Pilot

What this episode lacks in a story line, it makes up for in what this series is all about: it's characters and relationships.

We've never seen an episode of The Office....never. Loved it. Don't know where to start reviewing the Pilot, but getting to know some of the characters and their hi-jinx is consistent with what I've heard. Don't know why I've never watched it, but looks like I have a lot to catch up on.

I would like to start out by saying that The Office is my favorite show and the first show I ever watched all the way through. I will do my best to review every episode to the best of my ability. I have ranked all the episodes in advance to make sure my reviews are accurate and to the point. I am starting out with The Office but will try to review the episodes of other shows I am passionate about such as Parks and Recreation, Friends, How I Met Your Mother, Arrested Development, etc.

Now that that is out of the way, I will begin by discussing Season 1 as a whole. As for most first seasons of sitcoms, the quality is not the best since the show doesn't quite know what it wants to be. The Office doesn't have an exceptional first season, however it is better than some. I still really enjoy watching this season, but it definitely gets better in Season 2.

This show was meant to be an americanized version of the British show of the same name. As a result, it was difficult for the show to separate itself from the original and become its own unique show. After the pilot, you can start to see this happening. Unfortunately, the pilot is almost exactly like the pilot for the British version. I don't find this to be a major issue; it still has some original material that is quite hilarious. Nevertheless, this is still a good episode but is not near as good as other episodes to come.

I apologize for how lengthy this review is. This had to be long because I had so much I needed to say, but the reviews to come will be much shorter.

Thankfully the show went uphill from here. Not bad by any means, a few laughs, but compared to the rest of the show, not the best episode. The episode was basically a reshoot of the UK pilot and even though it used the same script and storyline the US version was better like always.

Thankfully the show went uphill from here. Not bad by any means, a few laughs, but compared to the rest of the show, not the best episode. The episode was basically a reshoot of the UK pilot and even though it used the same script and storyline the US version was better like always.

Posted twice to meet the character requirement.

When it was first announced that NBC was going to adapt BBC hit The Office for American audiences, fans and critics feared the worst since, Showtime's Queer as Folk notwithstanding, US remakes of English shows have never been a smart move (example: Fox's fun but flimsy take on Doctor Who in 1996). Even some of the US version's cast-members (John Krasinski most famously) were uncertain regarding the program's critical and commercial success. As it turned out, those fears were unnecessary, for two good reasons: first of all, Simpsons and King of the Hill writer Greg Daniels took on the assignment of making The Office the next great American sitcom; and secondly, not only did Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais give the project their blessing, they also agreed to stay involved as executive producers and even co-wrote the pilot episode with Daniels.

Just like in the original, everything is told as if it were part of a documentary, with an unspecified camera crew following the everyday events at the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of paper company Dunder-Mifflin. The regional manager is Michael Scott (Steve Carell), a child in a grown-up's body who sees himself as the ultimate boss and entertainer, while everyone else thinks he's a huge idiot. It is mainly Michael who delivers the show's trademark straight-to-camera remarks, although a few other people do pop up too occasionally. These include Michael's assistant Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), an ambitious, obnoxious career-devotee who insists on doing everything by the book, and his nemesis, sales manager Jim Halpert (Krasinski), who repeatedly teases Dwight with some help from the office's receptionist, Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer).

Plot-wise, three major things occur: Michael greets new employee Ryan Howard (B.J. Novak, who also serves as writer and executive producer), for whom he immediately develops a vaguely homo-erotic fondness, Dwight has to deal with Jim putting his stapler in Jell-O, and Jan Levinson Gould from Corporate reveals the branch might have to face downsizing. How does Michael react to the news? He promises nothing will happen and takes advantage of the situation to pull a few "harmless" pranks, with disastrous consequences.

The plot, as any true fan must have noticed, is lifted verbatim from the BBC premiere episode, complete with "Yankified" jokes (Camilla Parker Bowles is replaced by Hillary Rodham Clinton). A lot of critics saw this as a blatant sign of weakness, calling the US version a mere knock-off of the far superior British prototype. In reality, Gervais and Merchant (who wrote both versions of the episode) did this on purpose, to see if the show's less broad sense of humor could translate well to American audiences. To everyone's delight, it translates perfectly, albeit with a few adjustments: the mood is a tad lighter than in the original (as proved by the more cheerful theme music), the characters are more likable (even Dwight, but that's all thanks to the superb Wilson), and the boss is a bit less of a pain in the ass. That last thing might also have to do with Carell's wise decision to avoid watching Gervais' celebrated performance for inspiration: he has his own style, and it has made him justifiably famous ever since (he was relatively unknown before the series went on the air).

When it comes to American television, gambles usually pay off: a show about nothing? Best sitcom ever (Seinfeld). A real-time thriller? Compulsive small-screen viewing (24). A re-imagining of one of Britain's most cherished products? The funniest show of the 21st century's first decade, alongside the equally clever and hilarious 30 Rock.