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.
2 points
2
Better show intro and theme music.
The British version's intro is depressing.2 points
3
Pam is hotter than Dawn.
2 points
4
More character interviews.
The US version has more interviews with more of the show's characters.2 points
5
More episodes.
NBC has been on a roll for 4 seasons. The BBC version only lasted 2 short seasons.2 points
6
More interaction with the supporting characters
Supporting characters like Angela, Toby and Oscar are a bigger part of the show.2 points
7
Funnier.
1 point
8
Ain't No Party Like A Scranton Party!
1 point
9
Rainn Wilson.
1 point
10
Michael is a worse manager than David.
0 points
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.
3 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.3 points
3
David Brent's songwriting.
Nothing beats "Free Love Freeway".2 points
4
It's the original!
Everything else is just a cheap imitation.2 points
5
Easier to understand the humor.
1 point
6
Funnier.
1 point
7
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
8
David is a worse manager than Michael.
0 points
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!
Mikey Scott says:
US VERSION IS HILARIOUS!
Posted November 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 January 31, 2009
rwoman says:
I miss some of the jokes on the UK version. That darn language barrier...
Posted August 15, 2008
Don't be daft! The British version is the original and best!
ComeJam says:
Ricky Gervais is the master of comedy so obviously the UK version has to win!
Posted January 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 November 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 November 29, 2009
aalka says:
Hard to choose.. but Well will vote for British..!!
Posted January 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 September 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 August 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?
Jim Halpert / Tim Canterbury Tribute Video
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 Collection BBC Edition (First And Second Series Plus Special)
Amazon Price: $32.99 (as of 01/08/2010)![]()
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
Keep up with the latest news on NBC's 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.
Fresh Videos From NBC's The Office
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?
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- prosperity66 prosperity66 Nov 5, 2009 @ 10:39 am
- Very interesting lens here and well put together!
I'll feature it on my Friends lens!
Dom.
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- hayleylou hayleylou Nov 1, 2009 @ 6:26 am
- 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
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- InkedEmma InkedEmma Oct 25, 2009 @ 12:20 am
- 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!
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- aalka aalka Jan 7, 2009 @ 4:24 am
- 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!!
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- cappuccino136 cappuccino136 Oct 1, 2008 @ 10:56 pm
- Excellent lens. I'm making my first Monkeybrain lens and I got some good ideas of things I can do from looking at yours. Thanks!
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- GypsyPirate GypsyPirate Sep 21, 2008 @ 8:56 pm
- Great job with the comparison here - I wasn't even really aware that there was a UK "The Office"! Loved the videos!
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- Alpinefolk Alpinefolk Sep 18, 2008 @ 8:16 pm
- Another great lens. I am a huge fan of the office, and pretty much anything Ricky Gervais has done. 5*
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- EverythingMouse EverythingMouse Sep 17, 2008 @ 1:14 am
- Huge fan of the UK version - but have only seen a few episodes of the US one. I have to vote for David Brent. It is one of my favorite shows of all time, and I loved the way Ricky Gervais ended the series with the Christmas special.
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- kab kab Aug 16, 2008 @ 9:31 pm
- I just love The Office. Either version.
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- rwoman rwoman Aug 15, 2008 @ 8:21 pm
- I'm a fan but I guess not a BIG fan or perhaps I'm just tired...
Credits
The character match up table was generated with help from the Squidutils Table Generator.
















