Those of us who aspire to run an office environment where encasing a co-worker's office supplies in Jell-O is strongly encouraged may want to apply for a job at The Office.
Steve Carell stars in the new NBC comedy The Office, an American remake of a show with the same title that has been a hit for the BBC since it debuted there in July of 2001.
Ever since talk began of an American version of the show, which is filmed pseudo-documentary style, many wondered if the new cast would be able to pull off the dry, witty humor that scored the British version four BAFTAs, the UK's version of the Emmy awards. After only viewing two episodes, I'd say consider it done.
Much like the cult classic movie Office Space, The Office bases most of its humorous situations around people who have the most monotonous jobs on earth -- desk jobs.
Carell stars as Michael Scott, regional manager of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Supply company who's determined to keep his staff on their toes but to also make sure they have a great time at the office ... with Scott throwing knuckle-biting insults and hilarious physical comedy at anyone he encounters. Carell's character comes off like that kid we all knew in third grade that always got picked last in kickball, but still walked around the field acting like he was the team's lead foot. He portrays Scott in a way that makes you almost feel sorry for him ... if he wasn't making such a fool of himself (such as buying himself a "World's Greatest Boss" mug).
For example, in the second episode, Scott and his co-workers are visited by a man who takes the group through a "diversity workshop," after it's brought to light that Scott offended many at the office after spouting off a certain Chris Rock stand-up routine.
Before entering the room, Scott is shown being interviewed alone on camera.
"How come Chris Rock can do a routine and everyone finds it hilarious and groundbreaking ... and then I go and do the exact same routine, same comedic timing, and people file a complaint to corporate?" Scott innocently wonders aloud. "Is it because I'm white and Chris is black?"
Carell is, hands down, a perfect choice for the lead role of this show. He's proven his comedic talents not only as a correspondent for Comedy Central's The Daily Show, but also in recent hit movies such as Bruce Almighty and as the slightly off weatherman Brick Tamland in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy.
Adding to his movie career, Carell will soon be playing the lead role of Maxwell Smart in the upcoming film Get Smart, based on the 1960s hit TV series. Other characters present on the show do a solid job of playing of off Carell's humor, especially Ryan Howard (played by B.J. Novak), a smart intern new to the fold who despite being told the ways of the office by Scott, catches on to how things actually run.
No laugh track accompanies The Office, which I think definitely helps it to get its more subtle jokes across to the viewer, and is a smart move by the show's creators.
Some people I've talked to about the new show said that while they enjoyed the American version, many of the jokes seem to be ripped straight from the BBC version. Honestly, I believe this won't make much of a difference to Americans, since most of us don't watch the BBC on a regular basis. I think that NBC has banked on this assumption as well.
Don't get me wrong though -- much of the new show (including the Chris Rock bit) carries a new and fresh approach that completely separates it from its UK counterpart. If Carell hasn't gotten some of his best TV and movie roles yet, he surely will after The Office develops the fan base that it deserves. The show airs Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m.
-- Reviewed by Mike Kulic
