The Office USA Vs The Office UK: Top Moments
Like everything from cultural imperialism to one specific type of muffin, The Office was a British idea copied by the Americans.
Both the British and American versions of The Office have been stormed the ratings, both the British and American versions of The Office have mined comedy from awkward and mundane situations and both the British and American versions of The Office have spawned movie stars, as seen in everything from Get Smart to Love, Actually to Pirates Of The Caribbean to that rubbishy George Clooney film about American football.
But which is better – the British Office or the American Office? It’s a debate that everyone has an opinion on but nobody has comprehensively won. And that’s why we’re here now. Using a complex scientific algorythm based on five categories, we’ve decided to find out which version of The Office is best. You may disagree with us if you like. Just know that if you do, you’re wrong…
BEST MANAGER
Gervais
Carrell
The most important factor of The Office is the manager, whether it’s Britain’s David Brent or America’s Michael Scott, because the entire show hangs around their actions. Both are essentially the same character – awkward, overcompensatory show-offs without a shred of self-awareness – but, although Michael Scott has long since developed into a more rounded character, he’s never quite managed to capture the stupefying arrogance of David Brent.
UK: 1 – US: 0
BEST LOVE STORY
UK -
US -
Tim and Dawn or Jim and Pam? Same syllables. Same longing looks. Same dowdy cuteness and unflattering haircuts. But, again, the difference between the British Office and the American Office is one of time. It was easy to string out Tim and Dawn’s unspoken office romance over the two short seasons of the BBC Office, ending the entire show with the flourish everyone craved. That wouldn’t work with Jim and Pam because there are just too many episodes of the NBC Office for it to stay fresh. That’s why we had to suffer through uncomfortably daytime soapish exchanges like the one above before they actually got together. And stayed together. And got a bit boring. Another point to the UK.
UK: 2 – US: 0
BEST SUPPORTING CAST
Keith’s appraisal
Kelly
Here’s where the sheer amount of NBC Office episodes actually work. Although funny, the BBC Office supporting characters are never more than broad sketches, and most scenes they’re in all depend on reactions to or from Ricky Gervais for humour. Meanwhile, over on NBC, some of the best comedy writer-performers around have been cast to flesh out the parts and create a network that exists outside of Michael Scott’s involvement. It’s probably the American Office’s greatest achievement, so it can claw back a point here.
UK:2 – US: 1
ULTIMATE LEGACY
Dance
That’s what she said
A big one – what will each respective version of The Office be most fondly remembered for. The BBC’s Office, without question, has The Dance – a moment that won’t only be reenacted in pubs and playgrounds until the end of time, but will ensure that even if he cures cancer and wins the Nobel Prize, someone at the ceremony will yell “DO THE DANCE!” at Ricky Gervais. And he will do it. Meanwhile, NBC has “That’s what she said,” a smart, short, sophisticated line that anybody can drop into any conversation without looking too much like a copycat bellend. Plus people won’t think you’re a tit if you do it in public, which pushes it a million light years past The Dance.
UK: 2 – US: 2
FUNNIEST MOMENT
UK
US
The Office – Lady Suit
A contentious one, we know – it’s difficult enough to get people to agree on the funniest moments from any given episode of The Office regardless of which country it’s made, let alone the entirity of both shows combined. But screw it, this is our list and it’s scientific and if you don’t agree then you hate science. In the UK Office, Ricky Gervais grabs a serious moment and spins it into the stratosphere, while Steve Carrell’s scene is a masterpiece of escalation. But science tells us that Gervais shades it. You hear that, haters? SCIENCE.
UK: 3 – US: 2
So that’s it. Conclusive proof that the British version of The Office is slightly funnier than the American version of The Office. However, if we were doing a side-by-side comparison of British and American versions of Extras, America would have won. Even though there isn’t an American version of Extras. Basically we’re saying that Extras wasn’t particularly good.
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i think the usa one is better. i also though the invention of lying was a bit crap.
outrageous goings on a boots
I’ve only seen two episodes of the uk one and they sucked. I fully disagree and I know I’m not wrong. I have plenty of research on the topic to back that up. In every comparison I’ve seen I know the USA wins. Best boss? Obviously Micheal. And Jim and Pam are so much better than dawn and Tim. Jim and Pam are prettier, not as depressed, and love each other more, plus they figured that out faster then Tim and dawn. And Dwight is better than this gerith person, no doubt about it. The best office is in the USA!
It would help us Brits who ain’t seen the US version if all the clips were viewable outside the US.
I agree. Having seen the actual TV episodes, the composites shown really stripped a lot of the humor out of the episodes.
understanding what the hell they are saying…..US 1 UK 0.
Did you say “Extras” wasn’t any good? You just squashed the credibility of your article because Extras was very very funny.
If it’s 2-2 in the penultimate round, then the UK version just ’shades’ it in the final, wouldn’t that make it 3-2 to the UK?
Plus, I don’t think you can argue that only the British supporting cast are broad sketches – the US version’s characters are so one-dimensional now: the sad, lonely one (Toby); the fat, stupid one (Kevin); the uptight Christian one (Angela), etc, etc.
I have to edmit the USA version, which Is still the best, mostly revolves around the now 6 main characters. But the supporting cast is hilarious when they do says something. But I have to agree with you about toby. The only thing funny about him is when Micheal is being mean to him.
The shows cannot be compared except in name and location. I don’t think the US audience would be ready for the cushion biting embarrassment personified by Brent, it is, even as a Brit, often uncomfortable to watch because we know these people and sometimes, we are these people. It is not a flattering reflection. But it is brutal in its honesty.
The US version is a very sanitised, bog standard sit-com (line-gag-laugh, line-gag-laugh)lacking the balls of the UK version.
Both are enjoyable, but to compare them is an oranges and apples exercise.
Extras is Good. Funny on its own.
I’d agree with most of what this article had to say, except for the last bit about Extras. That show was as good as, if not better, than the office. The first episode with Ben Stiller is fucking hilarious, and beats any episode of the office UK or office USA hands down for laughs.
Extras was brilliant and much better than any of the american Office shows after around season 4. seriously how can u suggest the Extras was not particularly good?
I love the US Version, but for me the UK version is almost perfect in everything it is. I do like that the american workplace has gone past 2 seasons, but I think the British one works perfectly at 2 + christmas specials.
Good article. Right result
You’re insane. Jim and Pam has had one of the best love stories I’ve seen on television in a long time.
I’m just saying, if the UK Office was so good, why isn’t it still on the air?
Heh… if longevity = quality I guess you would have to say “Friends” was better than the UK Office too. “The Office” is not on the air because its creators chose to end it, not because it “got cancelled”. You probably think “Three’s Company” was better than “Fawlty Towers” too.
This comparison is not complete without some look at Dwight and Jim’s banter. Dwight’s character is much more hilarious than the UK guy and he has the best one liners:
Jim: [dressed like Dwight] Question: What kind of bear is best?
Dwight: That’s a ridiculous question…
Jim: False. Black bear.
Dwight: That’s debatable, there are basically two schools of thought…
Jim: Fact: Bears eat beets. Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.
Dwight: Bears do not…what is going on?!? What are you doing?!?
A third season,
The best reason the USA one is better.
i think the USA one is better…………..!!!!!!!!!!
I like them both. Who cares which one’s better? I’m happy that both shows exist.
Bad mouthing Extras makes you look like you don’t know good comedy when you see it. Extras is brilliant and clever in so many ways, and then there’s the comedy on top of that.
Waste.
British Office, definitely better.
I loved the American one for quite some time, but lately it’s becoming too Jim/Pam, and not about the awkward ridiculousness of working in an Office. It’s understandable that it would happen though. You can’t keep doing the same gags forever.
Which is why Gervais/Merchant were wise to cap it at two seasons.
The US Office feels more like a sitcom-gone are the shots of the employees sitting at their desk-every joke is broader and bigger. People tend to be able to go to NYC on a whim or spend the whole day out of of the office with no real consequence. Also hosting elaborate Christmas parties complete with booze in the office? To me, the British Office was more like the boring daily work life with annoying workmates. And the last 5 minutes of Series 2 where Brent begs for his job back has to be the most emotional scene in both version and give a little insight into the real David. That pushes the UK version past the US.
Secondly, the love lives..It’s become more about Dwight/Angela/Andy and Jim and Pam rather than the Office. I used to like Jim/Pam but lately it’s snoozeville. I’m also finding the storylines are just not as funny as in earlier seasons.
However, the US version includes the secondary characters, which rounds out the cast nicely and more ethnically diverse plus the warehouse guys rock! And the Jim/Dwight pranks are much funnier than the Tim/Gareth ones.
All in all the US Office has gone on a bit too long, IMHO.
Extras -two words-Darren Lamb and Barry from Eastenders-best comedy duo:)
The American version. The UK version is boring and I can’t understand half of what they say. I think it sounds pretty when a female speaks with a british accent but in my opinion, the british accent is too high-pitched for males and comes off as effeminate. Plus, Dwight on the US version is brilliantly hilarious.
I think it depend which country you’re from. I think the US Office is way funnier, just cos I know US jokes more than UK ones.
I finally watched the UK version…well, part of it. It just wasn’t funny to me. Also, I couldn’t understand everything they said. Like Kamrein said, I think I’m just more used to American humor in when it comes to these shows. The US Office is probably my favorite show on tv.
If your hiding the best love story off of those to videos, they don’t show you anything ad jim and Pam. They’re just show the least romantic pray of it becuase they know if they showed you the kiss the us would win. Plus they have plenty of romantic moments as ther relationship grew and developed, unlike the uk version
My iPhone messes up what I type but u can figure it out. Oh and it’s really 9:50 pm here
I mean judging the best love story, not hiding. My iPhone does that
The last 10 minutes of the Office (UK) are just sensational. That video shows exactly why it is that little bit better than the US version (which is undeniably hilarious). The original displays characters and situations that actually exist in real life. It captures the mundane nature of working in an office. Because of this, the audience is able to identify emotionally with the characters on a completely different level, a level that is so rarely come across in TV or film. I really can’t fault it. Those 2 series and christmas specials flow from beginning to end perfectly.
“Chris, why don’t you fuck off”
Sends shivers down my spine every time.
Ok, here’s my two cents:
I’ve seen every single episode of both Office series and Extras. IMO, The US Office is better than the UK Office. The real highlights of both series for me were the romance, the pranks, and the awkward moments with the boss. I think the US version wins out on all 3 of these.
The Jim/Pam romance was much deeper and more appealing than the Tim/Dawn almost romance. Jim and Pam’s characters were more fully realized throughout the series which is probably one of the main reasons for the appeal
The pranks Jim pulled on Dwight were funnier and more complicated than the kind of shallow pranks Tim and Dawn pulled on Gareth. This may also be influenced by the fact that the relationship between Jim and Dwight was deeper and more focused on since the US series is much longer, and also the fact that there were many more pranks and gags between Jim and Dwight than Tim and Gareth.
And last but not least: the bosses. The UK version is champion of awkward moments hands down. Sometimes David Brent’s awkward conversations and presentations were almost too much to bear, in fact… they were too much to bear. I understand that awkward situations can be really funny, but if all it took to make a funny scene was make it as awkward as possible, even I could be a writer. I gave this one to the US Office not because it is more awkward but because Michael Scott, in my opinion, was a better and more realized character than Brent.
Also Extras is fuckin hilarious, so I don’t think you know comedy at all. Extras was far funnier than the UK Office.
There is no way that the UK version is a better show! The US version has a much better romantic relationship between Jim and Pam than the UK version does between Tim and Dawn. Dwight is better than that nerd with the bowl haircut, and overall the US version of The Office is much funnier. The secondary characters in the US version make this show head over heels better than the UK version that only has 14 episodes.
I suspect the debate coming from US/UK residents is always going to be a parochial one. I’m from Australia and from everyone I speak to there is no doubt that the UK version is better. Hands down. I love the US show, but it is aimed lower and is becoming a sitcom style. The original concept of David Brent and The Office is being transformed into a comedy about a group of people. The comparisons between various people does not work. The pranks that Jim plays on Dwight are particular to the US version. Tim played pranks on Gareth – but they weren’t coming from the same place.
Maybe subtitles would be better. Not being able to understand what people are saying is a cultural problem. English mother****** – can you speak it?
The UK office is perfect. The comparisons to Fawlty Towers are appropriate. Two seasons plus Christmas Specials left the series as a perfect package.
The US version was always going to have to be different. The US market (massive generalisation coming) don’t “get” the humour in the UK version. It has been dumbed down – but it had to be to be succesful.
There can be no doubt that the UK version is better. However you have to feel sorry for the US producers – you are comparing their product to one of the top few TV comedies of the past 30 years.