The Office - Is the US or UK Version Better?
Ranked #3,017 in Entertainment, #33,289 overall
Which "The Office" Is Best? Here's What I Think...
I've watched the entire series for the American and British versions of The Office. They're both hilarious but the US version is better.
David Brent might say "Yeah, he's American and watched the US version first so who cares what he thinks." He'd be right. But one of the many things David doesn't know is that I'm a big fan of British comedies and really enjoyed the UK version (still can't get "Free Love Freeway" out of my head).
The shows are similar but each has its own style. The US version has better development of the supporting characters. The US and UK plot lines share some common elements but go their own way after the first episode.
Both versions use a lot of subtle references and "under the breath" type dialog. Being American it was easier for me to catch more of the humor in the NBC version.
Watch both versions and decide for yourself.
About The Office
What is this show?
In 2005, the American network NBC sent a crew to film a documentary of daily life at the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company's branch in Scranton, Pennsylvania. That version has run for five seasons and is continuing.
The show is really a mockumentary. Both companies are completely fake, dysfunctional and funny examples of how not to run a business.
Since the original BBC version ended France, Germany, Brazil, the US and even Canada have all produced their own versions of The Office.
Reasons why the US version is better...
Help me prove my point.
Vote for your reasons why the US version is best. You can even add your own reason...make sure to refresh the page and vote for it.
1
Easier to understand the humor.
5 points
2
Better show intro and theme music.
The British version's intro is depressing.3 points
3
Pam is hotter than Dawn.
3 points
4
More character interviews.
The US version has more interviews with more of the show's characters.3 points
5
More interaction with the supporting characters
Supporting characters like Angela, Toby and Oscar are a bigger part of the show.3 points
6
More episodes.
NBC has been on a roll for 7 seasons. The BBC version only lasted 2 short seasons. Coincidence? I think not.2 points
7
Michael is a worse manager than David.
1 point
8
Funnier.
1 point
9
Ain't No Party Like A Scranton Party!
1 point
10
Rainn Wilson.
1 point
Reasons why the UK version is better...
Disprove my point.
Vote for your reasons why the UK version is best. You can even add your own reason...make sure to refresh the page and vote for it.
1
More sexual humor than allowed on US television.
5 points
2
David Brent is a master of awkward situations.
He creates situations that are hilariously painful to watch...way worse than anything Michael could do.4 points
3
It's the original!
Everything else is just a cheap imitation.3 points
4
David Brent's songwriting.
Nothing beats "Free Love Freeway".2 points
5
Funnier.
2 points
6
David is a worse manager than Michael.
1 point
7
Easier to understand the humor.
1 point
8
The British version won two Golden Globe Awards (an American award) for Best Television Series and Best Actor
How many British awards has the American version won? That's right...none.1 point
9
Dawn is hotter than Pam.
0 points
Your Turn!
Which is better...the US or UK version of The Office?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byThe American version rocks!
eoin says:
Us version is way better.
Posted janeiro 03, 2012
olivia says:
different strokes for different folks, US version is universal though.too funny
Posted maio 18, 2011
howdoyouspellstupid says:
I've only seen a bit of the British version. I LOVE the American version. It's so funny!!
Posted maio 08, 2011
Mikey Scott says:
US VERSION IS HILARIOUS!
Posted novembro 25, 2009
fefe says:
The US version because I understand it better. And because Dwight K. Schrute cracks me up. I don't totally get everything in the UK version so I have not gotten that far into it.
Posted janeiro 31, 2009
rwoman says:
I miss some of the jokes on the UK version. That darn language barrier...
Posted agosto 15, 2008
Don't be daft! The British version is the original and best!
Ella90 says:
I have to say the UK version as it's more true to life and actually has an emotional side to it, so do you feel for the characters, like you actually end up feeling sorry for David Brent. Also it being two series long is a not a bad thing, it's how Ricky Gervais does it, leave people wanting more and make two great seasons rather than tons of mediocre ones
Posted setembro 01, 2011
Sean says:
for a start, the reason the UK Office was 'just 2 seasons' was because that is how gervais works. He doesnt milk anything until it becomes unfunny, the man likes to finish on a high and leave a legacy. This also applies to his (funnier) 'Extras'. As an entertainment journalist i would have thought you would have done your research. US Office is badly acted, over-the-top, and cringe worthy..not cringe worthy in the funny way the UK version is.
Posted agosto 28, 2011
BestComedyReviews says:
Of course the UK version is better! The UK version is subtle, more true to real-life people that you might recognise and so makes you cringe more! I thought that was the whole point of the show?
The US version is just a simpler, more obvious and not very realistic version.
Posted novembro 28, 2010
Sam says:
I am from England but i watched the US version first, and from what I've seen, the humour may be more obvious in the US version because the character's personalities are exaggerated.
I was a bit disappointed when i watched the British version and realised that the US version had basically copy the script word-for-word though...
Final verdict... Ricky Gervais > Steve Carell
Posted agosto 14, 2010
alexkazam says:
I may be biased- but I love the UK version because many of the characters remind me of people I've worked with at some time. David Brent also has the knack of making me watch through my fingers and cringe!
Posted agosto 11, 2010
ComeJam says:
Ricky Gervais is the master of comedy so obviously the UK version has to win!
Posted janeiro 02, 2010
Mark says:
As usual the American version is just a pale imitation of the real thing. There is no originality with it. Like the whole of Hollywood (if that's where it's made) it's just a reworking of a very good idea that has been ruined. I have lived in Canada for twenty years so I am used to seeing the best of British comedy destroyed by the US. The original version is without doubt better, great new comedy at the top of it's game. Nuff said!!!!!!!!!
Posted novembro 30, 2009
TheWhistler says:
The British version of these shows are always better, more hard biting the American versions always seem to be cleaned up.
Posted novembro 29, 2009
aalka says:
Hard to choose.. but Well will vote for British..!!
Posted janeiro 07, 2009
Alpinefolk says:
The UK version is best by far. The USA version grew on me, but some of the situations were lost in translation. The british have a better dry sense of humor
Posted setembro 18, 2008
CherylK says:
The UK version wins hands down. Waaaaay funnier. However, there are a lot of people who just do not get British humor...more's the pity.
Posted agosto 11, 2008
Question: Who would you rather work for?
David or Michael?
David and Michael are both completely delusional about their managerial and entertainment abilities. Both are masters at distracting their employees from getting work done and creating socially awkward situations.
David seems to get more bitter when he feels slighted than Michael does. Michael has shown an ability to somehow make sales when needed.

Leadership
Character Match Ups
Here's a cheat sheet for the major characters...
Dunder Mifflin
Wernham Hogg
Roy
Lee
Ricky
Question: Who would win a fight to the death?
Dwight or Gareth?
Gareth and Dwight are both fascinated by combat. Gareth is a Lieutenant in the British Territorial Army. Dwight has a purple belt in Karate and is a former volunteer sheriff's deputy.
Question: Who is the master prankster?
Jim or Tim?
Encasing Gareth/Dwight's stapler in Jell-o. Gluing Gareth's phone handset to the base. Adding weights to Dwight's handset each day then removing them suddenly so that he hits himself in the head when answering the phone. Prank calls. Fake CIA missions for Dwight. Hiding everything from Gareth's desk. Getting Dwight to believe Jim was turning into a vampire. Hiding a dildo in David's office. Hiding Andy's cell phone in the ceiling.
These are just a few of the pranks Tim and Jim have played on their office mates. But who is the better prankster?
Question: Who would you rather be stuck working with?
Gareth or Dwight?
Both are self important and try to claim authority over their office mates. Gareth likes to take personal calls on speaker phone and chant "Oggy, oggy, oggy!" whenever his friends call. Dwight likes to share his knowledge of every subject known to man and plot his rise to power.
Ladies, who would you rather date at the office?
Romance At The Office
Guys, who would you rather date at the office?

Desire
Own the British Version of The Office
The Office: The Complete BBC Collection (First and Second Series Plus Special)
Amazon Price: $19.49 (as of 02/15/2012)![]()
Every episode including the series finale special and plenty of extra features. It even has sub-titles for non-English speaking English speakers!
Updates from The Office
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byOwn the American Version of The Office
More Info About The Office
- US Version (NBC)
- Official site of NBC's The Office.
- UK Version (BBC)
- Official site of BBC's The Office.
- That's What She Said
- Amusing blog written by a law firm that specializes in labor and employment law. They review each episode of The Office (NBC version) to determine how much Dunder Mifflin could expect to pay in litigation costs to settle the lawsuits that would be generated if the company were real.
- Gareth Keenan's Homepage
- Find out more scary details about Gareth including his ideal woman and favorite films.
- Free Love Freeway Lyrics and Guitar Chords
- Learn to play Free Love Freeway like David Brent.
What do you think of "The Office"?
Your favorite version.
David Brent Sings "Free Love Freeway"
A David Brent original.
The Office Memorabilia
That's What You Said...
How big a fan of The Office are you? Can a new version of a show be better than the original? What is your favorite moment from The Office?
-
Reply
-
jksterling
Jan 21, 2012 @ 8:15 pm | delete
- "You chested on me when I specifically asked you not to?" The office is so funny.
-
-
Reply
-
TheLeftFitz
May 28, 2011 @ 1:09 am | delete
- Awesome lens! I personally prefer the US version; the UK version seems so slow in comparison. *Blessed*
-
-
Reply
-
howdoyouspellstupid
May 8, 2011 @ 9:08 pm | delete
- I ADORE The Office. It's amazing!! So funny. Excellent lens!!
Blessed by a Squid Angel!! :) :) :)
-
-
Reply
-
andreaberrios
Dec 1, 2010 @ 10:38 pm | delete
- My favorite TV show ever!!
-
-
Reply
-
BestComedyReviews Nov 28, 2010 @ 8:00 am | delete
- great lens and interesting debate, thanks!
-
-
Reply
-
alexkazam Apr 12, 2010 @ 9:12 am | delete
- Really nicely put together lens (I'm inspired to improve mine, now! For sheer cringeing- the UK version when David Brent does his "motivational" speech, and for the feel good factor, when Tim and Dawn finally get together.
-
-
Reply
-
prosperity66
Nov 5, 2009 @ 10:39 am | delete
- Very interesting lens here and well put together!
I'll feature it on my Friends lens!
Dom.
-
-
Reply
-
hayleylou
Nov 1, 2009 @ 6:26 am | delete
- I absolutely love The Office, only seen the UK version so I cant comment on American one. I have added a link to your lens at my Blossom Comedy lens, 5 stars
-
-
Reply
-
InkedEmma
Oct 25, 2009 @ 12:20 am | delete
- Love this lens! Great polls & content! I am a HUGE fan (of the American version!) :) They are both good, but the US is just a tad better. I'm adding this to my lensroll for my Office lens! Thank you!
-
-
Reply
-
aalka
Jan 7, 2009 @ 4:24 am | delete
- I like both.. But I think the UK Version is better.. Ah wait the american version is better... OK I CAN'T CHOOSE.. Both are great!!! Funny!!
-
- Load More
Credits
The character match up table was generated with help from the Squidutils Table Generator.
by Mac33
I've watched every episode from the NBC and BBC versions of The Office.
- 98 featured lenses
- Winner of 16 trophies!
- Top lens » Beginners' Guide To Playing The Harmonica
Explore related pages
- All hail, MacHomer!....mmmm, beer All hail, MacHomer!....mmmm, beer
- Remy - Creator of YouTube's Funniest Videos Remy - Creator of YouTube's Funniest Videos
- Coupling - The Hit BBC Comedy Coupling - The Hit BBC Comedy
- The Benny Hill Show The Benny Hill Show
- Classic British Television Comedies Classic British Television Comedies
- The Office: The Best Office Ever The Office: The Best Office Ever
