Over the last twenty years, the US has attempted to adapt several British TV shows for their screens. Although the likes of Skins, The Inbetweeners, and Gracepoint (remake of Broadchurch) was a miss with the audiences, there have also been many shows that were a hit. An example -- The Office.
When the American version of The Office first aired, there was a lot of criticism about how it was an exact replica of the British version. However, as the seasons progressed, the show diverted from the original material and made it their own. In fact, some may say that the changes brought about by the American version made the show a lot more enjoyable.
The Romances
The writers kept the romance between Tim and Dawn in the show by translating it through Jim and Pam. However, the fans also loved watching the romances blossom between the other workers too. There was the endearing romance between Bob and Phyllis, the rollercoaster that was Dwight and Angela, and the tumultuous relationship between Kelly and Ryan.
No one could forget the sweet romance that blossomed between Michael and Holly or Erin and Pete either. Every single one of these relationships provided the viewers with much entertainment.
The Villains
Another change the writers made in the US version was the villains. As everyone knows, the show was full of antagonists. However, if fans had to pick the worst character in the show, it would probably be Todd Packer (who is the US counterpart of Chris Finch).
Unlike his British counterpart, Packer was completely hated by the workers. He was an obnoxious bully who liked to tell crass jokes and behave inappropriately. It actually made sense that no one wanted to spend time with him because he was such a jerk. It also makes it easier to see him as the antagonist. Yet, in the UK version, it's hard to distinguish these boundaries.
A Lot More Cheerful
One major difference between the US and UK versions is the tone of the episodes. It's no secret that the UK version is a lot bleaker than the US one. David ends up getting made redundant, Tim chooses to remain in his dead-end job and Gareth remains as single as ever.
However, the US version was a lot more optimistic. No matter how many knockbacks the characters got, they seemed to never give up on their dreams. Jim and Dwight got their dream jobs, Michael became a father, Erin found her birth parents, and Stanley retired. Even Kevin found happiness opening his own bar. Everyone got closure.
Using The Mockumentary Style Differently
If fans have had the pleasure of watching both the US and the UK versions, they would notice that the shows used the mockumentary style in different ways. With the UK version, fans felt like this fit more with the documentary style. The writers intentionally kept the viewers at a distance and forced them to get to know the characters through sheer observation.
However, with the US version, it was shot with a different style. Although the show is classed as a mockumentary, the highly dramatic situations made it feel less real. The fact that the characters were also dramatized made the 'mockumentary' style feel less authentic.
Moving Away From Laddish Humor
Another major difference between the US and the UK version had to be the laddish humor. If fans watch the UK version, they would notice that there were a lot of derogative and sexist jokes made in the workplace. In fact, a lot of them were bordering on sexual harassment, which made it uncomfortable to watch.
When it came to the US version, there was still some laddish humor. However, the writers made it clear that the characters wouldn't tolerate this sort of behavior. Instead, the writers found other ways to garner laughs from the fans that didn't make them feel awkward or uncomfortable.
A Lot Less Cringe-Humor
Another element that distinguishes the American version from the British version is the cringe humor. As many fans know, the British version relied heavily on cringe-humor. The warehouse guys were misogynistic and homophobic, Brent was obnoxious and selfish, and Gareth was really creepy. Fans couldn't help but cringe whenever they were on-screen.
In the US version, a lot of the cringe-humor was toned down. Although watching Michael is painful in the first two seasons, a lot of his antics are watered down compared to Brent's. Dwight may have been eccentric but at least he was respectful towards others. Even the way Pam's rejection of Jim was scripted wasn't as brutal or awkward as Dawn and Tim's. It was a lot more light-hearted and fun.
A Lack Of Realism
Most fans would also say that the American version wasn't as realistic as the British version. However, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. If anything, it actually made the show a lot more interesting. The reason why viewers tuned in every week was that they wanted to see what their favorite characters got up to.
Although events like the office Olympics, Movie Mondays, and the constant prank wars aren't exactly something that occurs every day, it's still entertaining and hilarious to watch. The show wouldn't have run as long as it did if they followed the structure of the British version.
The Friendships & Rivalries
Another major change the writers made in the US version was the number of rivalries. In the UK version, everyone was seen to be good friends. Where Jim had a love-hate relationship with Dwight and Michael, Tim was actually good friends with Gareth and David. Where Jim and Roy hated each other, Tim was actually good friends with Lee.
The US version decided to add more rivalries to the show because the conflicts often led to some crazy hijinks and comedic moments. The show would never have been the same without Jim and Dwight's prank war or Angela and Oscar's debates.
Supporting Characters Are Developed
One element in the US version the fans also loved more than the UK version was the development of the supporting characters. In the British version, the supporting characters didn't get much screentime. Although there were over 20 other characters in the office, the viewers didn't learn anything about them. They barely remembered their names.
However, in the US version, fans loved getting to know the other office workers. They loved watching the dynamics between Angela, Oscar, and Kevin. They enjoyed seeing Meredith and Creed's wacky antics. Even Stanley's lack of enthusiasm became a key element of his personality. They were just as important to the show as Michael was.
The Protagonists Are Likeable
Although they were written to make the viewers feel uncomfortable, the characters in the British version were extremely unlikeable. Their actions made it hard to see them have any redeeming qualities. However, the protagonists in the American version had a larger impact on the fans because of the way their arcs were developed.
Fans watched as Michael went from buffoon to lovable idiot, saw Dwight become a loyal friend, witnessed Pam achieve her dreams and Erin find her confidence. Fans also loved watching Angela learn to appreciate her colleagues and how Andy managed to grow up in the end. How they learned from their flaws is what made them more likable.