# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/81 "2005-03-25T17:59:37Z")
> [@Wintermute](#): > > I did not have high hopes for the American version, but I watched the first episode last night and was pleasantly surprised. You’re just glad they didn’t pick Allentown instead of Scranton. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![c\_goat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@c\_goat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/c_goat)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/82 "2005-03-25T18:08:06Z")
I was bored watching it. I didn’t think the boss character was funny at all, just an idiot, and Steve Carell is someone I normally like. I did enjoy the antics of some of the other people, though. The documentary style really puts me to sleep. I don’t think it compares to Office Space at all, which is one of my favorite movies of all time. Maybe I didn’t like it because that’s what I was expecting. Those job search commercials with all the monkeys in the office are funnier. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/83 "2005-03-25T18:23:00Z")
Never seen the original, worked in many different offices, and I laughed out loud more than once. Two words - no kids. (Are they even allowed to make sitcoms without annoying, know-it-all kids now? Isn’t there some kind of FCC regulation?) ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/84 "2005-03-25T18:40:21Z")
A bit of a highjack ahoy! Why did they change the character’s names? Are names like David, Tim, Dawn, Gareth and Keith unusual in America (they are extremely common names here)? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/85 "2005-03-25T18:46:38Z")
I’d say that the only unusual one of those names in American terms is “Gareth.” I think of the Round Table when I hear that name. Maybe they didn’t want to imply that these were actually the same people. ---
**Author:** ![cormac262](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@cormac262](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cormac262)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/86 "2005-03-25T18:51:14Z")
> [@owlstretchingtime](#): > > A bit of a highjack ahoy! > > Why did they change the character’s names? Are names like David, Tim, Dawn, Gareth and Keith unusual in America (they are extremely common names here)? David, Tim, and Keith are very common in America. Dawn is sometimes seen, but not that often. But I’d never even heard of the name “Gareth” until I watched the (brilliant) BBC “The Office”. I’d known one Garth, but that was as close as I got to a Gareth. Is “Gareth” really that common over there ? (Note: Ricky, Martin, Lucy are also common. But Mackenzie is fairly uncommon) ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/87 "2005-03-25T18:54:41Z")
I just finished watching the original a few weeks ago and I am HOOKED on it. The actors are perfect, writing and acting was perfect. All around awesome. I only made it through about 10 mins of the American version, just because of the script being the same as the Brit version. For ME, PERSONALLY - since I was so captured by the original I don’t think I can get into this one just yet until the scripts start to take on their own direction. I loved Ricky Gervais as David Brent (he did take an episode or two to warm up to) and while Steve Carell is an awesome choice, he just doesn’t carry it off in the same way. The Gareth character - woah. Not the same idea at all. Mackenzie Cook (is that his name?) is so creepy and awkward, there’s no replacing him. Unless you got that skinny fella from “Road Trip” but honestly he’s too big of a star to be in this show (I appreciate them not using big stars - good move) You could tell the Tim/Dawn characters were trying to act like their British counterparts, but it didn’t happen in my mind. What really FREAKED me out was Jim’s haircut. He kind of looked like some good-looking young actor trying real hard to look like the goofier looking Tim. I will give it more chances but I won’t bust my butt to see it. I am glad everyone who liked it liked it (mostly folks who didn’t see the original) because the concept at least is awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/88 "2005-03-25T18:54:57Z")
Except that an American “Martin” would most likely insist on being addressed as “Marty.” ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/89 "2005-03-25T19:18:18Z")
> [@cormac262](#): > > David, Tim, and Keith are very common in America. Dawn is sometimes seen, but not that often. > But I’d never even heard of the name “Gareth” until I watched the (brilliant) BBC “The Office”. I’d known one Garth, but that was as close as I got to a Gareth. > Is “Gareth” really that common over there ? > > (Note: Ricky, Martin, Lucy are also common. But Mackenzie is fairly uncommon) Yes “Gareth” is common (it’s welsh but in general use). Also the names in the British version are class neutral (some names have associations with class - you won’t meet to many Jaspers at you local inner city comprehensive and there won’t be a lot of Darrens at Eton) MacKenzie is a VERY uncommon name (it may well be a stage name for all I know) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Big\_Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@The\_Big\_Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Big_Cheese)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/90 "2005-03-25T19:35:25Z")
> [@cricetus](#): > > You do realize it’s the same writers as wrote the first one, right? The script really wasn’t much different from the original pilot. I didn’t see the first one, which makes me wonder about that one now. I guess 8 minutes isn’t much time. But c’mon. Whassuppp! They just look at each other, they say it again, they giggle and slap hands, and that guy leaves. That’s funny?? ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/91 "2005-03-25T19:45:00Z")
> [@The Big Cheese](#): > > I didn’t see the first one, which makes me wonder about that one now. I guess 8 minutes isn’t much time. > > But c’mon. Whassuppp! They just look at each other, they say it again, they giggle and slap hands, and that guy leaves. That’s funny?? It’s not funny because guys are saying “whassssuppp?” It’s funny because you know some clueless guy in real life who thinks it’s still funny to say it. Or, because you know some guy at work that comes into your office, cracks a joke, and then has nothing else to add so you sit there uncomfortably for a couple seconds and then go, “yup. . .back to work.” Or because you feel like you need to play along with the boss, even when he’s being a moron. I’d really like to hear what sitcoms all the people who are hatin’ on this show are out there watching. I get the feeling that too many people have been inundated with “straightline – joke – laughtrack. straightline – joke – laughtrack.” This show doesn’t work that way. It’s not that easy. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/92 "2005-03-25T19:47:49Z")
> [@](#): > > you won’t meet to many Jaspers at you local inner city comprehensive In the United States, “Jasper” brings to mind a person who hasn’t been to any kind of school and is wont to suck on a blade of grass through the gap in his teeth. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Big\_Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@The\_Big\_Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Big_Cheese)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/93 "2005-03-25T19:54:13Z")
> [@Trunk](#): > > I’d really like to hear what sitcoms all the people who are hatin’ on this show are out there watching. I get the feeling that too many people have been inundated with “straightline – joke – laughtrack. straightline – joke – laughtrack.” > > This show doesn’t work that way. It’s not that easy. Arrested Development, or family guy. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/94 "2005-03-25T20:00:32Z")
> [@owlstretchingtime](#): > > Also the names in the British version are class neutral So let’s see … David, Gareth, Tim, and Dawn versus Michael, Dwight, Jim, and Pam In American eyes, “David” and “Tim” are perfectly ordinary names with no particular class connection, except that someone who insisted on being addressed as “David” rather than “Dave” might be viewed as a little finicky (same with “Michael” and “Mike”). Someone who preferred “Timothy” to “Tim” would be viewed as outright unreasonable. I don’t see any difference in the connotations that might be ascribed to “Dave” and “Tim” as opposed to “Mike” and “Jim.” “Tim” might be a slightly rarer name in the United States, but would not be viewed as unusual at all. “Gareth,” as has been noted, would be seen as foreign in the U.S. “Dawn” might be perceived as being a bit old-fashioned. It has a 1970s aura about it for some reason. “Pam,” on the other hand, seems ordinary to the point of being invisible. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/95 "2005-03-25T20:02:56Z")
Oops, I forgot about “Dwight.” This name conjures up the image of a definite outsider, not a foreigner, but a misfit or geek of some kind, possibly someone with an annoying personality. His full name, “Dwight Shrute,” is plainly meant to sound funny. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/96 "2005-03-25T20:04:54Z")
I don’t have TV anymore (though I watch a fair amount of shows on DVD), so i missed this. All the same, I think it would’ve been a disaster for “Gareth” to have been National Guard in this version. It’s not that they were too cowardly to cast an unsympathetic guardsman–it’s that **he would have been sympathetic**. Gareth’s silliness is that he’d basically turned a _sinecure_ position into this big macho warrior role. The humor hinged on its being a position without any danger or heroics in it. American National Guardsmen aren’t in a sinecure position: their job DOES have danger in it, and possibly heroics. A deputy sherriff, however…well, I think my county has like three hundred of them. It’s a very analogous job, I think. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Dob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/97 "2005-03-25T20:11:24Z")
Question here; Why did the stop making the BBC “Office” ? I have never heard a bad word said about the show. Seems like they would have kept on making them. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/98 "2005-03-25T20:13:14Z")
While a real deputy sheriff might have to face occasional danger or heroics, a _volunteer_ deputy, on the other hand … . That’s what makes it funny. I got the impression from the British show that the Territorial Army is not necessarily considered very serious and that Gareth’s membership in it indicated that he was using a pretty lame job to satisfy a need for manly activity. National Guardsmen aren’t necessarily viewed that way. Perhaps they might have been before the Iraq War, but now that many of them are in active combat, it would be difficult to use that job to create the impression that Dwight is insecure and uses an insignificant opportunity to “play army” in order to feel like a man. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/99 "2005-03-25T20:14:31Z")
> [@Dob](#): > > Question here; > > Why did the stop making the BBC “Office” ? I have never heard a bad word said about the show. Seems like they would have kept on making them. According to Ricky Gervaise, he’s completely out of ideas for the show. British television shows are often dependent upon the creativity and output of the writers who came up with the initial idea and when they decide to call it quits, that’s usually the end. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545/100 "2005-03-25T20:32:18Z")
Speaking of Gareth, I love this quote from [his website](http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/theoffice/gareth/): > [@Gareth Keenan](#): > > A lot of people think that those in the Territorial Army are not real soldiers. We are. We are well trained, highly disciplined fighting machines ready for war. We’re just not available during the week. And I agree that _volunteer_ deputy sherriff is a good equivalent to Territorial Army. It lets the character display an inflated sense of command authority without any actual risk. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-the-office-might-not-be-that-bad/295545.md?page=6)