A blog about television by TIME’s TV critic James Poniewozik.

Vacation Robo-Poll: Office Politics

It's Independence Day weekend, so here's an historically appropriate last poll of the week: The British version of The Office or the American? Which is better and why? Brent or Scott? Tim/Dawn or Jim/Pam? Be ye patriot or Tory? 

Have fun, shoot off some fireworks, stir up some bitter trans-Atlantic rivalries, and I'll see you next week.

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  • 1

    both. can I say both? I like both seperately. Many of the gags of the American version are taken from the British versiona but Gervias, the creator of both made the American version come out and be its own version and incarnation of the show. The british verison did however have the good sense to know when to end. Which not too many American shows know how to do. They just go on adn on and on.

  • 2

    As much as I love the American version, I have to go with the British version.
    .
    Sure, Jim and Pam are fantastic, but Tim and Dawn were more romantic in how they came together -- I literally cheered when, after getting Tim's gift of art-school supplies in the Christmas special, Dawn walked in the door and kissed Tim (perhaps it worked better because the series was shorter, so they only had to bring them together?). The American office has a deeper bench of supporting characters which I appreciate, but Gareth is SOOO much funnier than Dwight, and while Kevin his hilarious in his own way, the original Keith was perfect in his droll manner. Plus, the American version has never successfully incorporated the offensive Chris "Finchy" Finch character.
    .
    And I will always prefer Ricky Gervais' David Brent to Steve Carrell's Michael Scott....a complete boob in the best comic sense.

  • 3

    As much as I appreciate Gervais, I like the American version much better. Gervais was funny, but I never connected to the other British characters. I think the supporting cast makes the show.

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