Friday, 27 January, 2006
The O.C. and The Office are The Awesome
Also great last night on TV were The O.C. and The Office. This review isn't going to be as exhausting as my Smallville write-up, mainly because I am exhausted (it took a long time to write that one, so go read it), but I did want to make my thoughts known, since it's my blog, and I can do whatever I want. Which includes opening the comments section. I don't know, I guess I'm in a good mood right now.
Anyway, if you are a fan of The O.C., you may have been feeling that the show has kinda been in a rut lately, and you really wouldn't be very wrong. Or wrong at all, for that matter. The first half of this season kinda stunk it up, what with the whole post-rehab party scamming, and the incessant up and down of Ryan and Marissa's school troubles.
Of course, it has all lead to the Coopers living in a trailer, and the most excellent return of Kaitlin Cooper (above), the jail-bait shit-disturber extraordinaire. This girl blows into town having stolen $1500 dollars from some frat boys, proceeds to seduce Marissa's "friend" surfer-dude Johnny, and gets Seth Cohen hooked on the reefer. Normally, the introduction of a long-lost sibling is the most shrk-jumping moment of them all, but this time, we've got renewed energy, increased tension, drugs, and sex appeal, all from a little 15-year-old girl. And while you may be saying "oh my god, she's so young, you perv!" Don't forget that when the show started, so were all the main characters. But yeah, it does make you feel a bit creepy. Still, The O.C. is back Bitch!
And then there's The Office. This show is hysterical, and has me cracking up non-stop for the entire half-hour. Kinda like Scrubs did, before it went and got not as good. But what's even better than the super funniness of the show is the Pam and Jim not-quite-relationship.
This has go to be one of the best unrequited loves of all time. How much more perfect can two people be for each other? But then Pam's fiancé of three years has to go and ruin it all by actually setting a date for their wedding. Jim was crushed, his love was revealed at to everyone at the office, plus he has to sit and watch Pam and her ass-hat fiancé actually talking to each other.
But the end of the episode was incredible. Why? Because Pam loves Jim too! After spending the episode in the back of the office, with the completely annoying Indian girl Kelly, Jim comes back to his desk to find seven voice-mail messages from Pam, who needs Jim as much as he need her. I know, I'm acting like a little girl, but that's TV does to me. Especially good TV. And this is some really good TV.
Comments are open after the jump.
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If you like the office (american version) you should really see the original The Office (UK version). Far funnier. The american version is far too heavy-handed, like every joke has to hit you in the face for you to get it. The British Humor doesn't have everyone be cartoon characters... they're quirky, and self-unaware, but that makes the humor much funnier and great. I'm embarassed for Steve Carrell's career. Ricky Gervais rules.
Posted by: Randal L. Schwartz at January 27, 2006 07:59 AM
There is nothing wrong with the US Office. I watch three tv shows, and The Office is my favorite. Different people have different senses of humor. Some will prefer the US version and some will prefer the UK version. I've considered Steve Carrell one of the funniest man alive for the last 5 years. It's not necessary to speak badly about one version just because you prefer the other.
Posted by: Courtny at January 27, 2006 09:35 AM
I love the American version of The Office. Honestly, the way you interact with most people in an office environment is very one-dimensional, so the very flat impressions of the characters are reflective of American office life.
I haven't seen Ricky Gervais's character, but Steve Carell is one of the funniest actors I've ever seen. Every line he delivers is brilliant and he makes Michael Scott a really loveable cad.
The Office is the only show on TV good enough to pull me away from any other activity to watch it.
Posted by: Doug at January 27, 2006 09:41 AM
Actually, no they weren't 15 when the show started.
Mischa Barton was the youngest at 17, the rest were 20-somethings
Posted by: theoc at January 27, 2006 09:56 AM
I would risk jail time for Kaitlin Cooper-she is perfect on The O.C! Greg
Posted by: Gregorio at January 27, 2006 10:44 AM
I meant the ages of the characters, not the ages of the actors. But you are right, it's creepier when they put an actual 15-year-old in a bikini, rather than a 20-year-old playing a 15-year-old.
Posted by: Egotastic! at January 27, 2006 10:59 AM
I am a Brit who watched the UK office from the start, and although it is a finer crafted show, that does hold up better the US office, the Yankee edition is not far behind the original all. It is a hilarious show, that is very different to it's predecessor, it is more based on jokes and stupidity, rather than the embarrasment and the pain of the characters. If you like the love story though I beg of you to watch the entire run of the British version, you won't be sorry.
Posted by: Grimm at January 27, 2006 12:43 PM
I'm actually a bit suprised so many people are enjoying the Kaitlin character... yeah, she shakes things up plot-wise, but I find her to be the most insufferably bad actress I've seen in quite awhile.
Posted by: Anna at January 27, 2006 03:39 PM
Posted by: thigh master at January 27, 2006 04:29 PM
I for one don't think its creepy looking at some girl in a bikini just because she's 15, so what. It's not like she's naked. I also totally disagree that the OC has lost anything this season. It has been awesome from the start.
Posted by: Randy at January 27, 2006 05:22 PM
I think to compare the UK to the US version of the Office is really not fair. The US version has really come into it's own and has original story lines that are equally as funny as the UK's.
I'm a huge fan of the original office but I don't compare the two because they really are different shows. I judge the American Office for what it is now and not what was done in the past. Besides, I think the UK version is way to beloved to do that.
Posted by: franso2 at January 27, 2006 07:16 PM
In regard to Randall's comment above, it's the character of Michael that's embarassing, but he's supposed to make you cringe. Steve Carrell is awesome, in my opinion.
Posted by: melissa at January 27, 2006 08:37 PM
I enjoy both versions of The Office. The U.S. version a little more, because it has more of the American humor, and Steve Carrell is a genius. That being said, Ricky Gervais is a genuis as well. He and his buddy Steve came up with the whole concept to start with. And don't forget they are executive producers on the U.S. version.
Posted by: jstarr at January 27, 2006 09:04 PM
Sorry to tell you this guys, Willa Holland (Kaitlin) isn't 15, she's 14, born on June 18th, 1991.
That is sooo not right. Oh dear.
Posted by: JohnIan at January 27, 2006 09:33 PM
Why didn't you give a spoiler warning!?!? I TiVoed The Office. Should I even bother watching now? Damn you Egotastic! Damn you to hell!
Posted by: Lenny at January 28, 2006 03:57 PM
awwwwww
i LOVE the office!!
im in LOVE with Jim and i think he and pam are soooooooooo adorably cute for eachother
this show is AMAZING!!!
Posted by: yassy at January 29, 2006 01:01 PM
I've barely watched the US version of The Office, but it certainly doesn't seem to be all that "original". It's the same stuff re-scripted for an American audience that has a far less subtle sense of humour (and that is not to say a worse sense of humour, before someone jumps on my comment).
The "Pam" and "Jim" characters make me laugh, mostly their names but the characterisation too. Not much of a departure from "Dawn" and "Tim"?
Posted by: Michelle at January 30, 2006 05:04 AM
I seriously do not dig the whole Kaitlin Cooper dealie. She best be at boarding school FOREVER. She's not even "hot" and her acting sucks.
Posted by: M at January 30, 2006 07:43 PM
Woah, what's with the sudden advertisement? How much did you get paid for these?
Posted by: Brian at January 30, 2006 07:49 PM
the US version of The Office is THE WORST SHOW EVER SEEN!!!
The British series is far superior. If you are going to do a remake make sure you understand what the show is about. The US version totally misses all the detail and nuances of the ORIGINAL series and just goes for schtick and clowning. BORING!!! Steve Carell is passable and his other performances excuse him from this obvious money grab. Im glad Ricky Gervais and Steve Merchant took the money and ran. You know they are laughing in London on big piles of money!!! SUCKERS!!! Stick to what you know America!!! NOTHING!!!!
Posted by: mIchael at January 31, 2006 01:09 PM
