The Office (US) General Discussion

Oh man, I wish I'd given this show its dues when it first started. I loved the UK version, and saw the US version as a similar kind of deal, but somewhat inferior. No way, man! Equally as funny. Some of the shit that Michael comes out with is hilarious. I've seen the first 4 episodes so far, but it cracks me up... and is totally addictive.

Part that cracked me up most so far is Michael saying he can improvise like the best of them (while showing him completely speechless and without a "huge surprise" he promised his workers), then coming out with:

"…Robin Williams, oh man, would I love to go head-to-head with him! Oh, that would be exciting, hi, uh, I’m Mork from Ork. Well I’m, I’m Bork from Spork. Nanu nanu! Zippity bloo bloo!"

I still tear up thinking about that... And Dwight wanting to start an alliance with Jim (who hates him), pretty damn funny!

I want to try and finish the first 3 seasons before season 4 starts up.

Saw a few more episodes last night. It honestly gets better and better.

The second season detoured somewhat from the style of the first (and the UK version), where all the events are very cringe worthy. Now, on occasion, the workers do nice things for Michael, and even Dwight. Doesn't detract from the overall funniness that's to be had, because it cracks me up.

Best plot line so far is the whole Michael and Jan "relationship." Freakin' funny. Though the idea of Michael closing an account the way he did in the episode "The Client" is pretty amazing. Michael struck me as being totally inept.

Michael is like an idiotic genius. His complete lack of common sense makes him a great seller.

Just wait until Dwight gets to use his pepper spray! That shit was great.

Office is easily my favorite sitcom, hands done. Best thing since Friends went off the air... after their 8th season.

Their "beach party" was comedy too. This scene cracked me the hell up:

Michael Scott: Ugh... who's ahead in points?
Pam Beesly: Well, I think they're even. At various times you gave Jim 10 points, Dwight a gold star, and Stanley a thumbs up. And I don't really know how to compare those to...
Michael Scott: Check to see if there's a conversion chart.
Pam Beesly: ...I really doubt it Michael.
Michael Scott: Please just check.

-HECK!

I did a post with a run down on the episodes I saw last night, but my browser froze. Damn it.

Out of all of them, my favorite bit was Dwight catching Oscar skipping work and lying about being sick, and not realizing he's gay. Freakin' riot.

Finished the second season and a good bit of the third season over the weekend.

Dwight's Speech
Freakin' hilarious. Dwight wins an award, yet is afraid of public speaking. Jim gives him Mousilini's War Statement speech to give during the award ceremony.

Best Quote
"Dwight gave a great speech. That's the word on the street, anyway. And I entertained Dwight to no end with my bar stories - so I captivated the guy who captivated a thousand guys. Can you believe that? A thousand guys."



Take Your Daughter to Work Day
Not bad. A few collegues take their kids to work, and... stuff happens. By this point, I'm getting tired of the jokes about Michael having no friends.

Best Quote
"I need a user name... and I have a great one. (types his username into the computer) "LittleKidLover". That way, people will know exactly where my priorities are at."



Michael's Birthday
It's Michael's birthday, and he's ticked nobody cares and that people are more concerned about Kevin possibly having cancer than the anniversary of his birth.

Best Quote
"I never really thought about death until Princess Diana died. That was the saddest funeral ever. That and my sister's."



Drug Testing
Dwight finds half a joint in the car park and sets out to question everybody in the office. Failing that, he orders for drug testing in the office. Michael tries to avoid it at all costs, as he may have possibly accidentally smoked some weed at an Alicia Keys concert. Meanwhile, Jim gets jinxed by Pam.

Best Quote
Jim: I'm just saying you can't be sure that it wasn't you.
Dwight: That's ridiculous. Of course it wasn't me.
Jim: (holds up picture) Marijuana is a memory loss drug. So maybe you just don't remember.
Dwight: I would remember.
Jim: How could you, if it just erased your memory?
Dwight: That's not how it works!
Jim: Now, how do you know how it works?
Dwight: Knock it off! OK, now I am interviewing you!
Jim: No, you said that I'd be conducting this interview when I walked in here. (Raising voice) Now exactly how much pot did you smoke?



Conflict Resolution
Michael decides that Toby's way of solving conflict is counter-productive, and attempts to solve everybody's problems in his own manner.

Best Quotes
"This is from Kevin. He says Stanley uses his Miracle Whip without asking. Meredith complains that everyone talks too loud in the morning and the lights are too bright. Creed...Creed is sick of looking at the redhead all day and wants a seat facing the receptionist."
(the bit about Meredith, the alcoholic, cracks me up)

"ID badges are long overdue. Security in this office park is a joke. Last year, I came to work with my spud gun in a duffel bag. I sat at my desk all day with a rifle that shoots potatoes at sixty pounds per square inch. Can you imagine if I was deranged?"



Casino Night
The office holds a casino night to benefit the boy scouts. Michael inadvertantly invites 2 'dates'. Jim reveals his feelings for Pam.

Best Quote
Michael: Oh, and another fun thing: we, at the end of the night, we are going to give the check to an actual group of Boy Scouts. Right, Toby? We're gonna...
Toby: Actually, I didn't think it was appropriate to invite children since it's, uh, you know, there's gambling and alcohol, and it's in our dangerous warehouse, it's a school night, and you know, uh...Hooters is catering. You know, is that not - is that enough? Should I keep going?
Michael: (after a long pause) Why are you the way that you are? Honestly, every time I try to do something fun or exciting, you make it...not that way. I hate so much about the things that you choose to be. (Michael launches back into his talk to the group) Okay!...

Gay Witch Hunt
After Michael make's a derogatory slur about Oscar's sexuality, he...... uh, well, you can imagine. It ends with Oscar getting a new car and 3 months paid holiday.

Best Quote
"I would have never called him that if I knew. You don't call retarded people 'retards.' It's bad taste. You call your friends retards when they're acting retarded. And I consider Oscar a friend."



The Convention
Michael and Dwight head off to a supply convention, which Jim also attends. Jim manages to get a copy of Dwight's room key, to pull a prank, but finds a 'prostitute' on his bed instead. Meanwhile, Kelly sets Pam up with her neighbour.

Best Quote

Michael:(arriving at work) Pam?
Pam: Yeah?
Michael: Did you see Oprah yesterday?
Pam: No, I didn't.
Michael: I, uh, I am going to be a father.
Pam: What was Oprah about?
Michael: Angelina Jolie was on. She adopted a baby from Asia and she said that it changed her life. And that really inspired me. So I want you to look in to see how much a little Chinese baby would cost.
Pam: That's a really big decision.
Michael: I know.
Pam: Maybe you should wait before you adopt. Or not adopt.
Michael: Just do it, okay?
Pam: Roy's sister looked into it and the application alone costs $1,000.
Michael: (stammers) Um...find out if there's a cheaper...less expensive baby out there, okay?
Pam: You know she also said the waiting list is like eight months.
Michael: Eight months.
Pam: Yeah.
Michael: I don't know if I want a baby in eight months.
Pam: Probably won't.
(they sigh)
Michael: You know, Pam if in ten years...I haven't had a baby, and you haven't had a baby...
Pam: No, Michael.
Michael: Twenty years.
Pam: No, Michael.
Michael: Thirty.
Pam: Sure.
Michael: It's a deal.
(shakes her hand)



The Coup
Jan busts Michael's ass for arranging movie Mondays, and that causes Angela to push Dwight into making a move on Michael's job.

Best Quote
"Business is like a jungle. And I am like a tiger. And Dwight is like a monkey that stabs the tiger in the back with a stick. Does the tiger fire the monkey? Does the tiger transfer the monkey to another branch? Pun. There is no way of knowing what goes on inside the tiger's head. We don't have the technology."



Grief Counseling
When Michael learns his ex-boss has died, he arranges his own form of grief counseling for the people of the office (most of whom had never met the man). Somewhere along the way, they end up holding a funeral for a bird that "Toby killed."

Best Quote
"There are five stages to grief. Which are (reads from computer) denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. And right now, out there, they are all denying the fact that they're sad. And...that's hard. And that's making them all angry. And it is my job to get them all the way through to acceptance. And if not acceptance, then just depression. If I can get them depressed, then I will have done my job."



Initiation
Jan wants Pam to keep an eye on Michael's activities, which amounts to nothing because it's Pretzel day. Meanwhile, Dwight takes Ryan on his first 'sales call.'

Best Quote
Dwight: Brain teaser. I have two coins totaling fifteen cents; one of them is not a nickel. What are they?
Ryan: A dime and a nickel.
Dwight: No, I said on of them is not a nickel
Ryan: But the other one is, I’ve heard that before.
Dwight: Ok, a man and his son get into a car accident. They are rushed to the hospital. The doctor says, there’s no way I can operate on this boy
Ryan: Because he’s my son. The doctor is the boy’s mother.
Dwight: A man is found hanging from the ceiling
Ryan: He stepped on a block of ice, hung himself and the ice melted.
Dwight: A hunter--
Ryan: It’s a polar bear because you’re at the North Pole.
Dwight: Damn it!!



Diwali
Everybody in the office is to attend Kelly's Diwali party. Ryan meets Kelly's family, and Michael publicly proposes to his girlfriend.

Best Quote
Michael: And another thing about the Indian people they love sex positions. I present to you the Kama Sutra. Look at that. Who's seen that before?
Creed: I have. That the "union of the monkey."
Meredith: Oh, that's what they call it.
Kevin: (emphatically) This is the best meeting we have ever had.

I just saw that TBS is re-running The Office starting tonight. Excellent.

-HECK!

Finished season 3. Awesome stuff. It ended with Ryan telling Kelly where to go, since he got a job at corporate. Kelly cracks me up though, and Ryan totally should have grown a pair like a whole season ago.

Best Kelly Moments:

Kelly: Oh, ho! Oh, my God, I have so much to tell you.
Jim: Really?
Kelly: Yes. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes had a baby. And they named it Suri. And then Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, had a baby too and they named it Shiloh. And both babies are so amazing!
Jim: Great. What's new with you?
Kelly: I just told you!

"This day is Bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A bananas! This day is Bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A bananas!"

Kelly: Look, I know the reason that you guys became accountants is 'cause you're not good at interacting with people. But guess what? From now on, you guys are no longer losers. So give yourselves a round of applause!
Oscar: I wonder how many phone calls you're missing while you're teaching us to answer calls.
Kelly: I know, right? Probably a lot.

Why has no one talked aobut last night's OFFICE episode?

When did the show become a drama, first of all?

The whole "i am passionate about italian. I love italian food" bit was ADORABLE. when Jim walked in after talking to dwight and just planted a kiss on pam, i thought that was sweet.

i hope their romance doesn't kill the show. Isn't that what tends to happen? When the characters you want to get together finally do, the show ends up sucking.

Yup. That made Moonlighting tank. What else?

Friends did it the right way. Got the characters together, separated them, and kept hinting at them getting back together until the end.

-HECK!

But you can't imagine Jim and Pam fighting over anything... they get along good and neither of them are really petty about anything.

I haven't seen last night's show yet.

They're airing the office on Saturday now? What the hell is that all about? Who watches TV on a Saturday?

I hate to admit it, but now I don't like the JIm and Pam thing. I preferred the sexual tension. The "will they, or won't they." Now it's too vanilla. And I hate vanilla. They're too perfect for eachother it's not funny. And he's already thinking about proposing? Ack, they need a fight. A GOOD fight. Or someone to come between them. Someone like TOBY!

Hahahahahahahahah Toby, like that'll happen.

But I 100% agree with you. The show lost its spark this season, and their relationship is a big part of that.

And why aren't they playing pranks on Dwight anymore?

ALSO! How come the camera crew seems to follow them everywhere? When they had the dinner party, when Michael and Dwight went to New York. Even when they were bunking at Ryan's. Okay, Michael gets the couch, Dwight gets the floor, but where are the camera man and the boom mic operator sleeping?

Ryan's back with Kelly. Hahahahahaha sucker. The look on his face throughout the whole episode was comedy.

That was comedy.

I read somewhere that the guy who plays Ryan might be leaving the show, but will stay on as producer. Not much you can do with Ryan now anyway.

Creed is turning into my favorite character. His 'Joker' was dope.

-HECK!

Creed is hilarious. He's always been hilarious. The bit that makes him brilliant is they only use him when they need him. They don't overdo it.

Ryan leaving sounds like the way to go. I thought he'd stay in gaol to be honest. Whatsiesface... Novak... AJ or BJ or whatever the fuck his name is.... he seems like he's good at writing the episodes, but his character's been done gone. We've played up the whole man-love Michael has for him, and now we're back to the Kelly story line. Which is always funny, and is still good. Especially Darryl's reaction.

Speaking of which, Darryl's brilliant.

The Super Bowl episode was funny. Tell you what, the opening scene was the best ever. The first 15 minutes were slap ass funny. The rest started to drag. Got a little dramatic then just stalled. The parts with Jack Black and Cloris Leachman were priceless.

Overall, solid, but they should have gone total balls out.

-HECK!

Gotta watch it then. Can't wait.

I've fallen behind on The Office lately, but I'll catch up eventually.

It's still good. Some drama, but you have to mix in the funny. They're still trying to keep the Pam-Jim drama alive, but they're together so they writers seem to sprinkle out little speed bumps which are solved easily.

I say more Creed. Dude is the bomb.

-HECK!

Creed is hilarious, but he's only funny when he pops up randomly or in the background. They can't focus on him, or it'll be like when Kramer started taking over every seinfeld episode.

Not that I know if that happened or not, but everybody loved the dude when he was just stupid.

But anyways... yeah, they put Jim and Pam together way too quick, now they don't know what to do with it. Ricky Gervais said he wouldn't have done it, but whatever... but I agree... it'd kind of part of what should climax the show... now that they're together and in love and that, there's just nowhere to go.

This clip is exactly why the US office can't be as good as the UK version was. It just can't.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9_sDWcyBLw

Ricky Gervais is just hilarious. Overall, they are two different show.

Remember that the BBC Office was only on for 20 or so episodes with one special.

The US Office has been on like 5 seasons so many other characters have been explored.

-HECK!

12 epsides and a 2-part Christmas special (the special wasn't brilliant).

They don't do the cringe-inducing humor much on the US version. I wish they would a bit more. Like the full-on, gonna offend someone but fuck-it kind of deal.

This morning I saw the episode where Andy finds out about Dwight and Angela's affair and Andy pins him with his car. Pretty good. Hope I'll catch up with it soon. There's a double episode to come, so that'll be excellent.

Funny, I was watching the ep tonight and thought of this post. I was going to say that Michael Scott makes me cringe. He antics I almost want to change the channel. That's the difference.

In the short run, the BBC version wins. In the long run you have to go with the US version. If the BBC had gone on, well, who the fuck knows.

But the BBC shows hardly last. They do what, 12 episodes of a show every 2 years? Fuck that. America pumps that shit out.

-HECK!