Why is The Office so funny?

[mtoomey]

The Office consistently makes me laugh and is the only primetime network comedy show I watch. I've tried to watch others but they make me wanna claw my eyes out.

I loved the British Office and was actually rolling my eyes when I first heard there was going to be an American version. Though I watched it every week, I don't think the American version "had me" until midway through season 2.

But why is it so funny? Is it because of the faux realness/mockumentary angle? E.g., the first 10 minutes (fire scene) of the post Super Bowl episode was the funniest thing I've seen on TV in years. Pure comic genius. But if you had a similar scene in a sitcom, it wouldn't be nearly as funny.

Also, I think each character is so well defined and funny in their own way. Toby, Stanley, Dwight, etc.

anyway, just curious what others thought.
MT

[dog678]

Re: Why is The Office so funny?

it's just too good... the superbowl episode will go down as the best office opening ever... its the best comedy on tv... people have to understand, 30 rock is the hottest thing since slice bread just because its still new and fresh... the show is wickedly funny don't get me wrong, but i dont wake up every day dying for a new 30 rock in my life... the office has just recently gotten better because it was slumping big time, but i have faith in the team over there to keep it fresh and exciting.

[Sinnycal]

Re: Why is The Office so funny?

Also, I think each character is so well defined and funny in their own way. Toby, Stanley, Dwight, etc.

That's the one major advantage I think the US version has over the British original. The US show has been able to make full-blown characters of every single person in the office. By the end of the second series, the British one still revolved around a few main characters surrounded by an office full of glorified extras.

[BigFatTire]

Re: Why is The Office so funny?

It makes me laugh simply because I have, at one time or another, worked with some one just like each of the characters on the show. My current boss is just like Michael for instance. At lot of the story-lines may be absurd to some, but I have worked in places where a lot of what happens on the Office has happened in some form or another. Plus, Dwight Shrute is the best TV character of my generation!

[cliffhanger]

Re: Why is The Office so funny?

I love the show.

The last episode was genius.

It´s funny because they let the funny chararcters do funny things.

Dwight´s fire alarm, the way he handled it, the way the others
behaved. Have to laugh now thinking about it.

The writers are tremendously creative. Kudos. The concept
is great. Who doesn´t know an idiot like Michael?

The writers have the rare ability to balance comedy and tragedy.
That makes the show so special. The Jim-Jen-moment at the
end was beautyful and touching.

The office rocks!

[mtoomey]

Re: Why is The Office so funny?

all this is true, but could a similar opening fire scene in a sitcom be as funny? I say no because of the "reality" mockumentary angle The Office has.

[Sinnycal]

Re: Why is The Office so funny?

The Jim-Jen-moment at the end was beautyful and touching.

I don't think I can put into words how much I hated that, actually.

It looked for most of the episode like Jim might actually be humanized for once, and then for a second or two it looked like he might have genuinely f'ed up in a major way and given the couple a legitimate relationship problem...and then it all ended up being yet another "Jim is the most perfectest boyfriend ever!" moment.

[ScriptShadow]

Re: Why is The Office so funny?

I haven't laughed once during the last 10 Office episodes. Every single one feels exactly the same. The problem with a show that depends so much on improvisation is that actors only have so much material they can make up. Sooner or later they start repeating themselves. And that's how I feel it's gotten with everything that comes out of Michael and Dwight's mouths.

In addition, I don't like how Jim has become increasingly smug. I'd hate someone like that if I worked with them.

And then tonight's episode rolls around and I laughed about 20 times. I wasn't even going to watch the episode. I guess it really does come down to the writer.

[ScriptShadow]

Re: Why is The Office so funny?

Sorry, I rushed through that last part. What I meant to say was that it's the writer who puts these guys in a situation that gives them the best opportunity to be funny. Once they do that, the actors don't feel like they have to "make up" for the writing. They're so much more natural.

The stuff with Andy was hilarious tonight. And it was all because of the situation. The Michael stuff with Pam was awesome. The candy bars. Everything just flowed tonight. Nobody pushed it. I think that's on the writer (a woman I haven't heard of before).

[Telly]

Re: Why is The Office so funny?

But why is it so funny?

My wife is addicted to the show. I was a huge fan of the British series, and don't mind this one, but not a fanatic like my old lady. I think there are two reasons that I can surmise. One is the style of comedy, it's lite, almost slapstick dialogue if that makes sense. I knew on the first episode my wife was going to like it because that's her style of humor.

It's weird cause she doesn't laugh at any of the shows I like, Sunny, Family Guy, Adult Swim. Two different breeds of humor altogether. I don't laugh at the office all that much. So there's a definite style difference, someone versed in comedy can tell us what that is I suppose.

The other reason my wife likes it is the character development. They have refined those characters so brilliantly that each voice is completely different and you know exactly how they will react to any given situation. I mean, when someone does something stupid, you can't wait to see what Andy will do because you know how he feels about what just happened, same goes with every character on the show, you can predict their reaction and when they come through, you die laughing. They've literally become the friends we all know. It's kinda like the show Friends and Seinfeld in a way, you knew exactly how each one of those characters would react in any given situation and you couldn't wait to find out. That's my wifes take anyway.

Solid show, just not a favorite. And I'm super pissed now that it's on when Hell's Kitchen is on, cause I love that show, but my wife wins this battle hands down.

[Madbandit]

Re: Why is The Office so funny?

I haven't laughed once during the last 10 Office episodes. Every single one feels exactly the same. The problem with a show that depends so much on improvisation is that actors only have so much material they can make up. Sooner or later they start repeating themselves. And that's how I feel it's gotten with everything that comes out of Michael and Dwight's mouths.

In addition, I don't like how Jim has become increasingly smug. I'd hate someone like that if I worked with them.

And then tonight's episode rolls around and I laughed about 20 times. I wasn't even going to watch the episode. I guess it really does come down to the writer.

If you were working with brain donors like Michael (Carell should play Rod Blagojevich), Dwight and Andy, you have a fvcking right to be smug. Anyway, it's a great show.

[mtoomey]

Re: Why is The Office so funny?

good points, Telly. But c'mon, Hell's Kitchen?? Gordon Ramsey's become a TV wh*re.


In response to Wilsoneads, I don't think Jim's smug, I think he's the only sane person in that train wreck of an office.

-MT

[Telly]

Re: Why is The Office so funny?

good points, Telly. But c'mon, Hell's Kitchen??

lol, I love his whole shtick, the belittling of others really turns me on.

[BigFatTire]

Re: Why is The Office so funny?

Thursday's episode had it all. I laughed all most non-stop. However I do agree, they need to bring Jim down a notch.