How Many Episodes Of ' The Office ' Do I Have To Watch Before I Like It?

[naomi24]

Carrying on from the long conversation we had here about Ricky Gervais and his quite brilliant ‘After Life’ and ‘Derek’, I was advised to watch ‘The Office’. I’d been put off by the few bits I’ve seen of it in the past but, thinking I must have missed something, took that advice. Having watched the first three episodes I’m still wondering why it’s good. Should I continue - or will I never ‘get it’?

[AB Editor]

I'm not into the UK version of The Office either but the US version is my favourite comedy series ever.

[Robinia]

I wasn't a huge fan but loved Extras and Derek.
I've never like Friends or The Simpsons and some people can't understand that.

[barry1010]

I have watched at least one episode of every series Gervais has been in but can't stand him. Hated The Office.

[Vagus]

I thought The Office was hilarious but find the other programmes Ricky Gervaise in not to my taste at all, particularly Derek.

[piggynose]

Never seen the american version. will give it a whirl, and give you my verdict.

[piggynose]

Just watched a snapshot of the pilot, and imho its more or less the same as the English one, maybe because Mr Gervais wrote the script. Mike Scott is the American version of him.

[Patsy33]

I liked the office. Some people just didn't 'get it'. Very cringe worthy at times! That was the whole idea. A self centred boss making a fool out of himself.
I liked all his other stuff too.
Ricky Gervaise, is a very clever writer, in my opinion.

[pixie374]

Vagus, I only watched Derek quite recently, from recommendations here... I had given up at least twice after the first episode before. But it just got better and better imo. Really well done.

[pixie374]

I like "The Invention of Lying" too. Everything he writes is very... Gervaisy... you can imagine him saying it, whoever actually ends up with the lines :-)

[Arksided]

Not being a fan of Ricky Gervais I never bothered with the office based solely on the clips I've seen even though highly recomended to me. I do want to watch 'After life' though that does look good, funny and sad.

[JimF]

"more or less the same as the English one, maybe because Mr Gervais wrote the script"

The first US series is, essentially, just the UK show with different actors. They have kept flogging the dead horse long after Gervais and Merchant realised it had run it course. It's another example how UK shows really don't travel well across the pond - anyone ever seen the pilot of the US version of Dad's Army?

[Arksided]

I can't say I have Jim but the US pilot version of Red Dwarf was absolutely abismal. They totally missed the premise of the last human being is a scouse, drinking slob with a good heart, they changed him into a Tom Cruise type character.

[ladybirder]

Arksided make sure you do watch After Life, it's lovely, the best he's done in my opinion. Although a longtime fan of his I just didn't like Extras, not even the Bowie episode.
Takes all sorts I guess. We know what we like.

[JimF]

"they changed him into a Tom Cruise type character"

Exactly, because the American collective psyche really does not understand the concept of an underdog, a loser if you will. The whole point of Red Dwarf was that they were a ship of fools, to coin a phrase.

[Arksided]

Ladybirder It's certainly on my to watch list :-)

Jim that is so true about American Psyche, although I do believe the English version of the smegheads in the vertically challenged rouge one is quite popular over there.

[ummmm]

Ricky Gervais is a comedy genius.

My OH can't watch The Office, he finds it too cringe. Derek, Afterlife, The Invention of Lying...Brilliant stuff.

[piggynose]

I was wrong after watching 2 usa office episodes. Come back english office all is forgiven.

[thesshhh]

The scene in The Office Christmas Special when Dawn walks back into that party where Only You by Yazoo is playing....that is one of the most moving things I’ve ever watched - equal to the finest moments of the brilliant After Life