Rating: Country: USA Release Date: August 16, 2005 Distributor: NBC/Universal Director: · Various Cast: · Steve Carell as Michael Scott Grade: B-

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When I received this DVD in the mail, I guess I thought I was expecting some new special-edition of what is perhaps one of the funniest tv shows of all time, The Office… from England. Not a chance to bash Steve Carell again (who I like a lot, really!)

I had zero hope for the American remake of The Office. I thought it was a horrible idea from the get-go, because remakes are almost always watered down from the original, whether it be movies or tv shows. Then I heard it wasn’t testing well with audiences, and I didn’t even want to look at it. But I did. And I started out feeling slightly offended. I took it personally that they were denigrating one of my favorite shows of all time. But I kept watching… because I didn’t take it off my Tivo.

If you’ve never watched the brilliant English series, it’s a mockumentary series set in the office of a paper supplies company replete with the usual office suspects. Led by an office manager that is so… wrong in almost every action he carries out that he is perfecty comical (for the audience, that is). The American remake is basically the same. Paper company. Similar characters. Similar setups and repeated situations.

But where it truly differs is yes, Steve Carell. Where Ricky Gervais’s character (currently seen on HBO’s Extras) was inept and tried way too hard, Steve Carrel’s character just seems to be a clueless, mean asshole. Ricky’s character deserves some sympathy. Steve’s does not.

Listening to the commentaries included on the DVD, the cast and crew are good-natured enough and know the hurdle they are trying to leap over. They are making a valiant attempt, that’s for sure. And I’ve gotta say that this series is probably better than just about every other tv comedy on the air right now. But it pales in comparison to the original and I can’t get around it.