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The Office - An American Workplace: Complete Season 1


RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £5.98 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Office manager Michael Scott (Steve Carell, The Daily Show, The 40 Year-Old Virgin) believes he's the beloved leader of the Scranton, Pennsylvania, branch of a paper products company--but his relentless and painfully forced efforts at comedy creep out everyone around him, including paranoid Dwight (Rainn Wilson, who had a memorable recurring role on Six Feet Under), nervous receptionist Pam (Jenna Fischer, LolliLove), and aimless salesman Jim (John Krasinski, A New Wave), who's smitten with the already engaged Pam. The pilot episode suffers from closely replicating the British pilot, but after that The Office finds its own footing, turning diversity training, an office birthday party, and a basketball game into excruciating yet hypnotically funny rituals of humiliation. Carell, though clearly talented, can't match Ricky Gervais' unique performance as the aggressively needy British manager (it's hard to imagine that anyone could); as a result, the supporting roles become more prominent, and Wilson, Fischer, and Krasinski quickly create a rapport that matches and may even exceed that of their British counterparts. Be sure to watch the deleted scenes; remarkably, they're as good as the material that made it on the air in this six-episode season. --Bret Fetzer

Editorial
Synopsis

Based on the popular British comedy of the same name, The Office uses the same mockumentary style and humour derived from awkward social situations. However, it has managed to establish its own fan base and identity apart from the shadow of the original. At the Dunder Miffin Paper Company, manager Michael Scott believes himself beloved by his employees for his jokey nature. What he doesn't realise is that most of them resent and even despise him, except for sycophantic Dwight. Meanwhile, Jim woos engaged receptionist Pam, while both navigate the office politics and 'humour' of boss Scott. The Office may be a remake, but it has charms of its very own. Series One includes the first six episodes.

Lacks comedy talent and follows the Uk version far too closely
Review date: 2008-08-14 Rating: 4 out of 10

I love Steve Carell, I always find him great to watch, the trouble here is that he is just about the only thing worth the price of season 1.

The US version follows the UK version far too closely for my liking, the office is merging with another office, jokes are repeated (stapler in the jelly again!!).

The comedy talent in the UK version was very good, everyone regardless of how much screen time they had could do comedy very well, here Steve Carell provides at least 80% of the laughs due to the inability of most of the rest of the cast to deliver a line well and effectively.

The guy who's the equivalent to Martin Freemans character is at best okay at comedy, the equivalent of Mackenzie Crooks character is the second best comedy actor on show here, but that's not saying much as at best he's reasonably good at comedy himself, the woman that plays the receptionist is virtually useless at anything!!

These four characters were THE reason why the UK office was so good, so to have 2 no shows, one reasonable effort and only one true comedy actor amongst these four is why this effort does not begin to touch the UK version, in theory this must have gotten better as there are now 4 seasons on the US show, if I ever watch anymore of the US version then it'll have to be for free to win me over and prove that it's not just a UK Office rip off and a poor effort at that.

Overall very few positives and loads of negatives, as a show in it's own right I'd give it 3 stars, but I can't help but compare this version to the UK version, this comes in dead last in comparison, too few laughs from poor material and poor comedy actors on the whole.

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Reviews


The Office an American workplace
Review date: 2008-08-12 Rating: 10 out of 10

This review applies to series one, 2 and 3; you should see them all to know the characters.

This is quite simply one of the funniest tv shows I have ever seen.

I like short reviews so just one example (series 3) - Michael consoles a colleague when he tells him his skin cancer test result is negative. An enlightened Michael later explains to camera, "it seems in the medical world a negative result is a good thing".

It is so frustrating that UK TV isn't doing it justice by showing it on prime time TV. ITV2 say they have the rights to version 4 but it isn't scheduled to be shown as yet (Aug 08). Waiting for Sep 2 when series 4 will be on dvd.

Better than the British!
Review date: 2008-06-14 Rating: 8 out of 10

I have to say I've only seen three episodes of the British Office, and really didn't think it was funny. However, The American version I love! It's hilariously awkward, Michael (played brilliantly by Steve Carell) is sooo embarrassing at times it just makes me squirm. I absolutely love all the other characters. I've also seen seasons two and three, and it just gets better and better as time goes on. Season one isn't the best (hence only four stars), but it's a good introduction to the characters and sets up the next series nicely, so I'd definitely recommend it.
You'll be rooting for Pam and Jim to get together - such a sweet little love story! Can't wait for series four!

Don't believe the negative hype
Review date: 2008-04-04 Rating: 8 out of 10

This is the beginning of a very special show indeed. And while The Office is still finding its feet in this first short season, there are still plenty of laughs to be had. The Pilot is adapted wholesale from the first Gervais/Merchant script, so not much should be expected from it, but the following five include some gems such as Dwight's attempts at choosing a healthcare plan and some of the office staff playing the warehouse staff at basketball, a little too competitively. It is not flawless but makes a nice introduction to the second season, which is when things get truly great - and better than the original.

Converted
Review date: 2008-03-24 Rating: 8 out of 10

I was one of those people who watched the first episode of the US Office and compared it unfavourably to it's British counterpart. I guess I just didn't see the point in remaking a classic. How wrong I was! To be fair it wasn't until I watched the second series that I realised just how much of a gem the US Office is. And the third series gets even better. So whilst it's fair to say that the first series may not be as good as the British original, it still remains compulsory viewing, even if it's only to set you up for the absolutely brilliant series 2 & 3 that follow.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
John Krasinski
Steve Carell
B.J. Novak
Rainn Wilson
Jenna Fischer

Creators:
Steve Carell (Primary Contributor)
Rainn Wilson (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
EAN: 5050582425376
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Colour, PAL,
Release date: 2006-04-10
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Language: English (Original Language)

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