Hello,

I was wondering if anyone out there has seen the UK version of the office? I caught one episode on the net and bought Season 1 and 2 DVD's off eBay. The show was as funny (if not funnier) than the U.S. version. I was wondering why they only made 12 episodes? It's a shame because it was an excellent show. Anyone know the reason behind this???

They did shoot more than 12 - a lot more. Two seasons, and then the specials that wrapped it up.

I was 100% anti - The Office US, after what they did to Coupling, but it has become one of my, if not the, most favourite shows on television.

While The Office UK remains a stand-alone comic genius..iousity, The Office US has come into it's own - I only hope they follow the original's idea of play out the story line and finish it, heads held high. No dragging it out like American sitcoms are so wont to do.

There were only 12 episodes and then the 2 specials.

And I think Ricky Gervais and everyone involved wanted to quit while they were on top, keep it short and not drag the series out.

Our series only consist of 6 episodes. We dont have seasons. Ricky wanted to quit whilst they were ahead so they cut it after the 2 seasons. But the BBC asked them to come back and do th 2 specials for christmas and they did

The cool thing about only 12 episodes & 2 specials was we didn't have to wait forever for the "Pam & Jim" characters to finally hook up.

Yeah, we didn't have to wait, but what did we get when they did hook up? - A nice view of their backs as they ran off together. You can't have your cake and eat it, too.

According to Wikipedia BBC3 is going to start showing US Office, anyone know any details on times/dates?

I'm a rare bird, apparently.

I much prefer the US version to the UK version. While both were excellent shows, I feel that the US version not only has more heart, but that the characters have been much more fleshed out. Whereas I wouldn't mind being alone in an elevator with Michael Scott, I would be scared of being left alone with David Brent.

On other sites there are brutal wars comparing The Office UK and The Office US. I don't doubt comedic genius of The Office UK, and I believe they were smart cutting it short so as not to drag it out. However, I'm content with US humor, and I don't think I could live if I didn't at least get a few more seasons. Yeah sure maybe we will get tired of it, but I would rather watch The Office US over and over again then any reality tv shows.

"I would rather watch The Office US over and over again then any reality tv shows."

Amen to that, sister! I'd rather watch either of them over and over as opposed to most of the insipid drivel passing as "comedy" these days.

They got together, that's the main thing. What more do we need to see? *nudge nudge wink wink*

And for the record, I used to think the original Office was way funnier, but after seeing all the American episodes, they are pretty close on the laugh scale for me.

They are kinda hard to compare though, because like someone already said David Brent was slimey and you wouldn't really wanna meet a guy like that, but while Michael is arrogant, self-involved & stupid (like Brent was) the difference is he is still likeable.

I agree Michael is more likeable, but I think that is what makes it work in the U.S. I think a lot of people would have a harder time enjoying the show if he was a bad guy. A lot of my Office watching buddies agree when I say the cruise episode almost turned us off the show.

I am a big fan of the UK Office. Loved it. Even though I didn't get a joke here or there because I'm American.
I was leery of a US version. So I approached it warily. Of course it suffered by comparison at first but soon Michael and Dwight, Jim, Pam, Ryan, Kelly, Angela, Kevin, Stanley et al began to grow on me.
And now I prefer our version! As I said to someone recently that this show has poignant moments as well as hilarity.
I noticed that The Office resembles Seinfeld in that the core of each is 3 guys and a girl. And they're hysterically funny. But Seinfeld was never poignant.
And I adored the Christmas special the UK Office had. That was just tremendous!!

I've tried not to compare the two shows. Martin Freeman was so good, Jim just isn't the same, but I do like him. I love Dwight, and his thing with Angela is brilliant. I laugh out loud at both shows, but the humor is different. And personally, I didn't think David Brent was slimy; I felt sorry for him because he was so insecure.

Has anyone listened to Ricky Jervais and Stephen Merchant's pod-cast shows? They are really funny.

I've never seen the British version of the show so I can't really compare it. But I do really love the US version so I am curious to see the British version at some point.

its really difficult to compare the two because the 'types' of humour in the US and UK differ so much. regardless, they are both legendary! as for david brent vs. michael scott...i think both shows provide altering feelings of pity and dislike for the two characters.