The Office - Is the US or UK Version Better?

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Ranked #617 in Movies & TV, #15,229 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 2001, the BBC sent a film crew to document daily life at the Slough, UK branch of the Warnham Hogg Paper Company. The show aired for two seasons and a follow up Christmas special in 2003.

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.

Easier to understand the humor.

2 points

Better show intro and theme music.

The British version's intro is depressing.2 points

Pam is hotter than Dawn.

2 points

More character interviews.

The US version has more interviews with more of the show's characters.2 points

More episodes.

NBC has been on a roll for 4 seasons. The BBC version only lasted 2 short seasons.2 points

More interaction with the supporting characters

Supporting characters like Angela, Toby and Oscar are a bigger part of the show.2 points

Funnier.

1 point

Ain't No Party Like A Scranton Party!

1 point

Rainn Wilson.

1 point

10

Michael is a worse manager than David.

0 points

Clips From "The Office" - US Version 


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Bro's Before Ho's

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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.

More sexual humor than allowed on US television.

3 points

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

David Brent's songwriting.

Nothing beats "Free Love Freeway".2 points

It's the original!

Everything else is just a cheap imitation.2 points

Easier to understand the humor.

1 point

Funnier.

1 point

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

David is a worse manager than Michael.

0 points

Dawn is hotter than Pam.

0 points

Clips From "The Office" - UK Version 


The Office UK - Gareth Hits on Rachel

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The Office UK - David Discusses Midgets & Dwarfs

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The Office UK - The Dance

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Your Turn! 

Which is better...the US or UK version of The Office?

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The American version rocks!

Mikey Scott says:

US VERSION IS HILARIOUS!

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.

rwoman says:

I miss some of the jokes on the UK version. That darn language barrier...

Don't be daft! The British version is the original and best!

TheWhistler says:

The British version of these shows are always better, more hard biting the American versions always seem to be cleaned up.

aalka says:

Hard to choose.. but Well will vote for British..!!

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

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.

 

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.

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Leadership

Character Match Ups 

The Office characters don't share the same names between the BBC and NBC versions. This can be distracting when you start watching the other version until you figure out who each character's equivalent is on the first version you watched.

Here's a cheat sheet for the major characters...

Dunder Mifflin

Wernham Hogg


Michael Scott

David Brent


Dwight Schrute

Gareth Keenan


Jim Halpert

Tim Canterbury


Pam Beesly

Dawn Tinsley


Karen Filippelli

Rachel


Jan Levinson

Jennifer Taylor-Clarke


Roy

Lee


Kevin

Keith


Todd Packer

Chris Finch


Ryan

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.

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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?

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Jim Halpert / Tim Canterbury Tribute Video 

All in the Face - A Tim/Jim Tribute

Before Jim Halpert, Tim Canterbury wooed viewers with his office pranks and charm. This is a tribute to these two "heart throbs" of the office set to "All in the Face" (hi Kel!) by Granian.

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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.

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Ladies, who would you rather date at the office? 

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Romance At The Office 

A cool compilation of The Office romances from the American and British versions.

Free Love Freeway - Office Romance

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Guys, who would you rather date at the office? 

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Desire

Own the British Version of The Office 

The Office - The Complete Collection BBC Edition (First And Second Series Plus Special)

Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 11/30/2009)Buy Now

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.

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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.

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David Brent Sings "Free Love Freeway" 

A David Brent original.

They are supposed to be taking a corporate training course but David thinks what the class really needs is entertainment.

David Brent : Free Love On The Freelove Freeway...

'Spaceman' and 'Freelove' written and sung by Philanthropist, Philosopher and Comedian David Brent - simply, a man who put a smile on the face of all who he met.

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The Office Memorabilia 

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eBay

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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Credits 

The Office images and motivational posters: NBC.com and BBC.com.

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. (more)

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