Thriftygladrags I think they just are shorter, the office U.K. Was probably just planned for 2 seasons and that was fine, if it was longer the dawn and Tim romance probably would have suffered a bit just like Pam and Jim did
@@sweetypie3105 This is Big George's cover of "Handbags and Gladrags". The original song was written by Mike D'abo and covered by a large number of people
Being English I'll straight away say the UK version of the office Is better, however the US version is also a master piece with a cast straight from the top draw. They are both top class in my book and not worth comparing one another. They may have the same concept but are completely different...
I’m American I personally liked the UK version more too regardless of having a hard time understanding what they were talking about some of the time lol , of course tho I definitely love the US version as well.
For me, and this might sound pretentious, the UK Office is a timeless piece of art that transcends the sitcom medium. Whereas the US one was a really, really good sitcom for a few seasons and then a pretty middling one for a few seasons after that, haha.
I am a huge fan of the American remake.....but after watching the full UK series I have to admit that it's 10 times better than the American version. Simply an outstanding show.
+Jonathan Turbide I think the American version eventually transformed into something better than its UK counterpart, but went on far too long and became a parody of itself several seasons in.
Indeed it is. You cannot outperform British humour. I can watch the Christmas Special again and again, and always feel happy, when Dawn kisses Tim. It is just so exceptionally well made, with a dry and witful sarcasm which can only by done by the Brits.
Tim and Dawn's relationship is the most romantic thing ever. The high point for me is the Christmas special when Tim lifts his hand and cradles her face as they kiss. There's something so tender and sensual about it. Beautifully done.
As awesome as Steve Carell was as Michael Scott, Ricky Gervais killed it as David Brent. No one can fuck with Gervais in this role! To be fair, they were different roles.I love the US office ( first 4 seasons, five seasons if I'm being nice) but every second of the UK office is hilarious and is a work of comedic genious in terms of writing, acting, and innovation for its time. ( I'm an American BTW)
+agpat132 UK's was more true to life, what really it all is, save the Christmas special. US's was more "feel good" happy time show, trying to make the audience laugh and get a rise out of them. UK's is definitely better.
***** In the US the only times I can think of anyone showing their flaws or even having them is when Pam's pregnant and they're not married (how dare they!) and when Jim and Pam start to fight in the later seasons. There aren't any consequences to these either.
I try to urge my US comrades to watch the UK Office, to no avail, as it is beautiful in its own way. It's impossible for me to decide which version is better. Same with Ricky and Steve - much love for both.
Indeed. Far superior and far more real than the American version. Micheal Scott was a character. David Brent was un-godly real. I know David Brent. I have worked for David Brent.
Both versions are incredible but I honestly think it’s dumb comparing them. While they both have the same concepts, I would consider the UK version more of a mockumentary than a sitcom and the US version being more of a sitcom than a mockumentary
haha yeah, the cold reality of how a few strangers are thrown together in order to work and cooperate within a small office in a run-down area of that place they call slough, heck there was even a poem written about how shit it was.. ''Come friendly bombs, drop on slough, for it is not fit for humans now..'' This show is just so wonderfully human and cringe-worthy while at the same time comedy gold.. Probably my favourite sitcom, the american one was just up in your face slapstick humour.
The UK version is so superior to the US. I'm re-watching it now. The subtlety and wit in the Brit version outpace the obvious, bang-you-on-the-head, US antics which mostly fall flat. The Xmas special made me cry when FINALLY Dawn walks straight into Tim's arms. Also, after spending 2 seasons being repulsed by David Brent, the Xmas special let you see the silver lining, the flash of something better for David away from the toxicity of The Office. Suddenly, I was cheering for him.
It was a masterpiece partly because they knew they had 2 seasons of story to tell and told their story on 2 seasons (plus the Xmas special). Whereas the US series just wanted to milk as much cash and ratings as they could...9 seasons of over the top drivel. Which country’s series is remembered more fondly?
The original office was an auteur piece, and a brilliant one at that. A real work of art. There's nothing like it, especially not the American version -- and I love the American version, particularly the first several seasons. After those seasons it's just another well made sitcom-by-committee, though.
I can imagine them redoing this show, scene for scene, but with better the quality cameras of today and somehow keeping a small amount of the grain that made the show feel how it did, Too bad the building of the set was demolished some years ago.
Ever seen a blind man cross the road Try'na make the other side Ever seen a young girl growing old Try'na make herself a bride What becomes of you my love When they have finally stripped you of The handbags and the gladrags That your grandad had to sweat, so you could buy Once I was a young man and I thought All I had to do was smile So listen all you young girls Who bought everything that's in style Cause once you think you're in, you're out For you don't mean a thing without The handbags and the gladrags That your grandad had to sweat, so you could buy Sing a song of sixpence for your sake And take a bottle full of rye Four and twenty blackbirds in a cake And bake 'em all in a pie They told me you missed school today So I suggest you just throw away The handbags and the gladrags That your grandad had to sweat, so you could buy And what becomes of you my love When they have finally stripped you of The handbags and the gladrags That your grandad had to sweat, so you could buy
I think the US version has done a good job without breaking the rule set by the NBC, the UK version got away with alot more than the US version ever will, but the UK version is much, MUCH better.
They told me you missed school today So what I suggest is you just, throw them all away the handbags and the gladrags that your poor old Grandad had to sweat to buy ya'
The difference is the USA don't like thinking to work out why things are funny so the have more 'childish' jokes while the UK humour is more jokes that sometimes need thinking about.
+Blastice Official Why does it always seem like the dumbest Brits in the world are the ones in these message threads, espousing how it's the Americans who either don't know how, or aren't willing to think about whatever the topic is? And without a shred of irony?
Theres so much debate about which was better us, or UK. But I say they are different. They have a different takes on the same situation. That's all. Both are amazing for different reasons.
Ever seen a blind man cross the road tryna' to make the other side Ever seen a young girl growing old tryna' to make herself a bride So what becomes of you my love When they have finally stripped you offfffffffffffffffff The handbags and the gladrags that your poor Grandad had to sweat so he could buy Once I was a young man and all I thought I had to do was smile You are still a young girl and you bought everything in style...yes you did
tbh being british i thought i'd have a bias to liking the uk version more but i think i prefer the us one. Both are funny, but a lot like fawlty towers the uk version is short lived and im a sucker for crappy comedies that actually have a form of story, not just running themes and jokes.
You took us on quite a journey just to get to the underhanded section of this compliment. So many twists and turns that I almost feel the need to pay you for the experience.
@123Peat1 Not just his facial expressions - his hand expressions, too. I've never laughed more at someone's absurd posturing of their hand - Gervais just pulled it off perfectly. "Someday, you'll be (motions obscenely with hand) in the hotseat, like me."
@oliviatree You are so right, my favourite bit is where for Red Nose Day Tim hides all of Gareth's possessions from him and he takes everything from him-even the computer and Gareth gets really angry with him. And there is the brilliant bit where Tim puts Gareth's stapeler in a Jelly. David finally telling Finchy to F*** off after all that abuse was brilliant.
But once you think you're in you're out 'cause you don't mean a single thing without the handbags and the gladrags that your poor Grandad had to sweat so you could buy Sing a song of six-pence for your sake And take a bottle full of rye Four and twenty blackbirds in a cake And bake them all in a pie They told me you missed school today So what I suggest you just throw them all away the handbags and the gladrags that your poor old Grandad had to sweat to buy
Amen. The situations in the UK version look like real life, when real life gets really awkward and uncomfortable. This is possible due to the power of David Brent's desperate effort to be loved by his subordinates. That's why Ricky Gervais kept it short, he says he was just ticking off a list of typical office comments. But I must admit I've watched the whole of the US version... :) I say the US version is great, but the UK version is genius!
Not really... it just wasn't British. The American version had a LOT of cringeworthy comedic gold. Because of the series length there was a lot of other stuff as well, granted, but they are both great shows.
The Office UK and the Office US can never be compared their different comedy styles, but in my opinion you have to love UK version if u like US one cause the UK created the UK one
I just finished watching the entire original series on DVD, and I agree, it is better than the American version, or rather, it's better than the American version after its 4th season. The American version started out as more of a mockumentary, especially in the first season. In fact, the American version was almost a "scene for scene remake" (reference, anyone, anyone?). But Merchant and Gervais knew what the US producers do not--how to FINISH A STORY.
This morning I heard Bob Seger's hit song "mainstreet", and was convinced it was the "office" tune. Until I found this vid, that is. Wouldn't you say there are similarities, or is my own office carreer taking its toll ?
Both versions of the office are great but very different and i can appreciate that i don’t like one more than the other but one thing i can say for sure i like the uk theme song better but both songs fit the shows they’re supposed to soo that’s good
Haha I guess it was for the overly optimistic hope that someone from the office would see the comment. :D I love this song, it's my favourite version of handbags and gladrags
I have a soft spot for two of the shows. I'm a Canadian but all my ancestors are English.... maybe that's why I might like the UK show more then most here. I found the UK version to be more realistic. it had a more true to life feel. Then again I grew up on American shows. American and Canadian shows were mixed in. it was hard to tell what show was from what country. I give it to the us they did have better shows most of the time. Im more familiar with American shows and I related with the us office more in ways. I knew a lot of the actors but maybe that's why I found it less realistic. I felt Steve Carrell was awesome but I was thinking of him as an actor a funny guy from the start. like I know it's a show. I also liked that fact in a way I liked that I knew his character and it was more safe. The uk didn't feel like a show it was more raw and real. maybe because I felt Less at home there watching it. maybe it's the accent it always seem to lend itself to more believability lol.
Michael Scott isn't on the office any more The UK is superior in many aspects, you should try it out But both are amazing shows. It's very disrespectful to diss the thing you like originates from. They both rock
@dheerajv It is indeed - althouth the US version is hilaroius, it dosen't even some close to the UK version, especially with the happy ending in the 2 X-mas specials. Gervais and Merchant knew exactly where to stop to make a cult classic
I like both of them who cares what you like better no one wants to know or hear how you feel about both versions of the show they are different but similar they both have things that make them very good shows just shut up about it...also this is just a song they used on the show it has nothing to really do with the show.
@criticalpuppets This version of the song was recorded espessialy for the Office and at least the UK version's theme acutlly has words unlike the US version's which was just repetitive noises.
The UK office is obviously way more grounded in realism and the theme reflects it, somewhat bleak, pessimistic but with jovial and genuinely funny undertones. The US office is just a bit wackier and its jumpy and quirky theme befits it nicely. Personally prefer UK just for the gritty realism and accuracy, we’ve all met characters like those that exist in the UK version.
