God, I can't even imagine how poor the remake will be. What I don't understand is why they bought the rights to the program if they're going to gut it so completely. Stumped

Some humor is just too inherently British to adapt to Hollywood. I don't know if it is the same for the US attempt at the BBC's "Coupling", but I can't imagine the US version being a terible production in comparison.

Reports are mixed so far on the previews of the pilot that some were lucky to see: TV Guide thought it was pretty faithful to the British version and enjoyed it, while execs thought it was boring and depressing. Who knows what we'll actually see next fall, but so far they have been pretty careful about casting - not going for many known actors and especially not going for actors for their looks. The character of Dawn, called "Pam" here, is played by Jenna Fischer. I saw a picture of her somewhere and she is anything but David's humorous sketch of her above - she's similar to Dawn in that she's "cute" but not a knock-out in any way. The rest of the cast is pretty much faithful to the original, too - none are overtly good-looking. However, as much as I love Steve Carell, he just doesn't seem to be the type to play a "David Brent" at all - he's far too animated, but he does have goofy and dumb down. But perhaps if they really are handling this as gently as they claim to be, it might be a good show. I don't, however, have much faith in that or NBC - if it's faithful, it'll surely sag in the ratings. If it's not faithful, it'll just slip right into being yet another cliche'd sitcom.

I have to say so far it hasn't been as bad as I feared and nowhere even close to the predictions above. It's as faithul to the UK source material as it can be without slavishly aping it and is actually starting to develop its own personality and style that makes sense for this market.

I give it a strong B so far and NBC much credit for letting it ride this long as is because it doesn't feel like any other comedy i've ever seen on US network TV, even the so-called "cutting edge" sitcoms like "Seinfeld" or "Arrested Development" or even HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

The show is awesome, you all suck

You guys could not have been more wrong, the show is better then the brits version, and is so good that it is able to take an old idea and still keep it fresh. I agree with you guys suck, because, you guys suck.

why is it that americans always have to remake great films and series from europe, instead of subtitling the originals? can't americans read? are the jokes too intelligent for them? beats me.. all the best from norway.

Probably because that way American producers/directors can tart it up with product endorsements & added, gratuitous violence to get more ratings (they think) & dumb it down for American audiences because they're also of the opinion the average American has the attention span of a gnat.

Probably because that way American producers/directors can tart it up with product endorsements & added, gratuitous violence to get more ratings (they think) & dumb it down for American audiences because they're also of the opinion the average American has the attention span of a gnat. Which may be true.