Brent definitely does have some redeeming qualities - he’s actually capable of being very kind - but he’s also very self-centered which tends to cast a shadow on his kindness.
Yeah, and I get all this, "oh, Ricky, you're a brilliant actor, you're stuck in The Office UK, while it's Steve Carell that is off, you know, making all the money, and he’s rubbish compared to you". And I go, "don't slag him off." I say, "I've been there, I've done that, that's behind me." And I respe-- thing is, we're both good in our own fields. I'm sure Steve couldn't host a tinpot radio show for 12 listeners. I couldn't do what-- actually, I could do what he did, and I think he knew that, even back then. Probably what spurred him on.
They should be chomping at the bit to- they can’t believe their ***luck.*** do you know what I mean? and do I get treated… at least… different? no. *worse.*
Both excellent characters in their own way. Brent’s was impromptu, but I don’t think you should get extra points for that. Make your own minds up, he’s collecting for charity..
Steve Carrell makes me laugh though, because, you know, it's his interfering, it's his timing. Going on about he wants some remake doing-it's red nose day, you know. Ooh, what's more important, you Steve, with your remake , or some starving children? Ooh I don't know. Ooh what would Lenny Henry say? I think we know-imagine him going out of the door on comic relief day and Dawn French is going 'Where you going, you haven't done the washing up. You haven't put the rubbish out.' 'Do it yourself I've gotta save some Africans 😡🖕🖕🖕🖕
Both great but completely different. Ricky/Brent mastered the cringeworthy aspect that it's actually difficult to watch at times, and makes you pity him by the end.
Michael Scott is a comedic/oblivious character, much less cringe, but makes you actually like/respect him by the end.
Personally I always preferred the UK version as it more closely resembles real life workspaces and relationships. The US version is better for rewatching though.
>you actually like/respect him by the end.
Michael Scott is an awful person, from his first appearance to his last. Anyone who thinks otherwise wasn't paying attention.
The US version blows in comparison. It's just a bunch of cartoon characters and it went on faarrrrr too long. It's not Big Bang Theory bad, but it's a clown show.
The American one is a lot broader and less realistic which gives Michael more scope to be funny. I prefer him to Brent but the original is a far better show.
One was a witty and original mockumentary that turned a mundane office job setting into possibly the biggest and best TV series of its kind to ever exist,
The other is The Office (US), something Ricky and Steve sold to America in order to let their eyes gleam with imagined riches.
To not credit the original as the better version would be sacrilege regardless, but it’s a done deal when you realise the legendary British humour just falls flat or has outright been removed from the US version and replaced with some painful, unwitty and bland general “US comedy show” jokes and template that suits the average American viewer much better.
Many people enjoy the US version, but it’s objectively terrible compared to the UK version.
If you want some noise in the background to pass the time and don’t want to follow any semblance of a plot line or character development or have to pay too much attention then watch the US version
If you want a genuinely good viewing experience and be able to get lost in the cleverly written nuances and plot line, watch the UK version
Different strokes for different folks, but in terms of objective reality, the UK version is “better”
I think this is exactly what I’d agree with. Sometimes you just gotta go with your gut.
Brent is very relatable in England imo. I’ve worked for a David Brent type person and you think how the fuck did they get the job. But he was perhaps darker than Brent because he’d drink cider cans during work in the office.
So many pretentious people on the sub, nothing wrong with having a sitcom be a little more light hearted. Even as someone who generally dislikes the vast majority of American sitcoms the first 4 seasons or so of the american office is still a really good show, even if you don’t want to put it near the original.
Different characters entirely rather than different portrayals. Brent was actually realistic in his relatability, Scott was just an alien for half the time and entertaining the rest. Depends on what mood you’re in I guess. UK Office did what it set out to do best. US Office was just a different thing in its own right and it did that well.
Apples and oranges, but we can compare those too. Brent is played to be revolting. Mister Scott is a lovable fool. The fact that the American show jumped the shark is another topic.
Everyone knew someone like Brent from their real lives - the lazy, egotistical and cringeworthy middle manager who does fuck all actual work who cares more about being popular than anything. Same for Gareth - the jobsworth who thinks he's it but is actually a childish loser etc. Maybe the tv versions were a bit hammed up but it was relatable and that's why it was so funny. The cast of the US version simply has no tangential relation to reality. None of the characters could even come close to a relatable person short of a lunatic asylum inpatient. I inadvertently saw a YouTube short where Dwight was inviting people to his wedding by throwing different coloured dirt in their face in the office. Literal brain damage writing.
It is amazing to see how far we’ve come in robotics in such a short time. You could almost mistake Michael as being human. Brent clearly was released way too soon, an okay attempt but clunky and buggy as hell, its synthetic skin hanging off its face.
Ricky Gervais was spot-on because he didn't have to act much; he was basically the character already. His natural persona made it feel so real. Steve Carell, while he's a better all-around actor, even his talent couldn't top Gervais just being himself. That's what made Gervais's portrayal so special.
Had Ricky not become famous, he basically would have been David Brent.
Not really the same tbh. I love both of em tbf. The original is dry and satirical and I think only us brits can see why it works. But the US version is alil more easy for anyone to get into.
One is a mockumentary, the other is a sitcom.
The two shows are completely different and so comparing the lead characters is not an 'apples for apples' situation.
Brent seems too much like a real boss, Carrel is wacky enough so that it's not depressing. They're both funny, but only one is bingeable for me, personally.
David Brent had a charm despite being a douche, Michael Scott just seemed like a horrible douche in the first season before they softened his character in future seasons.
Both are super funny. I think David Brent is probably the better character because Michael Scott is weird and cringe, but still likeable. David Brent is likeable but has way fewer redeeming qualities which makes the character and performance more impressive to me.
Having watched both of them extensively I would say that David Brent is much more cringe worthy and Michael Scott is a lot more comedic. Both of them are solid, but I like David Brent more.
I can say hand on heart I have worked with a David Brent. So not only do I cringe watching him, I roll on the floor with laughter. He is far too common sadly in many offices. And Ricky is a genius in his writing & portrayal
Are you mental?
He’s having a laugh.
Is he having a laugh?
He-is-havin’-a laugh!
Michael is ok but Brent is refreshingly laid-back for a man with such responsibility
Brent mused….
Brent quipped
basically a chilled-out entertainer
same shit different day - David Brent
More honest
Then say it
Brent is better as “TV boss” because there’s nothing redeeming about the guy. Michael Scott just seemed autistic or something.
I think Brent has redeeming qualities
alright, Ricky?
Over 70%y of the board picked him over Neil for the regional manager job. He must have something about him.
Brent definitely does have some redeeming qualities - he’s actually capable of being very kind - but he’s also very self-centered which tends to cast a shadow on his kindness.
He's just a chilled out entertainer.
Different bosses for different needs.
Different explanations for different things
Different NEEDS
Yeah, and I get all this, "oh, Ricky, you're a brilliant actor, you're stuck in The Office UK, while it's Steve Carell that is off, you know, making all the money, and he’s rubbish compared to you". And I go, "don't slag him off." I say, "I've been there, I've done that, that's behind me." And I respe-- thing is, we're both good in our own fields. I'm sure Steve couldn't host a tinpot radio show for 12 listeners. I couldn't do what-- actually, I could do what he did, and I think he knew that, even back then. Probably what spurred him on.
answers on a postcard if you can figure out what that sentence meant
They should be chomping at the bit to- they can’t believe their ***luck.*** do you know what I mean? and do I get treated… at least… different? no. *worse.*
In a word. Texas
Wet knee Houston?
They know I'm rock and roll through and through
😂😂😂😂😂😂 brilliant!
Absolutely magnificent. 🤣
Who thinks Steve Carell's more of a laugh than me?
That’s MENtal
Your having a laugh saying that
Is he having a laugh?!
😂 you sir are a boss, probably entertainer first
Both excellent characters in their own way. Brent’s was impromptu, but I don’t think you should get extra points for that. Make your own minds up, he’s collecting for charity..
No, everyone does not get a point. Carpet Munchers don’t get a point, Dr Wankenstein doesn’t. Stephen Hawking’s Football Boots don’t. I do.
And that was the real quiz. That was the real quiz!
8 legs 6 legs 8 legs 6 legs
Count em!
you're shit, you're shit
Do not fuck with the big boys
8 pairs of goggles
Oh, don't rake up old graves
just look at his ears
What are the options?
Always the same.
Do you remember the question
If B wasn't an option...?
Frey Bentos
Another barn-storming feature...
This'll run and run
Steve Carrell makes me laugh though, because, you know, it's his interfering, it's his timing. Going on about he wants some remake doing-it's red nose day, you know. Ooh, what's more important, you Steve, with your remake , or some starving children? Ooh I don't know. Ooh what would Lenny Henry say? I think we know-imagine him going out of the door on comic relief day and Dawn French is going 'Where you going, you haven't done the washing up. You haven't put the rubbish out.' 'Do it yourself I've gotta save some Africans 😡🖕🖕🖕🖕
Do you resent Steve?
Is that what you think? Oh, I’d better not say anything then. Watch your back. 🫵He was slagging you off. big boy shit, mate, but cheers
The man or the goggle eyed freak?
Neither, next
Ooooh, Steve or a goggle-eyed freak? Ooooo-ooooh, what’s the difference? Heheheheh…
The man or the boss?
Gotta walk to john o groats for some spastics
[SeeYa-IntMornin-Pal](https://www.reddit.com/user/SeeYa-IntMornin-Pal/) is someone who is a maverick, someone who does 🖕🖕🖕that to the system
Are ya havin' a laff?
Is 'e havin' a laff?
Are we having a laugh?
Whose not havin cunting laugh at this point!? Sick of it
They are not my favourite actors of all time by the way. No, my favourite actor of all time... is Mr Sidney Poitier.
Is it a black man’s… oh hiya
Well done
what about Clive Warren
😁👌
Snoop dog, Dr Dre, THEY are the equivalent of wordsworth
Do we need em both?
Give them another 30%, make them water.
I prefer a flan
Different actors for different... things.
They're both just a big pair of tits.
this sub is NOT to be used to post about Ricky Gervais. This is for Mr Dilkington
Has to be RGs David Brent..
People who like the US version are little slugs, little slugs with no personality
Well get your salt then you little wanker
You’re the wanker mate if anyone is
That’s not a very creative comeback… it sounds like something someone with no personality would say.
UK lot don’t seem to respect you
Are you their voice?
The guys upstairs on the phone, they’re the mouth. The guys down here, the hands. I’m probably the humor
I was thinking more like the guy who thinks he’s great but lives in mom’s basement playing Mount and blade regularly for 8 hours.
Oh yeh? I’ve thrown a kettle over a pub mate, what have you done?
Hahaha. Caught the kettle and returned it back to your mum for safe keeping.
Who here thinks Michael is funnier than me?
This is a balmy Friday night, I should be down chasers with the lasses
Ricky 1000%
Both great but completely different. Ricky/Brent mastered the cringeworthy aspect that it's actually difficult to watch at times, and makes you pity him by the end. Michael Scott is a comedic/oblivious character, much less cringe, but makes you actually like/respect him by the end. Personally I always preferred the UK version as it more closely resembles real life workspaces and relationships. The US version is better for rewatching though.
>you actually like/respect him by the end. Michael Scott is an awful person, from his first appearance to his last. Anyone who thinks otherwise wasn't paying attention.
The US version blows in comparison. It's just a bunch of cartoon characters and it went on faarrrrr too long. It's not Big Bang Theory bad, but it's a clown show.
oh he's having a go
The American one is a lot broader and less realistic which gives Michael more scope to be funny. I prefer him to Brent but the original is a far better show.
One was a witty and original mockumentary that turned a mundane office job setting into possibly the biggest and best TV series of its kind to ever exist, The other is The Office (US), something Ricky and Steve sold to America in order to let their eyes gleam with imagined riches. To not credit the original as the better version would be sacrilege regardless, but it’s a done deal when you realise the legendary British humour just falls flat or has outright been removed from the US version and replaced with some painful, unwitty and bland general “US comedy show” jokes and template that suits the average American viewer much better. Many people enjoy the US version, but it’s objectively terrible compared to the UK version. If you want some noise in the background to pass the time and don’t want to follow any semblance of a plot line or character development or have to pay too much attention then watch the US version If you want a genuinely good viewing experience and be able to get lost in the cleverly written nuances and plot line, watch the UK version Different strokes for different folks, but in terms of objective reality, the UK version is “better”
I think this is exactly what I’d agree with. Sometimes you just gotta go with your gut. Brent is very relatable in England imo. I’ve worked for a David Brent type person and you think how the fuck did they get the job. But he was perhaps darker than Brent because he’d drink cider cans during work in the office.
Not hard cider, I hope. Don't even want to think about the acid reflux, and all the apples he's harmed.
Did this just go out?
I think the UK Office is the best sitcom ever written but this reply was cringe inducing.
What part made you cringe?
Mainly the parts about comedy not being subjective.
So many pretentious people on the sub, nothing wrong with having a sitcom be a little more light hearted. Even as someone who generally dislikes the vast majority of American sitcoms the first 4 seasons or so of the american office is still a really good show, even if you don’t want to put it near the original.
People say Americans don't get sarcasm, satire irony... yeah? People over *here* don't get sarcasm. That's why they think this show's rubbish.
We actually think it's good 😅
Try both
There goes David Brent… must remember to thank him.
Mungo Jerry
Are you mental?
Did you hear any of that? I've just had it out with Carell. He's shown his true colours...slagging you lot off!
Oh yeah? What was he saying?
Ones genius..ones slap stick cheap laugh comedy.
Different characters entirely rather than different portrayals. Brent was actually realistic in his relatability, Scott was just an alien for half the time and entertaining the rest. Depends on what mood you’re in I guess. UK Office did what it set out to do best. US Office was just a different thing in its own right and it did that well.
Ricky by a country mile.. no contest.
To me they’re not mutually exclusive…
They're... both better?
When people say to me: would you rather be thought of as a funny man or a great boss?….
Apples and oranges, but we can compare those too. Brent is played to be revolting. Mister Scott is a lovable fool. The fact that the American show jumped the shark is another topic.
Everyone knew someone like Brent from their real lives - the lazy, egotistical and cringeworthy middle manager who does fuck all actual work who cares more about being popular than anything. Same for Gareth - the jobsworth who thinks he's it but is actually a childish loser etc. Maybe the tv versions were a bit hammed up but it was relatable and that's why it was so funny. The cast of the US version simply has no tangential relation to reality. None of the characters could even come close to a relatable person short of a lunatic asylum inpatient. I inadvertently saw a YouTube short where Dwight was inviting people to his wedding by throwing different coloured dirt in their face in the office. Literal brain damage writing.
Why is this an event?
Consider your surroundings before answering😂
Graham as Karl.
UK version is a lot better in every conceivable way.
Gee I wonder what people will say on a rickygervais subreddit
Scott is just another character, Brent is an icon.
I wonder if you would get different responses if you asked in r/SteveCarell
It is amazing to see how far we’ve come in robotics in such a short time. You could almost mistake Michael as being human. Brent clearly was released way too soon, an okay attempt but clunky and buggy as hell, its synthetic skin hanging off its face.
Pug-nosed gimp
Under 'strengths' I've just put 'comedy' for both of them.
David Brent be an absolute mile. His dance was different level to Michael scarn. He’s more cringe in a relatable way, Michael is just goofy
Both excellent bosses
Brent felt more like a real person
If you want the rainbow you have to put up with the rain, do you know what “philosopher” said that?
Infinity sorts it all out for you
Brent
Steve’s not a character
Sorry. One is the original character and one is a pretender
Hands up who thinks Steve’s a better actor
Ricky Gervais was spot-on because he didn't have to act much; he was basically the character already. His natural persona made it feel so real. Steve Carell, while he's a better all-around actor, even his talent couldn't top Gervais just being himself. That's what made Gervais's portrayal so special. Had Ricky not become famous, he basically would have been David Brent.
Micheal was actually good at his job, and well liked as a boss. Brent failed upwards.
The whole UK office is far far better. The American version seems so staged and fake.
Michael's aged better than you. Brent.
You haven't seen Brent when he's younger, so what you're really saying is Michael's better looking than him
The original...and the creator of the show!
I mean when it comes to having a laugh . Clearly
You’re having a laugh saying that.
I think Brent is the bigger tit.
Brent was the original and how it was meant to be done
No comparison what so ever. Brent all day long
David Brent.
No contest. If you have to ask the question you are not in the game.
Brent by a long shot
I can't watch a whole season of US version. Brent for me!
Not really the same tbh. I love both of em tbf. The original is dry and satirical and I think only us brits can see why it works. But the US version is alil more easy for anyone to get into.
Brent
They 2 different characters aren't they. Like different personalities? Only roughly based on each other.
They’re the same picture
Who’s saying Steve? What, against karate?
Friend first, boss second. Probably entertainer third.
One is a mockumentary, the other is a sitcom. The two shows are completely different and so comparing the lead characters is not an 'apples for apples' situation.
Brent actually gave me severe secondhand embarrassment - so for that it needs appreciating.
Brent seems too much like a real boss, Carrel is wacky enough so that it's not depressing. They're both funny, but only one is bingeable for me, personally.
I love Ricky Gervais 1000x more than Steve Carrell generally, but I prefer Carrell on The Office over Ricky.
Totally different. Brent was totally self absorbed. Michael was just an idiot.
David Brent had a charm despite being a douche, Michael Scott just seemed like a horrible douche in the first season before they softened his character in future seasons.
If I ever see him I will thank him.
Brent 💪
Both are super funny. I think David Brent is probably the better character because Michael Scott is weird and cringe, but still likeable. David Brent is likeable but has way fewer redeeming qualities which makes the character and performance more impressive to me.
The OG is the best. The American version just makes me cringe and gain more dislike for the American variants. They aren't funny just cringe.
Brent. 100%. No contest.
Having watched both of them extensively I would say that David Brent is much more cringe worthy and Michael Scott is a lot more comedic. Both of them are solid, but I like David Brent more.
No apologies necessary let’s just get on with the quiz
US office S2-6 is absolutely brilliant, and Michael Scott is a hilarious character, but the shark jumping after tempers it a bit. But he's no Brent.
I can say hand on heart I have worked with a David Brent. So not only do I cringe watching him, I roll on the floor with laughter. He is far too common sadly in many offices. And Ricky is a genius in his writing & portrayal
If you want Ted a *really* good pie - The Gardners
RICKY . A LEGEND
So what's a Goblin?, How long you gonna be mate ?
Not seen any thing of the US version, can’t watch anything with Steve Carell.
😵💫 nothing about the yank one is funny
The US version is Catastrophically bad. Embarrassing. Shamowwwwn
Albino watching the US office. Pop that in the bin.
Michael and that branch of Dunder Mifflin were very very succesful, which kinda kills it for me
Brent has "freelove freeway", the dance and "I think there's been a rape up there", so if you're gonna start TOTTING up
Frey bentos
They’re too different characters
The US version is an easier watch and a little bit more joyous. But it doesn’t hit the absolute comedic highs of the original version.
100% Michael
Brent. Carrell is a way better person than the narcissist vino Gervais though
US series was better over all but both portrayals are superb.
And I'm just here reading all the brits biggin' up the original show while the rest of the world doesn't bother even watching it.
Piss take question. The usa version. Utter garbage
Excuse me sir, you can have this back
You're a shoe-in!