Scooter Chronicles

Over the course of about three weeks, Marcia and I got through the 7 episodes that make up the first season of the US version of “The Office”. This stars Steve Carell in the office manager role made famous on BBC by Ricky Gervais.

Yes, you read that correctly. This is based off the successful BBC show of the same name. And unlike the horrid US version of “Coupling”, this one is actually good. It is done in a documentary style, and is following how the employees are handling news that their office is one of two facing closure during company downsizing. The pilot of the show is very close to the original BBC, but after that (and unlike the US version of “Coupling”) the show goes off on it’s own, dealing with issues or references that are very American.

Carell plays Michael Scott, the office manager for the Scranton, PA office of Dunder-Mifflin, a paper supply company. As per usual, there are office politics, employees behaving inappropriately, and the tediousness of office life. The biggest offender of the inappropriate behavior though is Scott. He is constantly making racial remarks or using stereotypes. He is promising employees things that he can’t deliver. Yet he thinks he is a great manager and that everyone looks up to him. The supporting cast of characters bodes well for the show, too. Particularly Dwight, the power-hungry assistant to the manager.

Sometimes it is uncomfortable to hear the things that are said or done, but that’s what makes it funny. There is so much of that going around, and the problem is, like with the character of Michael Scott, people don’t realize they are doing it. Added along with this is just other good comedy that makes the show that much better.

Marcia and I started to watch the BBC version of “The Office”, and it just didn’t hit the right notes for us. Which is strange, especially for Marcia, since we both enjoy British humor. But after watching the US version and seeing how deep they get into issues and stereotypes, if it is in the same spirit as the original, it’s no wonder the BBC version went over our heads.