Friday, February 03, 2006

Are You Watching The Office?

Because you should be. I was very skeptical when NBC announced plans to Americanize the BBC's wonderful short-run show. And I was concerned when I heard rumors that it was one of the most awful pilots people had ever seen.

And in its first (shortened) season, it was so-so. But I like Steve Carrell, whose character was very different from the one played by the brilliant Ricky Gervais in the original. And there aren't many original sitcoms on TV, so I kept watching.

Wow, this show just keeps getting better. Last night's episode as a pinnacle of comedy interlaced with tragic disappointment. Seeing receptionist Pam grapple with her dreams and have them shot down by her fiance... expected, but still sad. But then seeing Pam and Jim actually FIGHT because he's trying to encourage her, to see the look in her eye when he asks her if she wants to be a receptionist forever... wow. And that final moment, when the phone rings, and she does her job and answers it and transfers the call, while Jim casts a glance at her. And then she hangs up and casts one back at him.

The show is very well written, but speaking as someone who has directed actors in a similar type/genre story, the acting talent on this show is priceless.

3 Comments:

At 7:52 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yeah, what's impressed me is how well they/Steve Carell have managed to Americanize the Ricky Gervais character - he is still outrageously annoying, but somehow he's quintessentially American now. And I think it's more American in that there's always just a little bit more pathos? sympathy to the characters? The British version is I think a little bit crueller to the characters. But you're right, the acting (and casting) is wonderful.

 
At 5:53 PM, Blogger Dr Will said...

found you in google blogsearch. thought this episode ruled. my fav part was Michael wondering if black people liked pizza. Insane.

 
At 7:30 PM, Blogger TerminalMFA said...

i loved that moment, too. there were so many good and awkward moments.

"Apparently Jan aspires to be a slut."

 

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