>HILARIOUS.
>
>and this is from a die-hard NBC Office fan who still
>re-watches saved episodes every couple of days
>
>I do think the supporting cast in the NBC version is better
>developed

Yes but the main cast is better developed in the BBC show, particularly in season 2 and the special.

>(I've only seen Season 1 of the BBC though) and I
>like Jim + Pam better than Tim + Dawn
>
>but Ricky Gervais is fucking brilliant - I was crying at the
>part with the guitar
>
>all that said (and I know this is a dead horse), I still can't
>see how fans of the American version don't like the UK
>version...and vice-versa.

I like the US version. I'll even say that it's probably the best thing on TV right now (with the possible exception of Extras, or Letterman on a very good night). But recently in particular, it's become much more like a conventional sitcom. They don't have the same dedication to realism that the original show had. Gareth Keenan wouldn't have given that Mussolini speech that was on last night.

The American show is like the last season of Seinfeld, or like the fifth season of Curb. Flirting with the kind of absurdism that might make for easier belly laughs, but in the end is less fulfilling. To some extent this might be forced by the medium, where on NBC the tone keeps getting broken up by commercials.


>Michael Scott and David Brent are both incredibly funny and
>the comedic timing is nearly exactly the same (Kevin is great
>but Keith sucks...WTF?)

They're starting to become different characters. Kevin's good for that dirty old man element. Big Fat Keith was more deadpan.

"..... not ... your minge."

>most of the same plotlines too
>
>I love both.

I love one. I still watch the other.