First We Steal an Entire Country From the Indians, Now We've Stolen "The Office" From the Brits. (889 hits)
Category: Movies & TVRating: 1.65 on 24 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by itchy <itchy.is.Teephphah.you.dumbass.at.gmail.com> (View user info) at 2005-03-25 11:49:49 EST
Just so you know, I am living proof that Bart's "Inhospitable Host theory" works.
I've been trying to fight off a cold for the last week or so. That sort of thing happens a lot when you have a small child running around the house; the little bastards are magnets for germs and such. Anyway, sometime early Wednesday evening, the bug caught me off guard. It snuck in under the radar and had me completely laid-out by Wednesday night. I couldn't breathe and my ears, nose and throat were all extremely pissed at the world. Even the fabled might of Nyquil was not enough to subdue the cold once it had taken hold.
So, I called in sick yesterday. My wife worked and my son was off to pre-school. I had the entire house to myself. This never, ever happens. Married men with children simply do not get "alone time." It. Just. Doesn't. Happen. So naturally I couldn't just sit idly by and waste the opportunity even thought I was sick. (And isn't it funny how, when you were younger, you never thought that you could actually be too sick to work - it was ALWAYS just an excuse.) That means that my Playstation and I grabbed a shit-load of beer and attempted to get a little rest and recuperation.
Now, you're probably thinking that was a bad idea, right? Wrong. You've got to keep the inhospitable host theory in mind.
What's that stuff they rub on your arm right before they give you a shot?
That's right. Alcohol. Alcohol kills germs.
Sure, that's usually rubbing alcohol, which I understand, after drinking quite a bit of, is quite different from the friendlier variety of alcohol that we all know and love, but still, germs are stupid. Like they were going to know the difference.
Then there's nicotine. Did you know that nicotine is used as a pesticide? That's right, nicotine kills bugs. And what is it that gives you the flu? That's right, the "flu BUG."
Brilliant.
I had a carefully orchestrated plan that involved heavy alcohol consumption, massive nicotine ingestion, lots of rest and orange juice. I don't think orange juice has any of the medicinal properties of beer or tobacco. I just happen to really like orange juice.
I took brief cat naps in between drinking binges and I am here to state emphatically that Bart's system works!
Today, I feel like a new man. (Although, inexplicably, my poop smells like chicken soup. But the side-effects of the system will no doubt be dealt with during the FDA clinical studies.)
But what else did I accomplish yesterday? Good question. I'm glad you asked.
Well, first, I managed to COMPLETELY RUIN Star Wars Episode III for myself. If you have any interest in knowing EXACTLY what is going to happen in Revenge of the Sith when it is released in May, you can find out here (WARNING - If you haven't guessed already - COMPLETE SPOILERS!) : http://boards.theforce.net/Revenge_of_the_Sith_(Spoilers_Allowed)/b10331/18854271/p120/
I guess Wal-Mart fucked up and sent some guy his audio-book a little early, and he's basically given a play-by-play of the entire 14 CD audio book. There are recaps on every tenth page of the thread so, but I've linked to the 120th page here, which has the most up-to-date compilation just a little way down. That way, you don't have to wade through all the geek chatter.
Then, after ruining the movie I've been waiting about 20 years to see for myself, I watched a little TV.
What did I see? Good question. I'm glad you asked.
I saw "the Office." No. Not that one. Not the one I've heard so much about on Uber. Not the beloved Brit-Com from the BBC. No, this was an Americanized version of that highly acclaimed show. I guess NBC didn't learn anything by trying, and failing, to have State-side success with their bastardized versions of "Coupling" or "Men Behaving Badly."
But, luckily for me, I haven't ever seen the BBC version of "the Office." That means that I was able to watch the NBC version without subjecting it to comparison with its most likely better foreign inspiration.
As an unbiased and also slightly loopy couch potato, I thought the show was fairly enjoyable. It took me a couple gags before I really started to see where the humor was coming from, but soon enough, I did indeed laugh out loud. (Somehow, a stapler ensconced in yellow jell-o got it out of me.) I'm assuming this fact makes me a heathen and a philistine in the eyes of the more worldly Uber comedy connoisseurs, and actually that's why I'm bringing this up at all. Has anyone who has seen the British version of "The Office" seen the NBC offering? If so, how does the American version compare?
The online reviews that I've read already mostly just say that "well, it isn't as good as the British one." They may elaborate a little further and say that it is too cleanly produced, that it lacks some of the documentary feel of the British version, or they may take shots at the main character (played by "Brick" from Anchorman) as compared to his amazingly incredible and completely irreplaceable British counterpart, but the general consensus seems to be a resounding, "meh."
I still liked it though. But I have a sneaking suspicion the Google Image Search results shown below are an ominous prediction of the show's future. That's too bad too, because I really like that "Brick" guy.
I'm bored, and I have to be at work for four more hours.
I don't think the Adderall is working. I'm not working anymore. I'm just typing a lot of random shit and tapping the heel of my right foot about six million miles per hour. Maybe I need more coffee.
User Reviews
Submitted by zakalwe (user info) at 2005-05-08 19:35:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Is there a reason US networks can't buy the rights to a British TV show AND THEN BROADCAST IT UNMOLESTED? Will a show always fail if the people don't talk in American accents? - I take it it's no longer set in Slough.
That said,
Submitted by Jimmy (user info) at 2005-03-25 12:34:10 (#)
Ranking: 0
If americans develop a taste for our television they might start watching BBC news, thus loosening their govt controlled corporate media machine's grip on info circulation, derailing their neverending propaganda campaign, hence the remakes.
====
BWAHAHAHAHA
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2005-03-25 16:20:57 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Booze really does cure sickness. I've tried. Every cold I've had in the last 4 years has been cured by me going out, getting wasted, and sleeping the rest of the day.
Submitted by Lyric (user info) at 2005-03-25 15:14:13 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
This is blasphemy, BLASPHEMY!!!!
I refuse to watch the Americanized version.
Submitted by AlwaysAnEagle (user info) at 2005-03-25 14:42:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Dude, the alcohol remedy works.
After the 19-8 loss to the Yankees in the ALCS, I was DYING, like, I had the PLAGUE. Went out for game 4, did shots of Jameson switched off with pints of Sam Adams. Now, me doing shots of Jameson is NEVER a good plan, but when I get drunk enough, I decide that it is, so as a result I wound up puking up everything I'd eaten in, say, the past 20 years of my life. But I shit you not, I must have puked out the plague too, because the next day I felt like a million bucks. I'm not sure if the Sox have to pull off a bizarre and awesome comeback win or not, but either way, I credit the alcohol.
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2005-03-25 14:23:24 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Am I the only one who wishes that they make a yank version of "Are You Being Served"?
Submitted by Nie_ein_Engel (user info) at 2005-03-25 13:42:55 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Haven't seen the NBC series, just the BBC. I'll prolly check out both though.
It made me laugh when the one guy said the stapler was "taken into custardy."
Submitted by badassmofo (user info) at 2005-03-25 13:26:50 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 For using alcohol and nicotine to remedy sickness. Brilliant.
I saw the office last night and I say...meh.
I thought it was a little too forced and I am a fan of British humor.
Submitted by CookieLass (user info) at 2005-03-25 13:17:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
It wasn't that the stapler was in the jell-o that made me laugh so hard, it was the fact that the boss told him he had to eat it free of it's gelatin prison.
That was the only time I laughed.
Submitted by Sassmasterr (user info) at 2005-03-25 13:08:16 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
i bought the BBC version a few months ago (after being recommended by uber-users) and loved the hell out of it. i've already watched the series 3 times through (and the special ending). i missed the NBC premier last night, but i'm sure they'll rerun it. i love steve carell (brick in anchorman) and i hope he did a good job as the boss (or whoever he played). do yourself a favor and pick up season 1/2 + the special (BBC). well worth it.
Submitted by knucklesnelson (user info) at 2005-03-25 12:55:57 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I watched that shite last night.
Submitted by c1ndy (user info) at 2005-03-25 12:54:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
you really should watch the original version. it is very very funny.
Submitted by Jimmy (user info) at 2005-03-25 12:34:10 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
If americans develop a taste for our television they might start watching BBC news, thus loosening their govt controlled corporate media machine's grip on info circulation, derailing their neverending propaganda campaign, hence the remakes.
Submitted by Teephphah (user info) at 2005-03-25 12:23:29 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I've heard that the episode that was on last night was basically the same script as the first version of the British show, but that future NBC shows will use new scripts.
I'm doubt, however, that that information is relevant in any way whatsoever.
That is all.
Submitted by professorfuckface (user info) at 2005-03-25 12:16:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
The US version is the biggest piece of shit I have ever witnessed, I couldn't believe they were trying to pass it off as the same show. You know when you are watching a sitcom and they have to fire one of the cast members because they get knocked up or kill, then they get a "suitable replacement" who talks and acts nothing like the original? The US version is like they took every character, replaced them with people who look, act or talk like the original, then lose all the subtle humor in the translation. They should have just left the fucking show alone and let it remain a classic instead of butchering it. Or, better yet, they could have just aired the british version in the US and forgotten about remaking it. It is like the Beatles, how all the albums released in the US were re-recorded to make the songs more familiar to Americans.
Submitted by freebie (user info) at 2005-03-25 12:12:16 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Orange juice is actually very good for a cold. Just mix it with vodka.
Submitted by FilthyAssistant (user info) at 2005-03-25 12:03:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Sweet baby jesus and the orphans.
On behalf of the world, can you people please stop turning funny stuff into absolute horseshit.
Like, oh my god, we better remake it because they have english accents and that's, like, so threatening to our cultural identity and cohesion as a nation. And, like, we just don't understand, man.
GAH.
I will personally buy you all a region 2 dvd of The Office 1st season if you promise to stop watching this remade crap. YOU CAN'T HAVE THE OFFICE WITHOUT RICKY GERVAIS! YOU JUST CAN'T! *sobs*
(The preceeding two minutes of barely contained rage was brought to you curtesy of the queen)
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2005-03-25 12:03:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I recorded "The Office" last night. I would have watched it but basketball was on.
Submitted by Teephphah (user info) at 2005-03-25 12:00:54 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I also managed to NOT write the second chapter of "Troll Tales" that I had hoped to have ready for today. Way to go me.
Submitted by Josephine (user info) at 2005-03-25 12:00:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Well done.
I was in the same boat you were for The Office, although I'd love to see the original.
Submitted by itchy (user info) at 2005-03-25 11:56:01 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I didn't have enough material for it to be a separate post. So I kind of mashed all the thoughts and current events in my head into one little What-the-hey-it's-Friday hodgepodge.
Submitted by Jeanneee (user info) at 2005-03-25 11:55:08 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
The America version of "The Office" is basically a scene-for-scene reshoot of the BBC show. They did the same thing to "Coupling." It's awkward and, in my opinion, not nearly as funny as the original.
THUMBS DOWN
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2005-03-25 11:54:49 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I never thought to take a sick day to drink.
Submitted by munkeypants (user info) at 2005-03-25 11:54:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I love how you rationalize drinking and smoking when you are sick.
Makes sense to me.
<throws out theraflu and vitamins>
Submitted by wanderingsharps (user info) at 2005-03-25 11:52:36 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I though the first part about being sick should be a seperate post...
wanders a bit, but well done.