The Office US v The Office UK

Did The Office US just copy The Office UK? Which one is really better?

The Office UK (2001) was a hit series, which was beloved by the viewers however it was only a short watch of 14 episodes whereas The Office US (2005) has a big number of 201.These shows share the same name and the same main point to their show (life at the office) and when the US came out with their own version, it infuriated the UK office fans, maybe it was because it was a better show or just a rivalry between british and american TV. In answer to the big question on, are these two shows the same, is no, they differ in story, characters, humour and tone and had clear cultural differences.

Why is there such rivalry between these shows?

It has been said that The Office US has “copied” The Office UK as they have the same ideas of the show but realistically there is just one episode that is similar to the UK version in the US one. There is a rivalry between the two shows ,mainly because of the UK gatekeeping the series from the US and not wanting there to have been another take on it. There aren't really similarities between these series except from having the same concept so really the rivalry is unnecessary.

What one really is better?

The Office UK has some really funny characters and the main character Ricky Gervais is a well known British comedian which really helps us understand that this show will definitely be funny. However the main character in The Office US is Steve Carell who again is a classic american actor and comedian, which again makes us believe the show is going to also be funny. So at the end of the day, it is hard to decide which is better, the US version has many more episodes so would be a longer watch but the UK version is shorter but simply just funnier.

To conclude this argument, I believe and I think the majority of the UK will agree with me that the UK version is much more original and classic. The Office US did not ,in my opinion, copy The Office UK but it just hasn't got the same touch that the UK one has.

Written by Darcie Berry.