A friend of mine just lent me the British TV series The Office, I guess it has been shown on American TV and won some awards, deservedly so. I really enjoyed it. It took me a few episodes to get into it, but it is very funny, and very well written. It is done in a sort of mockumentary style ala Christopher Guest (Spinal Tap, Waiting For Guffman, Best In Show, Mighty Wind), with the characters making asides to the camera on occasion. It is somewhat poignant as well; there are moments of drama that come through as well. The American version contains a very funny glossary for British terms like "wanker", "pull"," get off", "wally", etc... The actions of some of the characters display some of the worst character traits of the English:merciless ridicule, arrogance, aggressive ladish behavior (chauvinistic), racism, etc... That being said I'm looking forward to the next season, which a friend lent me, but I won't have time to watch it before I head off to Seattle tomorrow.
I thought those were the BEST traits of the English.... ;)
Posted by: Brendan | March 23, 2004 at 01:28 AM
A matter of interpretation perhaps...started some of season 2...brillant.
Posted by: MC | March 23, 2004 at 03:27 AM
The office is a very clever show, and when it won awards in America (of all places!), I think the nation felt quite proud!
However, they are so successful at creating the 'cringe factor' that I can't bear to watch it. Ricky Gervais (the main actor) is very funny (generally).
Posted by: Edward | March 26, 2004 at 10:13 PM