I just saw the first episode of the American "The Office"  based on the brilliant BBC series of the same name. I know there are quite a few Office fans on the forum and I was just wondering if anyone else happened to catch it.

It looks like they are basically doing the same storyline without the bite and unmatched talent of the original cast. The David Brent and Tim equivalents seem like good actors, but it's too hard to compete with the stellar performances of Ricky Gervais and Martin Freeman.  The Dawn and Gareth equivalents really don't do it for me at all. 

I just hope that it'll be screened down here eventually!

I've downloaded the American pilot, not sure if it was the same as the first episode that screened, but it was pretty much a direct cut and paste of the original episode's script. Which I can understand, because it was a pilot, and if the people in the audience didnt like the original script, they probably wouldnt like the new one, so why waste your time doing a brand new pilot (why do it at all you ask! Haha, thats something only the big US TV people must know). However, apparently all episodes after the pilot are original scripts with original stories!

I did'nt mind what I saw, enough to wanna see more. But regardless of whether its good or not, I still wanna see it! Sort of like why people watch shows like 'Car Accident Surgery- Gone Wrong!' 

Go here if you like to talk more Office:

http://discussions.bbcamerica.com/forum.jspa?forumID=35 - http://discussions.bbcamerica.com/forum.jspa?forumID=35

I post there sometimes.

I posted my thoughts on the BBC America forum.  There's some people who are pretty split on it.

<bitchmode>the nested thread thing on BBC America's forums is a friggin mess on long threads</bitchmode>

I cant believe they tried to remake it instead of just airing the original.  Its almost an insult.  It looked like a good idea for a show though, so Ill find a way to see the original version.  Rent the DVD or something.

Im getting a little tired of all these remakes to be honest.  Theyre doing Japanese movies now. 

Exactly. The kind of people who are going to enjoy the American 'The Office' are probably the same kind of people who would have enjoyed the original in the first place. I'm also sick of people insulting the American's for not being able to handle foriegn material, its the network companies that should be blamed! You can hardly blame them if the networks have never exposed them to other material, I say what better time then the present to begin!

(ps. I'm Australian)

But that said, if it had to be remade (which it has!), then it certainly could have been much worse. I'm looking forward to seeing more of it!

It is definitely the network execs who have some kind of fear of putting anything smart out for the American audience, but I think part of the problem with the original show is America's idiotic indecency standards.  The original 'Office' could never possibly air on NBC or any other national broadcasting network (maybe Fox) especially now that the FCC is trying to flex some muscle.  It would be worse to watch the original show butchered than just seeing a whole new take on 'The Office' and like iSTVAN mentioned... it could have been a lot worse. 

To be fair to American television... there are a lot of quality shows produced every year by the Hollywood machine. 

The second episode was rather entertaining. A little edgier especailly for American network TV.  

I've decided even a rehash of 'The Office' is still better than most of the slop on TV so I'm just going to sit back and enjoy it for what it is.

The cardboard box bit was hilarious. I love how Jim gets Dwight to suggest it. Great stuff.

Id almost delete mattz0r for saying something like, bar for three simple errors of judgment on my behalf:

1. I havent seen enough of the American show to form such heavy handed opinions.

2. I do not have that sort of power.

3. I am not that much of a control freak!

I'm STILL looking forward to see this show come to Australian shores! No such word so far, but the local guide keeps me pretty well updated on this sort of stuff. Thanks for the verdict though Sedge, even if I skipped Blick and you discussing the finer aspects of the show as not to spoil them for myself.

Oops... I hope Blick and I didn't ruin anything for the non-USA peeps. 

Remember when you do watch the US version that you have to get past the first episode which is nearly identical to the UK version.