The Office(s)

I'm a sucker for sitcoms, especially sitcoms done mockumentary style.  Shows like Parks and Recreation, Modern Family, and Trailer Park Boys are among some of my favorite mockumentary-style sitcoms.  One of television's greatest sitcoms, The Office, also took advantage of the comedic spin this style offers shows. Michael Scott (played by Steve Carell) is a regional manager at Dunder Mifflin, a paper company in Scranton, PA.  The show follows him and his employees through their day-to-day lives in and sometimes outside of the office.

Over the years, there has been much debate between TV fans over the "better" version of The Office: the US or the UK version?  Perhaps it's because I first watched the US version, but I prefer The Office: US over The Office: UK.  This is not to say one is better than the other.  They're both excellent shows, and the UK version contains (in my opinion) better acting and a more realistic setting/reactions. Despite this, I find myself drawn to the American version.  They illustrate a more present/in-your-face type of humor, versus more subtle comedy in the UK version. I enjoy the silliness of the characters; Michael Scott is quirky, ignorant, and sometimes downright stupid.  His employees have contrasting personalities all over the board, from Angela's strict charisma to Dwight's nerdiness to Kevin's idiocy.  In comparison to the UK version, the characters in the US version are much more dynamic and exaggerated. This creates hilarious dilemmas and causes ago clashes within the office. 


While both shows have almost identical settings, characters, and story-lines, they're completely different in terms of tone. The Office: US hooks viewers by layering moments of sincerity within the humorous structure.  The show transitions focus to the characters and their personal lives as the seasons progress.  We follow Pam Beasley's love life as she struggles to choose between Roy Anderson and Jim Halpert; we watch Jim build up his dream business; we see Michael obsessively strive to create friendships and relationships.

The last episode aired almost a year ago, on May 16, 2013, and The Office: US unfortunately came to end.  Luckily, Netflix has all 9 seasons ready to be watched!  It also has the UK version of the show. The length of The Office: US series would make one believe that is was the better (or at least more popular) show, but that's for you to decide for yourself.  The first season of both versions of the show are nearly identical (literally -- script, blocking, framing, etc. is all the same).  Try watching the different versions back-to-back and you'll see the differences in the tones of the show.  Which version do you prefer?

                                         The Office: US cast                   The Office: UK cast