Rating: 
Summary: The Next "Fawlty Towers"
Review: This is absolutely brilliant stuff. Like many of the best comedies (most notably "Fawlty Towers," perhaps its clearest inspiration), "The Office" is hilarious and painful all at once. Highest recommendation.The moment in the HR seminar episode when it cuts to David tuning his guitar and Tim turns to the camera to say, "He went home to get it," is perhaps the funniest moment I've ever seen on screen.
Rating:
Summary: Droll and sad, really really sad.....hahahha
Review: What does it say about corporate Western culture?! I don't think it's pretty. But at first you think, "Hmm...not really funny...like life." THEN, you start to laugh and it really grows on you. I had to use the English subtitles though because of the British English. So if you listen and you read the subtitles, you get most of it. I really like Ricky Gervais. SO happy to see him win the Golden Globe.
Rating:
Summary: keep telling yourself, "it's _only_ a tv show"
Review: Office politics seem to be the same on either side of the pond. There's always somebody pining for somebody else, always a brown noser, always a boss that seems not to know what the boundaries are with his/her employees. And it's not so funny to watch your own company go thru a downsizing, but it is enjoyable here. This is done in the style of a reality type show. You get to see Tim pining after Dawn, who seems on some level to be encouraging him. You see Tim play practical jokes on Gareth, who seems to _need_ practical jokes played on him. And David Brent, ah, what a piece of work he is. Whatever you have done, he has done better and been more successive. He is the "buddy boss" - the kind who pretends to be concerned about you but is really just looking for an audience. And the kind that would pat you on the back looking for a soft place to stick the knife. Be aware this show is similiar to spending the day in a dysfunctional office. It's funny in the way "Dilbert" is funny until you recognize pieces of your worklife on the screen or in the funny pages. As my family watched, we would point out situations and say "hey remember Ron at the UltraMegaOmniGlobal* place..." and we'd laugh - partially because we don't work there anymore. I recommend this seiries highly - but remember, it's _just- a tv show - it's not you who are stuck in that particular realm of Hell. Or if you are, maybe you can laugh about it. *Name changed to protect the guilty because the innocent do not need that sort of protection;)
Rating:
Summary: My theory: Farce or not, the British just do comedy better!
Review: As improvisational humor goes these days, you can't really expect much. Sure, "Joe Schmoe" had some interesting moments with its "Cast" of players...who in the end were all actors. Then there's Curb Your Enthusiasm, a not so "Enthusiastic" show about not so interesting people in staged/improved situations (although there is a basic script. But Larry David, and Improve Comic, much prefers his take on it, even if it's rather humorless and tasteless). Then, a gem comes along like "The Office". Is it a documentary? Is it a TV show? Is it reality tv? In essence, it doesn't really matter. On a basic level, it's about the chaos that ensues in a location that no one really wants to be working at in the first place...it's where 90% of people here and abroad will end up working...and it's a place for very high tension.
All of these factors working together produce very funny situations that are both played as low key events and high brow or mid range farce (again, very subdued). They stretch reality on some level. But on some level, you bring yourself to believe that something like this could "actually" happen. You laugh because of the irony, the logic or lack there of, and the conflict of interests of the characters. And you laugh because the british still have a better sense of TV comedy than we ever will. With all of the Two Guys a Girl and a Pizza Places, the Two and a Half Mens, and the shameful Whoopies (though we still love ya girl!), The Office is the breath of fresh air from across the sea that the world of comedy has been looking for. My advice, pick up the first season, grab some popcorn, and be prepared for a wake up call for your funny bone. `Revu
Rating:
Summary: The Best Show on Television
Review: "The Office" is simply the best comedic product to erupt in the television world. Aside from "Curb Your Enthusiasm," no other series captures comedy with bitter irony in a whirlwind of genius dialogue better than "The Office." Alongside "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "The Office" is unrivaled in its respective realm.
Rating:
Summary: The Perfect Comedy
Review: The Office is a comedy without a laugh track or studio audience, it is shot in a mockumentary style which makes it have to succeed on its own merits and not cued signs telling people when to laugh. It not only is funny, but brilliant. Set around a fictional paper company in the rough and tumble London suburb of Slough (pronounced sl-ow, now slow), it is helmed by four primary characters all of whom are masterfully acted. The plot evolves to a breaking point where the manager David Brent must choose a promotion or saving his office as the company is making redundancies. The end result is hilarious, but getting there is half the fun. The DVD is a different experience and the pace of the show is better as the presentation on BBCAmerica is with adverts, unlike its original showing in the UK. This insertion of adds jumbles the show a bit as it was not meant to be seen that way. This gives us Yanks a chance to see the show as it was meant. There are only a handful of BBC shows I would say are must haves for any library: Father Ted, Only Fools and Horses, Last of the Summer Wine. I easily add The Office to that list.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome, inventive series
Review: HBO wishes they would have thought of this show. Great series. The fourth through sixth episodes become fairly ridiculous, but it's still a great show. Rent - or buy - this immediately.
Rating:
Summary: The Funniest thing in england
Review: This is a must buy for anyone who is looking for a bit more than Will and Grace and Friends etc.
As you may realise from the other reviews this has no laughter track and is as dead pan as you'll ever get. There are few one liners because no-one lives with one liners!
Some people may find it hard to get into (my Dad still hates it) but watch it again and again and you'll begin to see what everyone else is talking about.
There will be some jokes which will be hard to get if you don't know british culture (just like we have to put up with the odd reference in the Simpsons where we go "oh - if only we were intellectual americans we would get that joke")
BTW the monkey you see in The Office (on the Coat peg - which Brent points at) is famous from an Ad for a company which provided the first terrestrial digital tv. Sadly that company went down the tubes making the gag even funnier.
If you're interested there is a second series and even a christmans (Christmas 2003) special although the special isn't on DVD yet. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Its about time the US recognises this show!
Review: Meet David Brent (Ricky Gervais) a self indulgent boss of Wernham Hogg's Paper merchant branch located in the drab suburb of Slough. David Brent thinks he's the most popular and comical Boss in the whole of the UK, if not the world. To add to his self delusion, Gareth Keenan (Mackenzie Crook) plays Teacher's Pet and spurs on Brent's rude and sometimes obnoxious behaviour. Playing the voice of reason is Tim Canterbury (Martin Freeman) who out of all the characters we can relate to the most. As he does the slight looks to camera, as if asking if we can see the torment he goes through everyday in this office. While playing the Juliet to his Romeo is Dawn Tinsley (Lucy Davis) the receptionist of Wernham Hogg who also shares the same ideals as Tim and tries to keep sane by illustrating. She is caught between the Boss's rude and not so wise cracking jokes and the love that was never meant to be between herself and Tim. There are six episodes in the first season, each 30 minutes long. Six episodes you may not think is enough but The Office has mastered something that most other sitcoms have not, Quality over Quantity. And I think this shows by the series beating out the other sitcoms in the Golden Globe Awards who are in their final seasons. The first time you watch this show you'll be in amazement at the Idiosyncrasies that each of the four main protagonists convey. You will also no doubt relate one of the stars to someone in your own workplace and cringe at what they do just to impress the camera. When watching this show, I find, that you don't think of it as a sitcom, you actually think of it as a real workplace being captured on film in a documentary style. Its just so believable. Below are a brief summary of each of the episodes. Episode 1 - Here we are introduced to the office workplace and the people involved. A young protege (Ricky) is also brought in for work experience as David Brent tries to lay down how relaxed and great the office is even though there has been word that the branch may be downsized. Episode 2 - David hires Donna, a family friend's daughter and shows her around the office. While doing so he finds that his head has been photoshopped onto a pornagraphic image. Gareth is sent to find the culprit. Episode 3 - Here we witness Quiz night at Slough and see how truly awful people can get when liquored up and in a competition environment. The quiz night boils down to a head to head between Brent and Finch V. Ricky and Tim on his 30th Birthday. Episode 4 - To help keep good teamwork in the office a workplace seminar in conducted. Brent reveals that he is a singer/songwriter while Rowan tries to keep the seminar moving. Dawn and her Boyfriend (Lee) have a falling out while Tim quits his job and asks out Dawn. Episode 5 - Gareth gives Donna Health and Safety Training while Brent hires a new secretary even though he's supposed to be downsizing. All the Office goes down to a local nightclub, Chasers, while David tries to get lucky with the ladies. Episode 6 - Jennifer (Head Boss) informs David that either his branch or Swindon's branch will be downsized depending on if he accepts the role of UK manager or not. EXTRAS - 40 minute documentary of how the Office was made and Deleted Scenes. The Office hits on a simple yet universal relationship with love and work. Everyone can relate to being in a job that they hate and people who don't work as hard being promoted before they do. This is the first British show that has ever been nominated for 2 Golden Globes and wins them both first time (Best TV Comedy, Best Comedy Actor). Do yourself a favour and see what this show has to offer above all others. This is comedic genius at its best. And always have it safe in your mind that there is also Season 2 out on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: MBA's please take note!!!...Fears for the US 'translation'
Review: This ought to be mandatory viewing for every MBA school in the Human Resources, Organisational Management categories to highlight what a pompous tosser you really are likely to be if you are not careful! Buy this, 'cos there is no way that this will translate to a US version. The whole joy, pain, and idiocy is concentrated in every long silence and cringingly painful pregnant-pause when Brent spouts off. You actually sit there with your mouth open thinking one of two things:
'no...he's not going to do/say what I'm thinking is he?'
or
'God, that is so like 'dave/bob/jeff' at work' Canned or even studio laughter will crush the essence out of it.
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