Geez, I seriously doubt I keep watching this show... it felt like a Scrubs wannabe and failed miserably. I did kind of chuckle a time or two, but not enough to keep watching the show - it just wasn't funny to me.

I wasn't impressed. I didn't find it to be at all funny.

Since the British show it is based on has practically nothing to do with 'Scrubs' in any way, I don't know if that's an apt description. I was fairly pleased with the pilot, and I have read the subsequent episodes are better. This show is almost as well-cast as the original, and the same breakout supporting characters stand out in this version. It's so different from anything else on network TV, I'd be so happy if it caught on, but I doubt it will.

I kind of enjoyed the premier of ‘The Office’ tonight. I think the cast looks pretty solid and they played pretty well off of each other. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn’t already seen the same episode on the original British version. I hope they don’t simply produce an American version of each episode of the British version. If that’s the plan, I would rather just watch the original.

Landshark

I actually liked the cast, I just didn't find it very funny. I still think Scrubs and Arrested Development are brilliant, but I felt this first episode of The Office fell short of them in comparison. I know Brit comedies have a different sense of humor; heck sometimes I watch those old Brit comedies from the late 70's and 80's on PBS and find them very funny - I just didn't think this first episode was funny - I maybe chuckled once or twice. Maybe I'll give it another try on Tuesday...

I was less impressed with it than I thought it would be. It seems to have Lost most of its wit in translation. There were a few smiles, but overall it was pretty meh. I actually found Jake in Progress to be better off the bat. However, Scrubs is still the top dog, with Arrested Development hanging up there too. This show does not touch either of them. Furthermore, I doubt this premiere is going to get many people to consciously watch it on Tuesdays over House or The Amazing Race. They'll basically be depending on the Scrubs audience, much of which probably changes over to FOX or CBS at the end of the show.

Yeah, I forgot the pilot episode was almost word-for-word of the original British series and the episodes following will probably be more loosely based on the original show. I'll give it another shot this Tuesday.

I thought it was OK...MrLurk thought it was hilarious. The problem that I have with it is that it is on against AR and Veronica Mars...only have 2 VCR's so The Office loses out in the Lurkie household...maybe we'll catch it on repeats, if it sticks around!

Hi, this is my first post so go easy on me...!

I'm a Scottish guy who is a massive fan of the original 'The Office'. I watched it from the start and own both 6 episode series's (yip, only 6 episodes per series and all shown sequentially, none of your 'sweeps' nonsense on this side of the pond!!!) and the Xmas specials.

I've followed Ricky Gervais's career from the time he started appearing nightly on the UK's Channel 4 11 O'Clock show. He took over from Ali G, trivia fans... and he was totally hated & slated!

I've also got both of Ricky Gervais's stand up DVD's 'Politics' and 'Animals', both of which are very f*ckin' good considering he had never done stand-up before the 'Animals' DVD was released.

So Ricky is talented, what else is new?

I wanted to spell out my knowledge/history/appreciation of Gervais to all before I go on to say that I think the NBC version of The Office is (going on the first two episodes at least) without a doubt, very f*ckin' funny. Steve Carrell is filling a big pair of shoes but I can already spot the differences between his and Gervais's versions of the character and both interpretations (to me anyway) are very funny.

The only part that doesn't fit is 'Jim'. The orignal character 'Tim' - Martin Freeman - was never the 'good-looking outsider/slacker' type that American TV feels the need to shoehorn in whenever the script calls for an attraction between two people (gotta appeal to the dawsoncreekers...).

Tim was/is the ultimate underachiever! He's still staying with his parents at the age of thirty, emotionally crippled, in a job that he'll never escape from, even though he despises it AND the people he works for. The fact that they had to pretty him up for the American version kinda annoys me! Do you think we'll ever find out that 'Jim' is on £12,000 ($22,000) a year and that he still lives with his mom in an 8x8 room with a single bed and a 16 inch portable tv...? Thats the kinda life Tim has and he knows he's only 2 or 3 promotions away from turning into David Brent (or Michael Scott as he's now known)!

The american Tim ('Jim') is a talented actor but I don't think he can carry off the - 'Is everybody in here but me nuts?' kinda acting that Martin Freeman did. In the UK version, although Ricky Gervais was the stand out performer, Martin Freeman's character 'Tim' was the soul of the show (in fact the whole show was from Tim's point of view!). If the US version is going to reach the same heights, 'Jim' needs to be more of an everday type of guy, not a fantastically good looking model-type that any secretary in the land would give thier left ovary to sleep with!!

Then again, maybe it's because I identify more with 'Tim' than I do with 'Jim', that I'm fat bitter and lonely...

All in all, it's a v.good comedy. I can't wait until they start writing thier own scripts and start moving away from the BBC scripts. Thats when we'll see if this thing has legs..

Enjoyed,

Clarkie

Thanks Clarkie!

I had heard very good things about the original series, but never had the chance to check it out. Thanks for the scoop!

I just wanna say I love Steve Carrell, and I will watch anything that he's in. I saw the first episode but I missed the second

Anyways, thanks for the post, and welcome to the boards!

"Diversity Day" was one of the funniest episodes of any series, ever.


The guy had "Asian" on his forehead, and the girl told him that he's a bad driver.... and then he said "Damnit, I'm a woman."

hahahahaha, one of the funniest moments I have ever seen.

I watch the first 3 airings of this show and I really lonved it each time! It's definitely a must see!!! Hope it quick gets highter ratings to survive to season one.

It tied Scrubs with a 4.0 overnight (low!) last night, but actually had 0.1 higher 18-49. Regardless, staying close to Scrubs (little higher, little lower) is essential for the show's renewal chances, especially with Scrubs already renewed.

I watched about ten minutes of the last episode and thought it was horrible.... I doubt I'll give it another chance it just looks bad all the way around to me.

Hey, where can we get ahold of the Brit version? After 4 seasons of the US one, I get more and more interested in seeing what spawned it.

The one where Dwight steps down was on last night! That one is great. It's got a great mix of humor and the drama that we've come to love from this show.

I've heard the British version is just as funny if not more funny but I have not seen any episodes. I may try to get it into my Netflix.

My kids and I love The Office and have spent many hours laughing as we watch the DVDs my son bought. I must admit I thought it would be stupid from seeing the previews over the years and I never watched it. When I did - sure enough, Micheal Scott is rather annoying and stupid, but all the other characters became endearing to us and eventually even Michael did. Now we even quote them...and I suppose that could be annoying! (That's what she said!)

Looking forward right now to seeing what comes of the Micheal Scott Paper Co. Last week's competition with Dwight was great!

Spring, I didn't like Michael Scott at first, what a jerk; but I've found him over time to be quite endearing. He loves Dunder Mifflin and most of his employees.

I agree with you. Over time he becomes endearing too.

Tonight was so good. I was so nervous for him and Pam, - and even Ryan. I just knew for sure Micheal was going to blow it...
...or that Dwight would blow it for them...
(Thank you Jim!)
...but ahh, success! And the whole team can be back together again.

What a materful play by Michael at the negotiation. Thankfully, Jim was pulling strings behind the scenes.

That's right. Just when you think Michael is going to say or do something stupid, you find out why he was given the job as boss in the first place. He surprises us occasionally.

One other note - I felt awful for him during the whole Jan-having-a-baby storyline. I'd love to see more of Michael being happy with Holly. Okay - sorry for liking everyone to be happy. I guess I'd be completely fine with Toby staying alone!

I sort of feel bad for Toby, but he does need to grow a spine (he's an HR rep, for Petie's sake!)

I felt sorry for Toby up until he decided to go against Jim in an effort to get Pam for himself. Sure, it was funny - but he Lost my sympathy after that and I sorta feel like Micheal does towards Toby now.

I just hate...everything...about the way you choose to be...

Love these last few episodes, the prank they played on Michael by moving all the times forward was awesome in the Company Picnic episode.

The Office is one of the Funniest show ever.As a fan of the original "Office" I was, of course, skeptical about the American remake. I am currently watching the first season again.