Jars, see Anchorman.

LOUD NOISES!

The creepy thing about the pilot is that it is the same. Same script, same pacing, same shots...American actors.

They did very nearly this with Queer as Folk, too, at least at the beginning. It was very odd to watch the UK version, after familiarizing myself so thoroughly with the US version, and realize how much they (the US writers) had copied word-for-word and shot-for-shot from the UK series.

ooh, the dreaded doublepost

Carell's hilarious, but the whole thing just reeks of gilding a lily. Gervais is so twitchily perfect as David Brent that I'm afraid Carell's going to come across too broadly. Also, the 6-episode arcs and christmas specials were almost hermetically complete. I worry that the long American season will turn the premise into an opportunity to bring in the unfunny "wacky" pratfalls and misunderstandings that dominate our sitcoms. Having a King of the Hill writer & producer on board alleviates my fear a bit, (on edit) although, now that I think about it, they took the character of Peggy Hill in some awful directions starting a few seasons ago. She was written with less attention to nuance and more out-and-out lunatic behavior with no consequences, which sucked a lot of the life out of the show.

They did very nearly this with Queer as Folk, too, at least at the beginning.

I always wondered about this. I loved the original version, but the American one never aired over here, to the best of my knowledge. Did they just write original material from the end of the UK version, or had they veered away before that?

Billy Crudup is one of my favorite actors ever

Sean, I recommend that you see Inventing The Abbotts, if you haven't already. Billy is wonderful in it.

Jars, they diverged from the UK storyline after the first few episodes, although there are echoes of the UK first season throughout the US first season. But that's where the similarities end. I prefer the US version, but then again, I saw it first.

I watched Prey For Rock and Roll today. Avoid it unless you A) have a thing for Gina Gershon, B) can't tell good music if it bites you in the ass, or C) can believe in a Marc Blucas with tattoos, a crew cut, and just-released-from-prison-goatee. Named ANIMAL.

It's like Grace Of My Heart gone horribly, horribly wrong.

I don't think I've ever seen him in anything, but I'll take your word for it.

Everything I've ever seen him in had him playing essentially the same vain, pompous moron. I gather this is perfect for taking on the Ricky Gervais character?

A) have a thing for Gina Gershon

Are there people who don't?

C) can believe in a Marc Blucas with tattoos, a crew cut, and just-released-from-prison-goatee. Named ANIMAL.

To be fair, his character was named after the Muppet.