The Clarion

Issue date: 11/11/09 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: MCT Campus

After a first viewing of the British import "The Office" I wasn't sure how I felt about it. The accents were thick and the British-English dialect and slang took some getting used to. The show was a British production meant for a British audience. Thankfully I pulled through and after watching the series a second time I was hooked; I absolutely fell in love with the show.

For those unfamiliar with the show, the daily lives of office life at the Wernham Hogg Paper Company are followed in a documentary style. Regional Manager David Brent struggles to win the favor of his employees with mostly disastrous, yet often extremely hilarious results. Sales rep Tim Canterbury is unsatisfied with his job and amuses himself by playing pranks on co-worker Gareth Keenan, often assisted by receptionist Dawn Tinsley.

The original show was a runaway success spawning many international versions.

Because of my love of the original show, I was extremely hesitant with the American version of "The Office."

After hearing how great the show was and all the awards it had won finally piqued my interest. Also, finding out that Ricky Gervais, creator of the original show and also the man who played David Brent, gave his blessing brought me around. I added the seasons to my Netflix queue and had an "Office" viewing day. After struggling through the first few episodes the show won me over.

The first few episodes were very disappointing. They were almost identical to the British version of the show. The plots were the same and the similarities went as far as common dialogue between the two shows. Most of season one was directly based on events that occurred in the original version.

Of course, some of these similarities were necessary to establish the foundation of the show for American viewers. The Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, headed by Regional Manager Michael Scott, is where the action takes place. Jim Halpert is the sales rep who hates his job and he passes his time by playing pranks on fellow employee Dwight Schrute and receptionist Pam is Jim's love interest and associate in his office pranks.

Once the show deviated from the British script, it allowed the American version to take on a life of its own. Free from the shackles that bound it to its parent, the American version exploded.

The show became an American show written by an American for an American audience. Producer Greg Daniels took hold of the show and instead of merely copying the original, he made it his own.

Even though the show is a remake it reaches a much different audience than the original and the show plays to this audience. This works well because not everyone who watches the American version has seen the original. The American version has its base in the British version but has also created its own identity.

The show succeeds on many levels. The characters are both realistic and likeable. Everyone has a Dwight in his or her life. The office environment, specifically, is also something that many can relate to. But you don't have to work in an office to understand the thoughts and feelings expressed by the characters in the show.

Who hasn't ever felt unhappy with their career or where they are or what they are doing in their life? Who hasn't had a co-worker they needed to get along with against their will? And who hasn't struggled with an office romance? I only hope no one has had to deal with a boss like Michael.

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