv said:
Oh, this show is filming a real group? I thought it was all nonsense. Well, as far as the documentary style, I guess that explains it all…
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No it’s not a real group. It’s a mockumentary…pretend.
 
The Office is definetly my favorite ongoing show. ANYONE who has worked in any office has seen at least some of these people (Maybe you ARE one of these people).

Michael, in some ways, is the “boss from Hell”–in the late Mr. Peter’s parlance, “he has reached his level of incompetence and there he will stay” He’s also despartely lonely, desperate to be liked and loved, but so self-absorbed 98% of the time he dosnt recognize how he turns people off–and therefore is alone and lonely.

Dwight–oh in someways Dwight hits too close to home. Like Michael, almost NO social skills but actually an effective salesman. An Uber-nerd, and we all know peopl like him.

Angela–Dwight’s secret girlfriend, and the stereotyped uptight Christian (she wants to burn The Da Vinvi Code, is homophobic, hypocritical. and ignorant). The shows weakest charecter.

Pam & Jim: a bit of the same old-same old–two cute young people just missing each other. But heres a compelling complexity to both of them–surprising depth, believable faults.

Kelly Kapoor, the “valley girl” Indian heritage lady who’s set her cap for Ryan, the former temp who looks most of the time like a trapped animal.
 
Believe it or not, I would at “The Office”. The building in the first show was the building I was working at. Ironically, it was at a Scranton paper company. We were under strict orders not to talk to the media. BTW. “The Office” would be a better place to work at than where I was.
 
This is truly one of my absolutely fave shows of all time. I love that it doesn’t resort to toilet humor and sex jokes to get a laugh.

I am so torn about Jim and Pam, tho. Part of me wants to them to get together so bad! But another part of me is afraid that it will totally ruin the show by taking away the expectation.

Trish
 
TrishaW said:
This is truly one of my absolutely fave shows of all time. I love that it doesn’t resort to toilet humor and sex jokes to get a laugh.

I am so torn about Jim and Pam, tho. Part of me wants to them to get together so bad! But another part of me is afraid that it will totally ruin the show by taking away the expectation.

Trish
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Now it looks like they’re going to throw a curve ball by bringing the “other girl” into the same office with Jim and Pam. I think it’s going to keep them apart for the rest of the season, no chance to ruin the tension this year!
 
I love “The Office” also. The guy who plays Pam’s ex-fiancee lost a lot of weight and looks really hot now!

Sometimes the content is “mature”. There was an episode about outing a gay employee.

I thought last week’s episode was the best yet.

I like the supporting cast especially Kevin. Remember when he got his own name in the “Secret Santa” and didn’t tell anyone? He bought himself something he really wanted.
 
Do you think it’s “jumped the shark”? (For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term, it means when a show has lost it’s creativity and is going downhill.) I’m really disappointed in this new season. It’s getting too vulgar.
 
Yeah, unfortunately I think it might be past it’s prime, especially now that Pam and Jim are dating.

I do love Dwight though, he’s such a doofus! 😛
 
Tenebrae said:
Do you think it’s “jumped the shark”? (For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term, it means when a show has lost it’s creativity and is going downhill.) I’m really disappointed in this new season. It’s getting too vulgar.
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I certainly don’t feel that way. Maybe I’m desensitized but I haven’t noticed any new vulgarity. I have to say that the last half hour of last nights episode was probably that most enjoyable half hour I’ve ever had watching TV comedy by myself. I thought Michael driving the car into the lake was one of the most creative comedic moments in the history of sitcoms. I’m actually laughing about it as I type this.

The show is seriously awesome and if you don’t know why it’s awesome then maybe you need awesome lessons!

sorry, I stole that from Andy from last nights episode. I respect your opinion.

God bless
Nate
 
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