Interesting article in Slate on why Thank God You're Here isn't really improv:

Yeah, there's been a lot of grumbling in improv circles about how hard this show hits on everything you're NOT supposed to do in improv. It's definitely not about improvising scenes, just some weird humiliation humor thing.

I agree. I mean, the show is funny at times, but the other actors definitely have a script/specific things to say, and it's not as much fun as it would be if they just let it unfold.

I may preview it first, but I thought that perhaps there was a bit of teenage (or 12 yo) humor in the mix. Being young boys they would no doubt repeat endlessly the most inappropriate things. Bobby is almost 13 and Brendon 15, so not so young.

The character of Michael Scott, who is the office manager (played by Steve Carell) is, in fact, a forty-something year old who is 12 year old doofus. He's the worst offender, and you can tell he never got enough love and is always trying way too hard to be funny and loved.

They would probably repeat the most inappropriate things, because they're young boys. I think though, that they'd also understand they were inappropriate. It's very obvious. Michael is my least favorite character about 50% of the time.

I think Carell is ridiculously gifted, but I think the directors and editors are way too in love with him, and don't know where and when to cut his scenes. And sometimes the writers have him do things even the worst doofi wouldn't do, and it makes me roll my eyes, because in general, the show is way too smart for that. The other 50% of the time, he's simply brilliant and makes an episode. Just when you're ready to write him off as the most cringe-worthy human ever, he has a vulnerable moment that breaks your heart.

I am Jessica IRT the Office. Love the British one so so so much. Find the US version a pale imitation.

Love the British one so so so much. Find the US version a pale imitation.

This was me after seeing the first couple eps of the first season of the American version. But then I started watching regularly in the 2nd season and I was SO WRONG. very very wrong.

The American version totally holds its own and is as funny and as cutting edge as the British version.

And loving the American has in no way diminished my love for the British!

I'm with Lisa. They're two distinct entities. But my love for the UK Office knows no bounds.

I have only watched the British one once or twice, but I can't seem to get through a full episode of the American one. It's too watch from the hall for me.

I lent my copy of the British Office to my friend while she was on bedrest in the weeks before her twins were born last year. I lent it with a bunch of other stuff thinking she wouldn't really end up watching it because she doesn't ever watch sitcoms and she doesn't even work in a normal office setting. Also, I figured if she did watch it she wouldn't really love it as much as I did because she actively LOATHES romantic comedies. But she called me in tears after getting to the end of the Christmas special and was like, "Is this a normal reaction or am I crying like this because of the pregnancy hormones? Is TV supposed to do this to you??!"

I have to get my hands on the British Office now that I've fallen for the American version.

I think Carell is ridiculously gifted, but I think the directors and editors are way too in love with him

I agree with this, and, at the same time, I suffer from the same affliction.

That said, I can see why for a long-running series, you'd want your characters a little softer and more likable, so I do cut the series a lot of slack. But even when I'm really enjoying an episode, I can't get the feeling out of my head that they're all being way too nice.

Except for Packer! If he ever does anything remotely redeeming I think I will have to spit at the TV. That actor plays such a good ass. Or plays such an ass really well, I guess. (I'm not actually arguing with your point, even though it sounds like I'm doing that thing we do where we point out the one exception to every... thing anyone says. No, I'm doing that over-explainy thing we do.)

I'm not actually arguing with your point, even though it sounds like I'm doing that thing we do where we point out the one exception to every... thing anyone says. No, I'm doing that over-explainy thing we do.

t hearts Jen