NBC has announced that it's doing its own version of the BBC's "The Office." Instead of the ineffably uncomfortable Ricky Gervais, the manager will be played by Steve Carell. Here are predictions of the other ways NBC will get "The Office" all wrong:
The office staff is racially balanced.
Instead of making paper, the company makes ball bearings. Result: hilarity every time someone says "ball."
Dawn is a gorgeous blonde with huge, sili-boobs. Running gag: Office staff keep dropping items in front of her so they (= we) can look down her sweater.
Because it's apparently safer on TV to express gay stereotypes than racial stereotypes, the "Black cock" joke becomes a mildly risque jape about bending over in a prison shower.
Guest appearance: Joey!
Episode 10: When David's father shows up, we see that Pop is just like his son, and we learn why David is so desperate to be loved.
Among the office staff: Hot lesbian couple.
Gareth being fixated on his army service is considered too chancy during a war, so instead he is a super patriot given to saluting inappropriately.
Cross-over episode in which David becomes a guest judge on American Idol so he can best Simon Cowell.
During the annual Christmas show, each of the actors gets to show off his/her special talent. Who knew that Keith had such a lovely singing voice?
It goes on for 8 seasons.
Final episode: Tim marries Dawn, followed by a group hug.
Article comments
1 - Toby
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
2 - SFC SKI
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.
3 - Tom Johnson
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.
4 - ian
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."
5 - you guys are idiots
The show is awesome, you all suck
6 - WRONG
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.
7 - bjørnstjerne larsen
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.
8 - Nancy
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.
9 - Nancy
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.