The Office (TV Series 2005–2013) Poster

(2005–2013)

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10/10
One of the best comedies ever created!
Supermanfan-1310 June 2022
The Office is absolutely, without a doubt, one of the greatest tv shows ever created and easily one of the best comedies I've seen in my lifetime! It's at the top of just about every "best sitcom ever" list for a reason...because it's incredible! Just about every episode is hilarious, which is nearly impossible for any tv show but The Office comes pretty darn close. All you have to do is read through some of these reviews to see how loved this show really is. I'll always miss it but at least we'll always have the reruns to watch!
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10/10
Comparisons
kellypaul11 May 2011
I'm from Scotland and loved the British "Office". But I adore the American version! Steve Carell leads a great cast and I'm not surprised it has lasted so long. I'm working my way through Series 3 and have series 4 and 5 to look forward to. It's amazing how much the writers can get into 20 minutes. I like it when there is a double episode. I too am so glad there is no laughter track (which has stopped me watching quite a few comedy shows). I have noticed in this third series that the camera can be very annoying when it whizzes from character to character - far too quickly. Completely unnecessary. Steve's "Michael" conveys so much about the character - he's full of himself but so vulnerable and anxious for friends. Rainn Wilson's "Dwight" is just brilliant. And I love the company name - "Dunder Mifflin"!
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10/10
No Laugh Tracks!!!
drana-8671610 October 2022
The best thing of this show is there are no background audiences laughing at even poor jokes. There are many sitcoms who use these tricks to add laughter and it is sometimes little bit irritating. The show depends on great dialogues, one liners and Steve Carell.

To name a few, I liked S4E8 and Threat Level Midnight episodes a lot!!

Michael Scott's character carries the show on its shoulders. After Steve Carell's departure, I find it difficult to binge watch all the episodes. That's my opinion!! Some people liked the show after Steve but few episodes were becoming excruciatingly long and boring. But still there were some gags and laughs.

Must watch!! Everyone for sure will like it. My personal favourites are one liners and how Michael jokes around with every character like Oscar, Daryll, Stanley etc.
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10/10
My favourite sitcom EVER!!
nigeljoy23 August 2014
Honestly, I thought show as 'boring' even before I watched a single episode. Seriously, what interesting could happen in an office environment? I remember first scene I saw from this show. It was from an internet wallpaper with Michael Scott with a white board behind him saying "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take".

Then after years from that, I somehow started watching "The Office", I don't really remember why I did that. What I love most about this show is it's raw nature. The camera is kind of shaky yet still brings the best scenes...something that I had never seen before in a TV sitcom. It may seem less professional but adds real life, personal touch with the TV show and the characters in them.

Obviously, Michael Scott is one of my favourite character. Jim, Andy, Dwight, Pam, Erin, Kevin, Oscar, Angela, Creed and even the camera crew include in my favourite list.

What I learned from this show is that it's okay to be weird and different ,that you won't be welcomed as you wanted it to be ( remembering Michael Scott attempts ), that you can't wait and expect things to happen for you, that it's okay to be hated and feel hate to others....it's all dependent on time. People change, feelings change, situations change. All you got to do is be yourself and be true to your heart and everything will fall into it's place.

I love every minute I spent on this show <3
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10/10
Best Sitcom ever created by human beings.
mainakbiswas-7704014 August 2020
This show has changed my life. The way I see things, the way I live. This show was then for me when I needed it the most. One of the best cinematic/artistic creation by men. This show teaches you love, compassion, finding beauty in simple things in life. Story of a small paper supply company in a small town, yet took the world by storm.
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10/10
The Office- The Best
itsmaryyyahx1228 March 2011
I do not have a single negative thing to say about The Office. It is by far my favorite show. I eagerly await a new episode every week.

All the unique characters have depth and are well developed.

As to all the people who don't like it because its based on the U.K. version, get over it. It has been taken to a completely different level. The characters in a spin off are not supposed to stay the exact same, otherwise a spin off would be pointless.

The characters are constantly evolving, and they are never constantly the protagonist or antagonist, so they are all at some point endearing. The characters are wonderfully bizarre yet real.

If you don't find this show funny, then you need to get a funny bone. Writers, keep em coming.
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7/10
Surpasses the brilliant original.
MessyStinkman15 January 2007
After reading all of the horrible reviews coming from the UK, I felt the strong desire to comment. I learned that most of the reviewers bashing it have only seen a few (at most) episodes from the first season - many haven't seen it at all, and are simply bashing it because of an overwhelming sense of pride in the original. I'd be surprised if this review isn't skimmed over and marked unhelpful by them. Obviously I'm not speaking to all the British, but the majority that unfairly judge this show with little to no basis in the truth.

This whole fanaticism is juvenile and petty. The casts of the US and UK versions love each show. Ricky Gervais even wrote and executive produced a few episodes of the US version. Open your minds, people! Most of the US fans KNOW that it's based on a British version. It has gotten the credit it deserves for being a brilliant and hilarious show.

But the American version is also brilliant and hilarious. I've read comments ranging from 'bad acting' to 'direct copy', neither of which are true. The first season may have had its borrowed bits, but that was to get it on its feet. The second and third seasons have proved that it is a show entirely on its own, with scenarios and characters having NOTHING to do with the UK version at all. The acting is just as convincing and real as the UK version.

I've even read that Michael Scott is devoid of David Brent's humanity! In actuality, Michael Scott is shown as far more human than David Brent, who was more manipulative (albeit, poorly) and heartless. The US version still has the cruel elements of the UK version, but it balances these awkward, painful moments with tender, human moments, which makes it more enjoyable and watchable.

As for the humor, each show has its own moments of subtlety, detail, absolutely outrageous moments, awkwardness, pain, cuteness, ridiculousness, and vulgarity. The UK version was groundbreaking. But instead of blindly basing your opinions on bias and arrogance, see the US version for what it is - a brilliant, brighter version that, in its first season, simply used the framework of the original (the characters and basic situations) to get started with.

This is the funniest, smartest American television show in recent history besides Arrested Development. Not since Seinfeld has a show made me laugh so hard and smile so much. These three shows get better with each viewing and are great because there's so many levels of humor, from the apparent outrageousness to the minute details that are noticed after repeated viewings and are often funnier than the surface material.
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10/10
Obviously the best sitcom!!!
JokesOut21 September 2022
This is the most remarkable and hilarious workplace comedy created in this decade unarguably. I watched all the first 7 seasons inside a few days and I wondered how this show kept me so relaxed and wanting more and more from these characters as the story lines kept me hooked on the ever changing plot. The writers have marvellously twisted the flow of the show adding suspense, a little bit of drama and romance and a whole lot of insanely funny pranks, jokes and it really bond us with the characters. And something I felt unique about this show is that how we felt for Michael when he was desperate with his life although we hated him when he was a nuisance and he added something to the show that I find unexplainable.

So this is one heck of a show and I recently found that Billie eilish had watched this show 12 times! (worth it).
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10/10
well what can i say really!!
temporary_fault22 November 2009
This show really is outstanding, in fact its the only show i think i can rate as a 10.

From watching the original uk series back in 2001 on bbc TV, i never thought an American remake would stand any ground whatsoever. When the first series aired in the uk it did'nt really make its mark, and unfortunately never caught on. I was disappointed when it disappeared from our screens, and then quickly forgot about it. I thought it had 1 series and crashed and burned. Then one day i was checking out the reviews for evan almighty on IMDb and noticed that steve carel had still been making this show. I had to get hold of it and see it, And to my joy there was 5 series waiting for me. I never get into TV like i have done with this, i ended up watching 10 episodes in a day, i think i did all 5 series in just under 2 weeks. This show is funny, its acted brilliantly, its over the top, totally crazy but totally entertaining. If your ever down just bung on a couple episodes from good old dunder miflin in scranton and you cant go wrong.

Gervais said that 2 series of the office in the uk was enough. And that he did'nt want to take it further. I know he helps on the US version, and i sure he is surprised to see 6 series already of what i can only describe as the best American sitcom of all time!!
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10/10
Wonderful series
grantss9 October 2020
A documentary film crew is tasked with recording the daily lives of the employees of the Scranton branch of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. The employees turn out to be a wide assortment of characters.

I was never interested in the US version of The Office when it was first released: in fact it has taken me 15 years to watch it! I am a big fan of the UK version and figured the US version was just an Americanised rehash of the UK version and wouldn't do it any justice.

Initially I was proved partially right as the Season 1 largely followed the UK series' plot, down to some of the scenes and jokes. It was still very good though and showed enough originality to make me continue watching. I'm glad I did.

From Season 2 the series finds its own way and what a way it is! Cleverly, charmingly funny but what sets it apart is the emotional and dramatic side. There are some wonderful story arcs and sub-plots, not least of which is the Jim-Pam story. This really is the spine around which the series is built, especially in the earlier seasons. Their story is an incredibly engaging one, made even more captivating by an incredible, off-the-charts-level chemistry between the two actors, John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer.

This is not to say that the other characters and actors play second fiddle. Steve Carrell is fantastic as the boss Michael Scott - very funny and perfect for the role - as is Rainn Wilson as Jim's nemesis, Dwight Schrute. Even the secondary long-term characters have their chance to shine, there is that much breadth to proceedings.

Some of the shine did go off the show when Steve Carrell left. Will Farrell didn't work as a temporary replacement. However, the James Spader-Ed Helms period was great and saw the series almost back to its best.

In the final season you could see that it had run its course though. There was never a bad episode but the comedy didn't feel as fresh and clever as before and the emotional side was missing. This was all made up for with a brilliant, nostalgic, emotional final episode that brought everything full circle. Fantastic way to end a series.
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2/10
Not "smart", just badly made
johnrussels5 October 2006
How "smart" do you have to be to notice how badly made this show is? I mean really, the thing looks like it's shot by an ADT-addled four year-old who was given a camera two hours ago.

I'm sorry, but I don't see the "funny" in bad camera work.

I don't see the "funny" is not being able to see the action.

In other words, The Office is so bad, it's neither smart nor funny, and it would be so nice if its incompetent producers would use some of their brain cells to figure out why nobody watched their show in spite of all the awards.

Could it be that the audience is a lot smarter than those awards-people who vote for the biggest fruit basket they got?
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9/10
Easily one of the best shows of all time
chrisklugh16 September 2022
So much to relate too. All the characters, they all had their place, and they all nailed it. Maybe Micheal was a little bit too over the top at times, but your love to hate him is what made him such a good person for the role.

The best part is I felt something of a personal attachment to some of the characters. Really rooting for some, but also rooting against other, and really loving to hate some of the quirky characters. And when the show is all said and done, you love them all. I miss them.

Easily re-watchable. This is a classic. This one will be played out in VR I'm sure when were all plugged into some computer.
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10/10
They made the impossible
PauloNA17 April 2010
I watched the British version of The Office and became a fan - as almost everyone. So I decided to see if the American version was as good as the original. A doubt feeling emerged at the first episode, since I still was with the original - and awesome - characters in mind. They were not just funny, but peculiar, inimitable. I didn't let this impression ruin my experience, though. Gladly. The American version is obviously inspired in the British version, but they are not the same. Simple like this. The American characters are not mere counterparts of David, Tim, Gareth, Dawn... They are hole new versions of the kind of people we can easily find in any office. And equally inspired versions of these workers. Since I've lost several episodes when they aired for the first time, I'm now at the third season, and I will surely see all the episodes through the end. More than one time...
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10/10
One of the best TV shows EVER !!
leemyers-6017114 January 2020
It's not common for an English persons to admit this but .......... Yes, this version is the absolute best. It is in another league to the original British program By miles!

Don't get me wrong I do like the uk office allot, but the US version just trumps it at every opportunity.

I'm not going to spoil anything for people who haven't seen it and if you're just looking for something light hearted and easy viewing this is definitely for you. Obviously you should watch it in order as intended but I always think that if you can just put a "random" episode of a program on and enjoy it then it passes the test.

There is something for everyone in this series. Plenty of different characters, multiple storylines, jokes you'll miss on first viewing and memorable quotes you'll no doubt be repeating like I do to my wife who has no idea what I'm babbling on about.

Let's be honest, the worlds horrible and everything is getting beyond a joke with the PC brigade, so for just 20 or so minutes, pop on an episode and crack a smile and remember that we used to find things funny
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10/10
Mindblowing
wooxr_pt7 June 2010
I only started seeing this series on this year and i'm on the 6th season already. on the first season i couldn't understand how this could be a good series, the actors were charismatic and the acting were very good but there was almost no story that i could follow and Michael seemed like a very hateable person. on the second season things started to pick up a bit but nothing so special. from the third season to the sixth i got completely hooked because after all there is a story to follow, a very interesting one, and Michael is in fact a genius and that is more evident on the fifth and sixth seasons. if someone believes that Michael does something that goes against the objectives that he has inside the company (even if a lot of times it seems that he does), i'm sure that that person isn't really understanding what's the main philosophy behind Michael's character. it took me 3 seasons to understand Michael Scott and it was because of that, that i didn't liked the series very much, after that, i loved it, and it's my favorite series now. When you do understand all the characters, besides being very entertaining and delightful to watch, it is going to blow your mind sometimes.
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10/10
The GOAT
luispedik13 October 2021
The Office is the best series ever, period. You can not watch it without getting attached to at least one character, in my case, Dwight.

Some people don't like the first and second season and give up on the show even before it gets even better, it is a different type of humor than the people are used to and the decision of giving up is the baddest move ever.
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9/10
A pleasant surprise....six years later.
inkster-98 March 2010
I am a huge fan of the British version of the Office. I remember looking forward to the American version when it first came out and being disappointed immediately to the point that I refused to watch it after the first episode. Almost 6 years later I gave it another go as people were telling me that it was actually quite good. I took the advice that I should start from season 2. This time around I enjoyed it more and gradually warmed to the characters that were basically copies of the British version. I can't believe that I would ever say this, but this show is as good as the British version. The bonus is that there is a lot more of it. It was certainly a knee-jerk reaction to give up on it so quickly, but it seems that a lot of people did. The Jim/Pam relationship is a clone of Tim and Dawn, but some of the pranks that they play on Dwight(Gareth in British version) are quite brilliant. There are certainly differences between the two versions, but generally the American version stays fairly true to the original.

If you loved the original, definitely give this a go.
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9/10
The funniest TV show
gani_tosseva17 September 2021
That is the best TV show I've ever watch. Recommend. The first 4-5 episodes are not so good, but then...omg. I've laugh through tears.
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Am I the only one who likes this show?
jtkaff27 April 2005
I haven't seen the BBC original and after seeing the "American version" and seeing how much more people enjoy the UK version, I'll definitely have to look into it, because I love this show! Certainly the acting is a little bit over the top at times, but I haven't found it to be so distracting.

If the jokes are taken straight out of the original, I think that's unfortunate, but since I haven't seen the original yet, IGNORANCE IS BLISS! The writing is hilarious. The acting is a little over the top at times, but I don't find it to detract from the writing.

Maybe I'm a stupid American, but I love this show, and I look forward to the next season.
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6/10
yes........but no!
danny-pinder-13 October 2006
OK. I'm English and therefore totally biased about this programme.

The Office UK is one of the all time great sitcoms.

The Office US would (probably) be a very funny show if it wasn't for the original.

Sorry guys, but there is one word that sums up the difference between the US and UK versions of this comedy. SUBTLETY.

That in itself is a very vague criticism, I know. There is nothing wrong with the writing, the acting, the production or much else with the American version. The problem is, it just doesn't work in the US as it does in the UK. And that, I think is because of the nature of British people. Reserved, socially awkward, introverted; ie a load of stuff that Americans (thankfully for you guys) aren't, and the genius of the original is that it hits the mark because of the social inadequacies of Brits in the work place. Because of that, the subtlety of the gags and situations which work in the original just don't quite hit the mark.

Listen, I am the biggest fan of US sitcoms there is. Seinfeld, Frasier, the Simpsons and Friends are amongst my all time top 10. But we could never make Friends in the UK, much the same as Only Fools and Horses could never be made in the US.

Ricky/Steve - good on you for trying to make it work in the US - but it ain't happening. Take the money and run!
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2/10
Unwatchable
billiehaiduk2 July 2006
The depth of tastelessness NBC executives have sunk to never cease to amaze me. Sure, they're making a lot less money now that Thursday has turned into "Must-Avoid TV" but really... does anyone think that the way out of ratings insignificance is re-newing a show that is so badly and cheaply made, its only value is in its "it's edgy" lying marketing campaign and the fact it's incredibly cheap to produce.

What's next? A web-cam in a real office? That would cut down on actor fees...

Wait I shouldn't give them bad ideas, because after all, we're talking about the executives that swallowed their own PR that The Office is somehow a great funny show, when in reality, it's unwatchable pap.

Memo to Jeff Zucker: hire real writers and directors next time and maybe you'll have a hit.
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10/10
Excellent! I want more, more, more please...
deloudelouvain29 April 2016
I saw Ricky Gervais' British first version of The Office first and I really liked it. I was septic that there was going to be an American version and I completely zapped it because of that. So it's only in 2016 that I thought I give the American version a shot and oh am I pleased I did that. I loved it so much I watched the entire nine seasons in only a month. I was completely addicted to it, so I was actually sad that they wrote this series off because to me it could stayed on forever. It's just an excellent show. I mean, if there are people that don't think this show is funny then they just don't have the right sense of humor. Every single character brings it's own touch to the show and they are all good. The pranks between Jim Halpert and Dwight Schrute are a delight to watch. The 9 to 5 I-don't-care-about-anything office mentality from Stanley Hudson is just so recognizable. Kevin Malone and his craving for food, with his nerdy look, is just hilarious. Michael Scott, the man I would absolutely hate in real life, is so irritating in his character but yet so funny to watch. Andy Bernard, the guy that just don't get it but that desperately tries. Pam Beesly, one of the only "normal" people in the office, her flirting with Jim, also a delight to watch. Meredith Palmer, the slut of the office, every office has one of those, lovely to watch. The eternal love-hate relationship between Kelly Kapoor and Ryan Howard. The poor poor Toby Flenderson, hated by almost everybody in the office, even though he tries to do his best to please every-one. Angela Martin, she acts like a nun but deeply she's completely different. Oscar Martinez, the gay of the office, also one of the "normal" people from the office. Phyllis Vance from Vance refrigeration, a name I will always think about when I see refrigerators. Darryl Philbin, great to watch as well. I really loved every character in this series, but my favorites are Dwight, Kevin, Darryl and Michael. I love the way of filming. A bit like in Parks and Recreation, where as soon as the character says a punchline he stares at you into the camera for a couple of seconds. Just love that kind of cinema. It works really well to make it funny. Anyways, I'm so sad it's finished. If you never saw it I can only recommend it. You won't be sorry.
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10/10
Amazing at all ages at all years.
martinray-8357210 February 2021
Does not matter what age you are or in what year your watching this show is amazing. The only thing that sucks about the show is that it ends. I want to say I never got bored with this show and finished without breaks. And I wish I could erase my memory to watch it again.
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9/10
Blasphemy! A Brit who likes this version as much as the original!
rebel6612 January 2007
As a fan of the original "Office" I was, of course, skeptical about the American remake. We have many shining beacons to shows that have bombed badly when transferred across the ocean. However, pinch me I must be dreaming, this version of the show is actually very good. I should also point out that I'm British and, as blasphemous as it might be to my fellow countrymen, I believe that the US version to be every bit as good as the original with excellent casting and smart writing throughout.

The first season was a little spotty, especially when translating the British show verbatim. However, once the writers came up with original story lines and situations the, American, office really took off. The second season was an incredible achievement and is just carrying on where it left off in the third season.

Steve Carell is well suited to the role of Micheal Scott, lending his character a certain pathetic quality that even Gervais's David Brent did not have at times. The supporting cast is equally as good, especially Rainn Wilson as the assistant (to the) general manager, Dwight Shrute. Wilson deserved, at least, an Emmy nomination for his troubles.

If you dismiss the show out of hand then you will definitely be missing out on one of the best shows on TV right now.
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10/10
British Haters
steven-elia5 March 2010
Stop with the nonsense. This show is hilarious. If they used the same cast or facsimiles of them, it wouldn't be a remake. It would be the British version. I've seen both versions, and each has its own charm, style, and tense scenarios. Ricky Gervais, who created the series, is a co-producer and writes some episodes, which is ironic considering he took the biggest part in the first, three episodes (to get it off its feet) and they have been trashed the most.

It's clear that Steve C. (I don't want to butcher the spelling of his last name) either took tips from Ricky Gervais or studied his performance. They even readjust their tie the same way. Albeit, the first two seasons were a little weak as the show gained steam and attempted to match its predecessor, but that's no reason to shrug it off. From the third season onward, the "American" Office has come into its own with story lines that introduced new characters and shook the formula of a nerdy boy awkwardly pining for a pretty girl.

Every fan should be happy to have new episodes of a great show that would otherwise be off the air. For a true fan of the Office that should be enough, but since it's labeled "American" some immediately set out to find the wrong. Cheers to the people that were capable of giving the remake a chance and didn't base their opinion on what country it's filmed in. All I ask of those whom originally ripped the "American" version is to go online and watch the seasons with Ed Helms as Andy, a kiss-ass with anger management issues. The feud with Dwight and he (once the branches merge) has become my favorite storyline of the show, culminating in a duel. It's classic.
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