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Binged both versions of The Office and the UK one won me over
I spent last weekend watching the entire first season of the US Office again, then went back to the UK original for a second time. The US version has more seasons and feels polished, but the UK one wraps up everything in 12 episodes and two specials. The humor hits harder because it's tighter and doesn't drag out jokes for 22 episodes a year. My buddy in Austin said I was crazy for preferring the short run, but I told him to watch both back to back like I did. Has anyone else done a side by side comparison of two shows that are basically the same concept?
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young.spencer1mo ago
Wait, so you actually watched them both back to back in one weekend? That's a pretty solid way to see the difference. I did the same thing a few years ago with the original UK Office and the US version, and honestly it was eye opening. The UK one just feels so much more real and uncomfortable in a way that sticks with you, not in a bad way but like it's actually about something. There's no chance to get tired of the characters because it's done before you even start noticing the flaws. Your buddy from Austin might not get it, but I'm with you on this one.
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claireo671mo ago
I did the exact same thing with Parks and Rec and The Office UK last year lol. Watched the US version first then went straight to the UK one and it changed my whole view on how sitcoms should end. The UK version doesn't waste time on filler episodes or love triangles that go nowhere, it just tells the story and gets out. I still laugh at the scene where David Brent does that dance during the charity event, it lands way harder because you haven't seen him do similar awkward stuff for six seasons straight.
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