I never really liked The Office when I’d only seen a random 3 or 4 episodes.
Then I got into the Netflix streaming and ended up watching every last episode from Season 1 through Season 4. There are a lot of little things that don’t add up in a stand alone episode that make sense once you’re in on the story arc.
But, no, it isn’t the funniest thing I’ve ever seen. Steve Carrell can be very good sometimes, especially his takes to the camera, but his hamminess is a little too much sometimes too. I’ve noticed in the episodes that he’s written himself showcase this a little more (I point to the Michael goes out into the woods ala Survivorman episode as an example).
I did get into the Dwight character, and the rotating pranks, and the whole Pam and Jim thing tugged the right heartstrings from time to time, and all the little inside jokes are fun.
I really think people are making too much of the drink element in the UK “Office”. It has never even tweaked my radar, nor others that I’ve asked.
I don’t recall any references to alcoholism in the Office, maybe I’ve missed them.
I really think the confusion is because of the lack of a “drink” culture in the US.
In the UK, going to the pub is seen as a normal activity and part of “bonding”. I see David trying to force the issue on “going out for a drink” as an attempt to be popular.
He wants the friendship more than the drink.
When he is seen worse for wear I read that as a comment on his unprofessionalism rather than any underlying problem with drink. Also, it shows that his drinking to be “one of the lads” is something that he can’t handle (and probably doesn’t like) but I really think it is driven by the need for acceptance rather than alcoholism.
You can debate what’s funnier, but if you think the characters on Seinfeld were more endearing than the characters on the Office, I don’t even know what to say to you. The characters on Seinfeld were all assholes. At least Pam and Jim I can root for . . . even sometimes Michael, who often at least means well in spite of being an ass.