User Reviews

For a episode itself it lacked any real story, the humour didn't really fit for characters we just met but as we go along we connect more and will enjoy more but this episode was just not the best, But did do a good job introducing us to what the characters act like around each other and there relationships.

There was absolutely no way they were going to be able to match the UK first episode by doing pretty much the same script. The actors don't fit as well into the original roles as they were written. Krasinski is no Freeman, he misses the beats in between the lines most of the time. Carell is closer. But his part works better when the character works to include the audience at home as he searches to he discovered. He doesn't come over quite as desperate. It's good they have tried to make it different but this opening pales when we've seen it done better.

I would like to start out by saying that The Office is my favorite show and the first show I ever watched all the way through. I will do my best to review every episode to the best of my ability. I have ranked all the episodes in advance to make sure my reviews are accurate and to the point. I am starting out with The Office but will try to review the episodes of other shows I am passionate about such as Parks and Recreation, Friends, How I Met Your Mother, Arrested Development, etc.

Now that that is out of the way, I will begin by discussing Season 1 as a whole. As for most first seasons of sitcoms, the quality is not the best since the show doesn't quite know what it wants to be. The Office doesn't have an exceptional first season, however it is better than some. I still really enjoy watching this season, but it definitely gets better in Season 2.

This show was meant to be an americanized version of the British show of the same name. As a result, it was difficult for the show to separate itself from the original and become its own unique show. After the pilot, you can start to see this happening. Unfortunately, the pilot is almost exactly like the pilot for the British version. I don't find this to be a major issue; it still has some original material that is quite hilarious. Nevertheless, this is still a good episode but is not near as good as other episodes to come.

I apologize for how lengthy this review is. This had to be long because I had so much I needed to say, but the reviews to come will be much shorter.

I couldn't watch the office after seeing the first season but my friends really insisted that I carry on and mind you that was one of the best decisions I made in TV shows. The USP of this show is that you'll never get tired of it and it's extremely rewatchable. You'll find certain nuances in rewatches that you'll definitely miss in the first one.

TLDR : Highly recommended, watch atleast two seasons before jumping on any conclusions

When it was first announced that NBC was going to adapt BBC hit The Office for American audiences, fans and critics feared the worst since, Showtime's Queer as Folk notwithstanding, US remakes of English shows have never been a smart move (example: Fox's fun but flimsy take on Doctor Who in 1996). Even some of the US version's cast-members (John Krasinski most famously) were uncertain regarding the program's critical and commercial success. As it turned out, those fears were unnecessary, for two good reasons: first of all, Simpsons and King of the Hill writer Greg Daniels took on the assignment of making The Office the next great American sitcom; and secondly, not only did Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais give the project their blessing, they also agreed to stay involved as executive producers and even co-wrote the pilot episode with Daniels.

Just like in the original, everything is told as if it were part of a documentary, with an unspecified camera crew following the everyday events at the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of paper company Dunder-Mifflin. The regional manager is Michael Scott (Steve Carell), a child in a grown-up's body who sees himself as the ultimate boss and entertainer, while everyone else thinks he's a huge idiot. It is mainly Michael who delivers the show's trademark straight-to-camera remarks, although a few other people do pop up too occasionally. These include Michael's assistant Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), an ambitious, obnoxious career-devotee who insists on doing everything by the book, and his nemesis, sales manager Jim Halpert (Krasinski), who repeatedly teases Dwight with some help from the office's receptionist, Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer).

Plot-wise, three major things occur: Michael greets new employee Ryan Howard (B.J. Novak, who also serves as writer and executive producer), for whom he immediately develops a vaguely homo-erotic fondness, Dwight has to deal with Jim putting his stapler in Jell-O, and Jan Levinson Gould from Corporate reveals the branch might have to face downsizing. How does Michael react to the news? He promises nothing will happen and takes advantage of the situation to pull a few "harmless" pranks, with disastrous consequences.

The plot, as any true fan must have noticed, is lifted verbatim from the BBC premiere episode, complete with "Yankified" jokes (Camilla Parker Bowles is replaced by Hillary Rodham Clinton). A lot of critics saw this as a blatant sign of weakness, calling the US version a mere knock-off of the far superior British prototype. In reality, Gervais and Merchant (who wrote both versions of the episode) did this on purpose, to see if the show's less broad sense of humor could translate well to American audiences. To everyone's delight, it translates perfectly, albeit with a few adjustments: the mood is a tad lighter than in the original (as proved by the more cheerful theme music), the characters are more likable (even Dwight, but that's all thanks to the superb Wilson), and the boss is a bit less of a pain in the ass. That last thing might also have to do with Carell's wise decision to avoid watching Gervais' celebrated performance for inspiration: he has his own style, and it has made him justifiably famous ever since (he was relatively unknown before the series went on the air).

When it comes to American television, gambles usually pay off: a show about nothing? Best sitcom ever (Seinfeld). A real-time thriller? Compulsive small-screen viewing (24). A re-imagining of one of Britain's most cherished products? The funniest show of the 21st century's first decade, alongside the equally clever and hilarious 30 Rock.

Though this show is amazing, Michaels awkwardness makes it painful to sit through.

I've only watched the first episode of each series so far, and as a Brit I thought I'd prefer the British version but no, this episode, which has the same plot as Episode 1 of the British version with some jokes tweaked and lines changed but it is broadly similar. I gave the British one a 7 and this a 9 because I felt everything about it was just on a higher level.

The point of a 'Pilot' is to write the beginning of a story in an original and interesting way to hook the viewers in. But as this is a remake of the UK show, it is a near exact script to the UK Pilot. It establishes our main characters well (Michael, Pam, Dwight, Jim), but overall has a boring and forgettable plot.

We've never seen an episode of The Office....never. Loved it. Don't know where to start reviewing the Pilot, but getting to know some of the characters and their hi-jinx is consistent with what I've heard. Don't know why I've never watched it, but looks like I have a lot to catch up on.

The pilot outing of the American version of The Office was odd throughout, uncomfortable at times, and (when it worked) very very funny. Even with the uneven and unusual cast of characters, there were more than a few moments when the viewer can't help but recognize people they have worked with or situations that happen in offices every day - and the uncomfortably funny situation seems to be the point of The Office. Steve Carrell is the obvious comedic star, but the supporting cast looks to be a tremendous fount of potential entertainment. Was it too odd or uncomfortable to keep someone from watching? Nope - in fact, I can't wait to see what they do next.

What this episode lacks in a story line, it makes up for in what this series is all about: it's characters and relationships.

The first episode of the great American version of The Office isn't one of the best. It isn't bad, but the mood was more like the UK Office. It was still trying to find out where it was going and what it was, which is what most of season 1 is. Still has some good laughs though.

So boring and not funny at all, hope it get better.

Thankfully the show went uphill from here. Not bad by any means, a few laughs, but compared to the rest of the show, not the best episode. The episode was basically a reshoot of the UK pilot and even though it used the same script and storyline the US version was better like always.

Thankfully the show went uphill from here. Not bad by any means, a few laughs, but compared to the rest of the show, not the best episode. The episode was basically a reshoot of the UK pilot and even though it used the same script and storyline the US version was better like always.

Posted twice to meet the character requirement.

I DONT GET WHY PEOPLE DONT LIKE THE PILOT ITS SOO FUNNY.

I started today my The Office watch for the second time. This was a good pilot and introduction. 8.5/10.

The Beginning!

One of the most critically and fan acclaimed shows of the 2000s.

The beginning, where we learn about the existence of all the characters. An introduction to all the characters, although we don't get their details thus far.

I did find myself slightly bored and a little annoyed at the repetitive bits. The same jokes are there and are kinda hints to the shows future. Michael Scott is only in his first form, but it's blindness to the situations around him, and we meet the Pam/Jim future relationship. The show is set up well but it still has the same under developed elements most pilots have, but that's what you expect from a pilot. I am looking forward to this rewatch of such an acclaimed show. The wholesomeness is already there, that which people watch for. It's a sentimental piece for rewatchers but is so slightly off putting for new viewers, like I was on my first viewing.

Wathcing it for the first time after 16 years of release and it still makes me laugh, that's what I call iconic TV Show, I'm hooked up after first episode.

I like it but not to the point I am going to give it 9 of 10

I found this episode very weird because this is a carbon copy of the pilot for the British version and everyone is trying to copy the British versions of their characters. So Michael Scott in this episode comes off as cocky and mean spirited towards others in the office and it makes him unlikeable which is odd because of his personality in later seasons. (He is my favorite character in the show) Also the story in this episode is lacking, there is basically no story. I still gave it 5 stars because of other characters like Jim, Pam, and Dwight which already have their personalities defined and they are already likeable and make the episode watchable.