How The Office Characters Spent Their Summer - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

flames_1987 · 08-31-2007, 03:09 PM

*Warning small spoilers for season 4*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCDXIyRdwG0

Bring_Back_Shantz · 08-31-2007, 03:14 PM

Did they spend it learning proper spelling?
'Cause I know at least one person who didn't.

Sidney Crosby's Hat · 08-31-2007, 03:35 PM

Now I have to wait a month after seeing that???

The Ryan vs Michael storyline is going to be the best thing about the upcoming season in my opinion. A ton of hour-long episodes is great as well.

Ro · 08-31-2007, 04:02 PM

"Turns out I have grandkids. And kids."

AHAHAHA!! Thx for that link. Good stuff. Carell still doesn't hold a candle to Ricky Gervais in the lead role, but the American version has finally won me over due to the amazing supporting cast and development of their characters. Excited about the new season!

kermitology · 08-31-2007, 04:15 PM

We now have 7 beautiful settings in white, and one that's transformers

That's awesome! I can't wait for more of Andy, and how they're showing more of Creed.

flames_1987 · 08-31-2007, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ro

"Turns out I have grandkids. And kids."

AHAHAHA!! Thx for that link. Good stuff. Carell still doesn't hold a candle to Ricky Gervais in the lead role, but the American version has finally won me over due to the amazing supporting cast and development of their characters. Excited about the new season!

Carell's character has so much more depth then Gervais's did. I think with all the pressure Carell had on playing this role after it had been done so well on the Uk series, he's done a great job.

Ro · 08-31-2007, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flames_1987

Carell's character has so much more depth then Gervais's did. I think with all the pressure Carell had on playing this role after it had been done so well on the Uk series, he's done a great job.

Well, there were only 14 total episodes of the UK version. There have been 52 episodes so far in the USA one. So comparing Gervais to Carell in that sense isn't going to get us anywhere- more episodes = more depth.

And not only that, but they really are different characters. Gervais' character was more self-centered, -indulgent, -ish, etc., and everybody hated him. Carell's character has more of a "lonely man inside" kind of vibe to him, which makes his office routine come off a little more forced and stilted.

I still think Carell is great, but it was an impossible task to "make his own" what Gervais created in David Brent. He has put his own spin on the boss character, and the writers have taken his character development that direction. But the US version, for me, is about "the office" in the literal sense of the word- the community in/at the workplace. While the UK version was more like "this particular office, working for this nightmarish boss."

Bottom line for me though, is that when I watch the UK version I see David Brent, but when I watch the US Office, I see Steve Carell playing the role of the boss. I know this is entirely a matter of opinion, and I'm not going to win anyone over with my arguments, but that's what I think.

Still, both are great shows, with great actors, and brilliant writing. It's kind of like arguing about Gretzky vs. Lemieux- at the end of the day, they're the two spectacular hockey players both worthy of their own accolades.

flames_1987 · 08-31-2007, 05:07 PM

I understand where your coming from now. Carell himself decided not to watch any of the UK version because he had so much respect for Gervais and heard such good things about his acting in it, that he was afraid he would try and imitate David Brent.

Glad to hear someone who actually enjoys both versions, many fans of the UK one just refused to watch the US Office after it's 1st season (which in itself was pretty bad)

Ro · 08-31-2007, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flames_1987

Glad to hear someone who actually enjoys both versions, many fans of the UK one just refused to watch the US Office after it's 1st season (which in itself was pretty bad)

Well, truth be told, I am a late and somewhat reluctant convert. I watched the first 3 or 4 US episodes with great anticipation and was very disappointed. Comparing Carell to Gervais, Tim and Dawn to Jim and Pam, and Gareth to Dwight was too hard not to do, and the new series was behind in all 3 categories.

But a co-worker forced the DVDs on me earlier this year, and I slowly came around. The writing is great, and instead of comparing the series to the UK one, and, in turn, the characters to their UK counterparts, I've learned to appreciate it on its own accord, and not treat it like a kid brother.

And like I said before, there are some fantastic things about the US version, especially the supporting cast. The one-liners are great, and Dwight is pure comedic gold. And they sure took the pranks to a new level.

My favorite:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-f3q6C-8OE

Old Yeller · 08-31-2007, 05:27 PM

Awesome, thanks for posting that link.

I think they should do a show just about Creed. Man I love Creed.

Table 5 · 08-31-2007, 05:30 PM

So, any "Extras" fans around here?

KevanGuy · 08-31-2007, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Table 5

So, any "Extras" fans around here?

Definitely. One of my favorite show for sure. Hopefully season three is made.

Table 5 · 08-31-2007, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevanGuy

Definitely. One of my favorite show for sure. Hopefully season three is made.

As far as I know, 2 is all they planned to do from the start. But maybe they were just havin' a laff.

Ro · 08-31-2007, 05:58 PM

Yeah, Extras is finished. I remember reading somewhere that "Fawlty Towers" and its 12 episode run was a big inspiration to Gervais and Merchant, and that it remains timeless because all 12 episodes are great. There are no duds, and with the entire run at only 12 episodes, it left viewers wanting more; on a high point, if you will.

Hence, 12 episodes (+ 2 specials) for The Office, and 12 for Extras.

But yeah, Extras was great. The scene in the last (or second to last) episode with Merchant and the bikini pen brought me to tears.

Slava · 08-31-2007, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ro

My favorite:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-f3q6C-8OE

That is also my favorite...particulary

"...blahblahblah. little comment."

But the whole thing is hilarious really!

STeeLy · 08-31-2007, 10:32 PM

I love the office and man... I can't wait for this season to start!

Ro · 08-31-2007, 10:37 PM

I was wrong! Full-length Extras Xmas special coming soon!

http://podcast.rickygervais.com/extr..._jelly.mp4.m4v

KevanGuy · 09-01-2007, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ro

I was wrong! Full-length Extras Xmas special coming soon!

http://podcast.rickygervais.com/extr..._jelly.mp4.m4v

Awesome. Sorta off topic but wondering if any of you guys have watched Ideal? Great show, right up there with Extras and Office UK for me.

Deelow · 09-05-2007, 10:41 AM

Season 3 came out on DVD yesterday BTW.

The Goon · 09-05-2007, 11:39 AM

Ryan looks evil in his new corporate role.