The Office - US

[Tyr]

So, there's a thread on 24, a thread on Heroes, on Lost, and the like, but not a thread for the best comedy on television right now--The Office. Anyone else follow along? I've been searching frantically to see if anyone in real life like Dwight exists. So far, no luck...I've just found thousands of people like Andy and Kelly...

Some random trivia: Jenna Fischer (Pam) seems extremely giddy on talk show hosts, and Rashida Jones (Karen) is Quincy Jones' daughter. Pretty much the entire cast is from Boston. Steve Carrell's wife plays the role of the real estate agent (Carol), and B.J. Novak is (if I'm not mistaken), the executive writer.

If you've never watched the US version, give it a chance. The characters are priceless, and the writing is amazing. Plus, I guarantee that if you're single, you'll develop a crush on Pam or Jim, depending on your gender (...or, I guess, sexual preference?).

And lastly, the extended version of Lazy Scranton:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv0xBVFl0II

[Anyway]

I am so obsessed with this show it's ridiculous. I can never find anyone who watches it either. Possibly the best uses of awkward silences ever. Wish the episodes were 1 hour though.

I lol'd so hard the one episode a while back where Dwight walks in and his desk is gone.

Dwight: "WHAT THE... WHERE'S MY DESK? JIM! WHERE'S MY DESK?"
Jim: "Well Dwight, let's backtrack. Where did you see it last?"

[theo]

This is the only show I bother watching... for a long time my gf watched it and I refused to because I generally hate most TV shows. Then I finally gave it a chance and was instantly hooked... I went out and rented the DVDs of all the previous seasons. This show rocks.

[Roranora]

This is the best show on television right now in my opinion as well. I regularly watch other shows, but my effort to catch The Office when it first airs, instead of just downloading later, is much higher. I had to get the Season 1 and 2 DVDs once I randomly came across this show, and so far, everyone who sees them also gets into it. It's hard to not enjoy such (usually) fitting jokes about the working world, I guess.

As for the random info in the OP, it's also cool that several cast members play a role on the other side of the camera too. B.J. Novak (Ryan) is the supervising producer and has written a handful of episodes. Mindy Kaling(Kelly) has also written shows too, and Steve's wife I believe helps with some writing as well. Here's some random B.J. Novak stand-up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsK9jmcW4I4 which I personally found amusing, not so much from the content, but it's such a jump from how his character normally acts.

[Weeks]

Jenna Fischer went to Truman State around the same time I did. I used that as an excuse to watch it at first. By episode two I didn't really need any excuses (The pilot sucked). It ramped up in quality for season 2 also. Great show.

[Stilgar]

yeah, it's amazing. I heard about it from another American friend out at dinner with a couple Brit friends and they were all like "that's bollocks, brah," but after a couple of eps I was hooked. It's the only show on during primetime that I'll quit playing games to watch.

Incidentally, I've never seen the UK original. I really want to, but I don't use torrents anymore...

[Tyr]

Meh, personally, comparing the US version to the UK version is like apples & oranges. Yes, the pilot had pretty much an entire episode worth of jokes from the UK version, but the one aired in Britain seemed to me to be a lot more depressing/dark in its humor. I liked the British version, but comparing the bosses supports my point: Ricky Gervais' character is hilarious to the audience, but is extremely pathetic, in a very dark way. Although Michael Scott (Carrell) is just as pathetic, if not slightly less, it's a lot more childish in nature.

One of my favorite episodes is from season 3, The Coup.

Michael Scott: so, Dwight, here are the keys
Dwight: for what?
Michael: the Sebring, it's a company car
Dwight: the Sebring? Yea you can keep it, I don't want it.
Michael: ...but, you said you liked my car...
Dwight: well...yea...but, c'mon Michael, it's a convertible. In this climate? Plus it gets horrible gas mileage.

...<pause>...
Michael: (deep breath)...THAT'S MY CAR
Dwight: what?
Michael: THAT'S MY CAR...I KNOW DWIGHT, I SPOKE WITH JAN

favorite scene. Steve Carrell's yelp "That's my car" is hilarious.

Ahh, and if you want another great clip, the e-mail surveilance episode (intro is priceless), go to the part where Michael's in his improv class.

[Roranora]

You forgot your bumper.

[Anyway]

lol yeah FREEZE FBI!

Michael, you can't be an FBI agent in every skit.

[Tyr]

Your status has been compromised.

Abort mission. Destroy cell phone.

[Roranora]

Fact. I am older. I am wiser. Do not mess with me.

[Anyway]

Dear Dwight,

Someone has poisoned the coffee. At lunch time, somebody will drink some and die. You must save them.


Love,
Future Dwight.

[Tyr]

Michael: can you tell if someone's gay?

Dwight: definately...

Michael: what about Oscar?

Dwight: no, he's not gay.

Michael: well, he is. he's a homosexual.

Dwight: what...? but he's not wearing women's clothing...


And for you fans of Stanley, do that great man justice and go to Season 1 - Basketball, and watch that man ball. Michael's reaction is priceless.

[Epical]

This is the only show I follow weekly next to Heroes and 24. Seasons 1 and 2 were gold, but season 3 has been a little lacking so far. The episodes have no storyline substance to them anymore... it's all little shit. Funny shit, but little shit nonetheless.

Still an amazing show. Steve Carrell is so good. So damn good.

[Tyr]

...season 3 has been a little lacking so far. The episodes have no storyline substance to them anymore... it's all little shit. Funny shit, but little shit nonetheless.

What are you talking about? Scranton is finally about to actually, really, close (until Michael & Dwight save the day), Jim goes/comes back, I don't want to say any other possible "spoilers" for some people who might be back an episode or two, but I think it has just as much "storyline substance" as the previous seasons.

[Tyr]

I have to add this quote before I go to bed:

Michael Scott (after getting "dumped" by Jan):

Bros before Hos.
Why? Because your bros are always there for you.
They have got your back, after your ho ripped your heart out for no good reason.
And you were nothing but great to your ho.
And you told her that she was the only ho for you, and that she was better than all the other hos in the world.
And then...and then...suddenly, she's not your ho, no moe.

[Epical]

...season 3 has been a little lacking so far. The episodes have no storyline substance to them anymore... it's all little shit. Funny shit, but little shit nonetheless.

What are you talking about? Scranton is finally about to actually, really, close (until Michael & Dwight save the day), Jim goes/comes back, I don't want to say any other possible "spoilers" for some people who might be back an episode or two, but I think it has just as much "storyline substance" as the previous seasons.

With the exception of the Stamford staff, there has been nothing new. Jam is still in it's never-ending sexual tease (now with Karen thrown into the mix, and Roy's vengeful plot to win her back [surprise surprise]), Dwight is still all over Michael's balls (now with Andy to compete with), Ryan and Kelly are still stinking up the office with their awkward and annoying relationship, the smaller office employees (Stanley, Phyllis, Angela, Creed, etc) taking up screen-time with annoying shit away from the people who make the show, etc. I whole-heartedly hope they start to do something with the main premise of the show, or else it won't be around for season 5.

Don't get me wrong though, I LOVE watching the show... I just hate seeing it not progress anywhere.

[Weeks]

Bros before Hos.
Why? Because your bros are always there for you.
They have got your back, after your ho ripped your heart out for no good reason.
And you were nothing but great to your ho.
And you told her that she was the only ho for you, and that she was better than all the other hos in the world.
And then...and then...suddenly, she's not your ho, no moe.

Yeah, definitely the funniest scene in the show ever. I just enjoy the out-of-the-blue attacks on poor Toby. "I didn’t hire an ex-convict. Unless they mean Toby. Convicted rapist!"

[archibaldcrane]

I despise Jim with a passion that would consume one hundred souls.

/emooff

Seriously, if Jim existed in real life, he would be my arch enemy. Girls that like Jim = deal breaker for me.

[SephYuyX]

I like this show, so does my dad, way more than me even.

He doesnt watch any other TV (aside from news), but he will make sure im home and watching the office every time its on.