Actually, though compared to say, MTM(which I totally love, make no mistake--much Mary & Rhoda love here...I just never believed in those episodes where Ted's a jerk because his mother is critical or his brother's a big success...) Which is to say, I found The office's "redeeming" moments to be more small and natural. But I second Jessica's Packer sentiment, not least because I loved Jim's line read on "Who has two thumbs and hates Todd Packer? *This* guy." And Jessica, I think that's why the American AbFab never worked. Patsy and Edina are always supposed to be hipster bitches.

I really don't think you can compare them very well. I read a fantastic article a couple months ago (for which, of course, I memfault on the author, title, and publication of the thing) that compared the British, American, German and French versions of the office, and how the storylines had changed to reflect the culture. Like, in the American one they've protracted the Jim/Pam relationship, where in the British one they got dude and Dawn together in a reasonable amount of time. In the French version they were screwing practically the whole time. In the German version it wasn't nearly the big romantic thing as in the British and UK versions.

So I think in a fundamental way, though they are around the same themes and utilize similar characters, they're distinct from one another because at the core they're meant to reflect the work culture of the, um, culture.

I, also, weep like a lovelorn spinster when I watch the Xmas Special. I, also, grow grey and misty-eyed when thinking on it.

I cry every time I watch the Christmas Special. Hell, I get misty-eyed just thinking about it.

Seriously! I just watched just the end of it in a clip on youtube the other day and I was a mess!

When I watched it with my old roommate after we had watched the whole season together, her for the first time me for the second, she was so angry when Dawn walked out with (umm....totally blanking on his name...) fiance. I handed her over a box of tissues and she said she wouldn't need them. She was so pissed off that the series would end like that!

Of course, as soon as Dawn opened the present in the cab she started weepin' like a baby!

And I'm getting all misty right now thinking about it!

t sob

ETA: I guess that's where the US Office falls down for me. There was such heart in the British version and in the (admittedly few) eps I've seen of the US version, that's missing. Also, there just is no substitute for Ricky Gervais.

lisah, what's the link for that clip, if you don't mind?

Jim has got enough heart for twelve shows.(God, I'm gonna be one of *those* people. But he is so lovable...combined with the wiseassed prankster...aw, "Islands in The Stream" with Michael. That was really...kind.) But I totally get the Gervais love.

I guess that's where the US Office falls down for me. There was such heart in the British version and in the (admittedly few) eps I've seen of the US version, that's missing.

But.. but... but there's so much heart!

I mean if you don't like it, you don't like it but I think if you saw all the episodes and saw how the characters and their stories develop over time you might really fall for it. Or, you know, not.

what's the link for that clip, if you don't mind?

oh .. um... I had just searched on "The Office" (for work purposes, actually! for real! I found nothing suitable for what I needed though.)

here you go!

[link]

it does cut off before the part at the end where they are having their picture taken, the whole crew, and Tim and Dawn are standing together and he kind of sniffs her hair. That part absolutely SLAYS me.

ETA: I guess that's where the US Office falls down for me. There was such heart in the British version and in the (admittedly few) eps I've seen of the US version, that's missing. Also, there just is no substitute for Ricky Gervais.

Have you seen episodes from seasons 2 and 3 of the US version? The first season (which is only 6 episodes) is all but a copy of the UK version. In season 2, it starts branching out on its own, and there's so much heart, sometimes it makes me ache.