# American "The Office" might not be that bad **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 21, 2005, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545 "2005-03-21T12:59:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/41 "2005-03-24T13:53:19Z")
> [@Fiver](#): > > That’s exactly the point. If trifle (the dessert) is little-known in the U.S., flan is even less-known, and certainly isn’t thought of in the same category as Jell-O. > > It’s not a pun a Scranton office worker would make, and is a clear case of the writers straining way too hard for a joke instead of letting the humor come naturally out of the characters. > > Like it did in the original. An office worker in Scranton wouldn’t make that pun because it’s beneath them or above them? Because, that’s right about on the level that some of the doofuses (who know what flan is) I work with would think was funny. They’d say it. Then, they’d email 10 people about the pun they made on “flan”, and then they’d come by my office to see if I got the email. Then, one of the guys who got the email would spin his gears all night long to top it, and then come into the office first thing in the morning and go, “are you PUDDING on another pot of coffee?” ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/42 "2005-03-24T13:57:51Z")
> [@Fiver](#): > > It’s not a pun a Scranton office worker would make, and is a clear case of the writers straining way too hard for a joke instead of letting the humor come naturally out of the characters. Just how stupid do you think Scranton office workers are? It certainly is a pun we (yes, I work in an office in Scranton) would make, even if half of the group’s knowledge or awareness of a trifle comes from an episode of _Friends_. Scranton also has a decent sized Hispanic population, so a flan isn’t foreign (ha! get it?) to us, either. Don’t assume that because your little corner of the world may not be familiar with it, we hicks in Scranton have never heard of it. Yogurt isn’t the only culture in town here. We have many schools, numerous universities, two newspapers, and even some libraries with actual books in them. I’m not saying we walk around firing off the “perfect pun” all day long, but we get it when someone refers to something a little uncommon. We don’t _need_ everything dumbed down. But when watching a network sitcom, we kind of expect it. ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/43 "2005-03-24T14:39:32Z")
Whoa, somebody’s a little sensitive! I never said or implied anybody was stupid or ignorant, just that a pun using “flan” is unlikely to come out of the mouth of a non-Latino in that environment, nor expect it to be appreciated. It wasn’t in any way a judgment. It was about common usage. I don’t use a lot of Yiddish words myself; it’s not because I’m stupid, or because I don’t know many serviceable Yiddish words. It’s because they just aren’t part of my day-to-day life, just as flan isn’t for the denizens of The Office. Especially in a juxtaposition with Jell-O. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/44 "2005-03-24T14:56:08Z")
> [@Fiver](#): > > Whoa, somebody’s a little sensitive! Agreed. Sorry. Comes from Scranton being the butt of enough jokes from TV shows and/or movies that have never ever been here. Exec:“OK, this character’s an unsophisticated boob. Lets say he’s from, oh, I don’t know…Scranton?” Writer:“That’s comedy gold, boss.” :re-holsters squirtgun: ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/45 "2005-03-24T19:05:24Z")
FWIW (very little, I admit), my local paper’s TV reviewer said the show is surprisingly good, especially the original episodes, where they’re not redoing the British scripts line for line. He said Steve Carell isn’t as funny as Ricky Gervais, but other than that, he was pleasantly surprised. It’s enough to get me to tape tonight’s episode instead of avoiding it like the plague. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/46 "2005-03-24T20:24:04Z")
As an additional counterweight to those who are determined to hate the show no matter what, [The Atlanta Journal-Constitution gives it a good review (rating it an A-).](http://www.accessatlanta.com/entertainment/content/entertainment/tv/0305/24office.html) > [@](#): > > “Office” is one of the funniest, boldest shows we’ve seen in a long time, although **we accept that it may be impossible to please more fervent fans of the original** (seen here on BBC America), which won Golden Globes in 2003 for best comedy series and for lead Ricky Gervais. Bolding mine. (Ahem) You know who you are, you nattering nabobs of negativity. ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/47 "2005-03-24T20:28:05Z")
> [@Casey1505](#): > > Yogurt isn’t the only culture in town here. Fellow Scrantoner! I perceive and embrace thy rakish pun. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/48 "2005-03-24T20:28:11Z")
> [@spoke-](#): > > As an additional counterweight to those who are determined to hate the show no matter what, [The Atlanta Journal-Constitution gives it a good review (rating it an A-).](http://www.accessatlanta.com/entertainment/content/entertainment/tv/0305/24office.html) > > > [@](#): > > > > “Office” is…impossible to please. > > Bolding mine. (Ahem) > > You know who you are, you nattering nabobs of negativity. Exactly as they said. ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/49 "2005-03-24T20:31:25Z")
Lemee know when you start that ‘nattering nabobs’ thread, **Spoke!** ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/50 "2005-03-24T20:44:06Z")
> [@Moody Bastard](#): > > Fellow Scrantoner! I perceive and embrace thy rakish pun. 😉 😃 [aside]I think I have an idea who you are IRL, and if I’m right, know that my son is indirectly named after you. Not for any reason other than I liked the first name, and it fits well with my last name. Gives him a strong Irish sounding name.[/aside] And isn’t is “Scrantonian”? ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/51 "2005-03-24T21:03:17Z")
[aside] Ah! You’ve got the drop on me then, **Casey.** Would you happen to be an associate of one **Frumpy Jones**? Him’s the only other _Scrantonian_ 😉 Doper I know.[/aside] ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/52 "2005-03-24T21:16:02Z")
I am confusing you with **Frumpy Jones**. My apologies. ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2005, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/53 "2005-03-24T21:24:34Z")
😛 Well that’s a first! But yeah, his is about as Eye-reesh as you get. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/54 "2005-03-25T03:00:05Z")
So did anyone watch? I didn’t think it was that bad. In fact, if I hadn’t seen the BBC show, I would have thought it was brilliant. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/55 "2005-03-25T03:14:12Z")
Whee! They said Scranton! ---
**Author:** ![kingpengvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9dc877/32.png) [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/56 "2005-03-25T03:31:32Z")
I’m not sure. I saw how much they borrowed and thought the idea of a guy who was a voluteer sherrif was not nearly as funny as weekend warrior, obsessed with all things military, Gareth. Garath was far creepier and loserish than this fellow. He lacked the “guy who spends too much time alone” factor. There were a few laughs but the secretary’s reaction to being “fired” wasn’t nearly as poignant as when it was done on the BBC series. I think its missing a little versimilitude. Even the documentary feel is off. I will give it a few episodes before i give up on it though. It may find its own footing. Besides despite its defecencies it’s better than any other Sit com out there. Good luck to it withoit a laugh track will it survive Joe six pack? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@The\_Hook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hook)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/57 "2005-03-25T03:59:15Z")
I’m not a fan… of the comparisons being set here. I believe the first couple of shows are direct “translations” of the original, but then it’s off on its own. I’m looking forward to _that_. Tonight’s show was not great, but it wasn’t bad. Pam’s firing was the highlight for me. Watching Steve Carrell’s reaction, his nearly cracking up without realizing the damage he’s doing was brilliant. But that’s just me. [awkward moment] Eh… [Pause lengthens] Yeah. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/58 "2005-03-25T04:02:41Z")
I liked the 6 Million Dollar Man stunt. Just because he kept doing it, and looking back, hoping it was funnier. It’s clear this guy will be more of a prick than an oaf. ---
**Author:** ![Kaspar\_Hauser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b3f665/32.png) [@Kaspar\_Hauser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaspar_Hauser)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/59 "2005-03-25T04:05:59Z")
I thought it was hilarious. I’ve never seen the original. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/60 "2005-03-25T04:20:29Z")
I thought it was pretty funny as well. Like was said though, let’s see what they do when they don’t rely on the original British episodes and write their own new ones. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545.md?page=4)