I saw an early copy of the pilot episode of upcoming NBC sitcom The Office. This is, of course, based on the BBC original, which many, including myself, believe to be the best comedy program ever shown on television.
When I heard that "America" was going to be re-envisioning the series, I immediately thought "well, that'll suck". Turns out I was right.
The pilot was pretty bad. It looks good, and the script is good (basically the same as the first episode of the BBC version, but Americanized), but the acting and direction (barely) miss the mark. Even though they barely miss, it's enough to derail the whole thing.
The direction: It's supposed to be shot as if it's a documentary on the goings-on at an paper-supply office. I noticed that there seemed to be too many cuts and edits between characters in many scenes. Close up on Character A as he talks, cut to close up on Character B as she responds, cut to a different angle on Character A again. I began to wonder where all these "documentary cameras' were. It really lessens the belief that this is supposed to be documenting the day.
The BBC version got it right: two camera angles at most for any scene, and cutting between characters was employed sparingly. The pacing of the show was, not surprisingly, too rushed. One of the successes of the British original was their willingness to linger on scenes, at both their beginning and end of scenes. This version cuts to the chase too much. And even the main content of many of the scenes seems like it's being rushed through.
The script for the pilot episode was pretty good, but it ultimately fails because it doesn't make the boss character (I forget the character's name in this version, but the David Brent character) vulgar and desperate enough. Too, he is portrayed more as a simpleton buffoon, whereas the BBC character was a buffoon, but not a simpleton. I think what makes David Brent such a compelling asshole is that you get a sense that, deep down he knows exactly how pathetic he is. I didn't get that feeling at all with this version. Steve Carrell (formerly of The Daily Show) plays him a bit too much (not much, but a bit too not much) like his simpleton character from Anchorman. He is completely oblivious to how much an asshole he is (and, actually, the script doesn't allow him to be enough of an asshole).
The acting: The acting is so close to being good. But they just can't quite seem convincing enough that they are the characters they're portraying and not in fact, actors playing these characters. There is very little suggestion of history between the characters, not much chemistry.
It's not fair to compare the two series, especially when the BBC version got it perfect, but it can't be helped. Still, there are all kinds of North Americans who haven't seen the original and who will come to this version with fresh eyes. What will they think of it?
Well, there's no laugh track, so that will confuse America, and there are no joke-jokes, really, so America won't know what to laugh at, specifically. An essential element of the show seems to be missing - that being the need to allow the uncomfortableness in scenes to breathe.
This show will not be allowed to last.
7 comments:
I haven't seen either, but like Matt Damon's character playing blind poker hands in the movie 'Rounders', I am comfortable making a call on these shows, using calculated critisisms based on all american comedies vs British comedies. The american TV industry is like Fast food ( Most HBO shows are an exception to this, I don't even consider HBO to be TV, it's too good), The Canadian one is like Harveys: bad fast food, and the british one is like a bistro. A bistro is like a fast food restaurant with more class.
So based on all this nonsense, I'll say the American office will be a good fad, maybe a cult hit. But will never satisfy those who knew the original.
The new one is most likely over-produced, where they relied on cash over comedic passion.
I should watch both , I guess.
Speaking of laugh tracks, I listened to part of a "Madly off..." the other afternoon, hoping to catch some local talent...Sketch 22 specifically. However, rather then endure what was the worst laugh track I ever heard, I couldn't take it any more, turned it off and missed the last part of the program. I could hear the most artifical female attempt at laughter, it was awful. Loud, screetching noise at every bridge and pause. So bad, it was making me uncomfortable, and I was listening on radio! It was embarassing to have such noise associated with the Island. Surely, somebody somewhere...someone else must have heard it and cringed. Why would anybody either use such garbage, or allow it to be played on radio? And, where was Sketch 22? I was hoping to not hear any jokes about breast cancer, the blind or cripples, and if so, would catch the next performance live.
They'll be on one of the next episodes, not sure exactly which one, but they surely weren't cut. Did you keep the radio on enough to listen to the seagals? Me neither. I wanted to, but I had to shovel my car out. Maybe next time
I believe there were nine different groups/individuals who performed that evening. I also believe that "Madly Off" on CBC usually only showcases two acts (plus Lorne himself) per half hour program, so it could be a while before we actually air.
As for the artifical female laugh-track laughter, sorry, but that's how I laugh.
"When I heard that "America" was going to be re-envisioning the series, I immediately thought "well, that'll suck"
You do realize that Ricky Gervais has stated repeatedly that his inspiration for "The Office" was almost entirely American - things like Spinal Tap, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and the Simpsons.
"Well, there's no laugh track, so that will confuse America, and there are no joke-jokes, really, so America won't know what to laugh at, specifically"
Have you heard of Arrested Development? There's no laugh track there, and the jokes are delivered very dryly and non-sitcomlike. Yet Americans somehow manage to love it. Go figure.
Stupid American. You guys never get the point.
"Have you heard of Arrested Development? There's no laugh track there, and the jokes are delivered very dryly and non-sitcomlike. Yet Americans somehow manage to love it. Go figure." - Peter
I have heard of Arrested Development. In fact I think it's a great show. It's won Emmy's and even a Golden Globe. But Americans don't love it. It averages 6.1 million viewers and is the least watched show to ever win an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series. And it is very much in danger of being cancelled.
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