As many of you know, several weeks ago I had the good fortune to watch the entire British version of “The Office”, which the new American tv series is based on. I enjoyed the British version and wished it was longer than two seasons. Finally arriving at the top of my Netflix list was “The Office Special” which is a two-episode follow-up special to the show. It catches up with all your favorite characters and where their lives are now ‘since the documentary aired’.
It’s brilliant. I’ve read mixed reviews on it stating that the character of David Brent is even more unlikeable and therefore a little less of a real character. I tend to agree with that a little bit, but the payoff for his character is great. And don’t get me started on Dawn and Tim – everyone knows how much I hated the end of their storyline at the end of season two. So I was anxious about what would be in the special.
Let me just say that Ricky Gervais (co-creator, writer and star) is brilliantly funny and if you haven’t rented the entire series and this special then you are missing out. The special is the perfect ending to this great series.
But yes, I still prefer the American one, but it’s mainly because that’s my sensibility. But I can definitely appreciate the genius of the original.
4 Christmas parties out of five.
I love The Office. I actually preferred the British version… but I saw it before the American version. Also, I [heart] Martin Freeman.
I’ve only seen the first 5 or so episodes of the American version of The Office, but I’ve heard it gets better as it goes off in its own direction. Also, one of my clients (Rainn Wilson) is on it, so I really need to watch more!
WHAT???? He’s awesome! :heart: He’s the funniest one on the show…
He’s a FANTASTIC person in real life (sweet, kind, funny… *nothing* like his character), and his wife (who’s an author) is just as wonderful. They have two of the greatest pit bulls on the planet! Also, you should see their son – he’s literally twice the normal size of a child his age (he’s about 16 months now). Then again, Rainn is something like 6’4″ and Holly is at least 5’10”.